Written Answers Nos. 141-155
141. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education if she will review her decision to not classify works (details supplied) as representing an emergency category, given the engineer’s report which was submitted. [25921/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI should explain firstly that the the purpose of the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) within my Department is to provide funding specifically for unforeseen emergencies. It does so by ensuring the availability of funding for urgent works to those schools that are in need of resources as a result of an emergency situation. An emergency is deemed to be a situation which poses an immediate risk to health, life, property or the environment, which is sudden, unforeseen and requires immediate action, and in the case of a school, if not corrected would prevent the school or part thereof from opening.
The school to which the deputy refers currently has one outstanding EWS application with my department. A technical site visit has been arranged by the EWS team in order to assess the extent of the works required and the school has been informed in this regard.
No EWS application from the school in question has been refused on the grounds that it does not fall within the criteria of an emergency.
142. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Education to clarify a matter in relation to the junior cycle schoolbook scheme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25925/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 5th of March, I announced details of a new ground-breaking scheme which provides free schoolbooks to Junior Cycle students in post-primary schools in the Free Education Scheme. Special schools who have students enrolled in Junior Cycle programmes will also receive this funding. More than 213,000 students enrolled in approximately 670 post-primary schools and over 65 special schools, will benefit from the new scheme.
The investment of €68 million in 2024 significantly increases the funding that is currently provided to post-primary schools for schoolbooks. It reinforces the Government’s commitment to expand the free schoolbooks scheme to schools nationwide, as resources allow.
My Department has published guidance for post-primary schools around the operation of the Junior Cycle schoolbooks scheme, in continued engagement with all stakeholders. At a minimum the scheme will provide free schoolbooks, and core classroom resources for all students in Junior Cycle in post-primary schools in the free education system. Parents/guardians of students in Junior Cycle years will not be asked to purchase schoolbooks or to make a financial contribution to the school towards the cost of schoolbooks.
Funding under the Junior Cycle Schoolbooks Scheme does not extend to including the purchase of digital devices by schools apart from in post-primary schools that use teacher generated content and resources in place of schoolbooks. However, schools may use the funding for digital media support, which relates to teaching and learning within curricular requirements.
Decisions regarding the use of digital technology, such as ebooks and ipads, in schools is a matter for the board of management/ETB of each school. Schools are advised to consult with members of the school community including parents/guardians when planning for the introduction of digital technologies, with cost and other implications being fully considered.
The Digital Strategy for Schools 2027, which builds on the progress made under the previous Digital Strategy, will be underpinned by an investment of some €200m included in the National Development Plan 2021-2030 providing continuity of funding following the €210m that issued to schools to support the previous strategy. I recently announced €50 million in grant funding for Information and Communications Technology (ICT).
This ICT grant has now issued to all recognised primary, special schools and post-primary schools. This funding is being provided to schools to help them continue to embed the use of digital technologies in their teaching, learning and assessment and represents the second tranche of ICT funding under the Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027.
In addition, the Department as part of Ireland’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) under Next Generation EU funding facility, issued a once-off grant of €50 million in December 2021 to recognised primary and post-primary schools in the free education scheme in order to support those learners at risk of educational disadvantage through the digital divide,
Funding under these two areas issued directly to schools as schools are best placed to identify the requirements of their own student cohort and to meet those requirements in the most appropriate way, within the criteria applying to this funding. This can include the purchase of ICT devices such as tablets, hybrid devices, or laptops and establishing schemes to loan devices to students.
143. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Education the measures being taken by her Department to identify additional school places and sites to meet the demand of growing communities in east Cork, particularly in light of overcrowding at a school (details supplied). [25932/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that requirements for school places is kept under on-going review in the context of available information on population, enrolments and residential development activity.
In order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System, using data from a range of sources, including CSO Census data, Child Benefit and school enrolment data, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise and where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.
Major new residential developments have the potential to alter the demand for school places at a local level. In that regard, as part of the demographic demand analysis, my Department monitors planning and construction activity in the residential sector. This involves the analysis of data sources from Local Authorities and the CSO along with the engagement with local authorities and the construction sector. In this way, up-to-date information on significant new residential developments is obtained and factored into the demographic analysis exercise. This is necessary to ensure that schools infrastructure planning is keeping pace with demographic changes, at a local level, where there is a constantly evolving picture with planned new residential development.
