Marian Harkin
Question:147. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Education if her Department will provide school transport for a number of students (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37136/24]
View answerSchool Transport
Questions (147)
Written answers
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2023/24 school year over 163,800 children, including over 136,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 20,200 pupils with special educational needs, and 7,400 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine were 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.
Over 140,000 mainstream tickets have issued for the 2024/2025 school year, which is already 3% more than the total tickets issued for the full 2023/2024 school year.
Under the terms of the School Transport Schemes, children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kms from and are attending their nearest national school. At post primary level, they are eligible where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre. Distance is determined by the Department/Bus Éireann and rules have regard to ethos and language.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who complete the application process on time (apply on time and pay on time) are accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation and where there is capacity to do so.
Children who are not eligible but who apply for school transport are considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
Because of the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible children and the priority of providing places for eligible children, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places. In these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using an agreed selection process.
Temporary Alleviation Measures (TAMS) at post primary level are continued for the current school year. Under these measures, transport will be 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, are attending their second nearest school and who applied and paid on time.
Bus Eireann has advised that the children from the area referred to by the Deputy are not eligible for school transport under the terms of the scheme as it is not their nearest post primary school/centre.
Bus Éireann further advise that there is no service available from the area in question to the school referred to by the Deputy and the nearest pick up point is approx. 8kms to 11kms away.
There is a bus operating from this area carrying 33 pupils including 7 of the pupils referenced by the Deputy. This service is now operating to capacity.
Special Educational Needs
Questions (148)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:148. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education if she is aware that a child (details supplied) is not being supported at school; if she will intervene to address the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37145/24]
View answerWritten answers
Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) carry out very important care functions for children with care needs in the school. The purpose of their role is to enable children with significant care needs to attend school and participate in school activities to the maximum possible extent.
The aim of the role is to address the immediate care needs of the student and encourage their independence. Over time, some students do become more independent and self-autonomous in personal care matters.
Special Needs Assistants are employed by the individual school board of management but terms and conditions are set nationally.
The functions of SNAs are outlined in circulars which are published and updated on a regular basis in consultation with staff interests.
These functions include assistance with clothing, feeding, toileting and general hygiene and being mindful of health and safety needs of the pupil. Catheterisation comes within the toileting function. This matter was also subject of a Labour Court recommendation in September 2018.
Where training is required, this is matter for the school to arrange. Close liaison with the family is encouraged because parents will be very familiar with the care needs of their child and will have received training where this was required.
Where an SNA is not carrying out their care duties as requested by the school, then it is a matter for the school management authority to address. There are agreed disciplinary procedures in place should they be required. If the family of the child referred to here by the Deputy require further information and guidance, please advise them to make contact with their local Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO).
The NCSE have recently published updated information in relation to the contact details for local SENOs.
SENO Contact Information – National Council for Special Education – Working to deliver a better special education service (ncse.ie).
School Funding
Questions (149)
Rose Conway-Walsh
Question:149. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education the rate of capitation for pupils at national school for the current year and for each of the five previous years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37152/24]
View answerWritten answers
My Department is committed to providing funding to recognised primary and post-primary schools in the free education scheme by way of per capita grants. The two main grants are the Capitation grant to cater for day-to-day running costs such as heating, lighting, cleaning, insurance and general up-keep, and the Ancillary grant to cater for the cost of employing ancillary services staff. Schools have the flexibility to use capitation funding provided for general running costs and ancillary funding provided for caretaking and secretarial services as a common grant from which the Board of Management can allocate according to its own priorities, except for cases where a secretary is now paid from my Department’s payroll as per circular 0036/2022.
The current standard rate of Capitation grant is €200 per pupil in primary schools and €345 per student in post-primary schools.
Primary schools with fewer than 60 pupils are paid the Capitation and the Ancillary grants on the basis of having 60 pupils.
In addition to these grants, €20 million in funding was issued in October 2023, to support all recognised primary and post-primary schools in the free education scheme. This funding was the first tranche of an overall additional €60 million funding announced as part of Budget 2024 measures designed to assist schools with increased day-to-day running costs such as heating and electricity. A further €40 million in funding was delivered in early 2024.
As 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 supports a permanent restoration of funding for all primary and post-primary schools from September 2024. This brings the standard rate of Capitation grant to the pre-2011 level of €200 per pupil in primary schools and €345 per student in post-primary schools. Enhanced rates will also be paid in respect of pupils with special educational needs and Traveller pupils. This represents an increase of circa 9.2% of current standard rates and the relevant enhanced rates.
