Written Answers Nos. 23-42
23. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of IDA site visits to County Louth for each of the years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 respectively; the location in County Louth where these visits took place, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38101/24]
View answer24. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to provide a breakdown for listed IDA client companies and IDA-backed client companies with operations in County Louth for each of the years 2020-2024, respectively, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38102/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 24 together.
Regional development is a key element of Government's enterprise policy, as set out in the White Paper on Enterprise, and is a key focus of the work of my Department and our Agencies. In that regard, IDA Ireland is committed to the pursuit of balanced, compact regional development and is targeting that at least half of all investments - that is 400 of 800 - from 2021 to 2024 to regional locations.
The number of visits to Louth since 2020 are set out below with figures reflecting both in-person and e-visits.
|
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
Q2 2024 |
|
|
Louth |
14 |
10 |
16 |
11 |
5 |
Note: Potential clients visiting Ireland may visit more than one county and may return to a location more than once. These figures represent individual visits and are therefore not indicative of the number of companies that have visited.
The IDA client companies located in County Louth over the years 2020 to 2024 are set out in the table below:
|
Company Name 2020 |
Company Name 2021 |
Company Name 2022 |
Company Name 2023 |
Company Name 2024 |
|
ABB Ltd |
ABB Ltd |
ABB Ltd |
ABB Ltd |
ABB Ltd |
|
Allard Support UK |
Allard Support UK |
Allard Support UK |
Allard Support UK |
Allard Support UK |
|
Amphenol TCS Ireland Ltd |
Amphenol TCS Ireland Ltd |
Amphenol TCS Ireland Ltd |
Amphenol TCS Ireland Ltd |
Amphenol TCS Ireland Ltd |
|
Almac Pharmaceuticals Group (Ireland) Ltd |
Almac Pharmaceuticals Group (Ireland) Ltd |
Almac Pharmaceuticals Group (Ireland) Ltd |
Almac Pharmaceuticals Group (Ireland) Ltd |
Almac Pharmaceuticals Group (Ireland) Ltd |
|
Armac Systems Ltd |
Armac Systems Ltd |
Armac Systems Ltd |
Armac Systems Ltd |
Armac Systems Ltd |
|
Aspire Systems Digital Transformation Ltd |
Becton Dickinson & Co |
Becton Dickinson & Co |
Becton Dickinson & Co |
Becton Dickinson & Co |
|
Becton Dickinson & Co |
Cargotec |
Cargotec |
Cargotec |
Cargotec |
|
Cargotec |
Castle Craig Ireland Ltd |
Castle Craig Ireland Ltd |
Castle Craig Ireland Ltd |
Castle Craig Ireland Ltd |
|
Castle Craig Ireland Ltd |
Catapult (Kodaplay Ltd) |
Catapult (Kodaplay Ltd) |
Catapult (Kodaplay Ltd) |
Catapult (Kodaplay Ltd) |
|
Catapult (Kodaplay Ltd) |
Diaceutics Ltd |
Diaceutics Ltd |
Diaceutics Ltd |
Diaceutics Ltd |
|
C.I.R.S |
Graebel |
Graebel |
Graebel |
Graebel |
|
Diaceutics Ltd |
Kellton Tech |
Kaseya Centre Of Excellence Dundalk |
Kaseya Centre Of Excellence Dundalk |
Kaseya Centre Of Excellence Dundalk |
|
Graebel |
KUKA Robotics (Ireland) Limited |
Kellton Tech |