The school planning areas in east Cork include Midleton_Carrigtwohill, Fermoy, Cobh, Youghal and Mitchelstown. The most recent projections indicate these school planning areas have already reached their projected peak years for enrolment at primary level.
Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may, be provided through:
• Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,• Extending the capacity of a school or schools,• Provision of a new school or schools.
There are 4 large scale capital projects planned in the east Cork area and when completed, will cater for the demand for school places in the area:
Cobh SPA
Ringaskiddy Lower Harbour NS (Roll No: 20049S) –Amalgamation of two schools to provide 16 classroom and 2 SEN base school. Stage Project Brief- this includes determining the project brief and schedule of accommodation.
Midleton_Carrigtwohill SPA
Scoil Chliodhna CNS, Carrigtwohill (Roll No: 20442U)- New school building on campus project to cater for p+24 + 3 Classes. Stage 5 final handover of the school building to the Patron/Board of Management.
Scoil Chlochair Mhuire, Carrigtwohill (Roll No: 17103E). Construction of an extension to the existing school to provide permanent accommodation for a 16 classroom school and a 4 classroom SEN Base. Stage 2a Preliminary Design, site surveys and cost estimates.
Scoil Mhuire Naofa, Carrigtwohill (Roll No: 18000W) Replacement school on a campus project to cater for p + 24 + 4 class. Stage 5 final handover of the school building to the Patron/Board of Management.
In addition to the large scale projects, there are 17 projects in train across East Cork. including Midleton_Carrigtwohill, Fermoy, Cobh, Youghal and Mitchelstown School Planning Areas.
Details of large-scale projects being delivered under the school building programme may be viewed on my Department's website at www.gov.ie and this information is updated regularly. In addition, a list of large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date may also be viewed on the website.
The school under reference in Fermoy was established in 2018 under the patronage divestment process.
Fermoy was one of a number of areas surveyed in 2012/13 under the patronage divesting process, where there was sufficient parental demand supporting changes in school patronage. The areas surveyed were areas where demographics were not growing and therefore it was unlikely that a new multi-denominational school would be established for demographic reasons.
The clear policy on patronage divesting was to use existing educational infrastructure to facilitate provision of diversity in areas where there was no demographic imperative to establish new schools.
The reason for this approach was the imperative – equally valid now as it was then - to focus the schools capital programme on the provision of additional mainstream and special education school places at both primary and post-primary levels to ensure that every pupil can access a school place.
As part of the process of identifying a suitable accommodation solution which would facilitate the establishment of the school, the Department liaised with Cork Education and Training Board. In order to facilitate the establishment of the new school, the ETB agreed to the co-location of the Educate Together school at the former Technical School in Fermoy, together with some of the ETB’s Further Education and Training services.
Prior to the establishment of the new school in 2018 under the patronage divesting process, the Department and Educate Together, as school patron, agreed that given the accommodation available at the property and the need for the ETB to accommodate some Further Education and Training services from the property, the school would be established as a four-classroom school and that the school would maintain this configuration in the accommodation in the former Technical School unless an existing school building was freed up for use in the area.
Individual school authorities are responsible, in the first instance, for ensuring the safety and welfare of children and others in their care. The configuration of classes and the deployment of classroom teachers are done at local school level. My department's guidance to schools is that the number of pupils in any class is kept as low as possible taking all relevant contextual factors into account, for example, classroom accommodation and fluctuating enrolments.
The 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.
144. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question Number No. 313 of 20 February 2024, concerning the ban on school bus drivers over the age of 70, if she will provide an update on any recent discussions she and her Department have had with Bus Éireann to reconsider this policy, which prohibits drivers aged 70 and above from participating in the school transport scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25938/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
While over 90% of services are contracted locally, Bus Éireann apply stringent assessments of each individual driver on over 7,000 school routes. This includes vetting and background checks.
As previously advised, it is Bus Éireann company policy that normal retirement age for all Bus Éireann staff is currently 66 years. However, Bus Éireann part-time school bus drivers and drivers nominated by private operators who operate service as part of the School Transport Scheme may continue to perform in the role provided they hold the requisite license and satisfy an annual medical examination until they retire at age 70. This policy and criteria is applied to all drivers who provide school transport services on behalf of Bus Éireann equally.
