Written Answers Nos. 55-74
55. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Finance the expected revenue yield from an increase in the vacant homes tax to ten times the annual local property tax rate in a full year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24141/24]
View answerThe Vacant Homes Tax (VHT) as announced in Budget 2023, aims to increase the supply of homes for rent or purchase to meet demand. Legislative provision for the tax was made in the Finance Act 2022 and states that a residential property will be within the scope of VHT, if it has been occupied as a dwelling for less than 30 days in a chargeable period.
VHT operates on a self-assessment basis, where the number of properties in scope and the amount of tax payable, depends on the self-assessed returns submitted by property owners, the number of properties declared as liable, and the number of property owners entitled to claim available exemptions from the tax.
The first chargeable period for VHT commenced on 1 November 2022 and ended on 31 October 2023. VHT in respect of the first chargeable period was charged at a rate equal to three times the property’s existing base Local Property Tax (LPT) rate, which is payable in addition to LPT. The first self-assessed returns were due on 7 November 2023 and the associated tax payable on or before 1 January 2024. As of April 2024, approximately 6,000 properties have been declared as vacant, with exemptions claimed in respect of approximately 2,500 of these properties. Approximately 3,500 properties have a liability to VHT, amounting to €2 million.
The second chargeable period commenced on 1 November 2023 and will end on 31 October 2024. VHT for this period will be charged at an increased rate, equal to five times the property’s existing base LPT rate, payable in addition to LPT. Returns in respect of this chargeable period will be due on 7 November 2024, with the associated tax payable on or before 1 January 2025. The yield for the second chargeable period will depend on the number of properties declared as liable for the tax.
While it is not yet known how many residential property owners may declare their properties as liable for VHT in the second chargeable period, if the numbers remained the same as the first chargeable period, it is tentatively estimated that there would be an approximate additional yield of €3.3 million, bringing the total estimated yield in the second chargeable period to €6.6m, should the VHT rate be increased to ten times the property’s existing base LPT liability.
It should be noted that VHT returns reflect the position at a particular point in time, and the estimated additional yield does not take into account any behavioural change.
56. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Finance the expected revenue yield from an increase in the residential zoned land tax to 5% of the land’s annual value in a full year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24142/24]
View answerThe Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT) is a new tax introduced in Finance Act 2021 which seeks to increase housing supply by encouraging the activation of development on lands which are suitably zoned and appropriately serviced. It aims to bring those lands which have benefitted from investment in services and are capable of being developed forward for housing, rather than to raise revenue.
The tax measure is a key pillar of the Government’s response to address the urgent need to increase housing supply in suitable locations. However, it is important that affected landowners have sufficient opportunity to engage with the mapping process and that a fair and transparent process is applied when local authorities consider what land should be placed on the RZLT maps. Therefore, as part of Budget 2024, it was decided to extend the initial liability date of the tax by one year, from February 2024 to February 2025.
The purpose of this deferral is to allow for the annual mapping cycle to complete and afford landowners another opportunity to make submissions if their land is included on the maps prepared by local authorities.
In relation to the Deputy's question regarding the estimated yield from increasing the rate of RZLT, it is not possible to estimate a projected yield as the mapping process by local authorities has not yet concluded.
The revised final maps will be published on 31 January 2025 and the initial liability date for landowners will now be 1 February 2025. When the zoned land mapping process is concluded and the revised final maps are published, I will be in a better position to provide an estimate of the projected yield from land falling within scope of the tax.
57. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a list of expenditure items that are derived from sources other than the central fund, and as such, do not impact on the net expenditure figures, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24395/24]
View answerThis answer details the list of general government expenditure items which are not funded by the central fund, these are:
• Expenditure of the Social Insurance Fund
• Own-resource expenditure of Extra-Budgetary Funds (EBFs)
• Own-resource expenditure of Non-commercial Agencies
• Own-resource expenditure of Local Government (Local Authorities, Approved Housing Bodies, etc)
Own-resource expenditure is expenditure of bodies classified within the general government sector which is not funded by the central fund. This would include expenditure funded by financial transactions such as debt financing, equity funding and own-resource revenue (e.g. PRSI receipts (SIF), ticket fare income (Irish Rail), etc.).
