Written Answers Nos. 313-327
313. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if she will provide information on any meetings that she or her Departmental officials have had with Bus Éireann concerning the ban on school bus drivers who are over 70 years of age (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7990/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 161,600 children, including over 135,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 19,800 pupils with special educational needs, and 6,800 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
The total cost of the scheme in 2023 was €382.02m.
While over 90% of services are contracted locally, Bus Éireann apply stringent assessments of each individual driver on over 7,000 school routes. This includes vetting and background checks.
It is Bus Éireann company policy that normal retirement age for all Bus Éireann staff is currently 66 years. However, Bus Éireann part-time school bus drivers and drivers nominated by private operators who operate service as part of the School Transport Scheme may continue to perform in the role provided they hold the requisite license and satisfy an annual medical examination until they retire at age 70. This policy and criteria is applied to all drivers who provide school transport services on behalf of Bus Éireann equally.
The age limit on school bus drivers was increased to 70 years a number of years ago. While Bus Éireann have informed the Department there is no plan to increase the age limit further at this time, the matter will continue to be kept under review.
Bus Éireann and Department officials meet regularly to discuss operational and policy matters.
314. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education her plans to provide additional post primary schools for the Knocklyon/Firhouse area; if she has any plans, or has she been requested to, expand the existing school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8003/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFor school planning purposes, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and utilises a Geographical Information System to anticipate school place demand. Information from a range of sources, including Child Benefit data, school enrolment data and information on residential development activity is used for this purpose. Additionally, Project Ireland 2040 population and housing targets inform my Department's projections of school place requirements.
While my Department is aware of enrolment pressures and demand for additional school places in some areas, it is important to note that where enrolment pressures arise, it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:
Duplication of applications – pupils have applied for a place to a number of schools in the area
• School of choice – pupils can’t get a place in their preferred school while there are places in other schools in the town/area
• Some towns/areas have single sex schools and while places are available in the school they are not available to all pupils
• External draw – pupils coming from outside the local area
Officials from my Department work closely with schools, patrons and management bodies to ensure that necessary solutions are put in place to provide the required school places. The Department will continue to monitor enrolment trends, population growth, and residential development and to keep school place requirements under review.
My Department is currently not, in receipt of an application for additional school accommodation (ASA) from the school authority in question.
The purpose of the ASA scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom and Special Education Needs (SEN) accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation.
It is open to the school authority to make an application for additional accommodation through the 'Additional School Accommodation scheme (ASA)' which is available at www.education.ie.
There is currently Projects in train for 2 schools in the Firhouse School Planning Area including a Major Project ongoing for Firhouse Educate Together Secondary School for a 1,000 pupil places, plus provision for 6 Special Education Needs Classrooms. There is also an Additional School accommodation project for Old Bawn Community School for delivery of Modular accommodation.
315. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Education if the difficulties being experienced by students (details supplied) in securing school bus services can be addressed. [8031/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 161,600 children, including over 135,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 19,800 pupils with special educational needs, and 6,800 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
The total cost of the scheme in 2023 was €382.02m.
There has been an overall increase in both applications and tickets issued for the 2023/2024 school year in comparison to the 2022/2023 school year.
Under the current terms of the scheme, children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language. Any children who do not meet these criteria are deemed not eligible, or otherwise known as concessionary applicants, and are allocated a ticket based on the availability of a seat when all eligible children have been catered for.
The availability of concessionary transport may vary from year to year and cannot be guaranteed for the duration of a child’s post primary school education cycle. Where the number of applications for transport on a concessionary basis exceeds the number of seats available, Bus Éireann will determine the allocation of the tickets using an agreed selection process.
Bus Éireann has advised that they have not received a school transport application for one of the children referred to by the Deputy. An application can be made online at www.buseireann.ie/schooltransport.