The age limit on school bus drivers was increased to 70 years a number of years ago. Bus Éireann and Department officials meet regularly to discuss operational and policy matters, and while Bus Éireann have informed the Department there is no plan to increase the age limit further at this time, the matter will continue to be kept under review.
145. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education to clarify the number of school buses traveling from Balbriggan to a school (details supplied); if the demand for busses to this school indicates the need for a special national school to be established in Balbriggan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25953/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 traveling 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.
For families who wish to make an application under the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs; the National Council for Special Education acts in an advisory role to my Department on the suitability of placements for children with special needs.
Under the terms of the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, my Department will consider the report of the Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO). School transport is provided to children with special 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.
A parent/guardian should contact the school principal of the school that their child is attending who will assist in making an application for school transport to the SENO that is affiliated with their school.
Bus Eireann have confirmed that 6 services in total serve the school mentioned by the Deputy from the area referred. They further advise that there has been no significant increase in pupil applications for school transport to this school over the last few years.
In relation to the suggested need for a special national school in the area, there continues to be an increasing need to provide additional special school places to support children with complex needs.
The new special schools established over recent years have focused on providing additional places in our largest urban areas: Dublin and Cork.
The Department and NCSE continue to work on expanding special school capacity for the 2024/25 school year and beyond. In planning for increased special school places, the Department and NCSE review all of the available data on the growing need for special school places across the country. This involves a detailed analysis of enrolment trends and the potential for existing special schools in a region to expand.
An important consideration when deciding to establish or expand provision in an existing special school is the distances that some students are travelling in order to access a special school placement.
My Department and the NCSE are continually reviewing where additional capacity is required in existing special schools or in what regions a new special school may need to be established over the coming years.
It is estimated that a further 300 new special school places may be required each year for the coming years. When looking to provide additional capacity the department’s preferred option is to increase provision in existing special schools if possible.
146. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education if the case of an ASD unit closure can be examined (details supplied); if her Department will acknowledge the difficulties being experienced here; if her Department will assist and prevent the closure of this ASD unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25977/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to clarify to the Deputy that this question refers to the Lighthouse Centre which is not a school, but a private company that provide home tuition in a group setting. The question relates to services provided under the Home Tuition Grant Scheme rather than an ASD Unit.
The Purpose of the Home Tuition Grant Scheme is to provide a compensatory educational service for children who, for a number of reasons, are unable to attend school. The scheme also provides a compensatory educational service for children with special educational needs seeking an educational placement for whom such a placement is not available. Provision is also made for early educational intervention for children aged from 2.5 years to 3 years with autism.
Ensuring that every child with special educational needs gets a suitable education is a priority for the Department of Education.
Parents of children, who are eligible for Home Tuition and for whom home tuition has been approved, can source a tutor to provide home tuition on a one-to-one basis. Parents can also avail of alternative arrangements such as the provision of home tuition in a group setting. These arrangements enable parents to forego the home-based provision in favour of provision in a classroom setting which in itself is supported by a direct payment provision. The pre-school which the Deputy has referred to is one such private group provider.
Each group provider is selected by the parents. My Department has no contract with these providers. The contract is essentially between the parents and the relevant provider. My department also does not provide capital funding to private group providers. As part of the approval process, parents wishing to enter into such an arrangement must notify my Department in advance of the tuition commencing.
With regard to the pre-school concerned, I can confirm that my Department issued the 2023/2024 Home Tuition Circular in early June 2023. The early release of this circular and its application forms were to provide parents with sufficient time to engage with the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) so that home tuition, if approved, could commence as early as possible in the new school year.
It is also a condition of the scheme that preschool classes cannot commence unless there is a minimum of 3 children. Again, in the case referred to, the Home Tuition application for the 3rd child was not received by my Department until November 2023. As soon as all the relevant information was received, approval was granted for the group to commence home tuition on the following Monday.
Regarding late payment, all payments were issued within the agreed time period with the exception of one. The delay in this payment was as a result of the pre-school provider failing to provide the Department with their correct bank details.
Funding is provided to these pre-school providers on the basis that they abide by the rules established by the Special Education Section of the Department of Education, as set out in Circular 0024/2023. This also includes incidences where there is a change in tutor.
147. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on an application made by a school (details supplied) for an additional autism class; the reason for the delay in the approval; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25978/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnabling 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).
Over 360 new special classes have been sanctioned by the NCSE for the 2024/25 school year. Of these, 19 are in County Galway, 12 at primary level and 7 at post primary. This brings the overall number of special classes in the county to 168.