Kellton Tech |
Kellton Tech |
|
Kellton Tech |
MTI Merchandising Technology Ireland |
Integrated Aviation Systems Ireland |
Integrated Aviation Systems Ireland |
Integrated Aviation Systems Ireland |
|
National Pen Ltd |
National Pen Ltd |
Itrenew Itad Ireland Ltd. Drogheda |
Iron Mountain |
Iron Mountain |
|
Panasonic Avionics |
Panasonic Avionics |
KUKA Robotics (Ireland) Limited |
KUKA Robotics (Ireland) Limited |
KUKA Robotics (Ireland) Limited |
|
PayPal |
PayPal |
MTI Merchandising Technology Ireland |
MTI Merchandising Technology Ireland |
MTI Merchandising Technology Ireland |
|
PCI Services Ireland |
PCI Services Ireland |
National Pen Ltd |
National Pen Ltd |
National Pen Ltd |
|
Prometric |
Prometric |
Panasonic Avionics |
Overhaul Driven by Trust Ltd. |
Overhaul Driven by Trust Ltd. |
|
Radio Systems PetSafe |
Radio Systems PetSafe |
PayPal |
Panasonic Avionics |
Panasonic Avionics |
|
SATIR Europe (Irl) Ltd |
SATIR Europe (Irl) Ltd |
PCI Services Ireland |
PayPal |
PayPal |
|
Seachange (SEAC) Irl. Ltd |
Seachange (SEAC) Irl. Ltd |
Prometric |
PCI Services Ireland |
PCI Services Ireland |
|
SMT Fund Services (Ireland) Ltd |
SMT Fund Services (Ireland) Ltd |
Radio Systems PetSafe |
Prometric |
Prometric |
|
Standard Brands (Trading) Ireland Ltd |
Standard Brands (Trading) Ireland Ltd |
SATIR Europe (Irl) Ltd |
Radio Systems PetSafe |
Radio Systems PetSafe |
|
Vesta Payment Solutions Ltd |
TrustLabs Compliance Solutions |
SERVISOURCE Recruitment Agency |
Rayner Surgical Ireland Limited |
Rayner Surgical Ireland Limited |
|
Xerox Europe Ltd. |
Vesta Payment Solutions Ltd |
SIMPLY NUC IRELAND |
SATIR Europe (Irl) Ltd |
SATIR Europe (Irl) Ltd |
|
Wasdell Ireland |
Xerox Europe Ltd. |
SMT Fund Services (Ireland) Ltd |
SERVISOURCE Recruitment Agency |
SERVISOURCE Recruitment Agency |
|
Wuxi Biologics Ireland |
Wasdell Ireland |
Standard Brands (Trading) Ireland Ltd |
Simply NUC IRELAND |
Simply NUC IRELAND |
|
Yapstone |
Wuxi Biologics Ireland |
Threatlocker Ireland |
SMT Fund Services (Ireland) Ltd |
SMT Fund Services (Ireland) Ltd |
|
Yapstone |
TrustLabs Compliance Solutions |
Standard Brands (Trading) Ireland Ltd |
Standard Brands (Trading) Ireland Ltd |
|
|
Vesta Payment Solutions Ltd |
State Street International Ireland |
State Street International Ireland |
||
|
Xerox Europe Ltd. |
TrustLabs Compliance Solutions |
TrustLabs Compliance Solutions |
||
|
Wasdell Ireland |
Vesta Payment Solutions Ltd |
Vesta Payment Solutions Ltd |
||
|
Wuxi Biologics Ireland |
Xerox Europe Ltd. |
Xerox Europe Ltd. |
||
|
Wasdell Ireland |
Wasdell Ireland |
|||
|
Wuxi Biologics Ireland |
Wuxi Biologics Ireland |
|||
|
Wuxi Vaccines Ireland |
Wuxi Vaccines Ireland |
I am, of course, very conscious of recent announcements of job losses in the County by IDA client companies to take effect over the next two and half years, which is extremely disappointing, especially for the staff and their families impacted by the decision.
As part of the Government's regional strategy, we will continue to target new investment for the Region, with Drogheda and Dundalk designated as Regional Growth Centres in both the National Development Plan and Project Ireland 2040.
25. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the number of buses within the school transport fleet that are operated by private operators and public operators, respectively, in each of the years 2019 to 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [37967/24]
View answer26. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the number of buses within the school transport fleet by bus capacity, under the categories of large bus (35+ seats), medium bus (19 to 34 seats), minibus (19 to 18 seats) and taxi (up to 8 seats), in tabular form. [37968/24]
View answer27. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the median and mean average size of bus within the school transport scheme, by county, in tabular form. [37969/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 25, 26 and 27 together.
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. Bus Éireann manages the procurement tender process and contract management arrangements to include services provided by contractors under the School Transport Scheme. The school transport fleet is made up of both contractors and Bus Éireann vehicles. Over 95% of services are provided by contractors operating on the School Transport Scheme.
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 School Transport Scheme is demand led based on the location of eligible applicants and is not provided for by county basis, as some students may attend school in neighbouring counties. Therefore, the information sought by the Deputy cannot be provided in the manner requested. The total number of vehicles operating for each of the school years requested by the Deputy by size is included in the attached document.
28. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education for an update on a proposed additional ASD room in a national school (details supplied) in County Donegal; if her attention was drawn to the impact on the children waiting for a place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37994/24]
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 advised my department that they previously engaged with the school regarding opening a second special class for the 2024/25 school year. The school at the time was not in a position to do so and other schools in the local area were approached. The NCSE advise that there remains places available in the vicinity to accommodate students who wish to avail of a special class place.
Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact the NCSE locally for planning purposes. Local special educational needs organisers (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.
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 3,335 - 2,338 at primary level and 997 at post-primary level.
Of these, 12 are in County Donegal, 9 at primary and 3 at post-primary, bringing the total number of special classes in Donegal to 127. The vast majority of these are autism classes which have a teacher/student ratio of 1:6.
The NCSE will be undertaking planning visits to schools during term 1 of this school year to assist with the forward planning of special class provision for the 2025/26 school year.
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.
29. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education if supports are available for schools to purchase specialised indoor equipment for students who require regular movement breaks and are prevented from going outside due to weather; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38001/24]
View answerMy Department funds the purchase of specialised furniture and equipment for children with special educational needs. A School can apply for specialised furniture or equipment for students with special educational needs who are enrolled in the school. This includes furniture for a particular child's postural and toileting needs which assists the students in managing their day to day needs and facilitates their access to the curriculum. Certain items, including wheelchairs and sensory items, are not included in this scheme.
The needs of children with special educational needs are highly sensitive and individualised and my Department deals with applications of this nature on a case-by-case basis. For this small cohort of children, part of the application process requires the submission of an Occupational Therapist’s report which details the individual requirements of a child and allows my Department to provide funding at the appropriate level to meet the child's identified needs.
30. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education if, given the critical shortage of secondary school autism spectrum (AS) classes in Nenagh, where only one secondary school offers an AS class, which is currently full, she will outline the immediate actions that will be taken to ensure that children leaving 6th class this year can continue their secondary education within their local community (details supplied). [38007/24]
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.
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 3,335 - 2,338 at primary level and 997 at post-primary level.
Of these, 16 are in County Tipperary, 12 at primary and 4 at post-primary, bringing the total number of special classes in Tipperary to 138. The vast majority of these are autism classes which have a teacher/student ratio of 1:6.
The NCSE will be undertaking planning visits to schools during term 1 of this school year to assist with the forward planning of special class provision for the 2025/26 school year. In 2022, the Department wrote to all post-primary schools to ask them to begin planning to provide on average 4 special classes each over the coming years.
Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact the NCSE locally for planning purposes. Local special educational needs organisers (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.
The provision of therapy supports for children with disabilities and the Children's Disability Network Team (CDNT) service is the responsibility of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) and the Health Service Executive (HSE) and any queries in this regard should be addressed directly to DCEDIY and the HSE.
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.
31. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Education if school transport will be provided for a child with special educational needs (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38016/24]
View answerThe 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.