The capitation grant rates for primary schools are published in Circular 0056/2024, which is available on my Department’s website. The below table shows the mainstream capitation grant rates for primary schools since September 2019.
|
2019/2020 |
2020/221 |
2021/2022 |
2022/2023 |
2023/2024 |
2024/2025 |
|
|
Primary mainstream rate per pupil |
€179 |
€183 |
€183 |
€183 |
€183 |
€200 |
Special Educational Needs
Questions (150)
Rose Conway-Walsh
Question:150. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education the number of children in Mayo with a diagnosis of autism who are currently awaiting a national school place for the current school year; the number of schools in Mayo that currently have autism classes; the number of national schools in Mayo that applied to her Department for funding in the past year to open an autism classroom; the number of these applications that were successful; the additional autism classes that will be onstream in Mayo for the September 2025 intake; the number of additional places this will generate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37153/24]
View answerWritten answers
Enabling 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.
Over 400 new special classes have been sanctioned by the NCSE for the 2024/25 school year bringing the total number of special classes nationwide to 3,333 - 2,337 at primary level and 996 at post-primary level.
Of these, 8 are in Mayo - 3 at primary and 5 at post-primary, bringing the total number of special classes in Co. Mayo to 72, 48 at primary level and 24 at post-primary level. The vast majority of these are autism classes which have a teacher/student ratio of 1:6.
Enrolments to individual schools are a matter for each board of management. The NCSE understand that there remains some capacity in special classes in some areas of Co. Mayo.
Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact the NCSE locally for planning purposes. Local SENOs are available to assist and advise parents and can provide details on schools with available special educational places. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available on the NCSE website.
My department and the NCSE are committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements will be available for children for this school year and future years.
Special Educational Needs
Questions (151)
Michael Lowry
Question:151. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education to review the provision of special needs school transport for a child (details supplied); the reasons that this applicant was declined their school transport and escort for the 2024-2025 academic year; when this matter will be resolved and the appropriate school transport put in place and made available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37169/24]
View answerWritten answers
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2023/24 school year over 163,800 children, including over 136,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 20,200 pupils with special educational needs, and 7,400 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine were 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.
Over 140,000 mainstream tickets have issued for the 2024/2025 school year, which is already 3% more than the total tickets issued for the full 2023/2024 school year.
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.
Bus Éireann is very conscious of the specialised nature of transport provision for pupils with special educational needs under the School Transport Scheme. All services are planned to meet the individual requirements of children travelling, with the majority of services operating on a door-to-door basis.
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.
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 Department of Education provides grant funding for the employment of the School Transport Escort and sets the rate of pay. The Board of Management/ETB are responsible for the employment of the School Transport Escort.
Bus Éireann has advised that this pupil has been deemed eligible for transport for the 2024/25 school year and is currently scheduled on a route.
The service is in place, however, the school has confirmed to officials in School Transport Section of my Department that they have not yet recruited an escort for the route. The pupil requires an escort to assist them to travel on a school transport service.
Until such time the pupil can avail of the service, the family may apply for the Special Transport Grant which is paid to assist with the cost of private transport arrangements the family have put in place until the service begins. This payment is based on the number of days the child attends school. School Transport Section in the Department of Education will contact the family directly with details of the grant in the coming weeks.
School Textbooks
Questions (152)
Michael Lowry
Question:152. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education to address concerns from local businesses regarding the free schoolbooks and stationery scheme (details supplied); the way her Department plans to mitigate the intense low margins faced by SMEs, the reduced footfall in retail premises, and the loss of seasonal jobs; additionally, if her Department will consider allowing schools more flexibility to prioritise local suppliers; the steps that are being taken to streamline the procurement process to reduce logistical challenges in schools; if she will consider encouraging schools to spend locally, or provide a one-time payment to families given the broader negative impact on local economies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37171/24]
View answerWritten answers
As you are aware in early March, I announced details of a new scheme which provides free schoolbooks to Junior Cycle students in post-primary schools in the Free Education Scheme. More than 213,000 students enrolled in approximately 670 post-primary schools and over 65 special schools, will benefit from the new scheme in the current school year. The investment of €68 million in 2024 significantly increases the funding that is currently provided for schoolbooks and introduces a free schoolbooks scheme to Junior Cycle years in all post-primary schools in the Free Education Scheme.
My Department published guidance documents for schools around the operation of the each of schoolbooks schemes, in continued engagement with key stakeholders.
Officials in the Department met with Bookselling Ireland who represent booksellers in Ireland and is run by a committee of booksellers, chaired by Dawn Behan, and backed by the Booksellers Association. The Booksellers Association is a membership organisation for all booksellers in the UK & Ireland, representing over 95% of bookshops. The Department will continue to engage with Bookselling Ireland, as part of the on-going evaluation of the scheme.