The NCSE are confident that through the provision of these new classes and vacancies in existing classes there is sufficient places to meet the needs of children known to them for September 2024. I have asked the NCSE to ensure these classes are established as a matter of urgency and to keep all families seeking class places updated on an ongoing basis to ensure their children can access the provision to which they are entitled.
I can confirm that the school has expressed an interest in opening a second autism class for the 2024/25 school year, however, have stated that they require modular accommodation in order to do so. The school already has one existing special class and has submitted an application for capital funding, under my department's Additional Schools' Accommodation (ASA) Scheme for modular accommodation to provide for one special education classroom and one special education tuition room. My department's Planning and Building unit is considering this application and will contact the school with a decision in due course.
When establishing a special class it is prudent to maximise the use of existing accommodation in schools, within geographic areas, in the first instance. This consideration is prior to the establishment of any additional special class that may require additional accommodation e.g., modular accommodation. Enrolments are projected to decrease for the next number of years at primary level.
This approach enables special classes to be established more quickly as there is no requirement for additional accommodation. This means that the educational needs of children who require a specialist placement can be met more easily. It also allows for earlier reconfiguration of existing accommodation in a more streamlined and efficient manner.
This overall approach is consistent with the department’s commitment to supporting the educational needs of children who require specialist placements while at the same time meeting the requirements of the government’s infrastructure guidelines.
The NCSE are currently assessing the needs in the local area and available accommodation options and the school will be notified as soon as possible if a special class can be established.
148. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on the allocation of the remaining secondary school places for pupils in the Greystones area as there are currently a number of pupils yet to receive a secondary school place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25991/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can assure the Deputy that the provision of school places to meet the needs of children and young people at primary and post primary level, including children and young people with special educational needs is an absolute priority for the Department.
The Department is aware of pressures for school places for the 2024/25 school year in Greystones and Department officials are continuing to engage with Patrons to ensure all pupils from the Greystones area receive a first year place.
Following further consultation with Patrons in the Greystones school planning area, Greystones Community College has increased their intake by an additional class group for first year in 2024/25. The school, its Board of Management and Kildare and Wicklow ETB are making this additional provision in recognition of the best interests of the community in Greystones and this is very much welcomed by the Department. Following on from the recent issue of the letter of intent to the successful contractor, the Department continues to work to advance the new school building project for Greystones Community College to enable the letter of acceptance to be issued and then thereafter for construction to commence as soon as possible. My Department will continue to engage with KWETB to ensure that the school’s accommodation needs will continue to be met pending the completion of the new school, particularly in the context of the increased enrolment.
Planning for 2025/26 first year place needs in Greystones has already commenced, including direct engagement with patrons. Furthermore, and as part of its forward planning, my Department has also requested all of the patrons in Greystones and Kilcoole to consider how the admissions process for their schools could be improved for the 2025/26 first year intake. My Department has offered its support in this regard.
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.
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.
There are currently a number of active projects at primary and post-primary level in the Greystones school planning area which will increase local capacity. The Capital Programme details the school projects that are being progressed under Project Ireland 2040. The current status of large-scale projects being delivered under Project Ireland 2040, may be viewed on the Department's website at, www.gov.ie and this information is updated regularly. In addition, a list of large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date may also be viewed on the website.
In relation to the permanent building project for Greystones Community College, this project will deliver a new 1,000 pupil post-primary school and accommodation, including 4 classrooms, for children with special educational needs and is currently at Stage 3, tender stage.
With regards to project delivery, my Department recently announced the issuing of Letters of Intent to successful contractors for Lot 6 of the Department’s Design & Build programme comprising 10 schools, including 3 campus projects, across two different bundles. One of these bundles includes the 1,000-student school for Greystones Community College. This is one of the largest bundles of new school projects undertaken to date by the Department of Education, comprising some 83,000m2 of new state of the art facilities catering for almost 8,000 students including facilities for special classes. These new school buildings are flagship developments in their area and will provide new and modern facilities to help cater for growing populations due to significant rollout of housing developments. The new 1,000 student school for Greystones Community College is a top priority for delivery within this programme. The issue of the Letters of Intent is a significant milestone in the progression of these important flagship projects. The next major milestone 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 their timelines in respect of same.
