Niall Collins
Question:223. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education the status of a project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23848/24]
View answerSchool Accommodation
Questions (223)
Written answers
I can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is in receipt of an application for the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme, from the school in question to provide Special Educational Needs classrooms.
The purpose of my Department’s ASA scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom accommodation and accommodation for pupils with special education needs is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation.
Since 2020, my department has invested in the region of €4.8 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 800 school building projects and with construction currently underway at approximately 300 other projects, which includes 30 new school buildings. These 300 projects currently at construction involve a total State investment of over €1.2bn.
Our main focus is on the most critical needs for the next school year. In the context of making most effective use of our capital allocation, and mindful of climate action goals, we are working to make sure that all school accommodation capacity is being maximised. We are looking at how each individual school’s accommodation can be best utilised and at capacity across schools in each school planning area.
The application for this school is being considered in this context.
Engagement between the school authorities and my department are continuing. I would like to assure the Deputy that a decision will be conveyed directly to the school authority as soon as possible.
Special Educational Needs
Questions (224)
Joan Collins
Question:224. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure that a young child receives a school placement by September 2024 (details supplied). [23851/24]
View answerWritten answers
I understand that this is an anxious time for parents who are seeking a school place for their child for September and I would like to assure the Deputy that this government is determined to alleviate the pressures faced by parents when seeking a special educational placement.
In respect of the child referred to by the Deputy, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has advised that the local special educational needs organiser is working closely with the student's family regarding options for school placements and other special education supports for the coming academic year.
My department and the NCSE work closely in relation to the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places, work which is close to finalisation for the 2024/25 school year.
So far more than 320 new special classes have been sanctioned by the NCSE nationwide for the 2024/25 school year. Of these, 36 are in Dublin of which 23 are at primary level and 13 at post-primary level, bringing the total number in the county to 570. Of the 36 classes sanctioned for next September, 4 are in the Dublin 7 and 15 areas.
The NCSE continue to sanction classes for the coming school year and is engaged in ongoing discussions with schools. As new classes are sanctioned, the NCSE will support families to make applications for places.
I have asked the NCSE to ensure classes are established as a matter of urgency and to keep all families seeking class places updated on an ongoing basis to ensure their children can access the provision to which they are entitled.
I referenced earlier that this government is committed to alleviating the pressures faced by parents seeking a special educational placement.
Significant additional resources and funding of €13 million have been allocated to the NCSE to allow for the expansion of its services, which will bolster the level of service and provide effective structures to relieve pressure on parents.
This funding has allowed for, among other things, a significant increase in the number of SENOs which will increase from 73 to 120 by next September. These SENOs will work closely with children, their families and schools on the ground in order to provide the necessary supports.
Additional administrative support staff, team managers and other professionals are also being employed to allow SENOs concentrate on working directly with schools and families.
Special Educational Needs
Questions (225)
Colm Burke
Question:225. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education the steps she will take to address the substantial shortfall of educational places in Cork city for children with autism spectrum disorder, and if she will set out her proposals for dealing with this shortfall; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23861/24]
View answerWritten answers
I understand that this is an anxious time for parents who are seeking a school place for their child for September and I would like to assure the Deputy that this government is determined to alleviate the pressures faced by parents when seeking a special educational placement.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) through their special educational needs organisers (SENOs) work closely with families regarding options for school placements and other special education supports. Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact the NCSE locally using the details on the NCSE's website.
My department and the NCSE work closely in relation to the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places, work which is close to finalisation for the 2024/25 school year.
This forward planning has resulted in over 3,000 special classes and the establishment of eleven new special schools in recent years and the expansion of many others. My department secured funding of €2.7 billion for special education expenditure in Budget 2024 which will provide essential supports to children with special educational needs and allow for the opening of up to 400 new special classes in mainstream schools and 300 additional special school places.
So far more than 320 new special classes have been sanctioned by the NCSE nationwide for the 2024/25 school year. Of these, 57 are in Cork of which 37 are at primary level and 20 at post-primary level. This brings the total number of special classes in the county to 553.
The vast majority of these are autism classes which have a teacher/student ratio of 1:6. The NCSE continue to sanction some additional classes for the coming school year and is engaged in ongoing discussions with schools. As new classes are sanctioned, the NCSE will support families to make applications for places.
I have asked the NCSE to ensure classes are established as a matter of urgency and to keep all families seeking class places updated on an ongoing basis to ensure their children can access the provision to which they are entitled.
I referenced earlier that this government is committed to alleviating the pressures faced by parents seeking a special educational placement.
Significant additional resources and funding of €13 million have been allocated to the NCSE to allow for the expansion of its services, which will bolster the level of service and provide effective structures to relieve pressure on parents.
This funding has allowed for, among other things, a significant increase in the number of SENOs which will increase from 73 to 120 by next September. These SENOs will work closely with children, their families and schools on the ground in order to provide the necessary supports.
Additional administrative support staff, team managers and other professionals are also being employed to allow SENOs concentrate on working directly with schools and families.