I am pleased to advise that the pupil referred to by the Deputy is eligible under the terms of the scheme and approval has been given by the School Transport Section of my Department to Bus Éireann to establish a new service.
Bus Éireann has tendered this service in line with procurement guidelines and are in the process of allocating a contractor to operate this service. Once a contractor has been sourced, the service will commence. Bus Éireann has advised they will liaise with the family directly to keep them updated in relation to transport provision.
Both the Department and Bus Éireann are very conscious of the challenges faced by parents awaiting transport for students with special educational needs. Families of children who are eligible for these services may therefore apply for the interim Special Transport Grant. This is a once off payment, paid retrospectively to families once the School Transport service is in place. It is intended to assist with the cost of private transport arrangements that the family had to put in place during that time. The family have been contacted directly by School Transport Section, and have been offered this grant.
32. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the concerns of parents and elected representatives regarding the difficulty in communicating with Bus Éireann regarding school transport; the actions she will take to ensure that this is urgently addressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38026/24]
View answerThe 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.
Bus Éireann has put in place a dedicated customer care call centre to assist families specifically with School Transport queries during the busy summer period. Families that have queries can contact the call centre on: LoCall 0818 919 910. Operating hours are usually 09.00 – 17.00 Monday to Friday.
Families can also contact Bus Éireann their website: www.buseireann.ie/schooltransport by submitting a query via: www.buseireann.ie/inner.php?id=769,
In addition to this, Bus Éireann has provided the following dedicated email address for use exclusively by Oireachtas Members in order to assist with queries they may have: reps@buseireann.ie
33. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education the expected timeline for the finalisation of the employment status for school caretakers in the education system (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38027/24]
View answerCaretakers are valued members of our school communities who carry out work vital to the operations of our schools. At present, the majority of primary and post-primary schools receive assistance to provide for caretaker services under ancillary grant funding. Under the February 2022 agreement the implementation of revised salary and annual leave entitlements for school secretaries is now fully operational, and lessons learned from that process are now playing a key role in the drafting and implementation of a similar deal to be offered to grant funded school caretakers.
The Department is committed to ensuring that school caretakers will be afforded the opportunity to avail a similar package offered to school secretaries of revised salary and annual leave entitlements in the near future.
A survey was issued to schools for completion at the end of the 2023/24 school year, and work has now commenced in analysing the data that has been gathered. This information will enable my officials to confirm their understanding of the current working patterns as well as well as terms and conditions of work for school caretakers. The Department are also actively in communication with Fórsa on this important matter, matters discussed have contributed to a clearer understanding of the variety of terms and conditions of employment that exist for caretakers in our schools.
Once work has been completed in assessing the information obtained from this initial survey the Department will then be in a position to progress this claim further.
34. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education to seek a review of DEIS resources for a school (details supplied) with a view to providing additional required resources to meet the demand of the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38028/24]
View answerMy department provides a wide range of supports to all schools, DEIS and non-DEIS, to support the inclusion of all students and address barriers to students achieving their potential. Supplementing the universal supports available to all schools, the Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS) Programme is a key policy initiative of my department to address concentrated educational disadvantage at school level in a targeted and equitable way across the primary and post-primary sector.
Following the largest expansion of the DEIS programme to date in 2022, benefitting 361 schools, the programme now includes in the region of 1,200 schools and supports approximately 260,000 students. This expansion added an additional €32million to my department’s expenditure on the DEIS programme from 2023, bringing the overall allocation for the programme to over €180million.
The DEIS programme is targeted at schools with the highest levels of concentrated disadvantage. Schools that were included in the programme in 2022 were those with the highest levels of concentrated disadvantage as identified through the refined DEIS identification model. Schools were not required to apply for inclusion in the DEIS programme and the model was applied fairly and equally to all schools. A detailed paper on the refined DEIS identification model is available on gov.ie.
