Eoin Ó Broin
Ceist:282. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education her Department's plans to provide a new standalone secondary school for Newcastle, County Dublin. [21293/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchools Building Projects
Ceisteanna (282)
Freagraí scríofa
I 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 my Department.
As the Deputy may be aware, while there can be enrolment pressures and demand for additional school places in some areas, it is important to note sometimes this may not be as a result of lack of accommodation, but may be driven by the following factors:
• Duplication of applications
• School of choice
• Single sex schools
• External draw
Notwithstanding the above, in some areas demographic pressures and other factors are driving a requirement for additional school places.
In response to such previously identified demographic pressures, my Department has delivered a Modular Accommodation project in 2022 of an additional 3 main classrooms for Holy Family Community School which allowed for a further 90 mainstream school places. Additionally, my Department is providing significant additional post primary capacity, including new 1,000 pupil school buildings for both Holy Family Community School and Coláiste Pobail Fola. These projects are currently at Stage 3.
As part of planning for September 2024, data on applications for admission has been received by the Department from post-primary schools across areas of enrolment pressure, including Newcastle_Rathcoole, and updated data on offers and acceptances continues to be received as admissions processes transact.
The sharing of this data has been very effective in the identification of school place requirements across the areas. In the majority of areas through the work of schools, patrons, management bodies and the Department, there are sufficient school places available to meet the needs of children in the area. However, there is an identified requirement for additional first year places in the Newcastle_Rathcoole School Planning Area and the Department has been liaising with schools and patrons in this respect, with a view to advancing a solution as soon as possible.
The Deputy will appreciate 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, while some applicants may not yet have received an offer of a school place for 2024/25, families can be assured that all children who require a school place will be provided with one. The Department is continuing to work with schools and patrons to ensure that there are sufficient school places available, and to put any required solutions in place.
My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in the area. In relation to school admissions, it is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998.
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 may 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.
My Department will continue to liaise with Local Authorities in respect of their County Development Plans and any associated Local Area Plans with a view to identifying any potential long-term school accommodation requirements across school planning areas including in Newcastle_Rathcoole.
I can assure the Deputy that the Department will continue to work with schools and patrons to ensure that there is appropriate provision for all students in Newcastle_Rathcoole and surrounding School Planning Areas for the 2024/25 school year and into the future.
Special Educational Needs
Ceisteanna (283)
John McGuinness
Ceist:283. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education if she will outline the rationale relative to the decision to withdraw the sanction for five classrooms to accommodate special needs children at a school (details supplied) and instead to offer a standalone prefabricated single classroom, completely disconnected from the existing building; if the decision was based solely on cost and method of construction; if the needs of the children and families waiting for a place in the school this year carried any weight in the decision process; if she is aware that the school's board of management will accept the modular-build five classrooms connected to the existing building, as approved, contrary to what her Department states; if her Department will now engage with the school to find an immediate solution; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21294/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can confirm to the Deputy, that the school in question has submitted an application for capital funding, under my Department's Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme.
The purpose of the Additional School Accommodation scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream and special education classroom accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year and where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation or at other schools in the area.
A number of factors are considered by my Department in determining the most appropriate construction method to meet a school’s accommodation requirements, including the timing and duration of that accommodation need, and other school-specific factors.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has a statutory function to plan and co-ordinate the provision of education and support services to children with special educational needs, in consultation with the relevant education partners and the Health Service Executive (HSE). This includes the establishment of special class and special school placements in various geographical areas where there is an identified need.
Over the last number of years, my Department and the NCSE have introduced a number of strategic initiatives to plan for and provide sufficient special class and special school places. This work involves a detailed review of statistical data in relation to forecasting demand for special class and special school places, an analysis of available school accommodation, consideration of improved data sharing arrangements and a particular focus on the provision of special classes at post-primary level. As a result of this forward planning, four new special schools will be established for the 2024/25 school year in counties Meath, Kildare, Wexford and Limerick. This will bring to 11 the number of new special schools established in recent years.
The Department continues to work with the NCSE in relation to the short-term requirements for special class and special school places and also the more strategic and longer-term requirements. This forward planning work is well underway ahead of the 2024/25 school year. Engagement with school patrons will also form part of this process.
I can assure the Deputy that my Department will continue to support the NCSE and schools through the provision of the necessary funding and capital investment to ensure all children are successful in accessing an education.
