Thomas Gould
Question:24. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education for an update on the review of the engineer’s report into a school (details supplied) in Ballincollig, Cork. [23836/24]
View answerSchool Accommodation
Questions (24)
Written answers
I can confirm that my department received an application under the Additional Schools' Accommodation Scheme in 2021 from the school in question. The application was for the provision of three special education needs classrooms on foot of the sanction of three special classes by the NCSE in February 2021. Funding was approved in 2022 for replacing an existing prefab with an 80m² modular unit.
The department’s technical team carried out an in-depth review of the school site in 2021 on foot of the application received. The review confirmed that the site was at maximum capacity and that it would not be possible to provide the required accommodation on site unless a vast amount of existing single storey accommodation was demolished and replaced with two storey accommodation.
Given the site constraints, and as the Department was not in a position to provide funding for the significant demolition of the school building, department officials contacted the NCSE to advise them of same and to propose special classes be established in other schools in the area.
Over the last two years, the department and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) have worked closely on a more streamlined and joined up planning process for the provision of special classes. Overall demographics are continuing to decrease at primary level and it is important to maximise the use of existing spare accommodation before considering any applications for additional accommodation. The shared preference of both the Department and the NCSE is, where possible, to reconfigure existing school accommodation to provide special classes.
Last January, the NCSE reconfirmed the sanction of three special education needs classes at the school in question. The Board of Management subsequently submitted an engineer’s report to the department in support of their proposal to knock and rebuild a portion of the school building.
I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the very positive and inclusive approach being adopted by the school under reference. Their enthusiasm for opening three new special classes is a good example of the inclusive and welcoming approach that characterises so many of our schools throughout the country.
In view of the reconfirmed sanction by the NCSE, my Department is currently reviewing the content of the engineers report received from the school.
While every effort is made to ensure alignment between NCSE special class approval and an appropriate accommodation plan for those classes, in a very small number of cases, issues may arise when the viability of the accommodation plan is reviewed in detail by the technical team in the Planning and Building Unit.
In providing additional school accommodation, the Department must have regard to cost and to competing demands, and must prioritise spending to achieve best value for money. If one project is disproportionately costly to deliver, the reality is that this will impact on the funding available for other urgent projects. In Ballincollig, as elsewhere in the country, we must therefore look at all options when considering the best approach to meeting the needs of children seeking special class provision. This may include both near term and longer term solutions.
I can confirm to the Deputy that department officials have met with the patron of the school in question in recent weeks with a view to resolving the accommodation needs of special class pupils at the school and in the general area. This engagement considered the engineer’s report but also explored other potential solutions. The department will continue to engage with the patron and school as the options analysis for meeting the needs of children in the area, both in the near term and over the longer term, is progressed.
Schools Building Projects
Questions (25)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:25. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education to provide details on the plan for a new-build school in Dún Laoghaire (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23890/24]
View answerWritten answers
Since 2020, the Department of Education has invested around €4.5 billion in schools throughout the country. Around 800 school building projects have been completed and 300 other projects are under construction.
This level of construction roll-out recognises the priority that Government puts on investment in education. New medium term capital allocations for the Department of Education were confirmed in the recent review of National Development Plan allocations.
School building projects under construction involve an overall State investment of over €1.2 billion with most of these projects due for completion in 2024 and 2025. This is a record level of investment and highlights the Department’s very strong track record in providing additional capacity and modern facilities for our school communities.
The project for the school referred to by the Deputy currently has planning permission and will, along with a number of other projects with planning permission, be brought to the level of employer-led design with a Design Team assigned to do so under the supervision of my Department’s Project Manager.
A separate planning application for a roof-top play area was submitted to the relevant Local Authority in November 2023 and is currently the subject of a third-party appeal to An Bord Pleanála.
This building project will provide a new 16 classroom primary school and accommodation, including two classrooms for children with special educational needs.
The process of appointing the Design Team from my Department’s Frameworks of Consultants was completed in September 2023 and the project is now progressing through design development stages.
My department will continue to liaise with the school’s patron body in relation to the school’s interim accommodation needs pending delivery of the permanent accommodation for the school and will provide further updates as the project progresses.