The extension of the DEIS programme to new schools is just one component of work in my vision for an inclusive education system which supports all learners to achieve their potential. While the DEIS programme supports those schools with the highest levels of concentrated educational disadvantage, I also recognise that there are students at risk of educational disadvantage in all schools. Since June 2020, and over the last four budgets, I have secured funding to provide measures to support children in this regard. These measures include reducing class sizes and the allocation of free schoolbooks to students up to Junior Cycle.
To support this work, I invited the OECD Strength Through Diversity: Education for Inclusive Societies project to review Ireland’s current policy approach for the allocation of resources to support students at risk of educational disadvantage. In July this year I welcomed the publication by the OECD Education for Inclusive Societies project of the ‘Review of Resourcing Schools to Address Educational Disadvantage in Ireland'.
The review finds that Ireland has an education system that consistently outperforms many other OECD countries but also exhibits relative socio-economic fairness, making it one of the stronger performers globally. It also recognises the positive impact of resources provided universally to all schools, as well as the additional resources provided to schools in the DEIS programme, in addressing educational disadvantage.
The review also highlights continued improvements over the past decade in retention and attainment levels between children and young people in DEIS and non-DEIS schools. It notes that, even with these improvements, important differences in outcomes persist between DEIS and non-DEIS schools and for children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, and Travellers and Roma. This information and data has also informed the Traveller and Roma Education Strategy (TRES), published in July (www.gov.ie/en/consultation/2545f-traveller-and-roma-education-strategy/).
The OECD review sets a number of recommendations for future policy, to bridge those gaps, improve equity and ensure every child and young person at risk of educational disadvantage is supported to achieve their potential in education. Over the coming months my department will work with other government departments and agencies, the education partners, and stakeholders across the education sector to develop tangible actions informed by the recommendations set out. These actions will aim to build on the success of the DEIS programme through the development of a dynamic resource allocation model that can respond to changing levels of need and ensure that all children and young people in both DEIS and non-DEIS schools are supported to achieve in education.
35. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education further to the recognition of the State of Palestine by Ireland on 28 May 2024, her plans to update all educational materials, including the Irish primary atlas, to reflect this recognition; when all educational materials will be updated in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38047/24]
View answerApart from a small number of prescribed texts at post-primary level, determined by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA), the decisions on which textbooks, programmes and resources, if any, to use in primary and post-primary schools are taken at school level. Any concerns regarding material published in textbooks should be raised with the publisher themselves.
One of the key competencies in the Primary Curriculum Framework , published in March 2023, is being an active citizen. This competency fosters the knowledge, skills, concepts, attitudes, values, and dispositions in children that motivate and empower them as citizens to take positive actions to live justly, sustainably, and with regard for the rights of others. It helps children to question, critique, and understand what is happening in the world within a framework of human rights, equity, social justice, and sustainable development. It also raises awareness of global challenges such as climate change, conflict, and growing inequalities. It places democratic practices at the centre of the learning process. This competency develops children’s capacity and motivation for active and meaningful participation in society at local, national, and global levels, and fosters their ability to contribute positively and compassionately to creating a more sustainable and just world.
36. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Education when final approval will be granted to a school (details supplied) to commence works on the new school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38107/24]
View answerThe large scale capital project at the school referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of Architectural Planning Stage 3 – Tender Action and Award.
The Supplementary Tender report is under review by my Department. Discussions are ongoing with the Design Team to assist in the completion of the review.
When this process is complete and subject to no further issues arising, my Department will be in further contact with the school authority.
Only when the Letter of Acceptance has issued is there a contract in place to enable construction to commence and all the contract terms and conditions apply.
37. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education if she is concerned that there are insufficient places available in second-level schools in County Louth this year for children with additional needs; her plans to provide additional places in second-level schools in Louth for the 2025-2026 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38108/24]
View answer38. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education the number of children in Louth who have additional needs and who have no place in a second-level school in the county; her plans to address this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38109/24]
View answer39. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education the number of special education classes attached to mainstream schools in County Louth; the names of the schools concerned; the number of students accommodated in such classes in each school; the number of children in County Louth in special classes in mainstream schools in 2022, 2023 and 2024, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38110/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 37, 38 and 39 together.