An application for the other child referred to by the Deputy was first received on 27/03/2021 and this application has rolled over since then. Bus Éireann has confirmed that the child is not eligible for school transport as he is not attending his closest school. Bus Éireann has further confirmed that if payment is made for the 2023/24 school year that the child can be accommodated on the closest service to his home.
316. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education the status of an application for special classes by a school (details supplied) in County Cork. [8041/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this government. It is also a key priority for me as Minister for Special Education & Inclusion, for my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
The vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs require additional supports, special classes and special school places are provided.
In 2023, my department spent over €2.6 billion on special education and further progress will be made this year as an additional €113 million will be dedicated to providing supports for children with special educational needs.
This includes funding to support children with special educational needs in mainstream classes; funding for new special classes and new special school places; additional special educational teachers, special needs assistants (SNAs) and funding for the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS).
In 2024, the number of teaching and SNA posts in our schools will increase with an additional 744 teachers and 1,216 SNAs added to deliver up to 2,700 new places for children with special educational needs. This will mean we will have over 41,500 qualified and committed people in our schools who are focused wholly and exclusively on supporting children with special educational needs.
The NCSE has the responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs.
Over the last number of years, my department and the NCSE have introduced a number of strategic initiatives to plan for and provide sufficient special class and special school places.
These initiatives are bearing fruit with almost 1,300 new special classes sanctioned and seven new special schools established over the last four years.
My department engage intensely with the NCSE in relation to the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places. This forward planning work is well underway ahead of the 2024/25 school year. This work involves a detailed review of statistical data in relation to forecasting demand for special class places, an analysis of available school accommodation, consideration of improved data sharing arrangements and a particular focus on the provision of special classes at post-primary level.
As a result of this forward planning, two new special schools have been established for this current school year in Cork and Dublin, with further capacity being expanded in 11 other special schools.
In December 2023, I was also very happy to announce with my colleague Minister Foley, the establishment of a further four new special schools for the 2024/25 school year in Enfield, Kildare, Gorey and Limerick. This will bring to 11 the number of new special schools established in recent years.
Along with the two new special schools opening this school year, 390 new special classes – 254 at primary and 136 at post-primary level – have been sanctioned by the NCSE for opening this current school year.
Of these 76 are in Cork, 52 at primary level and 24 at post-primary level. This brings to 496 the number of special classes in Co. Cork, 351 at primary level and 145 at post-primary level. The vast majority of these class are autism classes and have a teacher/student ratio of 1:6.
As your query refers to a specific school, I will arrange to have it referred to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.
As demand for new special classes at post-primary level is expected to increase significantly over the next few years, due to increasing demographics and increasing prevalence rates, my department and the NCSE have engaged with post-primary stakeholders in relation to the provision of special classes.
My department has communicated to all post-primary schools of the need to begin planning to provide additional special classes. It is envisaged that all post-primary schools will be required to provide special classes over the next 2 to 4 years, with an approximate average of 4 special classes in each school.
Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact the NCSE locally so that their needs can be taken into account for planning purposes. The local special educational needs organisers (SENOs) remain available to assist and advise parents of children with special educational needs. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available at: www.ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list.
Information on the list of schools with special classes, the types and locations of these classes is published on the NCSE website and is available at: www.ncse.ie/special-classes.
My department will continue to support the NCSE and schools through the provision of the necessary funding and capital investment to ensure all children are successful in accessing an education.
317. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education when the provision of extra accommodation will be approved for a school in County Galway (details supplied); the reason for the delay in making a decision on the school’s application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8078/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that the school referred to have been approved funding under my departments Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme for 2 mainstream classrooms, 4 special education tuition rooms and conversion works for 2 special education classrooms.
I can confirm that an initial preliminary design for this project was submitted to my Department by the school’s design team for review. The design submitted included works that were not sanctioned by my Department. Officials from my Department were in communication with the school authority requesting clarification on these issues. The school were informed at that stage, that in order to proceed with this project based on the design submitted they would need to submit a new application to Schools Capital Appraisal Section ensuring to increase the scope of the project to incorporate the additional items they require. Subsequently, officials from Schools Capital Appraisal Section have been in contact with the school authority and clarified the original approved scope of works. The school has been advised to submit a new preliminary design to reflect the approved project brief.