The published guidance contains information that highlights the importance of schools engaging with bookshops and booksellers proactively to ensure a smooth implementation of the new arrangements. It draws attention to the role that the Office of Government Procurement plays in promoting schemes to facilitate Small and Medium sized Enterprise (SME) participation in Public Procurement and includes direct reference to DPER Circular 05/2023 that refers to initiatives to assist SMEs in Public Procurement. It also outlines the schemes which schools may consider as part of their procurement process.
Officials in the Department also proactively engaged with counterparts in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment on the types of supports available to book sellers to ensure that they have access to training and information on the Office of Government Procurement eTenders system so that they are in a position to respond to tenders requests as and when they wish to do so.
It is important to note that schools, like other organisations that receive public sector funding, have obligations that stem from both EU and national public procurement rules when sourcing goods and services. Schools must follow public procurement guidelines detailed in Appendix 4 of the guidance.
The guidance does not place any additional responsibilities upon schools that are not already in legislation. The Department of Education does not advise schools to engage or employ any specific supplier but rather provides the supports to schools to ensure that they meet their procurement obligations by applying a competitive process when sourcing goods.
In response to concerns expressed by schools and in consultation with key procurement partners, my Department developed Procurement Guidance for schools at both primary and post-primary level. This was in addition to a suite of supplementary supports including templates to assist schools to provide information to bookshops when seeking a quotation. The procurement guidance and template documents are available on the School's Procurement Unit website at www.spu.ie/schoolbooks-scheme/.
My Department has currently began a review of the first year of the Junior Cycle Schoolbooks Scheme in conjunction with the Department of Expenditure NDP Delivery and Reform. As part of the on-going evaluation of the scheme, all schools will be asked to provide data on their expenditure and the work involved in administering the scheme in order to inform the guidance, implementation, costs and efficiency of the scheme for future years. This review will also look at a variety of key areas including the experience of suppliers and booksellers and will give all key stakeholders the opportunity to provide feedback on the scheme.
To further support the implementation of the schemes, my Department is currently leading on the development of a Dynamic Purchasing System which will support both schools and booksellers in the procurement process for 2025/26.
A dynamic purchasing system (DPS) is an electronic method of procurement used for the supply of goods and/or services. It is different from traditional procurement routes as it operates an ‘open market’ for suppliers to join either constantly or very frequently. It is expected that this system will be in place for the 2025/2026 scheme.
In July the Education Procurement Service, on behalf of my Department, published a Prior Information Notice (PIN) notifying the market it intends to establish a national arrangement to assist post-primary voluntary, community and comprehensive schools in the procurement process relating to the delivery of the schoolbooks scheme. It is expected that the competitive process, pursuant to the PIN, will be advertised in the coming weeks.
Residential Institutions
Questions (153)
Catherine Connolly
Question:153. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education her views on an article (details supplied); when it is expected that the works will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37197/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of Education is aware of the challenging circumstances of the individual concerned and, although this is essentially a housing issue, has undertaken to assist in identifying a path forward.
This is a particularly difficult and complex case, and the Department continues to engage with the individual concerned and with other relevant parties, including the relevant local authority, to try to identify a solution as soon as possible.
Residential Institutions
Questions (154)
Sorca Clarke
Question:154. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education if she is aware of the case of a person (details supplied); and the measures she plans on taking to address and rectify their current situation. [37198/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of Education is aware of the challenging circumstances of the individual concerned and, although this is essentially a housing issue, has undertaken to assist in identifying a path forward.
This is a particularly difficult and complex case, and the Department continues to engage with the individual concerned and with other relevant parties, including the relevant local authority, to try to identify a solution as soon as possible.
School Transport
Questions (155)
Seán Canney
Question:155. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Education if the decision by Bus Éireann not to allocate school bus tickets for four children (details supplied) after the payment deadline was missed due to a family bereavement will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37199/24]
View answerWritten answers
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2023/24 school year over 163,800 children, including over 136,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 20,200 pupils with special educational needs, and 7,400 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine were 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.
Over 140,000 mainstream tickets have issued for the 2024/2025 school year, which is already 3% more than the total tickets issued for the full 2023/2024 school year.
The purpose of my 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.
Under the terms of the School Transport Schemes, children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kms from and are attending their nearest national school. At post primary level, they are eligible where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre. Distance is determined by the Department/Bus Éireann and rules have regard to ethos and language.
The pupils referred to by the Deputy are eligible for transport and applications for transport were received on time for the 2024/25 school year however, no payment has been received to date for these pupils and the existing school transport service is currently operating to capacity at present.