Special Educational Needs
Questions (26)
Ruairí Ó Murchú
Question:26. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the ongoing review of SET teaching hours at primary schools; the number of additional hours allocated, if any; the number of schools involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23651/24]
View answerWritten answers
I want to thank the Deputy for the question.
The allocation model for 2024/25 distributes the total available number of Special Education Teaching posts in line with each school’s profile of need. The model makes an allocation on the basis of a number of inputs, including enrolment numbers. It also uses school-level data from standardised tests in order to reflect levels of overall need and complex need within a school. 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.
The Department acknowledges that every school is different, and that schools can experience unique circumstances that may be difficult to reflect in any standardised method. This is always a challenge when making allocations in respect of 4,000 schools.
It is for this reason that the Department, working with the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has streamlined the review process for Special Education Teaching hours and schools who have any concerns can engage with the NCSE on their allocation.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs including SET reviews.
The specific purpose of the review process is for the NCSE to provide to the department their recommendation in terms of the additional resources required (if any) and the quantum of need.
I can assure the deputy that any recommendation made by the NCSE with regards to additional hours will be approved by my department.
A school could request a review of their allocation on the NCSE portal up to the end of March 2024 and the NCSE has committed to completing the reviews in the period March to May 2024.
A total of 218 applications have been received from schools.
Applications from new and rapidly developing schools (32) were dealt with on a priority basis and the NCSE recommended to my department any increase which was warranted for each school and the quantum of same.
My department immediately approved the allocation increase and the NCSE advised those schools of the outcome.
On the recommendation of the NCSE my department has allocated a total of 427.5 additional Special Education Teaching hours to new and rapidly developing schools. Depending on the profile of the school the additional allocation ranges from 2.5 hours to 27.5 hours per school. The average additional allocation for this first tranche of schools is approximately 13.5 hours.
The NCSE have advised that the review process is ongoing and on schedule for completion by the end of this month for all schools who applied in March. The NCSE will advise each school of the outcome of the review in writing.
There are a small number of schools approximately 10 who applied outside the window or where documentation was received late, these schools will receive their confirmation in early June as to the outcome of their applications.
It is important to note that Special Education Teaching hours are only one component of support for children in mainstream, but the most important support is the mainstream class teacher.
The pupil teacher ratio at primary level is now 23:1 which means there are more mainstream teachers than ever before in our educational system. There will be in excess of 14,600 Special Education Teachers supporting mainstream classes in the 2024/25 school year, which is an increase of 1,000 since the end of the 2021 school year. This is the highest number of Special Education teachers ever in our schools.
Question No. 27 answered orally.
School Transport
Questions (28)
Chris Andrews
Question:28. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Education the cost of transporting special education children to school in south Dublin for the academic years 2020-2021, 2021-2022, 2022-2023, 2023-2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23774/24]
View answerWritten answers
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 are transported daily to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country. This figure is made up over 135,000 pupils travelling mainstream services, 19,800 pupils with special educational needs, and 6,800 pupils who have arrived in Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2023 was €382.02m.
The National Council for Special Education acts in an advisory role to the Department of Education on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs. Under the terms of the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, the Department will consider the report of the Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO). School transport is provided to children with special educational needs who are attending the nearest school to their place of residence that is or can be resourced to meet their educational needs, as identified by the SENO.
The information as requested by the Deputy is set out below. The data that is currently readily available is taken from a specific point in each year, which is noted in the table.
|
School Year |
Total Daily Cost of SEN Transport in South Dublin |
Number of Pupils on SEN Transport in South Dublin |
Source Date |
|
2020/21 |
€63,579.26 |
1,973 |
November 2020 |
|
2021/22 |
€72,704.26 |
2,080 |
November 2021 |
|
2022/23 |
€91,919.25 |
2,438 |
April 2023 |
|
2023/24 |
€107,830.65 |
2,639 |
December 2023 |
Special Educational Needs
Questions (29)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:29. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education the number of spaces and the number of applicants to special schools in the Dublin 8, 10, 12 and 20 areas; and to outline her plans to ensure the needs of every child who requires special education is catered to. [23887/24]
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.