Schools Building Projects
Questions (226)
Francis Noel Duffy
Question:226. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Education when her Department will issue the letter of intent for a new school build for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23862/24]
View answerWritten answers
This campus school building project is being delivered under my Department’s Design and Build Programme and will deliver a new 1,000 pupil post-primary school and accommodation, including 4 classrooms, for children with special educational needs and a new 16 classroom primary school and accommodation, including 2 classrooms, for children with special educational needs.
The Tender Assessment stage has concluded and the Letter of Intent (LOI) has issued to the preferred tenderer. This allows the preferred tenderer to put in place the Bond, Insurances, and confirmations of all legal arrangements required under the Contract.
The next step will be the issue of the Letter of Acceptance (LOA) to the successful contractor. This will be done following further engagement with the successful contractor in relation to the tender for the design and construction of the new schools. This engagement will also provide clarity on the contractor’s programme of works for the delivery of the project and timelines. Following receipt of all the necessary documentation and clarifications, my Department will then be in a position to issue the LOA which will allow the contractor to mobilise on site.
My Department will update the school and its patron body once the LOA has issued and will continue to liaise with school in relation to interim accommodation needs pending delivery of the school's permanent accommodation.
School Admissions
Questions (227)
Bernard Durkan
Question:227. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education if every effort can be made to ensure a school place in a local Gaelscoil is accommodated and confirmed for September 2024 in the case of the daughter of a person (details supplied) who has completed two years of an ECCE programme, and whose teachers have advised they are ready to proceed to primary school education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23874/24]
View answerWritten answers
In relation to school admissions, it is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an admissions policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998 and the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018. Under the provisions of the Act, school admission policies are approved by the Patron, following consultation with staff and parents of children who are attending the school. The school’s admissions policy is published on the school’s website. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in that area.
Parents have the right to choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available the pupil should be admitted. However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available, a selection process will be necessary. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.
All schools must clearly set out their selection criteria in their admission policies. Schools have discretion in relation to their admission criteria and how they are applied. The criteria to be applied by schools and the order of priority are a matter for the schools themselves. My Department does not seek to intervene in the selection criterion that is applied by schools.
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
• School of choice
• Single sex schools
• External draw
Section 29 of the Education Act, 1998 provides for an appeal where a board of management, or a person acting on behalf of the board of management (normally the school principal) refuses to admit a student to a school. Where the decision to refuse admission is due to the school being oversubscribed, a review of the decision by the board of management must be sought in the first instance. Following a review it is open to the parent to appeal to the independent appeals committee.
Tusla Education Support Service (TESS) is the agency which can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. TESS can be contacted at 01-7718500 (tessinfo@tusla.ie) for assistance. More information is available on their website on the following link: www.tusla.ie/tess/tess-ews/.
Schools Building Projects
Questions (228)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:228. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education to provide a timeline for the expected commencement date for a school (details supplied) in Drogheda which received planning permission in January; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23876/24]
View answerWritten answers
The joint major building project for the 2 schools referred to by the Deputy is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning -Stage 2(b) – Detailed Design, where the design team secure all Statutory Applications and prepare the suite of tender documents.
The Design Team have recently secured all Statutory Approvals, including Planning Permission, following a request for further information from the Local Authority.
The design team are completing work on the Stage 2(b) submission, to be forwarded to my Department for review.
Upon receipt, review and approval of the Stage 2(b) submission, the Department will inform the School Authorities and their Design Team of the progression of the major project to the next stage of Architectural Planning – Tender Award.
In accordance with the Infrastructure Guidelines published by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, approval at any stage in the project life cycle constitutes approval to move to the next stage rather than overall project approval.
Schools Building Projects
Questions (229)
Cian O'Callaghan
Question:229. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 212 of 21 March 2024, if she will provide a decision to a school on a multi-use games area where they still have not received an answer (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23924/24]
View answerWritten answers
The building project for the school referred to by the Deputy will deliver a new 1,000 pupil post-primary school and accommodation, including four classrooms, for children with special educational needs. The project is being delivered under my Department's Design and Build programme.
My Department has considered the request from the school and a response has issued to the school and its patron body in this regard.
School Accommodation
Questions (230)
Pat Buckley
Question:230. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Education if she is aware of the overcrowded conditions in the Educate Together National School in Fermoy, County Cork, which have resulted in some classes being held in a corridor; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23928/24]
View answerWritten answers
The school under reference in Fermoy was established in 2018 under the patronage divestment process.
Fermoy was one of a number of areas surveyed in 2012/13 under the patronage divesting process, where there was sufficient parental demand supporting changes in school patronage. The areas surveyed were areas where demographics were not growing and therefore it was unlikely that a new multidenominational school would be established for demographic reasons.
The clear policy on patronage divesting was to use existing educational infrastructure to facilitate provision of diversity in areas where there was no demographic imperative to establish new schools.
The reason for this approach was the imperative – equally valid now as it was then - to focus the schools capital programme on the provision of additional mainstream and special education school places at both primary and post-primary levels to ensure that every pupil can access a school place.
