Written Answers Nos. 100-112
100. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education the action her Department is taking to ensure that primary school classes are not exceeding the recommended class size cap of 30 pupils, given that a school (details supplied) will have 35 pupils in first class for the 2024/2025 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30257/24]
View answerThe criteria used for the allocation of teaching posts is published annually on the Department website. 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. The staffing schedule operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all similar types of schools equally irrespective of location.
The configuration of classes and the deployment of classroom teachers are done at local school level. The 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 (e.g. classroom accommodation, fluctuating enrolment etc.).
The numbers employed in our schools will reach the highest ever level in the current school year. Currently there are over 42,900 teaching posts allocated across the primary school system. This represents an increase of just over 5,000 teachers when compared with the 2019/20 year when I took up office.
In three of the recent budgets, I prioritised reducing the pupil teacher ratios in primary schools, by one point each year, which has brought the teacher allocation ratio to an average of 1 classroom teacher for every 23 pupils in all primary schools, the lowest level ever seen at primary level.
Given that the staffing schedule operates to a general average of 1 classroom teacher for every 23 pupils, if a school has a large class it generally also has a small class.
The staffing arrangements include a provision whereby schools experiencing rapid increases in enrolment can apply for additional permanent mainstream posts, using projected enrolment.
The staffing process also contains an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain criteria to an independent Primary Staffing Appeals Board. The appeals process includes a criteria for schools which are not gaining an additional teaching post under the projected enrolments process but make a significant contribution to the provision of school places and are under pressure on their class sizes at infants level. Information and application forms are available in Circular 0011/2024 on the Department website.
101. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the concerns regarding the school transport currently in operation for a school in County Wexford (details supplied); what considerations she is giving to amending the current school bus route or creating a new route to cater for the whole parish similar to the concessionary service established and operated in Gowran, County Kilkenny recently; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30305/24]
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, 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.
The purpose of the Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
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.
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.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who have completed the application process on time will be accommodated on school transport services where capacity exists and such services are in operation.
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.
The availability of concessionary transport may vary from year to year and cannot be guaranteed for the duration of a child’s post primary school education cycle.
Bus Éireann has advised that there is a school transport service operating to the school referred that caters for eligible and concessionary children from a distinct locality and due to time constraints this service cannot be extended to cater for other concessionary children who reside outside of this area as this may inconvenience eligible children.
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.
The scale of the scheme is significant, and any changes will take time to plan and implement. Therefore, it is considered prudent to implement the proposed scheme changes on a phased basis.
It is intended, subject to resources, to commence implementing the revised eligibility criteria in the 2025/2026 school year.
102. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education the cost of a 10% increase in guidance counselling hours. [30346/24]
View answer103. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education the cost of a 10% increase in guidance counsellors, and the WTE this would fund. [30347/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 102 and 103 together.
My Department has committed considerable resources towards the restoration of guidance counselling hours to post-primary schools, to the provision of CPD for guidance counsellors and to the provision of a national guidance counselling supervision service for post-primary guidance counsellors in recent times.
The guidance allocation is provided separately and transparently on each school's staffing schedule. These posts have been ring-fenced so they can only be used for guidance activities and to meet the guidance needs of the school.
A 10% increase in the guidance allocation would result in an additional 95 WTE posts at an annual cost of €5.1m.
104. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education if she has considered an application (details supplied) for additional school accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30426/24]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is in receipt of an application for capital funding, under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme, from the school 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 or at other schools in the area.
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 National Council for Special Education (NCSE), and all available alternative accommodation within the school is already being used for classroom purposes. The capacity at other schools in the area is also considered as part of the assessment of any accommodation needs.
Since 2020, my Department has invested in the region of €4.9 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 900 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 can confirm that my officials have been engaging with the school authorities in relation to progressing their application as a traditional build project. I am pleased to confirm that a brief letter of offer has issued to the school authorities in this regard and officials in my Department await a response from the school authority.
105. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education if she received applications in the past two years from a school (details supplied) for repair works, including an external environmental projects application; the reason for delay in approving the applications; if she will support the applications; and if she will write to the school to clarify when funding will be approved for the project. [30427/24]
View answerThe school to which the deputy refers has submitted 2 applications for funding under the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS). The first application, funding for outdoor play areas, has been approved and there has been further engagement between the EWS team and the school over the tender documentation with a view to finalising the appropriate scope of works to be progressed.In respect of the second application, funding for roof repairs, a revised scope of works and associated itemised cost breakdown (ICB) were requested. These documents have since been received and are under review by the technical area, the EWS team is aware of the urgent nature of these works and will endeavour to finalise consideration of this application shortly and will keep the school informed throughout the process.
106. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais an bhfuil i gceist aici, de bharr easpa múinteoirí ionadaíochta, síneadh a chur leis an gcead do mhúinteoirí a bhfuil postroinnt á déanamh acu, chun ionadaíocht shealadach a dhéanamh ar laethanta nuair nach mbíonn siad ag múineadh; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [30430/24]
View answerRéimse gníomhaíochta tosaíochta don Rialtas is ea a chinntiú gur dearfach atá eispéireas gach linbh ar scoil agus go bhfuil múinteoirí cáilithe gafa ar fáil chun cabhrú leo ina gcuid foghlama.
Mar fhreagairt do na saincheisteanna a cuireadh in iúl maidir leis an soláthar múinteoirí, chuir mo Roinn an srian ar ghabháil don teagasc ionaid a forchuireadh faoin Scéim Postroinnte, mar atá leagtha amach i gCaibidil 8 (Mír 11.1(a)) de Chiorclán 54/2019, ar fionraí do na scoilbhlianta 2021/22, 2022/23 agus 2023/24. Féadfar na múinteoirí sin a fhostú chun obair mar mhúinteoirí ionaid le linn na dtréimhsí a bhíonn siad as dualgas.
Tá an Roinn ag déanamh breithniú faoi láthair ar an mbeart sin a fhadú an athuair go dtí an scoilbhliain 2024/25.
Leanann mo Roinn le dlúthchaidreamh a dhéanamh le geallsealbhóirí oideachais chun bearta nuálacha breise a fhorbairt ar mhaithe le haghaidh a thabhairt ar shaincheisteanna soláthar múinteoirí.
107. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education if she is considering allowing bus companies who have buses that are over 20 years old, and have all the required certificates required by the Department of Transport to carry passengers, to provide school bus services for Bus Éireann; the reason there are separate rules for the operation of school bus services over and above the rules and regulations of the Department of Transport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30437/24]
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, 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.
Bus Éireann have the responsibility for the overall safe operation of the School Transport Scheme and protection of children when travelling on school transport services. As such, Bus Éireann work closely with the Department of Education, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and other stakeholders to improve the safety standards across all fleet and this collaboration continues on an ongoing basis.
All school buses, including Bus Éireann vehicles in service that are subject to roadside inspections must have current roadworthiness certification at the time of inspection. In addition to statutory requirements, Bus Éireann arranges for additional examinations of vehicles operating under the School Transport Scheme – which are both targeted and random.
The Department of Transport advised that as best practice, the NTA keep the age of vehicles operating city and town bus services to a maximum of 12 years, with the intercity services closer to 10 years old . If the Deputy has any further queries relating to public transport, they can be addressed to the Department of Transport.
108. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education the reason that qualified bus drivers, who have passed all the medical and other tests to be qualified to drive a bus and are over 70 years of age, are not eligible to drive school buses under the school bus scheme of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30438/24]
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, 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.
The purpose of the scheme is to provide transport for children living remotely from their nearest school. Safety is a core value for Bus Éireann and is its first priority in all operations.
While over 90% of services are contracted locally, Bus Éireann apply stringent assessments of each individual driver on over 7,000 school routes.
The retirement age for school bus drivers has been set by Bus Éireann at 70 years of age, which also applies to road passenger services. Its decision to operate the scheme with drivers up to age 70 is grounded in the best safe interests of the young children, its drivers and other road users. Bus Éireann’s operating experience, together with ongoing consultation with stakeholders including the Road Safety Authority and other public transport operators in relation to Safety First is that its current policy balances the overarching need for safety, with the risk and the operational needs of the scheme. This is also evidenced by international research.
The policy and criteria also apply to drivers nominated by private operators who operate services as part of the School Transport Scheme, who may continue to perform in the role provided they hold the requisite license and satisfy an annual medical examination until they retire at age 70.
The age limit on bus drivers was increased to 70 years a number of years ago. While Bus Éireann have informed the Department there is no plan to increase the age limit further at this time, the matter will continue to be kept under review. Bus Éireann and Department officials meet regularly to discuss operational and policy matters.
109. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education if she intends to reform the administration of the school bus service to allow all documentation in relation to fulfilment of their contracts by bus companies under the school bus scheme to do all their business electronically, rather than depending on either the postal services or hand delivery; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30439/24]
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, 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.
The scheme is operated using a mix of Bus Éireann owned vehicles and directly recruited drivers, and private contractors who recruit their own drivers to operate on the scheme.
As part of the operation of the scheme, Bus Éireann manages the procurement tender process and contract management arrangements to include services provided by contractors under the School Transport Scheme. There are currently over 7,000 vehicles operating on the scheme.
Bus Éireann and my Department are looking at ways to introduce technology to support the administration of the School Transport Scheme. The role of technology in supporting expansion of the scheme has been identified as one of the key recommendations of review of the scheme “ School Transport 2030”
With my Department's approval Bus Éireann has recently introduced a new e-procurement system to streamline tender competitions. Bus Éireann advised they received positive feedback from suppliers in relation to the benefits the new system provides, there has been significant engagement with operators as part of implementation of this new system.
Bus Éireann has advised they have also implemented an on-line system in place to support mandatory vetting requirements.