The new special schools established over recent years have focused on providing additional places in our largest urban areas: Dublin and Cork. The most recent of these new special schools to open was An Cosán Special School in Dublin 7 which opened earlier this month.
My department and NCSE continue to work on expanding special school capacity for the 2024/25 school year and beyond. In addition to expanding capacity in established special schools four new special schools will be established for the 2024/25 school year. these schools will be located in Limerick City; Enfield, County Meath; Gorey, County Wexford and in Naas, County Kildare. The schools will be under the patronage of their local Education and Training Boards.
The NCSE is working closely with some special schools to provide the necessary additional special schools places required for the coming school year in Dublin. The NCSE is also supporting families to make applications to schools for these places as they become available.
The admission of children to special schools is a matter for each school to manage in accordance with their published admission policy and admission notice. The NCSE or my Department does not gather data on the number of applicants to each individual special school.
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.
Question No. 30 answered orally.
School Staff
Questions (31)
Paul Murphy
Question:31. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education what action she will take to fill vacant teaching posts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23913/24]
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.
Budget 2024 reflects this Government’s commitment to ongoing investment in the education system through various measures:
• Introduction of a professional master’s of education incentive scheme for newly qualified teachers graduating in 2024. Eligible teachers can receive an incentive payment of up to €2,000, to be paid in 2025.
• Expansion of upskilling programs, free to teachers, aimed at increasing the number of qualified teachers in high-demand subjects and reducing out-of-field teaching. New programs in Irish, French, politics & society, and computer science will complement existing programs in maths, physics, and Spanish. Trinity College Dublin will deliver a new Irish upskilling program for post-primary teachers starting in late 2024, available at no cost to eligible teachers.
• Provision of an additional 1,000 posts of responsibility in the school system for the 2024/25 school year, recognising the vital role of school leaders in enhancing educational outcomes by fostering a positive school environment and empowering educators and learners within their communities.
In addition to these recently introduced measures, as Minister I have developed further initiatives to address teacher supply challenges, including:
• Approving 610 additional places on initial teacher education programs for primary level over the academic years 2023/24 and 2024/25.
• For primary schools, substitute teacher supply panels are also in place. For the 2023/24 school year, 590 substitute teacher supply posts have been allocated to 166 panels, covering nearly 2,900 schools. This scheme provides substitute cover for teachers employed in primary schools who are absent on short-term leave.
• Newly qualified teachers (NQTs) employed in primary schools will from 14 November 2023 be able to apply to the Teaching Council to complete the Droichead process while employed on a Supply Panel or Principal Release Time Post. The measure has been extended to the end of the 2024/2025 school year. This measure increases the attractiveness of these posts to NQTs, and supports primary schools to provide substitute cover.
• Ensuring flexibility in initial teacher education programs to allow student teachers to support schools, with over 2,700 registered under Route 5 with the Teaching Council in 2023, providing valuable substitute teaching support. Currently there are 3,600 registered under Route 5, the highest number ever.
• Encouraging retired teachers to provide substitute cover, resulting in a significant increase of 49% in teaching days provided between the 2021/22 and 2022/23 school years. A new communications campaign began earlier this year to encourage retired teachers to return to teaching.
• The 50 day pension abatement waiver, for retirees returning to work, has been extended for a further two years to the end of 2025.
• Reduction of restrictions on job-sharing teachers and those on career breaks from working as substitutes.
• Post-primary teachers can provide up to 35 additional hours of substitute cover per term in the subject they are qualified to teach. This scheme provides post-primary schools with an alternative means of sourcing appropriately qualified substitute teaching cover to support teaching and learning in schools.
• The Teaching Transforms campaign continues to promote the teaching profession encouraging students to follow a career in teaching. The campaign uses digital, radio and video media, and is supported by a dedicated webpage, www.gov.ie/teachingtransforms
The measures in the primary sector have contributed to the lowest-ever teacher allocation ratio in primary schools, with a 10% reduction in the average student-per-teacher ratio between 2017 and 2023.
Teaching remains an attractive career choice.