The Central Statistics Office publish a Register of Public Sector Bodies twice a year which provides in tabular form the EBFs and Non-commercial Agencies under the aegis of each Government Department along with the agencies classified within Local Government: www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-rpbi/registerofpublicsectorbodies2023-provisional/centralgovernment/.
58. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the estimated cost of introducing a living wage set at €14.80 per hour for public and civil service workers. [24137/24]
View answerIn relation to the civil service, for which my Department holds detailed data, the suggested Living Wage at €14.80 per hour based on the civil service 35 hour standard net working week equates to an annual salary of approximately €27,029. Detailed data on civil service staff indicates that approximately 0.2% of staff (FTE) in the civil service are on salary points less than the suggested Living Wage. It is expected that this number will reduce significantly on implementation of the next pay adjustment of 1% due on June 1 2024 under the Public Service Agreement 2024-2026.
Those currently on an annual salary of less than €27,029 may be receiving remuneration in excess of the suggested living wage through additional premium payments in respect of shift work or atypical working hours. In addition, these salary scales progress to the suggested Living Wage and above through normal incremental progression.
The current public service agreement is Public Service Agreement 2024-2026. In total, the Agreement provides for increases of 10.25% over a two and a half year period. This is made up of general round increases totalling 9.25%, as well as a provision for a Local Bargaining mechanism equivalent to 1% of the basic pay cost. Over the lifetime of the agreement, the lowest paid public servants will see cumulative benefits of up to 17.3%, inclusive of the local bargaining provision. Those earning less than €27,029 per annum will benefit from the measures targeted at lower paid public servants.
The public service information sought in this request would require detailed data on the position of staff on each salary scale across the public service and details of the standard working hours per week for each individual grade. This data is not held in my Department.
59. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a new Employment Regulation Order for workers in the security sector is under discussion; if there is engagement at JLC level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24227/24]
View answerOn the 25th August 2023, the then Minister for Business Employment and Retail signed the Employment Regulation Order (ERO) for the Security Sector which came into force on 4th September 2023. The ERO provided for a wage increase to €12.90 per hour from that date. The full details of the ERO are available here: si-no-424-of-2023-employment-regulation-order-security-industry-joint-labour-committee-2023.pdf (enterprise.gov.ie)
Joint Labour Committees (JLCs) are independent in their functions. If a JLC adopts proposals for an ERO for a sector, it will submit them to the Labour Court for consideration. The Labour Court will then make a decision on the adoption of the proposals. If the Court decides to adopt the proposals, a copy will be presented to me and, if I consider it appropriate to do so, I will make an ERO giving effect to the proposals.
I have not received a proposal from the Labour Court in relation to a new ERO for the Security Sector. Should the Labour Court submit such a proposal, I will give it due and timely consideration.
60. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when he intends to sign the new draft ERO for security officers into law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24244/24]
View answerOn the 25th August 2023, the then Minister for Business Employment and Retail signed the Employment Regulation Order (ERO) for the Security Sector which came into force on 4th September 2023. The ERO provided for a wage increase to €12.90 per hour from that date. The full details of the ERO are available here: si-no-424-of-2023-employment-regulation-order-security-industry-joint-labour-committee-2023.pdf (enterprise.gov.ie)
Joint Labour Committees (JLCs) are independent in their functions. If a JLC adopts proposals for an ERO for a sector, it will submit them to the Labour Court for consideration. The Labour Court will then make a decision on the adoption of the proposals. If the Court decides to adopt the proposals, a copy will be presented to me and, if I consider it appropriate to do so, I will make an ERO giving effect to the proposals.
I have not received a proposal from the Labour Court in relation to a new ERO for the Security Sector. Should the Labour Court submit such a proposal, I will give it due and timely consideration.
61. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to provide an update on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24246/24]
View answerOn the 25th August 2023, the then Minister for Business Employment and Retail signed the Employment Regulation Order (ERO) for the Security Sector which came into force on 4th September 2023. The ERO provided for a wage increase to €12.90 per hour from that date. The full details of the ERO are available here: si-no-424-of-2023-employment-regulation-order-security-industry-joint-labour-committee-2023.pdf (enterprise.gov.ie)
Joint Labour Committees (JLCs) are independent in their functions. If a JLC adopts proposals for an ERO for a sector, it will submit them to the Labour Court for consideration. The Labour Court will then make a decision on the adoption of the proposals. If the Court decides to adopt the proposals, a copy will be presented to me and, if I consider it appropriate to do so, I will make an ERO giving effect to the proposals.