As part of the process of identifying a suitable accommodation solution which would facilitate the establishment of the school, the Department liaised with Cork Education and Training Board. In order to facilitate the establishment of the new school, the ETB agreed to the co-location of the Educate Together school at the former Technical School in Fermoy, together with some of the ETB’s Further Education and Training services.
Prior to the establishment of the new school in 2018 under the patronage divesting process, the Department and Educate Together, as school patron, agreed that given the accommodation available at the property and the need for the ETB to accommodate some Further Education and Training services from the property, the school would be established as a four-classroom school and that the school would maintain this configuration in the accommodation in the former Technical School unless an existing school building was freed up for use in the area.
As part of this engagement, the Department outlined to the school patron the importance of enrolments being managed within the available accommodation in a sustainable way and that this would be communicated to the school Board of Management so that parents could be fully informed and in order to manage expectations. However, the school has taken the decision to accept a significant increase in enrolments from 52 in the 2022/2023 school year to 85 in the 2023/2024 school year.
Individual school authorities are responsible, in the first instance, for ensuring the safety and welfare of children and others in their care. The configuration of classes and the deployment of classroom teachers are done at local school level. My department's guidance to schools is that the number of pupils in any class is kept as low as possible taking all relevant contextual factors into account, for example, classroom accommodation and fluctuating enrolments.
The role of my Department is to ensure that all schools in an area can, between them, cater to school place requirements in that area. The broader position in the Fermoy School Planning Area is that demographics at primary level are declining and will steadily decrease for the foreseeable future.
Officials in the Department of Education have been engaging with the school patron, Educate Together, in respect of the current and future needs of the school. A technical visit by the Department is planned and will be undertaken shortly.
School Accommodation
Questions (231)
Pat Buckley
Question:231. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Education her plans to address overcrowded conditions in the Educate Together National School in Fermoy, County Cork, in the short term to improve the learning environment for students while plans for a more adequately sized facility are developed. [23929/24]
View answerWritten answers
The school under reference in Fermoy was established in 2018 under the patronage divestment process.
Fermoy was one of a number of areas surveyed in 2012/13 under the patronage divesting process, where there was sufficient parental demand supporting changes in school patronage. The areas surveyed were areas where demographics were not growing and therefore it was unlikely that a new multidenominational school would be established for demographic reasons.
The clear policy on patronage divesting was to use existing educational infrastructure to facilitate provision of diversity in areas where there was no demographic imperative to establish new schools.
The reason for this approach was the imperative – equally valid now as it was then - to focus the schools capital programme on the provision of additional mainstream and special education school places at both primary and post-primary levels to ensure that every pupil can access a school place.
As part of the process of identifying a suitable accommodation solution which would facilitate the establishment of the school, the Department liaised with Cork Education and Training Board. In order to facilitate the establishment of the new school, the ETB agreed to the co-location of the Educate Together school at the former Technical School in Fermoy, together with some of the ETB’s Further Education and Training services.
Prior to the establishment of the new school in 2018 under the patronage divesting process, the Department and Educate Together, as school patron, agreed that given the accommodation available at the property and the need for the ETB to accommodate some Further Education and Training services from the property, the school would be established as a four-classroom school and that the school would maintain this configuration in the accommodation in the former Technical School unless an existing school building was freed up for use in the area.
As part of this engagement, the Department outlined to the school patron the importance of enrolments being managed within the available accommodation in a sustainable way and that this would be communicated to the school Board of Management so that parents could be fully informed and in order to manage expectations. However, the school has taken the decision to accept a significant increase in enrolments from 52 in the 2022/2023 school year to 85 in the 2023/2024 school year.
Individual school authorities are responsible, in the first instance, for ensuring the safety and welfare of children and others in their care. The configuration of classes and the deployment of classroom teachers are done at local school level. My department's guidance to schools is that the number of pupils in any class is kept as low as possible taking all relevant contextual factors into account, for example, classroom accommodation and fluctuating enrolments.
The role of my Department is to ensure that all schools in an area can, between them, cater to school place requirements in that area. The broader position in the Fermoy School Planning Area is that demographics at primary level are declining and will steadily decrease for the foreseeable future.
Officials in the Department of Education have been engaging with the school patron, Educate Together, in respect of the current and future needs of the school. A technical visit by the Department is planned and will be undertaken shortly.
School Enrolments
Questions (232)
Pat Buckley
Question:232. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Education her long-term plans for the development of national schools in the Fermoy and east Cork area generally to avoid overcrowding and promote the best learning environment for students now and into the future. [23930/24]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to advise the Deputy that requirements for school places is kept under on-going review in the context of available information on population, enrolments and residential development activity.
In order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System, using data from a range of sources, including CSO Census data, Child Benefit and school enrolment data, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise and where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.
Major new residential developments have the potential to alter the demand for school places at a local level. In that regard, as part of the demographic demand analysis, my Department monitors planning and construction activity in the residential sector. This involves the analysis of data sources from Local Authorities and the CSO along with the engagement with local authorities and the construction sector. In this way, up-to-date information on significant new residential developments is obtained and factored into the demographic analysis exercise. This is necessary to ensure that schools infrastructure planning is keeping pace with demographic changes, at a local level, where there is a constantly evolving picture with planned new residential development.