• CAO first preference choices for post-primary teaching increased in 2023 by 14%, in addition to a 9% increase in 2022. CAO preferences for primary teaching showed increases at the closing date in February 2024 with overall mentions up 10% and first preferences increasing by 2% from 2023.
• In 2024, there were 4,271 first preference applications for undergraduate teaching programmes, showing a trend largely consistent with recent years. Analysis of CAO applications spanning from 2017 to 2024 indicates a sustained and robust demand for undergraduate teaching programmes. On average, 6% of first preference applications during the period from 2017 to 2024 were for either primary or post-primary teaching programmes. Specifically, the percentage of first preference applications for undergraduate primary teaching programmes ranged between 2.9% and 3.8%, while those for post-primary undergraduate programmes ranged between 2.4% and 2.9%.
• The ratio of first preference applications through the CAO for level 8 courses in 2022 shows that there were 1.5 applicants per place for education, with a higher demand for primary courses (2) than for post-primary places (1.5). The demand for primary ITE is higher than for all fields except for medicine (3.5) and veterinary medicine (5.2)
• The new pay deal, with all three teacher unions having voted in favour of, will mean that teachers’ starting salary will increase to €46,000 rising to a maximum of €85,000 per year which compares well internationally. Starting pay of €46,000 will be almost €20,000 higher than the 2011 rates.
• Over 3,700 newly qualified teachers have registered with the Teaching Council in 2023, with over 122,000 now on the Teaching Council register.
The vast majority of sanctioned teacher positions are filled. The rate of resignation and retirement is very low by any standard and is consistent with previous years.
Ireland’s education system is performing strongly, something that is supported by recent international testing. That is a tribute to the professionalism and dedication of our teachers. We need to continue to support our schools and maintain the high standards that have helped get us to where we are.
My Department continues to engage closely with education stakeholders to develop further, innovative measures to address teacher supply issues.
Question No. 32 answered orally.
Oideachas trí Ghaeilge
Questions (33)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:33. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Oideachais cén dáta faoina mbainfear amach an gheallúint sa Chlár Rialtais faoi dhúbailt a dhéanamh ar sholáthar an Ghaeloideachais; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [23886/24]
View answerWritten answers
Tá obair ar bun i mo Roinn faoi láthair maidir le polasaí nua don oideachas lán-Ghaeilge lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht a fhorbairt. Tógfaidh an polasaí seo ar an méid atá a bhaint amach againn faoi láthair faoin bPolasaí don Oideachas Gaeltachta chun tacú le soláthar an oideachais lán-Ghaeilge i gceantair Ghaeltachta.
Agus an polasaí don oideachas lán-Ghaeilge lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht á fhorbairt, tá sé mar aidhm ag mo Roinn na spriocanna seo a leanas a bhaint amach, i measc nithe eile:
• an líon leanaí agus daoine óga atá ag freastal ar scoileanna lán-Ghaeilge a mhéadú, lena n-áirítear tógáil ar an mbunchloch a leagtar síos i suíomhanna foghlama agus cúraim na luath-óige lán-Ghaeilge (mar shampla, naíonraí)
• iniúchadh a dhéanamh ar na deiseanna chun bunú Gaelscoileanna agus Gaelcholáistí a mhéadú mar chuid den phróiseas pátrúnachta
• iniúchadh a dhéanamh ar an gcaoi inar féidir an soláthar múinteoirí agus baill foirne eile a bhfuil ardchaighdeán Gaeilge acu a mhéadú chun freastal ar an éileamh i suíomhanna oideachais lán-Ghaeilge.
Chun bonn eolais a chur faoi fhorbairt an pholasaí, cuireadh próiseas comhairliúcháin poiblí ar bun chun tuairimí pháirtithe leasmhara a bhailiú. Bhí trí thréimhse sa chomhairliúchán seo – ceistneoir ar líne agus glao ar aighneachtaí scríofa, grúpaí fócais, agus cruinnithe déthaobhacha idir mo Roinn agus páirtithe leasmhara.