Planning for special classes and special school places in County Kilkenny and nationwide is currently underway ahead of the 2024/25 school year. The locations of new classes for 2024/25 will be confirmed by the NCSE shortly.
Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact the NCSE locally so that their needs can be taken into account for planning purposes. The local special educational needs organisers (SENOs) remain available to assist and advise parents of children with special educational needs. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available at: www.ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list
School Textbooks
Ceisteanna (284)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:284. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 198 of 24 April 2024, when the guidelines for the primary school book grant will issue for 2025; and the allowance per student.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21302/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In Budget 2024 over €47 million was allocated to continue implementation of the schoolbooks scheme at primary level. On the 8th May I announced details of year 2 of the Primary Schoolbooks Scheme which provides at a minimum free schoolbooks, workbooks and copybooks to pupils in recognised primary and special schools. More than 563,000 pupils enrolled in approximately 3,230 primary schools, including over 130 special schools will continue to benefit from this scheme.
Revised guidance for the 2024/25 school year was published on my Department’s website at www.gov.ie/schoolbookschemes and has issued to schools.
As the scheme is now implemented in every recognised primary and special school it is expected that schools have used the funding provided in the 2023/24 school year to purchase stocks of schoolbooks and other classroom resources. Many of these items are now available to schools for reuse in the 2024/25 school year and in future school years. The funding allocated to the scheme in the 2024/25 school year takes account of this. The rate was frontloaded for schools in the first year of the scheme and that is now reflected in the current rate.
Schools will receive €80 per pupil enrolled as of September 2023. It is open to schools to look at their requirements and plan their budget across each of the years collectively. They may choose to spend more than €80 per pupil in 6th class and in turn, spend less than that per pupil in 1st class. In other words, while schools will receive the money at the same per capita rate for all pupils they can choose to spread that expenditure differently across the years depending on the requirements. Special schools that have students enrolled in Junior Cycle programmes will receive funding at the Junior Cycle per capita rate set out under the new Junior Cycle Schoolbooks Scheme.
As part of the on-going evaluation of the scheme, all schools will be asked to provide data on their expenditure in order to inform the guidance, implementation, costs and efficiency of the scheme for future years.
Schools Building Projects
Ceisteanna (285)
Jennifer Murnane O'Connor
Ceist:285. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Education the status of a new school build in County Carlow (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21304/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The school referred to by the Deputy was approved to enter the Department’s pipeline of school buildings for a project to provide 2 classroom SEN base.
A Stage 2b report has been submitted and is currently being reviewed from both a technical and cost perspective in accordance with the requirements of the Public Spending Code. All projects, including this one, will undergo the necessary due diligence outlined in the public Infrastructure Guidelines.
Upon completion of this review process my Department officials will communicate with the school authority regarding the next steps to advance this significant project.
Schools Building Projects
Ceisteanna (286)
Michael Ring
Ceist:286. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education if an alternative site will be considered for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21317/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is not in receipt of an application for the Additional School Accommodation (or 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.
I am pleased to confirm that approval under the Department's Modular Framework was recently given to the school for 1x User Assisted WC room. This has been devolved to the school authority for delivery and is currently at stage 1.
In the context of the consideration of a new school site as mentioned by the Deputy, I can confirm that the Department has to prioritise its limited capital resources, in the context both of the ongoing requirement for additional school places, including SEN places, and the high construction inflation which has significantly impacted on the cost of projects that we must deliver.
The main focus of the Department’s resources over the last decade and for the coming period is on provision of critical additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics. Since 2020 my Department has invested in the region of €4.5 billion in our schools throughout the country, including the completion of over 800 school building projects with construction currently underway at approximately 300 other projects, which includes 31 new school buildings.
School building projects at construction involve an overall State investment of over €1.2 billion. We also have a large modular accommodation programme delivering urgently needed school places. This is a record level of investment in our schools and highlights the Government’s very strong track record of delivery in providing additional capacity and modern facilities for our school communities.
In Co Mayo alone, since 2020, the Department has invested over €101 million in school infrastructure and completed 37 school building projects.
This significant investment is intended to allow us to move forward with certainty on modernising our school infrastructure with a real focus on sustainability, for school communities across Ireland. The strengthened focus on refurbishment of existing school stock will have different strands and will include a deep-energy retrofit programme in support of our 2030 and 2050 Climate Action Goals.