The school planning areas in east Cork include Midleton_Carrigtwohill, Fermoy, Cobh, Youghal and Mitchelstown. The most recent projections indicate these school planning areas have already reached their projected peak years for enrolment at primary level.
By way of example, Census data shows that the population of Fermoy Town & environs increased by over 7% from 2016 to 2022. However, the number of primary school age children only increased by 1.6% and the number of preschool children, aged 0 to 4 reduced by 32%, this downward trend in demographics is expected to impact on school enrolments over the coming years.
The Department will continue to liaise with Local Authorities in respect of their County Development Plan and any associated Local Area Plans with a view to identifying any potential long-term school accommodation requirements across school planning areas.
Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may, be provided through:
• Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,
• Extending the capacity of a school or schools,
• Provision of a new school or schools.
If additional accommodation is required, the aim to try and facilitate this, as much as possible, by way of expansion of existing schools rather than establishing new schools. The expansion of existing schools is consistent with wider Government objectives under Project Ireland 2040 for an increased emphasis on compact growth. In respect of post primary schools, new post primary schools must have a student enrolment capacity of 600-1,000 students and must be co-educational. A lower threshold of 400 students may apply to Gaelcholáistí, having regard to the alternative of establishing an Irish-medium unit (Aonad) in an English-medium school.
There are 4 large scale capital projects planned in the east Cork area and when completed, will cater for the demand for school places in the area:
Cobh SPA
Ringaskiddy Lower Harbour NS (Roll No: 20049S) –Amalgamation of two schools to provide 16 classroom and 2 SEN base school. Stage Project Brief- this includes determining the project brief and schedule of accommodation.
Midleton_Carrigtwohill SPA
Scoil Chliodhna CNS, Carrigtwohill (Roll No: 20442U)- New school building on campus project to cater for p+24 + 3 Classes. Stage 5 final handover of the school building to the Patron/Board of Management.
Scoil Chlochair Mhuire, Carrigtwohill (Roll No: 17103E). Construction of an extension to the existing school to provide permanent accommodation for a 16 classroom school and a 4 classroom SEN Base. Stage 2a Preliminary Design, site surveys and cost estimates.
Scoil Mhuire Naofa, Carrigtwohill (Roll No: 18000W) Replacement school on a campus project to cater for p + 24 + 4 class. Stage 5 final handover of the school building to the Patron/Board of Management.
In addition to the large scale projects, there are 17 projects in train.
Fermoy SPA
Kilmagner NS (Roll No: 11337W) 1 x 80m2 Mainstream Classroom with en-suite toilets & 1 x 15m2 SET Room. Stage 5
Watergrasshill NS (Roll No: 16271U) 2x Mainstream classroom:1x Special education Classroom. Stage 4 is the signing of the letter of acceptance to the successful contractor and commencement on site.
St Catherine's NS (Roll No: 17528N) 1x Mainstream:1x Special education tuition room. Stage 1 Preliminary Design Stage where the Design Team in conjunction with the school authorities, will analyse all the constraints of the site, develop a preferred design option and ensure that the preferred option is the best option for the delivery of the brief.
Scoil Bhride (Roll No: 17609N) 2x Special education classrooms:2x Mainstream Classrooms:2x prefabs. Stage 2b Developed Design & lodgement of Planning Permission
St Catherine's NS (Roll No: 18472R) 1x80m2 Mainstream classroom inc ensuite toilet. Stage 5. final handover of the school building to the Patron/Board of Management.
Scoil Mhuire (Roll No: 19404F) 2x Mainstream classroom:2x Special education Classroom. Stage 2a Preliminary Design, site surveys and cost estimates.
Cobh SPA
St. Mary's Convent (Roll No: 16377N) Reconfiguration of MCR's in the school into 2 X SEN. Stage 5 final handover of the school building to the Patron/Board of Management.
Youghal SPA
South Abbey NS (Roll No: 10724B) Reconfiguration to provide 1x Special education. Stage 1 Preliminary Design Stage where the Design Team in conjunction with the school authorities, will analyse all the constraints of the site, develop a preferred design option and ensure that the preferred option is the best option for the delivery of the brief.
St Fergal's National School (Roll No: 17297U) Refurbishment of existing room to create 2nd SEN. Stage 5 final handover of the school building to the Patron/Board of Management.
Kilcredan NS (Roll No: 19351K) 1x Mainstream Classroom en suite:2x Special education. Stage 1 Preliminary Design Stage where the Design Team in conjunction with the school authorities, will analyse all the constraints of the site, develop a preferred design option and ensure that the preferred option is the best option for the delivery of the brief.