One of the key projects being progressed for school transport is the roll out of Smart Ticketing nationally on school transport services. A trial was conducted in the Kells area and it is intended that a further trial of this technology will take place as part of the pilot projects being implemented in Limerick and Roscommon areas for the 24/25 school year.
This technology will provide greater insights in relation to the operation of services. It also has the potential capability of providing further opportunities to utilise technology to support compliance and other aspects of business activity involving contracted Private Operators.
110. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 278 of 4 July 2024, the position regarding the number of students that have more than one offer of a school place (details supplied); the actions she will take to ensure that the eight students still without a place for the coming school year are accommodated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30502/24]
View answerI can assure the Deputy that the provision of school places to meet the needs of children and young people at primary and post primary level, including children and young people with special educational needs is an absolute priority for the Department.
The Department has been aware of pressures for post primary school places for the 2024/25 school year in Greystones and has had extensive engagement with the relevant schools and patrons over the course of many months. All the schools were requested to facilitate additional enrolments, with the offer of any reasonable required support from the Department.
On foot of this engagement, Greystones Community College has increased their first-year intake by an additional three class groups, relative to what was indicated on their Admissions Notice for 2024/25. The school, its Board of Management and Kildare and Wicklow ETB are making this additional provision in recognition of the best interests of the community in Greystones and this is very much welcomed. A special class is also being established at St. David’s Secondary School in Greystones and this will greatly assist in the provision of school places for children with additional needs.
My Department’s responsibility is to ensure that all schools in an area can, between them, meet the school place needs and there are, in total, as many first year places as sixth class children leaving primary schools in Greystones School Planning Area. Nevertheless, I am aware that there are children in Greystones who have not yet received a school place. According to information shared by management bodies with my Department in June, the local children who had not yet received an offer of a place did not apply to all schools in the area or are not residing within the SPA. The Department’s recent analysis on enrolment data showed that there were approximately four applicants who had accepted a place in two schools but to note that this was the position at that point in time.
The situation with respect to the filling of the places at schools is an evolving one, as places are offered and accepted and refused, and this process is managed directly by the school authority. It is important to note that there can often be significant overlap across areas and schools and the nature of the admissions processes is quite complex. As a result, there can be multiple iterations, where applicants may accept a place but subsequently be offered and accept a place at a second school, freeing up capacity at the first school accepted. In that context, is may take some time for the full impact of the additional provision at Greystones Community College to take effect.
The Educational Welfare Services of the Child and Family Agency, Tusla, is the statutory agency that can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The local service is delivered through the national network of Educational Welfare Officers. Contact details are available on Tusla’s website.
Planning for 2025/26 first year place needs in Greystones has already commenced, including direct engagement with patrons. Furthermore, and as part of its forward planning, the Department has also requested all of the patrons in Greystones and Kilcoole to consider how the admissions process for their schools could be better coordinated and improved for the 2025/26 first year intake. The Department has offered its support in this regard.
Department officials will continue to actively engage with schools and patrons to ensure that there is appropriate provision for all students in Greystones into the future, including through the progression of relevant school building projects. In this regard, the Deputy will be aware that the contractor for the delivery of the new 1,000 pupil school building for Greystones Community College has recently commenced works on site.
111. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education when the next summer works scheme will be introduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30507/24]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the purpose of the Summer Works Scheme (SWS) is to enable individual school authorities to undertake small-scale building works on a devolved basis and, ideally, can be carried out during the summer months or at other times that avoid disrupting the operation of the school. The SWS operates on a multi-annual basis for categories of works such as roof works, window replacement, mechanical and electrical works, external works etc.
My Department is leading an ambitious sustainability agenda and has progressed a wide array of measures to improve the overall sustainability of our school buildings. It is a priority for Government to deliver on Ireland’s ambitious climate agenda and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This includes targets around the decarbonisation of Ireland’s public buildings.
As part of it’s planning for 2024 and beyond, Department officials are considering and planning for the next phases of the summer works programme and the opportunities this may create to support the sustainability agenda. In this regard, it is envisaged at this stage that, a Multi-Annual SWS with a focus on climate action and energy conservation will be the focus for the next summer works scheme to be opened for applications. The arrangements and timing of that SWS is still under consideration and schools will be updated in due course.
112. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the new school building at a location (details supplied); if children from the special care unit in Johnstown will be accommodated; if so, if they will have the same nursing, care assistant and other support complement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30513/24]
View answerEnabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this government. It is also a key priority for my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
The vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs require additional supports, special classes and special school places are provided.
The NCSE has the responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs.
In relation to the school referred to by the Deputy, I am advised that provision has been made to include the special care unit in the new school. I also understand that the nursing support, which is provided by the HSE, will continue to be available to the children concerned.
The NCSE has also confirmed that an enhanced allocation of special needs assistant (SNA) support has been made available to the school in response to their application for additional support.
My department and the NCSE are committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential.