I have not received a proposal from the Labour Court in relation to a new ERO for the Security Sector. Should the Labour Court submit such a proposal, I will give it due and timely consideration.
62. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the estimated full year cost of increasing the capitation grant at primary and secondary level by 5%. [24126/24]
View answerMy 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, general up-keep etc. 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 student in primary schools and €316 per student in voluntary secondary schools.
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 and to €345 in voluntary secondary 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.
Based on the current standard rate of capitation grant, the estimated full year cost of a 5% increase in the rate of Capitation grant is €4.9m at primary level and €5.4m at post-primary level.
63. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost of reducing the pupil teacher ratio by 1 point at primary level. [24127/24]
View answer64. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost of reducing the pupil teacher ratio by 1 point at second level. [24128/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 63 and 64 together.
At primary level, teachers are allocated to schools at an average of 1 classroom teacher for every 23 pupils, the lowest level ever seen at primary level. DEIS Urban Band 1 schools receive an average allocation of 17:1, 21:1 and 19:1 for junior, senior and vertical schools respectively.
Each one point improvement in the staffing schedule at primary level for DEIS and non-DEIS schools requires between 350-400 additional teaching posts, at a cost of between €25 million and €29 million. The average cost of a primary teacher is €72,090. The estimated one-off capital cost of reducing the pupil teacher ratio by one point at primary level is circa €25-€35 million. This estimated cost is based on certain assumptions regarding the number of new teaching posts generated and available accommodation capacity.
Teachers are currently allocated to post primary schools at a ratio of 19:1 in the free educations system and 23:1 to schools in the fee charging sector. Each 1 point adjustment to the pupil teacher ratio at post primary level would require approximately 1200 posts, at a cost of circa €85.5 million per annum. The average cost of a post-primary teacher is €70,140. The estimated one-off capital cost of reducing the pupil teacher ratio by one point at post-primary level is circa €60-€75 million. This estimated cost is based on certain assumptions regarding the number of new teaching posts generated and available accommodation capacity.
65. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the projected demand for school places in mainstream primary schools for pupils with special educational needs for the school year commencing September 2024. [24129/24]
View answer66. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the projected demand for school places in mainstream secondary schools for pupils with special educational needs for the school year commencing September 2024. [24130/24]
View answer67. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the projected demand for school places in special schools for pupils with special educational needs for the school year commencing September 2024. [24131/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 65 to 67, inclusive, together.
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 work involves a detailed review of statistical data in relation to forecasting demand for special class and special school places, consideration of improved data sharing arrangements, consideration of school accommodation capacity and a particular focus on the provision of special classes at post-primary level.
The information held on the department’s Geographical Information System (GIS), particularly in relation to student demographics, is a key component when forecasting the need for additional special class and special school places.
For 2024, €2.7 billion is being spent on special education, an increase of €113 million, and this is dedicated to providing supports for children with special educational needs. This will allow for, amongst other things, the opening of up to 400 new special classes in mainstream schools and 300 additional special school places.
Four special schools have been established for the 2024/25 school year in Counties Meath, Limerick, Kildare and Wexford, and a number of other special schools expanded. In addition, so far, more than 320 new special classes have been sanctioned by the NCSE nationwide for the 2024/25 school year. Of these, 225 are at primary and 101 at post-primary level. 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. The NCSE advise that there are also vacancies in existing special classes available across the country.
68. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost of establishing a special class in a mainstream school for students with special educational needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24132/24]
View answerMy 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.
Each new special class requires additional funding for staffing and capitation. Professional development and professional supports for the additional special class staff is also required.
Capital funding may also be required to provide the necessary school accommodation and equipment supports for the additional special classes either through the provision of additional school accommodation or reconfiguration of existing school accommodation should that be considered feasible and appropriate. Additional funding also needs to be considered on an individual basis for students as they may be eligible for school transport, assistive technology and other such supports.
Schools receive the mainstream capitation rate and an enhanced capitation grant per student enrolled in a special class. In addition, the following grants are available;
• A special class start-up grant of €6,500.
• A grant of €2,500 for standard classroom furniture.
• A specialised furniture/equipment grant for individual students who require specialised furniture/equipment.
• An technology grant of €6,700 per new primary classroom in a new building.