In general, demographics have been falling at primary level and are due to continue to decrease. The school planning area in question peaked in 2022. Therefore, the Department considers it prudent to maximise the use of existing spare accommodation capacity at primary level in the first instance, before considering any applications for further accommodation needs. This is in line with public spending requirements. As such I can confirm that the Department has no current plans for site acquisition for the school in question.
School Transport
Ceisteanna (287)
James Browne
Ceist:287. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education the number of school bus places allocated to County Wexford applicants in September 2022 and September 2023, respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21337/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 161,600 children, 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 has advised of the number of school bus places allocated to County Wexford applicants in September 2022 and September 2023 as follows;
|
School Year |
Number of mainstream tickets issued in Wexford |
|
2022/23 |
6923 |
|
2023/24 |
7114 |
Bus Éireann further advise that the above table only includes mainstream tickets issued in Wexford only.
Special Educational Needs
Ceisteanna (288)
Eoin Ó Broin
Ceist:288. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education the efforts that are being made by her Department to ensure a person (details supplied) obtains a school place suited to their specified educational needs, given that refusals have been received from all schools on a list provided by the NCSE; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21338/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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. The NCSE has the responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs.
In relation to the student referred to by the Deputy, the NCSE has advised my department that they continue to work with the family regarding special education placements options. The local SENO will continue to support the family to secure an appropriate placement. As new special classes are sanctioned by the NCSE at local level, families can apply for admission to these new classes.
Almost 300 new special classes have been sanctioned by the NCSE nationwide for the 2024/25 school year, and of these 30 are in County Dublin. The NCSE continue to sanction classes for the 2024/25 school year.
The NCSE are currently actively working on enhancing capacity in the local area and remain available to assist and advise the parents of students with special educational needs. The NCSE will continue to keep the parents of children with special educational needs informed of the location of new classes as they are sanctioned.
My department engage intensely with the NCSE in relation to the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places. This forward planning work is well underway ahead of the 2024/25 school year. This work involves a detailed review of statistical data in relation to forecasting demand for special class places, an analysis of available school accommodation, consideration of improved data sharing arrangements and a particular focus on the provision of special classes at post-primary level.
Local special education needs officers (SENOs) are available to assist and advise the parents of children with special educational needs on placement options and the various supports available. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available on the NCSE's website.
Over the last number of years, my department and the NCSE have introduced a number of strategic initiatives to plan for and provide sufficient special class and special school places. These initiatives are bearing fruit with almost 1,300 new special classes sanctioned and seven new special schools established over the last four years.
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, 300 additional special school places and will increase the number of teaching and SNA posts.
An additional 744 teachers and 1,216 SNAs will be added to deliver up to 2,700 new places for children with special educational needs. This will mean we will have over 41,500 qualified and committed people in our schools who are focused wholly and exclusively on supporting these children.
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.
School Transport
Ceisteanna (289)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:289. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education if a school bus service will be reinstated (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21346/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 161,600 children, 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.
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.
Bus Éireann have advised that the pupils residing in the areas outlined by the Deputy and attending the school in question are not eligible for transport as it is not their closest school.
Bus Éireann have also advised that 11 applications have been received for the 2024/25 school year, 10 of these being new applications and 1 roll-over from the 2023/24 school year, who didn’t receive a ticket.
The nearest pick-up point for these pupils to an existing service from the area in question area is Tullig. Depending on where the pupils reside in the area, they can reside from 0.9km up to 2.1Km from this pick-up point.
The existing mainstream service is a 41-seat large vehicle with 25 mainstream eligible and 6 mainstream concessionary tickets issued on board for the current 2023/24 school year.
At present there does not appear to warrant the establishment of a new service from the area to which the pupils reside to this school as there are not 10 mainstream eligible pupils residing in the distinct locality.
School Funding
Ceisteanna (290)
Sorca Clarke
Ceist:290. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the amount of capital funding her Department has provided to a school (details supplied) in 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [21400/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Since 2020, my department has invested in the region of €4.5 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 800 school building projects and with construction currently underway at approximately 300 other projects, which includes 31 new school buildings.
These 300 projects currently at construction involve a total State investment of over €1.2bn.
It is also planned that close to 90 projects currently at tender stage, including 28 new school buildings, will be authorised to proceed to construction over the course of 2024 and early 2025.? In total, around €800 million will be invested in these projects under the department’s Large Scale Capital Programme and Additional Accommodation Scheme for essential classroom accommodation.