Chomh maith leis sin, ghlac mo Roinn réimse gníomhartha chun a chinntiú go mbeadh an polasaí nua bunaithe ar thaighde reatha. Tá athbhreithniú ar an litríocht déanta dúinn ag Sealbhú, DCU. D’fhoilsigh mo Roinn tuarascáil ar sholáthar don oideachas lán-Ghaeilge lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht. Tá taighde maidir le haonaid agus sruthanna lán-Ghaeilge i scoileanna meán-Bhéarla ar bun.
Tá sé i gceist ag mo Roinn go mbeidh deis againn treo an pholasaí a phlé le páirtithe leasmhara sula bhfoilseofar é. Tá sé ar intinn go gcuirfear tús le cur i bhfeidhm gníomhartha ón bpolasaí sa scoilbhliain 2024/25.
Aithním an tábhacht a bhaineann leis an oideachas lán-Ghaeilge a neartú. Táim ag súil leis an obair thábhachtach seo a thabhairt chun cinn, chun tógáil ar na torthaí dearfacha ón bPolasaí don Oideachas Gaeltachta.
Schools Building Projects
Questions (34)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:34. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education for an update on building works at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23828/24]
View answerWritten answers
The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is being delivered as part of my Department’s ADAPT Programme.
The ADAPT Programme uses a professional external Project Manager to achieve the best possible timeframe for the project through the stages of Architectural Planning to Tender and Construction.
The major building project is currently at Stage 2(b) of Architectural Planning - Detailed Design - where the Design Team make their applications for statutory approvals and prepare the suite of tender documents. Due to changes in the scope of the project, the design team are seeking approval for a new grant of planning permission from the local authority. The design team have also revised the design to include decarbonisation, in line with Climate Action targets.
Upon receipt and review of a revised Stage 2(b) submission, the Department will contact the School and its Design Team regarding the further progression of the project.
Until the statutory approvals have been secured, it is difficult to provide a timeframe for this project to progress to tender and construction stages.
Schools Building Projects
Questions (35)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:35. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education for an update on building works at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23827/24]
View answerWritten answers
Since 2020, my Department has invested in the region of €4.5 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 800 school building projects. Construction is currently underway at approximately 300 other projects, which includes 31 new school buildings. Projects at construction involve a total State investment of over €1.2bn.
This level of construction roll-out recognises the priority that Government puts on investment in education, including responding to the increased requirement for special education provision.
The school referred to by the deputy is part of my Department's construction programme and will be delivered as part of a campus project with Coláiste Rioga. The campus project will provide a new 8 classroom primary school and accommodation, including 2 classrooms for children with special educational needs and a new 1,000 pupil post-primary school and accommodation, including 4 classrooms, for children with special educational needs.
The project currently has planning permission and will, along with a number of other projects, be brought to the level of employer-led design with a Design Team assigned to do so under the supervision of the Department’s project manager. The process of appointing the Design Team from the Department’s Frameworks of Consultants was completed in September 2023 and the project is currently close to completion of Stage 2(b) of the architectural design process.
Stage 2(b) involves detailed design and the preparation of tender documentation. The next stage, subject to relevant Stage 2(b) approvals, will be Stage 3, tender stage. Projects are subject to relevant due diligence at each stage in the process, within the context of overall programme and budgetary parameters.
The Department is in ongoing discussions with Dunshaughlin GAA regarding the school continuing to operate on their grounds in interim accommodation. Officials from the Department are working on proposals to provide additional accommodation to meet the school’s requirements for September 2024 and 2025 on their current site.
My Department will continue to keep the school and patron body updated in relation to progress.
School Transport
Questions (36)
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
Question:36. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Education when she will reach a decision on the demand from school transport escorts for fair pay and conditions to reflect the importance of their work for young people with disabilities and their families. [23740/24]
View answerWritten answers
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 are transported daily to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country. This figure is made up over 135,000 pupils travelling mainstream services, 19,800 pupils with special educational needs, and 6,800 pupils who have arrived in Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2023 was €382.02m.
There is a facility within the Special Educational Needs Transport Scheme for the appointment of a School Transport Escort, where a child’s care and safety needs while on school transport are such as to require the support of a School Transport Escort.