Each new special class at primary level is staffed with one teacher and two special needs assistants (SNAs). In post-primary this rises to 1.5 teachers and 2 SNAs. The average annual cost for a teacher is approximately €71,115 and approximately €40,860 for an SNA. Additional staffing resources may also be required depending on the level of need of the individual students.
Depending on the existing staffing schedule and number of active special classes already in the mainstream school, the mainstream school may be eligible for additional staffing in accordance with the circular on staffing arrangements for the relevant school year.
The capital costs associated with establishing a new special class depend on the school accommodation requirements which may be reconfiguration of existing school accommodation or provision of additional school accommodation.
The indicative capital cost for one class re-configuration of existing accommodation is estimated at approximately €300,000. Re-configuration cost varies depending on the condition of existing classroom.
The indicative capital cost for providing additional modular accommodation for each additional special class is estimated at approximately €500,000.
69. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost of each additional place for a child with special educational needs in a special school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24133/24]
View answerMy 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.
An indicative estimate of the cost of repurposing an existing vacant building to establish a new special school for 24 pupils is approximately €3.75 million.
The department’s approach is to establish new special schools on campus sites so accommodation options may not be readily available. A new permanent building for a 120 student special school can cost of the order of €30 million. If being delivered on a campus there would most likely be additional costs involved to upgrade/extend the existing mainstream school as the quid pro quo for accessing the site.
Each new special school requires additional funding for staffing and capitation. Professional development and professional supports for the additional special school staff are also required. Capital funding is also required to provide the necessary school accommodation and equipment supports for the additional special schools. Additional funding will also need to be considered on an individual basis for students who are eligible for school transport, assistive technology and other such supports.
The department considers it reasonable to plan on the basis that each classroom in each special school is staffed with one teacher and three special needs assistants (SNAs). However, additional staffing resources may be required depending on the level of need of the individual students.
In addition to the individual classroom staffing allocation, each new special school will require a principal and deputy principal post.
The overall estimated cost of providing additional 100 special school places in 4 new schools, each catering for 24 pupils is over €18 million for the first year of operation.
This cost is comprised of €15 million in capital costs to repurpose existing vacant buildings to provide 4 new special schools of 24 pupils at a cost of €3.75 million each, and €3.1 million staffing costs providing for a principal, deputy principal, 4 teachers and 12 SNAs in each new school. The estimated capital cost is even greater if a new permanent building is to be provided for a new special school rather than repurposed existing vacant building.
70. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the timeline for the operation of the Special Education Appeals Board; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24134/24]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for the question and wish to advise you of the following:
The Special Education Appeals Board was established within the EPSEN (Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs) Act 2004.
The EPSEN Act 2004 provides for the education of children aged under 18 years with special educational needs. The EPSEN Act 2004, is now in place for more than 20 years and there have been many significant changes and developments to policy relating to the education of children with special needs in that time. A few sections of the EPSEN Act have not been commenced, one of which would have conferred a statutory entitlement to an independent appeals process.
A review of the EPSEN Act 2004 was initiated by my predecessor Minister Josepha Madigan in December 2021 to modernise and reflect the experiences of students, staff and families. The review process includes extensive stakeholder engagement, including parents, educators, advocacy groups, and experts in special education.
Both commenced and uncommenced sections have been thoroughly considered to ensure a robust legislative foundation. The review process will culminate in a comprehensive report detailing all findings.
Online surveys, launched in November 2022, garnered over 28,000 responses, and qualitative analysis of open submissions has been used as the basis for the second stage of consultation, the focus group stage.
A variety of focus group methods are being employed, including mixed focus groups, mosaic-style engagement with children with special educational needs, and discussions with young adults who have experienced the special educational need model of education. The focus groups are due to conclude shortly. The report shall then be prepared for consideration.
The EPSEN Review Steering Group and Advisory Group will convene in June to analyse the extensive data and propose recommendations. Once the report is finalised, we will hold an open day in September to gather final feedback from all stakeholders. This review will serve as the foundation for updating the EPSEN Act, to ensure a solid legislative basis.
This significant review is intended to be concluded in third/fourth quarter of 2024, culminating in a comprehensive report that will encompass an analysis of stakeholder and public engagement, feedback from focus groups and open policy day, academic review paper, NCSE policy advice, evidence-based research and conclusions and recommendations.
71. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education the projected cost of extending the Junior Certificate School Programme Demonstration Library Project staffed by a qualified librarian to all DEIS schools [24147/24]
View answerThe Junior Certificate School Programme (JCSP) is a national programme sponsored by the Department of Education and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment. Introduced in 1996, it is a social inclusion programme that is aimed at students who are identified as being at risk of being socially or academically isolated or at risk of early school leaving before the (then) Junior Certificate has been achieved.
Since its introduction, JCSP has expanded from 32 schools in 1996 to 240 schools in 2010. The programme expanded on a phased basis, to almost all post-primary schools participating in the Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS) in 2010. The JCSP is also offered in Special Schools, Children Detention Schools, Traveller Training Centres and Youth Encounter Projects (YEP).
Of the current 223 schools within JCSP, 173 are designated DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) and 50 are non-DEIS schools. There are currently 235 DIES post-primary schools in Ireland. There are 8 Gaelscoileanna, 2 High Support Units, 17 Special Schools and 4 YEP. 122 schools in JCSP are part of the Education and Training Boards (ETBs) network of schools throughout the country.
One of the initiatives under the JCSP is the JCSP Demonstration Library Project. School librarians work as part of a network of librarians in the JCSP Demonstration Library Project. Within the Demonstration Library Project, there are 32 professional librarians employed by the CDETB who are based in 30 schools that operate the library facility. They are managed by the Senior Librarian.
Librarians are responsible, together with key school staff, for drawing up and implementing library strategies to tackle the literacy difficulties experienced by many JCSP students. An important element of the JCSP is the Literacy and Numeracy Strategy which promotes a school approach and which incorporates the Library Demonstration Project. Each year, each library receives a grant from JCSP. The grant funds literacy and numeracy initiatives, book buying and resources for the library. Expenditure is approved in advance by the Senior Librarian.
There are currently 32 professional librarians employed by CDETB who are based in 30 JCSP schools. The cost for each of these varies depending on their point on scale, work pattern etc. The salary scale for librarians can be found at this link: Local Government Salary Scales - Forsa All librarians are at Grade 6.
In 2023, the JCSP programme received total funding of €3.6 million from the Department of Education. €2.1 million was in relation to salaries of the network of librarians in the JCSP programme and €1.5 million was provided for programme costs.
While no detailed costing exercise has been undertaken, taking the above salary costs as a base and including the €15,675 grant which each school in the Demonstration Library Project receives on an annual basis, it can be estimated that providing these supports for all 232 post primary schools in the DEIS programme would cost around €19,250,000 per annum.
As part of the implementation of the Framework for Junior Cycle (2015), it was agreed to carry out a review of the JCSP and consider the extent to which the needs of students undertaking the JCSP are met through the Junior Cycle. This review is currently ongoing, with the programme closed to new applicants but current provision continuing for the present.
72. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education the projected timeline for delivering on the 2005 commitment to extend the Junior Certificate School Programme Demonstration Library Project staffed by a qualified librarian to all DEIS schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24148/24]
View answerThe Junior Certificate School Programme (JCSP) is a national programme sponsored by the Department of Education and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment. Introduced in 1996, it is a social inclusion programme that is aimed at students who are identified as being at risk of being socially or academically isolated or at risk of early school leaving before the (then) Junior Certificate has been achieved.
Since its introduction, JCSP has expanded from 32 schools in 1996 to 240 schools in 2010. The programme expanded on a phased basis, to almost all post-primary schools participating in the Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS) in 2010. The JCSP is also offered in Special Schools, Children Detention Schools, Traveller Training Centres and Youth Encounter Projects (YEP).
Of the current 223 schools within JCSP, 173 are designated DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) and 50 are non-DEIS schools. There are currently 235 DIES post-primary schools in Ireland. There are 8 Gaelscoileanna, 2 High Support Units, 17 Special Schools and 4 YEP. 122 schools in JCSP are part of the Education and Training Boards (ETBs) network of schools throughout the country.
One of the initiatives under the JCSP is the JCSP Demonstration Library Project. School librarians work as part of a network of librarians in the JCSP Demonstration Library Project. Within the Demonstration Library Project, there are 32 professional librarians employed by the CDETB who are based in 30 schools that operate the library facility. They are managed by the Senior Librarian.