These projects moving to construction in this next phase will add in the region of 200,000 m2 of additional and modernised permanent capacity across the school estate and involve 28 new school buildings and 61 extensions at existing buildings.
These projects will help schools cater for growing populations in their areas and include 138 classrooms for children with special education needs, which is a key priority for Government.
This is a record level of investment in school buildings. It will expand the number of school places, significantly increase provision for special education and upgrade and modernise our school infrastructure.? The impact of this will be felt in communities, right around the country.
During 2023, the school referred to by the Deputy, received over €13,000 in capital funding for Minor Works. In 2024 over €13,000 in capital funding has issued to the school which was also in relation to Minor Works funding.
Schools Building Projects
Ceisteanna (291)
Sorca Clarke
Ceist:291. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education when refurbishment works at a school (details supplied) will be completed; and the estimated cost for these works. [21401/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The project referred to by the Deputy is devolved to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) for delivery as part of a programme of school building projects. The project will deliver a new purpose-built, 14 classroom school for pupils with special educational needs.
The project commenced on site in Q4 2023 and pending no issues or delays, it is estimated to be completed before the end of 2025.
The NDFA are engaging directly with the school authority to keep it informed of progress.
Schools Building Projects
Ceisteanna (292)
Sorca Clarke
Ceist:292. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education when refurbishment works at a school (details supplied) will move to detailed design stage. [21402/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The project, to which the Deputy refers, has been devolved for delivery to Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board (GRETB) and is part of a campus project.The project is currently at Stage 2a (detailed design) of the architectural design process. The Stage 2a report was received and is currently under review by the Department’s professional and technical team. Once this review is complete, a meeting will be arranged with the relevant stakeholders, and the project will then progress to Stage 2b. This stage allows for detailed design/planning, obtaining the necessary statutory permissions and the preparation of tender documents. When this stage is finalised, the next stage is tendering for a contractor and then onwards to construction, in due course.
It is not possible at this stage to give a timeline for project completion. The ETB will continue to engage directly with the school authority to keep it informed of progress.
Schools Building Projects
Ceisteanna (293)
Sorca Clarke
Ceist:293. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education when refurbishment works at a school (details supplied) will be completed; and the estimated costs for these works. [21403/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy is aware, the major school building project to which the Deputy refers has been devolved for delivery to Louth County Council. Construction commenced onsite in July 2023.
It is envisaged that, pending no further delays or issues, the build will be complete in early Quarter 2 2025.
Louth County Council will keep the school authority informed of the project progress.
Schools Building Projects
Ceisteanna (294)
Sorca Clarke
Ceist:294. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the amount of capital funding her Department has provided to a school (details supplied) in 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [21404/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Since 2020, my department has invested in the region of €4.5 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 800 school building projects and with construction currently underway at approximately 300 other projects, which includes 31 new school buildings.
These 300 projects currently at construction involve a total State investment of over €1.2bn.
It is also planned that close to 90 projects currently at tender stage, including 28 new school buildings, will be authorised to proceed to construction over the course of 2024 and early 2025. In total, around €800 million will be invested in these projects under the department’s Large Scale Capital Programme and Additional Accommodation Scheme for essential classroom accommodation.
These projects moving to construction in this next phase will add in the region of 200,000 m2 of additional and modernised permanent capacity across the school estate and involve 28 new school buildings and 61 extensions at existing buildings.
These projects will help schools cater for growing populations in their areas and include 138 classrooms for children with special education needs, which is a key priority for Government.
This is a record level of investment in school buildings. It will expand the number of school places, significantly increase provision for special education and upgrade and modernise our school infrastructure. The impact of this will be felt in communities, right around the country.
During 2023, the school referred to by the Deputy, received over €98,000 in capital funding comprising of funding from the Emergency Works Scheme and Minor Works funding. The capital funding provided to date in 2024 is almost €11,000 in Minor Works funding.
The status of all projects is set out at (www.gov.ie) and is updated on a regular basis.
Schools Building Projects
Ceisteanna (295)
Sorca Clarke
Ceist:295. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education when refurbishment works at a school (details supplied) will move to construction stage of works. [21405/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Since 2020, my Department has invested in the region of €4.3 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 800 school building projects. Construction is currently underway at approximately 300 other projects, which includes 34 new school buildings.
These 300 projects currently at construction involve a total State investment of over €1.2bn. All of these new school buildings are flagship projects in their area and transform the education infrastructure for those school communities.