My Department is still awaiting this submission.
This project is devolved to the school authority for delivery.
The school also received approval for funding under my Departments Modular Accommodation Programme for the provision of 1 special education classroom and 1 mainstream classroom which is currently on site.
318. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Education to outline the provisions in place regarding a child (details supplied). [8084/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this government. It is also a key priority for me as Minister for Special Education & Inclusion, for my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
The vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs require additional supports, special classes and special school places are provided.
In 2023, my department spent over €2.6 billion on special education and further progress will be made this year as an additional €113 million will be dedicated to providing supports for children with special educational needs.
This includes funding to support children with special educational needs in mainstream classes; funding for new special classes and new special school places; additional special educational teachers, special needs assistants (SNAs) and funding for the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS).
In 2024, the number of teaching and SNA posts in our schools will increase with an additional 744 teachers and 1,216 SNAs added to deliver up to 2,700 new places for children with special educational needs. This will mean we will have over 41,500 qualified and committed people in our schools who are focused wholly and exclusively on supporting children with special educational needs.
The NCSE has the responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs.
Over the last number of years, my department and the NCSE have introduced a number of strategic initiatives to plan for and provide sufficient special class and special school places.
These initiatives are bearing fruit with almost 1,300 new special classes sanctioned and seven new special schools established over the last four years.
My department engage intensely with the NCSE in relation to the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places. This work involves a detailed review of statistical data in relation to forecasting demand for special class places, an analysis of available school accommodation, consideration of improved data sharing arrangements and a particular focus on the provision of special classes at post-primary level.
As a result of this forward planning, two new special schools are being established for this current school year in Cork and Dublin, with further capacity being expanded in 11 other special schools.
In December 2023, I was also very happy to announce with my colleague Minister Foley, the establishment of a further four new special schools for the 2024/25 school year in Enfield, Kildare, Gorey and Limerick. This will bring to 11 the number of new special schools established in recent years.
Along with the two new special schools opening this school year, 390 new special classes – 254 at primary and 136 at post-primary level – have been sanctioned by the NCSE for opening this current school year.
Of these 71 are in Dublin, 48 at primary and 23 at post-primary level. This brings to 534 the number of special classes in Dublin, 408 at primary level and 126 at post-primary level. The vast majority of these class are autism classes and have a teacher/pupil ratio of 1:6.
In relation to the student referred to by the Deputy, the NCSE has advised my department that the special educational needs officer (SENO) is in regular contact with the parents of the student and is providing information on available placements and offering guidance.
Planning for special classes and special school places in Co. Dublin and nationwide is well underway ahead of the 2024/25 school year.
My department will continue to support the NCSE and schools through the provision of the necessary funding and capital investment to ensure all children are successful in accessing an education.
319. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the number of new schools building projects, in tabular form per county, that are currently awaiting Departmental approval to include the envisaged capacity of each. [8095/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 2020, my Department has invested in the region of €4.3 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 800 school building projects with construction currently underway at approximately 300 other projects, which includes 33 new school buildings.
These 300 projects currently at construction involve a total State investment of over €1.2bn.
There are also approx. 90 projects currently at the tender stage including a further 28 new school buildings.? All these new school buildings are flagship projects in their area and transform the education infrastructure for those school communities.
This is a record level of investment in our schools and highlights the Government’s very strong track record of delivery in providing additional capacity and modern facilities for our school communities.
The key drivers of capital investment in the school's sector include:
• demographic growth, particularly at post primary level
• increased demand for special educational needs provision
• alignment of school place provision with new housing development
• climate action objectives including deep energy retrofit.?