School Funding
Questions (156)
Seán Canney
Question:156. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Education when approval will be given to a school (details supplied) for an application for funding for solar panels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37206/24]
View answerWritten answers
The first phase of the Schools Photovoltaic (PV) Programme launched in November 2023 to over 1600 schools.
It will provide eligible schools with 6 kWp of roof-mounted solar PV, which equates to approximately 16 solar panels.
Since the launch of the first phase of the Schools PV Programme late last year, my Department has had a very positive response to the scheme, with over 1500 schools engaging with the programme through our School Hub.
Funding approval has been provided to more than 1,100 schools and we are seeing the impacts today as PV panels are being installed on school roofs around the country.
This has been a really positive response in terms of applications for solar panels from schools. It offers an opportunity for schools to reduce their carbon emissions and to reduce their energy costs.
As well as the obvious financial and climate benefits, it is expected that the visibility of the solar panels on schools will also deliver the added benefit of encouraging discussion and uptake of the technology in the wider community.
Given the high volume of schools involved, we are endeavouring to review each application and address and respond to queries in the earliest possible time.
The Schools PV Programme team will be in contact directly with Belmont N.S. Co Galway shortly to discuss next steps.
School Funding
Questions (157)
Frankie Feighan
Question:157. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Education when there will be a call for the second phase of the solar panels for schools grant funding offer by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37213/24]
View answerWritten answers
The first phase of the Schools Photovoltaic (PV) Programme launched in November 2023 to over 1600 schools.
It will provide eligible schools with 6 kWp of roof-mounted solar PV, which equates to approximately 16 solar panels.
The scheme will be funded from the Government’s Climate Action Fund, in line with the Government’s recognition that taking action on climate change is central to Ireland’s social and economic development. The scheme will assist schools in reducing their energy costs and their carbon footprint as part of the response to meeting the 2030 and 2050 Climate Action Plan targets for the schools sector.
The solar PV panels in schools will also be connected to the electricity grid, so that the schools can generate income by powering other homes and businesses with clean energy when schools are closed at weekends and during school holidays.
The Schools Photovoltaic (PV) programme is being rolled out on a phased basis. Schools in the following areas were invited to participate in the first phase: Co. Clare, Co. Donegal, Dublin City Council area, Co. Galway, Co. Kerry, Co. Kilkenny, Co. Leitrim, Co. Limerick, Co. Offaly, Co. Waterford and Co. Wicklow.
Counties in the first phase were selected to obtain a good geographical spread including a balance of rural, urban, island, Gaeltacht schools in all regions of the country, as well as targeting counties that have not benefitted from other recent Department of Education climate related initiatives.
It is intended that all remaining eligible schools across the country will have the opportunity to apply to the scheme by end 2024.
The phasing of the programme ensures a managed and steady flow of work for solar PV contractors. The data gathered during the first phase will also allow for any improvements in the design of the scheme to be implemented in the next phase.
Since the launch of the first phase of the Schools PV Programme late last year, funding approval has been provided to more than 1,100 schools and we are seeing the impacts today as PV panels are being installed on school roofs around the country.
This has been a really positive response in terms of applications for solar panels from schools. It offers an opportunity for schools to reduce their carbon emissions and to reduce their energy costs.
As well as the obvious financial and climate benefits, it is expected that the visibility of the solar panels on schools will also deliver the added benefit of encouraging discussion and uptake of the technology in the wider community.
School Admissions
Questions (158)
Bernard Durkan
Question:158. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education when a primary school place for a child (details supplied) will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37228/24]
View answerWritten answers
In relation to school admissions, it is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an admissions policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998 and the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018. Under the provisions of the Act, school admission policies are approved by the Patron, following consultation with staff and parents of children who are attending the school. The school’s admissions policy is published on the school’s website. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in that area.
Parents have the right to choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available the pupil should be admitted. However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available, a selection process will be necessary. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.
All schools must clearly set out their selection criteria in their admission policies. Schools have discretion in relation to their admission criteria and how they are applied. The criteria to be applied by schools and the order of priority are a matter for the schools themselves. My Department does not seek to intervene in the selection criterion that is applied by schools.
Section 29 of the Education Act, 1998 provides for an appeal where a board of management, or a person acting on behalf of the board of management (normally the school principal) refuses to admit a student to a school. Where the decision to refuse admission is due to the school being oversubscribed, a review of the decision by the board of management must be sought in the first instance. Following a review it is open to the parent to appeal to the independent appeals committee.
Tusla Education Support Service (TESS) is the agency which can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. TESS can be contacted at 01-7718500 (tessinfo@tusla.ie) for assistance. More information is available on their website on the following link: www.tusla.ie/tess/tess-ews/.