The permanent building project referred to by the Deputy, will deliver a new 1,000 pupil post-primary school and accommodation, including 4 classrooms, for children with special educational needs. The project is being delivered as part of a bundle of 10 schools under my Department’s Design and Build programme. Tender Assessment has now concluded and a Letter of Intent (LOI) has issued to the preferred tenderer.
This allows the preferred tenderer to put in place the Bond, Insurances, and confirmations of all legal arrangements required under the Contract.
The next step will be the issue of the Letters of Acceptance to the successful contractors. This will be done following further engagement with the successful contractors in relation to their tenders for the design and construction of the new schools. This engagement will also provide clarity on the contractor’s programme of works for the delivery of the projects and timelines.
Following receipt of all the necessary documentation and clarifications, my Department will then be in a position to issue the Letter of Acceptance (LOA) which will allow the contractor to mobilise on site.
My Department will keep the school authority informed as the project progresses and will advise when the Letter of Acceptance (LOA) issues.
Schools Building Projects
Ceisteanna (296)
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:296. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education when an extension to a school (details supplied) will be greenlit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21418/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can confirm to the Deputy that the school in question was approved to enter the department’s pipeline of school buildings under my department's Additional Schools Accommodation (ASA) Scheme to provide 1 SET room.
The project has been devolved for delivery to the school authority. A Stage 3 (tender report) has been received by my department which has been reviewed from both a technical and cost perspective in accordance with the requirements of the Public Spending Code. All projects, including this one, undergo the necessary due diligence outlined in the public Infrastructure Guidelines
The outcome of this review process has been completed and will be communicated with the school authority regarding the next steps to advance this significant project shortly.
School Enrolments
Ceisteanna (297)
Jennifer Murnane O'Connor
Ceist:297. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Education the number of primary and post primary schools within the State that current have enrolment figures of 600 students or more, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21447/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Please find attached requested data.
The data provided is for the 2022-2023 academic year, the latest year we have final enrolment data. The data was collated from the relevant primary and post-primary school lists which can be found at the link below. We expect to publish final data for academic year 2023-2024 in June 2024.
www.gov.ie/en/collection/63363b-data-on-individual-schools/.
|
Academic Year |
School level |
Number of Schools |
|
2022 |
Post-primary |
317 |
|
2022 |
Primary |
70 |
|
Grand Total |
387 |
Note: Table shows number of primary and post-primary schools with an enrolment greater or equal to 600 for academic year 2022-2023
School Staff
Ceisteanna (298)
Jennifer Murnane O'Connor
Ceist:298. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Education the number of teachers on the substitute supply panel in Kilkenny and in Carlow at present; the number in 2020, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21448/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The information requested by the Deputy is attached.
|
No. of Supply Panel Clusters |
No. of Teachers (2020) |
No. of Teachers (2024) |
|
|
Kilkenny |
1 |
3 |
4 |
|
Carlow |
2 |
5 |
6 |
Schools Building Projects
Ceisteanna (299)
Colm Burke
Ceist:299. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education the current status of an application by a school (details supplied) for reconfiguration and refurbishment; when it is likely that work will commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21452/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am pleased to advise that approval under the Additional School Accommodation scheme issued to the school in question for the provision of reconfiguration to provide 2 x Engineering/Construction Studies Rooms, 1 x Design Communication Graphics Room, 1 x Technical Graphics Room & 3 x Special Educational Needs classrooms (Including Central Activities Space).
The project is being delivered under the Department’s Devolved SEN Reconfiguration and Modular Accommodation programme. The Department has a significant modular accommodation programme in place to assist schools in the provision of additional capacity, including in respect of facilitating the establishment of special classes. This programme involves the use of Project Management supports which is designed to enable the accommodation to be provided as quickly as possible and help ease the administrative workload for school authorities in relation to the management and delivery of projects.
Kerrigan Sheanon Newman Construction Consultants (KSN) has been appointed, from the Department’s Framework, to design and tender the project. This consultant will lead the project through the various stages of planning process and construction.
My Department is fully aware of the urgency in respect of this accommodation and will be working with the school to keep it updated on overall project delivery and timelines. The School Authority has devolved responsibility for delivery of this project.
State Examinations
Ceisteanna (300)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Ceist:300. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Education if she will clarify her Department's position on the Leaving Certificate 2024 in respect of the Covid leniencies being extended; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21454/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In May 2023, I announced that adjustments will be made to the assessment arrangements for students due to sit State examinations in 2024. These are the same as the assessment adjustments that applied for students sitting the 2023 examinations, but updated as relevant.