Midleton_Carrigtwohill SPA
Ballintotas NS, Castlemartyr (Roll No: 15165Q) 3x Mainstream classroom incl en suite toilets & 2x Special education tuition rooms. Stage 2b Developed Design & lodgement of Planning Permission
Midleton CBS (Roll No: 16684W) 1x Mainstream:1x Special education classroom:6xSpecial education tuition rooms plus Ancillary. Stage 2a Preliminary Design, site surveys and cost estimates.
Scoil Iosagain (Roll No: 17579H) 3x Special education Classroom:2x Mainstream Classroom prefab replacement:2x Special education tuition room 2x prefabs. Stage 1
Scartleigh NS (Roll No: 17600S) 1x Mainstream Classroom:2x Special education tuition room:1x Special education Classroom 1x Prefab pending permanent build. Stage 2b
Ballycroneen NS (Roll No: 18475A) 1x Mainstream Classroom ensuite. Stage 1 Preliminary Design Stage where the Design Team in conjunction with the school authorities, will analyse all the constraints of the site, develop a preferred design option and ensure that the preferred option is the best option for the delivery of the brief.
Dungourney NS (Roll No: 19761G) 2x Special education classrooms and 2x Special education tuition rooms. Stage 1 Preliminary Design Stage where the Design Team in conjunction with the school authorities, will analyse all the constraints of the site, develop a preferred design option and ensure that the preferred option is the best option for the delivery of the brief.
Midleton ETNS (Roll No: 20336V) 1x Special education classroom. Stage 3 instruction for the project to proceed to Tender.
Details of large-scale projects being delivered under the school building programme may be viewed on my Department's website at www.gov.ie and this information is updated regularly. In addition, a list of large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date may also be viewed on the website.
Special Educational Needs
Questions (233)
Pat Buckley
Question:233. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Education what provisions are in place, or planned, to ensure the best supports possible are provided for schools which have a high number of students with additional learning needs, for example the Educate Together National School in Fermoy, County Cork, in which 62% of students have an identified additional learning need but are experiencing overcrowded classrooms at present. [23931/24]
View answerWritten answers
The National Council of Special Education (NCSE) play a pivotal role in co-ordinating and reviewing the provision of educational supports to support students with special educational needs.
The NCSE provide a range of supports to schools varying from staff training to day-to-day advice to assisting with administration matters.
The vast majority of children with special educational needs attend mainstream classes with their peers and are supported by special education teachers and special needs assistants (SNA). Where schools wish to appeal the level of their allocation of teaching or SNA they should engage directly at local level with the NCSE.
When a special class is established, schools are allocated additional resources such as an additional teacher(s) and SNAs and schools may receive enhanced capitation rates. Where additional accommodation is required, schools can apply to my department’s Planning and Building Unit for a technical visit and additional accommodations can be provided where required.
A comprehensive range of teacher professional learning courses are available to schools through the NCSE also.
Last month my colleague Minister Foley announced plans for the roll-out of the next phase of investment in the school capital building programme. This additional funding of almost €800 million will support over 90 building projects in 2024 and 2025 including 138 additional rooms for children with special educational needs.
Significant additional resources and funding of €13 million have been allocated to the NCSE to allow for the expansion of its services which will bolster the level of service it delivers.
This funding has allowed for, among other things, a significant increase in the number of SENOs which will increase from 73 to 120 by next September. These SENOs will work closely with children, their families and schools on the ground in order to provide the necessary supports.
Additional administrative support staff, team managers and other professionals are also being employed to allow SENOs concentrate on working directly with schools and families.
School Facilities
Questions (234)
Pat Buckley
Question:234. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Education to outline the process for identifying and selecting facilities for national schools, the basic requirements and additional criteria which are desired and what consideration is made for future growth and development of these facilities to meet demand and ensure the best educational and work environments for students and teachers. [23932/24]
View answerWritten answers
My department has published guidelines to assist in the identification and the assessment for suitability of new sites for schools where the procurement of a new site is required. The relevant guidelines are TGD-025 for Primary School site identification and TGD-027 for post-primary site identification. All technical guidelines are available on the gov.ie website at www.gov.ie/en/publication/7e515-technical-guidance-documents/.
The suitability of potential school sites is ranked based on a number of criteria including:
• Zoning and Development Plan Provisions,
• Accessibility and Sustainable Transport Modes,
• Proximity to the population to be served, and
• Proximity to services.
My department also engages with Local Authorities to seek their views when evaluating identified shortlisted sites, to select the optimum location for schools to serve the educational requirements of an area, while also ensuring value for money for the exchequer is achieved.
The provision for future education needs are assessed as part of my departments analysis of demographic trends and enrolment projections. This analysis is informed by datasets such as existing enrolment data, child benefit data, census data, residential planning & construction activity, land use zonings, population projections, etc. This informs my department's submissions to statutory development plans, to assist Local Authorities in making provision for educational facilities when forming these plans.
Where new schools are established in advance of purpose-built school buildings being provided, these schools maybe established in interim accommodation.