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 3,335 - 2,338 at primary level and 997 at post-primary level.
Of these, 16 are in Louth - 13 at primary level and 3 at post-primary level, bringing the total number of special classes in Co. Louth to 98 - 75 at primary level and 23 at post-primary level. The vast majority of these are autism classes which have a teacher/student ratio of 1:6.
The attached document provides a breakdown of special classes in primary and post-primary schools in Co. Louth for the 2024/2025 school year.
As demand for new special classes at post-primary level is expected to increase significantly over the next few years, due to increasing demographics and increasing prevalence rates, my department and the NCSE have engaged with post-primary stakeholders in relation to the provision of special classes.
In October 2022, my department wrote to all post-primary schools requesting that each school begin planning to provide for up to four special classes to meet the needs of children progressing from primary school. The department and the NCSE continue to have engagement with post-primary school management bodies in relation to the provision of special classes.
The NCSE has the responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs. My department does not hold records on the needs of individual student's in this regard, therefore the information requested by the Deputy is unavailable.
Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact the NCSE locally for planning purposes. Local special educational needs organisers (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.
40. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Education when approval will be given to proceed to the next stage of works to provide urgent accommodation for a new autism unit/class, for a school (details supplied); when architects to design the project will be appointed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38151/24]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is in receipt of an application for the Additional Schools Accommodation (ASA) scheme, from the school in question for funding to reconfigure a classroom to accommodate a Special Education class.
The main focus of the Department’s capital funding over the last decade and for the coming period is on provision of critical additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics and children with special education needs.
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.
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.
The Department is required to manage the overall school building programme so that we target and prioritise areas that are under greatest pressure for additional school places. This reflects our fundamental objective of ensuring the availability of a school place for every child.
I can confirm that officials in my Department are currently corresponding with the school authority regarding outstanding supplementary information. Once this information is received and the assessment completed, the school authority will be notified of the decision directly.
41. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education to review a school bus ticket application for a child (details supplied); the reasons this applicant’s request for a pick-up point at the end of their road, which is safe for this child to be collected by the school bus, was refused; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38216/24]
View answerThe 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.
Bus Éireann is responsible for the planning and timetabling of school transport routes on behalf of my Department. Bus Éireann endeavours, within available resources, to ensure that each eligible child has a reasonable level of school transport service in the context of the Scheme nationally.
In relation to mainstream school transport, where practicable and subject to consideration of costs and logistics, routes are planned to avoid an eligible child having to travel more than 2.4 km at primary level and 3.2 km at post primary level to a designated pick-up point.
The pupil referred to by the Deputy is eligible for transport and has been issued a ticket for the current school year. However, Bus Éireann have advised that it is not possible to extend the service to facilitate the new pick-up point request, as there is no safe turning point for a large bus.
42. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education to review a school bus ticket application for a child (details supplied); the reasons this applicant’s request for a pick-up point at the end of their road, which is safe for this child to be collected by the school bus, was refused; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38217/24]
View answerThe 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.
Bus Éireann is responsible for the planning and timetabling of school transport routes on behalf of my Department. Bus Éireann endeavours, within available resources, to ensure that each eligible child has a reasonable level of school transport service in the context of the Scheme nationally.
In relation to mainstream school transport, where practicable and subject to consideration of costs and logistics, routes are planned to avoid an eligible child having to travel more than 2.4 km at primary level and 3.2 km at post primary level to a designated pick-up point.
The pupil referred to by the Deputy is eligible for transport and has been issued a ticket for the current school year. However, Bus Éireann have confirmed that it is not possible to extend the service to facilitate the new pick-up point request, as there is no safe turning point for a large bus.