The list below details 28 new school projects currently at tender stage:
|
County |
Roll Number |
School Name |
Project Capacity |
Project Stage |
|
Clare |
19849U |
Gaelscoil Donncha Rua, Sionna |
New 4 Classroom primary School & SEN, further expansion to 8 Classrooms |
Tender Stage |
|
Cork |
00467B |
Ballinspittle NS |
New 12 Classroom School & SEN |
Tender Stage |
|
Donegal |
19967D |
Scoil Iosagain, Buncrana |
New 25 Classroom School & SEN |
Tender Stage |
|
Dublin |
19660A |
Rush NS |
New 32 Classroom School & SEN |
Tender Stage |
|
Dublin |
19702N |
St Thomas Junior NS, Jobstown, Tallaght, D24 |
Extension to increase capacity to 27 Classroom School & SEN |
Tender Stage |
|
Dublin |
19855P |
Gaelscoil Chluain Dolcáin, Clondalkin, D22 |
New 16 Classroom School |
Tender Stage |
|
Dublin |
19991A |
Gaelscoil na Camóige, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 |
New 16 Classroom School |
Tender Stage |
|
Dublin |
20441S |
Shellybanks ETNS, Simmonscourt Road, D4 |
New 16 Classroom School & SEN |
Tender Stage |
|
Dublin |
20531T |
Gaelscoil Lir |
New 16 Classroom School & SEN |
Tender Stage |
|
Dublin |
68305F |
Sandymount Park Educate Together Secondary School, Rosyln Park |
New 1,000 Pupil School & SEN |
Tender Stage |
|
Dublin |
68308L |
Malahide & Portmarnock ETSS |
Phase 2 - New 500 Pupil School & SEN |
Tender Stage |
|
Dublin |
68365A |
Harolds Cross ETSS |
New 1,000 Pupil School & SEN |
Tender Stage |
|
Dublin |
76085N |
Coláiste Lán Ghaeilge An Ghráinseach (C. Reachrann), Donaghmede, BAC 13 |
600 Pupil School |
Tender Stage |
|
Dublin |
76454S |
Griffeen Community College, c/o Kishogue Community College, Lucan |
New 1,000 Pupil School & SEN |
Tender Stage |
|
Dublin |
76594L |
Coláiste Pobail Fóla |
New 1,000 Pupil School & SEN |
Tender Stage |
|
Dublin |
81002K |
Mount Temple Comprehensive, D3 |
New 1,000 Pupil School & SEN |
Tender Stage |
|
Dublin |
91301D |
Holy Family Community School, Rathcoole |
New 1,000 Pupil School & SEN |
Tender Stage |
|
Galway |
17444H |
SN Seosamh Naofa, Carrabane, Athenry |
New 8 Classroom School & SEN |
Tender Stage |
|
Galway |
20070J |
Rosedale Special School, Renmore |
New 14 Classroom Special School |
Tender Stage |
|
Kildare |
15040T |
Mercy Convent, Naas |
New 32 Classroom School |
Tender Stage |
|
Laois |
20100P |
Kolbe Special School, Portlaoise |
New 8 Classroom Special School |
Tender Stage |
|
Meath |
18106P |
SN Na Trionoide Naofa, Lios Muilinn |
New 16 Classroom School |
Tender Stage |
|
Meath |
20033D |
Dunboyne Senior NS |
New 24 Classroom School |
Tender Stage |
|
Meath |
76595N |
Enfield Post Primary |
New 1,000 Pupil School & SEN |
Tender Stage |
|
Monaghan |
20327U |
Gaelscoil Lorgan, Castleblaney |
New 8 Classroom School |
Tender Stage |
|
Wicklow |
20346B |
Kilcoole Primary School, Kilcoole |
New 12 Classroom School |
Tender Stage |
|
Wicklow |
76596P |
Greystones Community College |
New 1,000 Pupil School & SEN |
Tender Stage |
The current status of all projects and completions are listed on a county-by-county basis at www.gov.ie and is updated on a regular basis to reflect their progress through the various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender and construction.
320. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education if the co-ordinator for the summer programme will continue for the programme this coming summer; and if they are available to support both Special Schools and mainstream schools to provide a school-based programme. [8096/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe details of the 2024 Summer Programme will be announced shortly. As in previous years, the main priority for the 2024 Summer Programme will be to ensure children and young people with the most complex needs should have access to a school-based programme.
In 2023, the role of National Co-ordinator was established with a particular focus on increasing the participation of special schools. Consequently, more than 50% of special schools participated in the 2023 Summer Programme than in 2022. I am pleased to advise that the National Co-ordinator will continue on in their role again in 2024 and will continue to liaise solely with Special Schools in order to facilitate them in running a Summer Programme.
Even so, I can advise that every school who participates in the Summer Programme will be able to appoint a dedicated person to the role of Summer Programme Organiser. This role was introduced last year for the purpose of designing a scheme that best fitted the needs and requirements of the pupils participating in the 2023 Summer Programme. As the Organiser is already a fixed term teacher in the school, they would be cognisant of each child’s needs and are able to ensure that staff employed on the programme are aware of appropriate information so that they can support participation. The Organiser can also be utilised where schools are using external staff by establishing procedures to facilitate the sharing of relevant pupil information, appropriate planning documentation and details of school policies and procedures to new staff or to staff who are unfamiliar with the pupils. Other duties include:
• The Organiser working collaboratively with school personnel to identify the pupils who should participate on the school based programme and communicate with their parents/guardian.
• Developing the school’s summer programme and activities in line with this year’s theme.
The main premise of the role of Organiser is therefore to support schools, pupils and staff in running a school-based programme.
Details of this year’s Summer Programme, including details on guidance and training material, will be issued to schools directly and will be published on www.gov.ie/summerprogramme.
321. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education given the new special education teacher allocation model which now excludes complex needs, if children with complex needs will remain eligible for the summer programme. [8097/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI want to thank the Deputy for raising this issue and for giving me the opportunity to clarify some of the concerns that have been raised regarding the Special Education Teacher Allocations for mainstream schools which issued on the 6th February.
At the outset, I would like to clarify Complex needs have not been removed – the data which was used since 2017 from the CDNT and which is no longer routinely available is being replaced by high quality, verifiable education data.
To ensure that schools are not negatively impacted all existing hours assigned for complex needs are being maintained for each school.
The allocation model for 2024/25 distributes the total available number of SET posts in line with each school’s profile of need. It seeks to distribute teaching resources in the fairest possible manner, taking into account quality, robust evidence in respect of individual schools. This ensures that resources are in the right place at the right time to meet the needs of children in mainstream.
There will more Special Education Teachers in our schools in September 2024 than ever before – an increase of 1,000 from 2020/21 school year. This is in addition to a significant reduction in class teachers sizes at primary level over three budgets to where our PTR at primary level is now 23:1. This means, more than ever, children with SEN in our mainstream schools are best supported to meet their needs. In addition the model will now be run annually in line with general teacher allocations. This allows schools to better plan their staffing structures and gives them time to arrange clusters in areas where schools share an SET teacher.
There has been a limited change to the method used to allocate SET to mainstream classes. This review involved extensive consultation and visits to schools by the NCSE to look at the strengths and shortcomings of the allocation model. The feedback has been incorporated into the revised model for 2024/25.
The review of the SET model focused on ensuring that we had the best possible data available to inform the distribution of resources to our schools. Our policy relating to supporting all of our children in our schools based on their level of need remains.
The policy that individual schools are required to adhere to is the principle that the allocation is utilised to ensure that those pupils with the greatest level of need receive the greatest level of support and this remains unchanged.
Therefore the profiles are directly correlated to, and focused on, pupils with the greatest level of need in the areas of literacy and numeracy.