School Accommodation
Questions (235)
Pat Buckley
Question:235. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Education to outline the rationale for housing the Educate Together National School in Fermoy, County Cork, in the basement of a shared building which is wholly inadequate for the school's size and needs and provides no space for growth or development of this school service into the future; if this meets the standards for a positive school environment; and if there are plans to address concerns that the location is detrimental to the educational success of the school. [23933/24]
View answerWritten answers
Fermoy was one of the areas surveyed in 2012/13 under the patronage divesting process where there was sufficient parental demand supporting changes in school patronage (the areas surveyed were areas where demographics were not growing and therefore it was unlikely that a new multidenominational school would be established for demographic reasons).
The policy on patronage divesting is to use existing educational infrastructure to facilitate provision of diversity in areas where there is no demographic imperative to establish new schools. The reason for this is that, of necessity, the focus of the schools capital programme is on the provision of additional school places at both primary and post-primary levels to ensure that every pupil can access a school place.
As part of the process of identifying a suitable accommodation solution which would facilitate the establishment of the school, my Department liaised with Cork Education and Training Board. In order to facilitate the establishment of the new school, the ETB agreed to the co-location of the Educate Together school at the former Technical School in Fermoy, together with some of the ETB’s Further Education and Training services.
Prior to the establishment of the new school in 2018 under the patronage divesting process, my Department and Educate Together as school patron agreed that given the accommodation available at the property and the need for the ETB to accommodate some Further Education and Training services from the property, the school would be established as a four-classroom school and that the school will maintain this configuration in the accommodation in the former Technical School unless an existing school building is freed up for use in the area. As part of this engagement, my Department outlined to the school patron the importance of enrolments being managed within the available accommodation in a sustainable way and that this would be communicated to the school Board of Management so that parents could be fully informed and in order to manage expectations.
The role of my Department is to ensure that all schools in an area can, between them, cater to school place requirements in that area. The broader position in the Fermoy School Planning Area is that demographics at primary level are declining and will steadily decrease for the foreseeable future.
The school has been advised to direct any queries that it has regarding the divesting agreement to its patron. My Department has been engaging with the school patron, Educate Together, in respect of the current and future needs of the school. A technical visit by the Department is planned and will be undertaken shortly.
Teacher Training
Questions (236)
Michael Ring
Question:236. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education to outline the long-term plan for upskilling for post-primary teachers (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23943/24]
View answerWritten answers
Ensuring that every child's experience in school is positive and that they have qualified, engaged teachers available to support them in their learning is a priority area of action for the Government.
A steering group on teacher supply was established in my Department in 2018. The steering group is leading on the identification of issues, the development of a programme of actions on teacher supply and the oversight of its implementation.
The Teacher Supply Action Plan, published in November 2018, contains a range of actions including the development of programmes to upskill existing teachers in targeted subject areas. Upskilling programmes are provided over two years on a part-time basis and are available for registered teachers to upskill in subjects where teacher supply is constricted. These programmes are free of cost to participants.
My Department and the Higher Education Authority (HEA) issued a funding call in 2019 to initial teacher education (ITE) providers for upskilling programmes in mathematics, physics and Spanish. Following the successful completion of the funding call, these programmes commenced in January 2021. Over 900 teachers have completed or are in the process of completing these existing programmes.
In addition, I recently announced that Trinity College Dublin, alongside Marino Institute of Education, had secured a contract to deliver an upskilling programme in Irish. This part-time programme, beginning later this year, will also be free of cost to participants and will be provided in a flexible and innovation manner to enable broad participation, accommodating teachers in both full and part-time roles, as well as those situated across the State.
Budget 2024 reflects this Government’s commitment to ongoing investment in the education system through various measures including in the provision of upskilling programmes. Funding is being provided for existing upskilling programmes as well as for an expansion in the number of upskilling programmes. Officials of my Department are currently developing additional upskilling programmes in French, politics & society, and computer science. It is intended that requests for tender will be published in the coming months for these upskilling programmes. My Department will conduct a review of existing upskilling programmes and the need for additional programmes.
My Department continues to engage closely with school management bodies, teacher unions and other education stakeholders to develop further, innovative measures to address teacher supply issues.
Schools Building Projects
Questions (237)
Paul Donnelly
Question:237. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Education the status of the new building for a school (details supplied) to accommodate additional places for students with autism. [22404/24]
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I can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department has received an application for capital funding, under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme, from the school authority in question.
The purpose of my Department’s Additional School Accommodation (or ASA) scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom accommodation and accommodation for pupils with special education needs is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation.
At primary level, this situation generally arises to cater for a school’s accommodation requirements where an additional teaching post has been sanctioned by Teacher Allocation Section, or the requirement for a new class for pupils with special education needs has been identified by the NCSE, and all available alternative accommodation within the school is already being used for classroom purposes.
The consideration of the accommodation requirements for the school in question forms part of the Planning and Building Unit’s overall assessment of its work programme and priorities in the context of available capital funding.
I can assure the Deputy that the provision of required school places, including for children with special educational needs, is a priority for my Department and my officials are working to ensure that there is sufficient provision to meet the school place needs in the school in question and the wider School Planning Area for future years.