Librarians are responsible, together with key school staff, for drawing up and implementing library strategies to tackle the literacy difficulties experienced by many JCSP students. An important element of the JCSP is the Literacy and Numeracy Strategy which promotes a school approach and which incorporates the Library Demonstration Project. Each year, each library receives a grant from JCSP. The grant funds literacy and numeracy initiatives, book buying and resources for the library.
As part of the implementation of the Framework for Junior Cycle (2015), it was agreed to carry out a review of the JCSP and consider the extent to which the needs of students undertaking the JCSP are met through the Junior Cycle. This review is currently ongoing, with the programme closed to new applicants but current provision continuing for the present.
73. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education if she will respond to specific concerns raised by persons (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24149/24]
View answerThe correspondence referred to by the Deputy raises a number of issues.
In respect of supports for the school involved, I have asked my Department officials to share the contents of your email with the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) to ensure that this school is provided with any additional supports it may require. The NCSE Support Service manages, co-ordinates and develops a range of supports in response to identified teacher training need.
This service provides a range of Teacher Professional Learning (TPL) designed in line with the Cosán Framework of the Teaching Council and consists of seminars, post seminar workshops, cluster supports, communities of practice and in school support visits. A range of these TPL modules are centred on the guidance provided though my department's 'Autism Good Practice Guidance for Schools' publication which is designed to help school leader's teachers, special needs assistants (SNAs) and other school staff respond to the needs of students with autism.
Teacher's have a clear pathway to further develop their professional learning through the NCSE seminars and teachers are further supported through funding provided by my department via the NCSE to complete a variety of training programmes. These programmes focus on special education and range from whole staff training for schools to post graduate programmes for teachers at Master and PHD level.
The NCSE provide specific training annually to schools opening new special classes. In addition, the NCSE advisors provide in-school supports to primary, post-primary and special schools tailored to meet the needs of individual schools with specialist training provided where required to teachers and SNAs through the Middletown Centre for Autism.
Detailed information on the comprehensive programme of TPL seminars, postgraduate opportunities and on a variety of other special educational needs training supports is available on the NCSE website.
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 to schools and 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.
Another issue relates to school accommodation. The school was approved a school building project under my department's Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme. The project will provide two special education classes, two mainstream classrooms, and a technical graphics room. The project has been devolved for delivery to the school authority.
Separately, my department recently granted approval for construction of a special educational needs modular classroom which is expected to reach practical completion later this year. This accommodation will help alleviate the immediate pressures on the school pending the delivery of the larger project.
74. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Education if she will guarantee a school bus service as opposed to a community based local link service (details supplied) which is recommended under the NTA Route 343 Amendment Proposal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24150/24]
View answerThe 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 being transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country. This figure includes over 135,000 children on mainstream services, 19,800 on children with special educational needs, and 6,800 children who have arrived in Ireland from Ukraine.
Children are eligible for transport at post-primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language. Any children who do not meet these criteria are deemed not eligible, or otherwise known as concessionary applicants, and are allocated a ticket based on the availability of a seat when all eligible children have been catered for.
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.
Temporary Alleviation Measures (TAMS) at post-primary level, which have been in place since 2019, are being continued for the 2024/25 school year. Under these measures, transport is provided where there is a route in operation and where capacity exists for concessionary post-primary pupils who are eligible for transport to their nearest school and are attending their second nearest school and who applied and paid on time.
The closing date for new applications for the 2024/25 school year was Friday 26th April 2024. The closing date for payment/entering medical details for tickets for the 2024/25 school year is Friday 7th June 2024. It is only after this time that Bus Éireann will know how many applications have been received and paid for. At that point, services will be planned for the upcoming school year.
Families can apply after the deadline dates and if there is capacity on a service, and the pupils fall within the eligibility criteria, a ticket will issue. However a ticket cannot be guaranteed at that stage.
The families in question are urged to apply for transport as soon as possible. Once an application has been made the families will have sight of their eligibility status and will be considered by Bus Éireann for school transport tickets in accordance with the aforementioned terms of the School Transport Scheme.
A review of the School Transport Scheme has been completed. This review was conducted with a view to examining the current scheme, its broader effectiveness, and sustainability and to ensure it services students and their families adequately.
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.
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 my Department and the Department of Transport to pilot and introduce greater integration of transport networks with school transport routes. Further details on these pilot areas will be available shortly.
It is intended, subject to resources, to commence implementing the revised eligibility criteria in the 2025/2026 school year.