Finally I would like to confirm that there will be no change to the eligible criteria for children with complex needs accessing the summer programme.
322. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education what arrangements are being made to ensure that the parents of children with autism in the Taghmon area of Westmeath will have an appropriate school place for September in light of the second autism class for a school (details supplied) not proceeding. [8098/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra323. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education if she is considering actioning a section 67 of the Education Act 2018, to designate a school place to the children with autism who will not have a place in a school (details supplied) this September due to a proposed second autism class not proceeding. [8099/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 322 and 323 together.
Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this government. It is also a key priority for me as Minister for Special Education & Inclusion, for my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
The vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs require additional supports, special classes and special school places are provided.
In 2023, my department spent over €2.6 billion on special education and further progress will be made this year as an additional €113 million will be dedicated to providing supports for children with special educational needs.
This includes funding to support children with special educational needs in mainstream classes; funding for new special classes and new special school places; additional special educational teachers, special needs assistants (SNAs) and funding for the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS).
In 2024, the number of teaching and SNA posts in our schools will increase with an additional 744 teachers and 1,216 SNAs added to deliver up to 2,700 new places for children with special educational needs. This will mean we will have over 41,500 qualified and committed people in our schools who are focused wholly and exclusively on supporting children with special educational needs.
The NCSE has the responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs.
Over the last number of years, my department and the NCSE have introduced a number of strategic initiatives to plan for and provide sufficient special class and special school places.
These initiatives are bearing fruit with almost 1,300 new special classes sanctioned and seven new special schools established over the last four years.
My department engage intensely with the NCSE in relation to the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places. This work involves a detailed review of statistical data in relation to forecasting demand for special class places, an analysis of available school accommodation, consideration of improved data sharing arrangements and a particular focus on the provision of special classes at post-primary level.
As a result of this forward planning, two new special schools are being established for this current school year in Cork and Dublin, with further capacity being expanded in 11 other special schools.
In December 2023, I was also very happy to announce with my colleague Minister Foley, the establishment of a further four new special schools for the 2024/25 school year in Enfield, Kildare, Gorey and Limerick. This will bring to 11 the number of new special schools established in recent years.
Along with the two new special schools opening this school year, 390 new special classes – 254 at primary and 136 at post-primary level – have been sanctioned by the NCSE for opening this current school year.
Of these 6 are in Westmeath, 4 at primary and 2 at post-primary level. This brings to 59 the number of special classes in County Westmeath, 39 at primary level and 20 at post-primary level. The vast majority of these class are autism classes and have a teacher/pupil ratio of 1:6.
In relation to the school referred to by the Deputy, the NCSE has advised my department that they received an expression of interest for the establishment of an autism class from the school. It is of course open to any school to do so and every school who express such an interest is to be commended.
However, it may not be possible for the NCSE to sanction a new special class in every school that expresses an interest.
The department and the NCSE are currently reviewing the overall demand for such provision in the area alongside the availability of space in local schools. The local special educational needs officer (SENO) remains in contact with the principal of the school and with the parents of children in the area. Parents will be duly notified as new special class placements become available and are sanctioned for the 2024/25 school year within the area.
When assessing the needs in the local area, the NCSE identify schools in the neighbouring vicinity with available special class vacancies and assess their capability with consideration to demographical and statistical data.
Planning for special classes and places in Co. Westmeath and nationwide is currently underway ahead of the 2024/25 school year.
As demand for new special classes at post-primary level is expected to increase significantly over the next few years, due to increasing demographics and increasing prevalence rates, my department and the NCSE have engaged with post-primary stakeholders in relation to the provision of special classes.
My department has communicated to all post-primary schools of the need to begin planning to provide additional special classes. It is envisaged that all post-primary schools will be required to provide special classes over the next 2 to 4 years, with an approximate average of 4 special classes in each school.
Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact the NCSE locally so that their needs can be taken into account for planning purposes. Local SENOs are available to assist and advise parents of children with special educational needs. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available on the NCSE's website at: www.ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list
Information on the list of schools with special classes, the types and locations of these classes is published on the NCSE website and is available at: www.ncse.ie/special-classes.
My department will continue to support the NCSE and schools through the provision of the necessary funding and capital investment to ensure all children are successful in accessing an education.
324. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the SNA allocations for the school year 2024/2025. [8109/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to thank the Deputy for the question and advise that the provision of education for children with special needs is a priority for Government and for me as Minister for Special Education and Inclusion. In 2023, my department spent over €2.6 billion on special education and further progress will be made this year as an additional €113 million will be dedicated to providing supports for children with special educational needs.
Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) provide schools with additional adult support staff to assist children with additional care needs. Such support is provided in order to facilitate attendance by those pupils at school and also to minimise disruption to class or teaching time for the pupils concerned, or for their peers, and with a view to developing their independent living skills.
My department has allocated 1194 additional SNA’s to schools in the past year and in Budget 2024 an additional 1216 SNA’s are being provided to support schools and will be allocated as follows: 806 to support students in new special classes, 150 to support students in new special school places and 260 to support students in mainstream classes.
The Special Needs Assistant (SNA) allocations for the 2024/2025 school year are presently being development by my department and will be advised to schools as soon as possible and in line with previous year timelines.
326. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to outline all of the funding streams that are available to any sports club wishing to embark on a development project that is in excess of €500,000 excluding land purchase; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7434/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department operates two capital funding programmes for sport, namely the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) and the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). Both of these capital programmes are demand-driven.
The SCEP is the government’s primary vehicle for providing support to sports clubs and communities to develop sports infrastructure around the country. The latest round of the SCEP closed for applications on Friday, 8 September 2023. A preliminary examination of the submitted applications demonstrates that the programme has again generated a very large number of applications. The total number of 3,210 applications exceeded the record number submitted in the previous round. Applicants under SCEP for local projects under the latest round were able to apply for up to €200,000, increased from the previous maximum grant of €150,000. The maximum valid grant available for projects deemed to be of regional significance was increased from €300,000 to €500,000. The detailed assessment work has commenced and it is planned to assess the "equipment-only" applications first and announce these grants in the coming months. Work will then commence on assessing the capital applications with the allocations to be announced later.
Separately, the National Sports Policy published in 2018 provided for the establishment of the LSSIF. The aim of the fund is to provide support for larger sports facilities where the Exchequer investment is greater than the maximum amount available under the SCEP. A new round of the LSSIF will open for applications in the first half of 2024, with the dates, terms and conditions to be confirmed in due course. While the LSSIF programme is aimed primarily at the National Governing Bodies of Sport and local authorities it was also open to other bodies, philanthropic funders, clubs and voluntary organisations to apply. However, such applications would necessarily have to be made and prioritised by a local authority and/or a Governing Body. I would encourage all eligible projects to consider applying for this competitive application process when it opens later this year.
327. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the progress being made regarding evaluation of grant applications under the sports capital programme; if it is her intention to deal with applications for sporting equipment first; if so, the timeline for this and when the remaining applications will be dealt with; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7487/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country. Over 13,000 projects have now benefited from sports capital funding since 1998 bringing the total allocations in that time to over €1.15 billion.
The latest round of the SCEP (2023) closed for applications on Friday 8 September, 2023. A preliminary examination of the submitted applications demonstrates that the Programme has again generated a very large number of applications. The total number of 3,210 applications exceeds the record number submitted under the last (2020) round.
The "Scoring System and Assessment Manual" for the 2023 round has been finalised and published along with a list of all applications received by county including the relevant sport type for each application received. The detailed assessment work has commenced and it is planned to assess the "equipment-only" applications first and announce these grants in the coming months. Work will then commence on assessing the capital applications with the allocations to be announced later.