Since 2020, my department has invested in the region of €4.8 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 800 school building projects and with construction currently underway at approximately 300 other projects, which includes 30 new school buildings. These 300 projects currently at construction involve a total State investment of over €1.2bn.
I also recently announced that close to 90 projects, including 28 new school buildings, would be authorised to proceed from tender stage to construction over the course of 2024 and early 2025. In total, around €800 million will be invested in these projects under the department’s Large Scale Capital Programme and Additional Accommodation Scheme for essential classroom accommodation.
Between projects currently under construction and projects moving to construction in this latest phase, investments by the Department of Education are adding over 550,000 square metres of new and modernised capacity to our school estate.
This is a record level of investment in school buildings. It will expand the number of school places, significantly increase provision for special education and upgrade and modernise our school infrastructure. The impact of this will be felt in communities right around the country.
I can confirm that in the case of the school in question, the application is being considered by my Department's Professional and Technical section currently. My officials remain in contact with the school authorities in relation to this matter and the application will be progressed as soon as possible.
School Staff
Questions (238)
Michael Lowry
Question:238. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if she will review an issue in relation to a school (details supplied); if she will consult with this school directly to rectify the issues raised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23967/24]
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I recognise the key role of school leadership in improving educational outcomes by creating a positive school climate and environment as well as motivating and empowering educators and learners within their school communities.
Budget 2024 has provided for an additional 500 posts of responsibility (Assistant Principal II) at both primary and post-primary level for the 2024/25 school year.
A revised Post of Responsibility Schedule has issued to schools informing them of the POR allocation from September 2024.
The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September.
Staffing for the 2025/26 school year will be finalised early next year and schools will be advised of the allocations for that year at that stage.
School Transport
Questions (239)
Michael Lowry
Question:239. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if matters raised in correspondence from parents of children who require a school bus service (details supplied) will be reviewed and assistance provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23968/24]
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The 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.
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.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who have completed the application process on time will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation and where capacity exists.
Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only and will be facilitated where spare seats are available after eligible children have been accommodated. Where the number of ineligible children exceeds the number of spare seats available Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for the spare seats using an agreed selection process.
A minimum number of 10 eligible children residing in a distinct locality, as determined by Bus Éireann, are required before consideration may be given to the establishment or retention of school transport services, provided this can be done within reasonable cost limits.
Bus Éireann, who operates the school transport scheme on behalf of the Department, review all school transport services over the summer months. Arising from this review, routes may be altered, extended or withdrawn depending on the number and location of eligible children who will be availing of school transport for the following school year.
Bus Éireann advise that of the details provided by the Deputy all pupils would be considered as concessionary, in some cases because they do not meet the distance criteria and in other cases because they are not attending their nearest school.
Schools Building Projects
Questions (240)
Seán Fleming
Question:240. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education the up-to-date position regarding a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23990/24]
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The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is currently at an advanced stage of Architectural Planning - Stage 2(b) Detailed Design, where the design team secure all statutory approvals and prepare the suite of tender documents.
The project brief is to provide a new replacement school building and all associated site works to accommodate a Long Term Projected Enrolment of 1,300 pupils plus classrooms for students with special educational needs, at the current school site.
The Design Team are currently preparing the application for planning permission. Until all statutory approvals have been secured, it will not be possible to estimate a completion date for Stage 2(b).
The Design Team and Department officials will keep the school authorities updated on progress and next steps.
School Funding
Questions (241)
Kathleen Funchion
Question:241. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education her views on the cuts her Department has applied to the school ancillary and capitation grants, especially for schools that have additional classrooms and pupils; if she will ensure schools providing summer classes and camps will receive additional grant support for this period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23994/24]
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My Department is committed to providing funding to recognised primary and post-primary schools in the free education scheme by way of per capita grants. The two main grants are the Capitation grant to cater for day to day running costs such as heating, lighting, cleaning, insurance and general up-keep, and the Ancillary grant to cater for the cost of employing ancillary services staff. Schools have the flexibility to use capitation funding provided for general running costs and ancillary funding provided for caretaking and secretarial services as a common grant from which the Board of Management can allocate according to its own priorities, except for cases where a secretary is now paid from my Department’s payroll as per circular 36/2022.
The current standard rate of Capitation grant is €183 per pupil at Primary level and this year's grant is being paid, as usual, in 2 instalments, - the first in January and the second in June, for the 2023/24 academic year. Enhanced rates of capitation are also paid in respect of pupils with Special Educational Needs and Traveller pupils.
Primary schools with less than 60 pupils are paid the Capitation and the Ancillary grants on the basis of having 60 pupils.
As part of the capitation package in Budget 2024 I am pleased to have secured €21 million as a permanent increase in capitation funding to assist schools now and longer term with increased day-to-day running costs. This will support a permanent restoration of funding for all primary and post-primary schools from September 2024. This will bring the basic rate of capitation grant to the pre-2011 level of €200 per student in primary schools. Enhanced rates will also be paid in respect of pupils with Special Educational Needs and Traveller pupils. This represents an increase of circa 9.2% of current standard and enhanced capitation rates.