The Department of Education provides grant funding for the employment of the School Transport Escort and sets the rate of pay. Under the Education Act 1998, the Principal/Board of Management is responsible for the operation of the school and is the employer of the School Transport Escort and therefore responsible for all employment matters relating to their School Transport Escort.
It is recognised that School Bus Escorts play a vital role in supporting children with Special Educational Needs in their journey to and from school. The School Transport Section in the Department is currently carrying out a comprehensive review of matters as they relate to the escort and the information provided to schools. An information pack is being finalised and is due to issue to schools shortly. This pack will be reviewed and updated regularly.
The School Transport Scheme 2030 report has now been published. It marks the largest review of the School Transport Scheme since it was established in 1967. The Government is committed to working to achieve the report’s recommendation of expanding access to the scheme so that an additional 100,000 pupils can be carried by 2030. As part of this review one of the actions outlined is that pay rates for School Bus Escorts is to be reviewed in full by the end of 2024.
School Transport
Questions (37)
Sorca Clarke
Question:37. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on the school transport pilot projects, including the selection criteria and details of potential areas to be included in the pilot scheme. [23807/24]
View answerWritten answers
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 are transported daily to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country. This figure is made up over 135,000 pupils travelling mainstream services, 19,800 pupils with special educational needs, and 6,800 pupils who have arrived in Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2023 was €382.02m.
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 concessionary applicants, and are allocated a ticket based on the availability of a seat when all eligible children have been catered for.
The School Transport Scheme 2030 report has now been published. It marks the largest review of the School Transport Scheme since it was established in 1967. The Government is committed to working to achieve the report’s recommendation of expanding access to the scheme so that an additional 100,000 pupils can be carried by 2030.
Throughout the review, the value of the School Transport Scheme to both families and in supporting wider Government policies has been very apparent. School transport not only plays an important part in supporting children's access to education, but it also aligns to wider Government objectives.
Overall, the recommended changes to the future operation of the Scheme concern: expansion of the current eligibility criteria, addressing current operational challenges, charges and grants, and, over time, moving towards better integration with public transport to ensure the best value for money to the Exchequer.
A phased implementation of the review’s recommendations will begin in September 2024. This will include a shared effort between the Department of Education and the Department of Transport to pilot and introduce greater integration of transport networks with school transport routes.
The planned pilot projects in the 2024/25 school year will provide a valuable insight into the impact on the scheme of increased demand, the possibilities to integrate public transport services with school transport services, and the possibilities to facilitate more sustainable modes of transport.
These impacts will be fully assessed and costed as required. The projects will evaluate and assess the scale of planning and implementation required for a national roll out of a revised School Transport Scheme. As part of this, they will include the integration of public transport and school transport services.
Details of the areas to be included in the pilot scheme will be available shortly.
School Enrolments
Questions (38)
Patrick Costello
Question:38. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Education to provide an update in relation to the establishment of a Gaelcholáiste in the south Dublin area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23900/24]
View answerWritten answers
I would like to thank Deputy Costello for his question in relation to the establishment of a Gaelcholáiste in South Dublin, I can confirm that work is underway in my Department in relation to the review of Irish-medium school places in South Dublin.
As the Deputy is aware, the year of establishment, patronage model and language of instruction have yet to be determined for the new post-primary schools announced to serve two school planning areas in South Dublin (Dublin 2_Dublin 4 and Sallynoggin_Killiney_Dun Laoighaire-Rathdown/Cherrywood).
In planning for the provision of Irish-medium post-primary school places, my Department is looking at the current enrolments and planned enrolments in Gaelscoileanna in the area. It is also looking at how many Irish-medium post-primary places are already available in the area.
This work is being undertaken in order to identify future needs for post-primary Irish-medium provision which may not be catered for by the existing Gaelcholáistí in the area.
My Department expects that existing Gaelcholáistí in the general South Dublin area between them have sufficient school places to meet demand in the short term.
However, given the number of new Gaelscoileanna which have opened in the area in recent years, we are looking actively at the situation as these Gaelscoileanna grow and as the number of sixth class pupils in Gaelscoileanna increases.