These arrangements were communicated to schools on 18 September 2023, and can be found at the following link: assets.gov.ie/270733/9d77a9be-41ac-4494-887d-b1963c81cd0a.pdf/.
On 17 April this year I confirmed that for 2024 the overall results in the aggregate will be no lower on average than those in 2023. This means that, as with 2022 and 2023, the State Examinations Commission (SEC) will continue to apply a post-marking adjustment after all marking on the Leaving Certificate examinations is completed to ensure grades in the aggregate reach the appropriate levels.
It was also announced on that date that the Leaving Certificate 2024 results will issue on Friday 23 August.
State Examinations
Ceisteanna (301)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Ceist:301. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on the progress in respect of the Leaving Certificate reform; when she expects that work to be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21455/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Senior Cycle Redevelopment is an ambitious programme of work designed to deliver a reimagined Senior Cycle of education that will significantly enrich the student experience. The redevelopment of Senior Cycle will maintain the high-quality education system for which Ireland is well known and reduce the focus on terminal written examinations.
Significant progress has been made on the Senior Cycle Redevelopment programme since my announcement in March 2022 where I set out a clear vision for the redevelopment of all Senior Cycle programmes, including the Leaving Certificate Established (LCE), and also the Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA), Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP) and Transition Year (TY) programmes.
The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) has recently published the schedule of revision for all Leaving Certificate subjects and modules in five annual tranches from 2025 to 2029.
Draft specifications for the first Tranche of Leaving Certificate subjects to be revised and introduced have been published and public consultations have been held on the same. The NCCA is currently working to finalise all specifications in this Tranche so that teacher professional learning can be delivered in the 2024/2025 school year which is the year ahead of the revised subjects being taught in schools.
The first tranche also includes two new Leaving Certificate subjects in Drama, Film and Theatre Studies and Climate Action and Sustainable Development. These subjects are currently being developed and will be introduced on a phased basis from the 2025/2026 school year. An application process for schools to participate in phase one has recently closed. Schools will be informed of the outcome of their application by the end of the current school year.
Subject Development Groups (SDGs) for the development of revised curricula for subjects in Tranche 2, which will be introduced in schools in 2026, have been convened and held their first meetings on 27 February 2024. The NCCA is currently preparing to convene SDGs for subjects in Tranche 3.
Under Senior Cycle Redevelopment we are changing how our students are assessed, integrating assessment more deeply into their teaching and learning experience and spreading the assessment load. Each new and revised Leaving Certificate subject will incorporate additional assessment components (AAC) worth at least 40% of available marks. These AACs will be externally assessed by the State Examinations Commission.
The revised assessment arrangements will ensure teaching and learning are not focused on a narrow set of competencies associated with written examinations. It also ensures students are rewarded for developing and demonstrating different skills, whilst also addressing the stress that many students experience arising from terminal examinations.
Since September 2022, LCA students have had improved access to Leaving Certificate Established LCE Mathematics and Modern Foreign Languages, broadening the options for LCA students in their future paths beyond Senior Cycle.
Students following the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme are now able to access LVCP link modules without meeting subject specific criteria or the modern European language requirements.
The NCCA has drafted an updated Transition Year Programme Statement, which has recently been submitted to me for consideration. I have also asked my officials to explore how we can make Transition Year available to all students in every school who wishes to participate.
My Department is also exploring ways to support schools to further open opportunities for their students to experience “taster” modules where they have opportunities to experience aspects of apprenticeship programmes and the opportunities offered by further education and training institutions. In this way, students will gain greater exposure to the diverse and multiple pathways which are available to them following their Senior Cycle studies.
A new and much needed dimension to Senior Cycle that will build on the Junior Cycle equivalent provision, will be introduced when a new Programme Statement for Senior Cycle Level 1 and Level 2 Learning Programmes (L1/L2LPs) will be introduced. The introduction of Senior Cycle L1/L2LPs will provide enhanced options so that students can follow the pathways that are most appropriate to their needs.
This progress across the entire breadth of our Senior Cycle programmes means that we are now delivering on the ambition of a more inclusive Senior Cycle that recognises the many talents of our students, and ensures they have the kind of 21st Century education needed to bring those talents to bear as they make their way in the world of work and beyond.