In addition to these grants, €20 million in funding was issued in October 2023, to support all recognised primary and post-primary schools in the free education scheme. This funding was the first tranche of an overall additional €60 million funding announced as part of Budget 2024 measures designed to assist schools with increased day-to-day running costs such as heating and electricity. A further €40 million in funding was delivered in early 2024.
As the Deputy may be aware, following the acceptance by Fórsa of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) agreement in respect of salaries and various leave entitlements for grant-funded school secretaries, those secretaries who accepted the terms of this agreement were placed on a payroll operated by my Department from September 2023. Therefore, ancillary-related grant funding has been revised to reflect the fact that schools are no longer paying these salaries directly.
Where schools did not have a secretary that opted into the WRC agreement, no reduction was applied to their ancillary-related grant funding.
The arrangements for the 2023/24 school year are based on reducing grants by the value of the salary schools paid to grant-funded secretaries prior to their acceptance of the new terms and conditions. Schools provided my Department with these details and this information is now being used to reduce the ancillary related grant funding.
Correspondence issued to all schools on 20th December 2023 providing details of these arrangements for the period September to December 2023. Further correspondence issued on 26th April 2024 setting out the position for the period January to August 2024.
Schools have been advised that work is ongoing to identify a method of standardising the reduction to the Ancillary and SSSF Grants for the longer term, where school secretaries are being paid via a payroll operated by my Department. Engagement will take place with school management bodies in order to discuss these arrangements to ensure that they are as reasonable and as fair as possible for all schools and further details of these arrangements will be provided to schools as soon as they become available.
The Financial Support Services Unit (FSSU) is an important source of advice and support. It is available to schools to assist on financial matters.
Details of the 2024 Summer Programme were published on the 21st March 2024. The Department of Education recently announced that funding of €40m has been secured again to ensure that a comprehensive summer programme will be available in 2024. This builds on the successful summer programmes of the last three years. The full funding of €40m is available and, as in previous years, all of the funding is utilised to meet the needs of our most vulnerable children.
All schools, once again, have an opportunity to run a programme over the summer months for those children who need it the most. These children can continue to be supported, nurtured and encouraged to engage in a fun and inclusive educational setting.
The main priority again in 2024 is that those children with the most complex special educational needs, especially in special schools, should have access to a school-based summer programme.
All of the measures for the 2024 summer programme have been designed to maximise the number of schools and children taking part in the school-based programme.
Since 2019, the Summer Programme has gone from strength to strength. In 2023, approximately 1,400 schools and more than 50,000 children took part in the Summer Programme. This is compared to the 13,000 children who took part in 2019.
A key barrier to the participation of schools previously has been the availability of staff, particularly those experienced staff already working in the schools. In 2023, to maximise the use of the Summer Programme budget, teachers and SNAs working on the school-based scheme were paid a higher personal rate of pay. Consequently, the Department saw a much larger number of schools taking part, particularly in primary schools and the Department is anxious for this to continue.
Schools are also given the flexibility to engage staff that are not employed in their school to support their summer programme. A staff portal is now available on EducationPosts.ie for teachers and SNAs to register their interest in working on a school-based programme in a Special School. Student teachers and students in relevant disciplines such as therapy, social care and nursing and others, including early childcare workers and carers, will also be able to register their interest in working on this year’s programme.
In 2023, the Inclusion Programme and Special Class elements from 2022 were combined to form one cohesive scheme for mainstream schools where the aim was to bring a more targeted approach for children with special educational needs. While the capitation rate in mainstream schools was raised to €45 in 2023, the €30 rate per week for 2024 is in line with the rate for the Inclusion Programme in previous years. This rate is cognisant of all costs associated with running a summer programme and is very favourably compared to the normal capitation during the school year, which is approximately €5 per week. To assist schools further this year, in the special class group or the combined group setting, schools also have the flexibility to consider how best to align the existing resource allocation to accommodate more children into these groups.
It is important to note that the capitation rate for special schools, which is the sector that the Department is actively encouraging to participate in the programme remains at €60 as it has been in 2023 to reflect the unique circumstances of running a programme in those settings.
The Department is satisfied that the full range of supports which underpin the summer programme ensures that it remains a well-supported and important measure in supporting children with special educational needs.
Special Educational Needs
Questions (242)
Mairéad Farrell
Question:242. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Education the date for the publication of the next circular in relation to SNA allocation to schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24018/24]
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Special needs assistants (SNA) allocations for the 2024/2025 school year are presently being developed by my department and schools will be advised of their allocation as soon as possible and in line with previous years’ timelines.
For 2024, €2.7 billion is being spent on special education, an increase of €113 million. This is dedicated to providing supports for children with special educational needs and will allow for, amongst other things, the opening of up to 400 new special classes in mainstream schools, 300 additional special school places and will increase the number of teaching and SNA posts.
My department allocated 1,194 additional SNAs to schools this year and Budget 2024 provides for a further 1,216. These SNAs 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. This will bring the number of SNAs nationwide to over 21,000 and 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.