Department officials will continue to actively engage with schools and patrons to ensure that there is appropriate provision for all students in Greystones for the 2024/25 school year and into the future. Families can be assured that any necessary solution will be delivered so that all of the children in the Greystones school planning area will receive a first year place.
149. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education when a review being undertaken by her Department in respect of a Stage 2B submission will be finalised and a school (details supplied) contacted about the outcome of this review, as it has been confirmed that it has been near completion for some time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25994/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe project to which the Deputy refers, has been devolved for delivery to the school authority and it has appointed a design team to progress the project.
The Stage 2b architectural report has been received by my Department and is currently under review from both a technical and cost perspective. My Department will revert to the school authority directly on the outcome and the next steps to progress this significant project which is tendering for a contractor and onwards to construction in due course.
I can assure you that my Department is committed to ensuring appropriate accommodation is available for the pupils in the school referred to, and will in the wider context outlined, ensure that the project for this school - as for all projects on the school building programme - is subject to the due diligence required under the public Infrastructure guidelines. It is a challenging construction environment across all sectors (Education, Housing, Transport etc.) and my Department is also required to manage the timing, scope and cost of individual projects to remain within budgetary parameters for the overall programme – this involves constant review throughout the project life cycle.
Since 2020, the Department of Education has invested around €4.5 billion in schools throughout the country. Around 800 school building projects have been completed and 300 other projects are under construction. School building projects under construction involve an overall State investment of over €1.2 billion with most of these projects due for completion in 2024 and 2025. This is a record level of investment and highlights my Department’s very strong track record in providing additional capacity and modern facilities for our school communities.
The status of all projects in the pipeline, including those at tender stage, is set out by County at (www.gov.ie) and is updated on a regular basis.
150. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education if a decision to overturn an application which was refused for EAL support for a pupil (details supplied) will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25996/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department has adapted to the dynamic landscape of student enrolment. This has been particularly effective in the context of the pace and volume of newly arrived students fleeing the war in Ukraine and the ongoing increase in students, who require EAL supports to fully access the curriculum.
The Special Education Teaching (SET) allocation provides a unified allocation for special education support teaching needs to each school based on each school’s educational profile and also encompasses an element of Language (EAL) support allocation. Under this SET model, schools are frontloaded with resources to provide support immediately to those pupils who need it without delay.
The Department has prioritised enhancing English as an Additional Language (EAL) support, recognising the critical role of language proficiency in successful integration and academic achievement.
These supports to schools, based on application process, are provided for new-entrant pupils (i.e., pupils arrived in the country in the last 2 years with an EAL requirement). Similar to previous years, supports may also be provided for schools with a high concentration of pupils that are not classified as new-entrant pupils but who have an EAL need i.e., those pupils with less than 3 years EAL support and register less than B1 in an English proficiency test.
The Department's policies enable flexible resource allocation to ensure that the resources follow children in the event of them changing schools. Schools may also apply for further language support by an application process during the school year, should their circumstances change.
The Primary Staffing Appeals Board considered a staffing appeal from the school referred to by the Deputy. The Appeals Board has deemed the appeal ineligible and the school has been notified of this decision.
The Primary Staffing Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.
151. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education to review correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26014/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 the Department's payroll as per circular 36/2022.
The current standard rate of Capitation grant is €183 per pupil at Primary level and this year's grant is being paid, as usual, in 2 instalments - the first in January and the second in June, for the 2023/24 academic year. Enhanced rates of capitation are also paid in respect of pupils with Special Educational Needs and Traveller pupils.
Primary schools with less than 60 pupils are paid the Capitation and the Ancillary grants based on having 60 pupils.
As part of the capitation package in Budget 2024 I am pleased to have secured €21 million as a permanent increase in capitation funding to assist schools now and longer term with increased day-to-day running costs. This will support a permanent restoration of funding for all primary and post-primary schools from September 2024. This will bring the basic rate of capitation grant to the pre-2011 level of €200 per student in primary schools. Enhanced rates will also be paid in respect of pupils with Special Educational Needs. This represents an increase of circa 9.2% of current standard and enhanced capitation rates.
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 is 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.
The Financial Support Services Unit (FSSU), funded by the Department, is an important source of advice and support to schools on financial matters, including budgeting and cashflow management. If the services of the FSSU would be of assistance any school represented, please email sdfinfo@education.gov.ie and officials from the Department will contact the FSSU on behalf of the school. Alternatively, budgeting templates and more information can be found on www.fssu.ie.
152. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Education if she will consider allowing a school (details supplied) to apply for a 10kw solar panel system; if she will consider the point raised in the correspondence supplied; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26023/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe first phase of the Schools Photovoltaic (PV) Programme was launched to over 1600 schools in November 2024.
It will provide eligible schools with 6 kilowatts of roof-mounted solar PV, which equates to approximately 16 solar panels.
The scheme is 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.
As announced at the time of Budget 23, the scheme is based on funding up to 6 kWp (kilowatt peak) installations. This was specifically chosen and announced such that the grid connection process is covered under the ESB Networks ‘NC6 inform and fit’ notification process. Unlike the NC7 and NC8 mini and small-scale generator connection processes (which covers installations greater than 6 kWp), there are no additional costs for schools under the NC6 process and there are no grid restrictions limiting export.
Schools are able to choose an energy supply company offering the best value tariffs for both the import and export of electricity, with the opportunity to maximise their remuneration during the summer months and other times when the school is not occupied, under the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) scheme. To comply with the above it is not possible for additional panels to be installed.
The typical amount a school can save will depend on a number of factors. However, by way of example, a school with a 6 kW Solar PV installation could expect to save in the region of €1,200-€1,600 per annum on their bill, when the credit they’ve earned for selling electricity to the grid is taken into account.
Monitoring software will also be provided to each school, to allow review and discussion of the energy generated each day for staff and students.
153. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education if she will consider granting a staffing allocation appeal in a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26036/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September.
The staffing process contains an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain criteria to an independent Primary Staffing Appeals Board.
The appeal submitted by the school referred to by the Deputy has been deemed ineligible by the Appeals Board, as the grounds of the appeal did not meet the appeal criteria published in Circular 0011/2024. The Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.
154. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education if the ASD classroom at a school (details supplied) will be retrofitted, as requested by the school, before it opens a second ASD class; and if the school will also be allowed to retain a 12th teacher, in order that children with additional needs can be accommodated in a mainstream class. [26037/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department has received an application for capital funding, under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme, from the school in question.
The purpose of my Department’s Additional School Accommodation (or ASA) scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom accommodation and accommodation for pupils with special education needs is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation.
The consideration of the accommodation requirements for the school in question forms part of the Planning and Building Unit’s overall assessment of its work programme and priorities in the context of available capital funding.
The key factor for prioritisation is to ensure that every child has a school place. In practical terms this means there is a strong emphasis on maximising existing capacity in the school system as much as possible and adding additional capacity as needed. In this regard, the re-purposing of any existing spare classroom accommodation in relevant schools helps to facilitate the early establishment of special classes. The scope to achieve this is more common at primary level where national demographics have peaked and are reducing significantly over the short to medium term (albeit local and regional demographic pressures continue with housing rollout). There are less opportunities for utilising spare classroom accommodation at post-primary level given the continued upward position on overall demographics combined with the need to significantly scale up provision of special classes to an average of 4 special classes in each post-primary school.
The Department’s Modular Accommodation Programme is an important mechanism for facilitating accelerated delivery of necessary additional capacity – including in relation to special classes. However, as part of maximising existing capacity and managing within budgetary parameters this is targeted at schools where there is no existing capacity in the general area to facilitate the establishment of urgently required special classes.
The Department works closely with the NCSE to ensure there is good coordination and alignment so that existing capacity is maximised as much as possible in relation to the establishment of new special classes.
Planning for school place requirements in special classes and special schools for the coming 2024/25 school year is now largely concluded with just a few remaining special classes to be approved.
Project Manager supports are being used to ensure that any necessary accommodation works are being done as quickly as possible and in a manner that eases some of the workload for the individual schools.
A Project manager has been appointed to the school in question and it is expected that a site visit will be carried out soon.
I can assure the Deputy that the provision of required school places, including for children with special educational needs, is a priority for my Department and my officials are working to ensure that there is sufficient provision to meet the school place needs in the school in question and the wider School Planning Area for future years.
In relation to the query on the retention of 12th teacher, the key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September. The staffing process contains an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain criteria to an independent Primary Staffing Appeals Board. The appeal submitted by the school referred to by the Deputy has been deemed ineligible by the Appeals Board, as the grounds of the appeal did not meet the appeal criteria published in Circular 0011/2024. The Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.
155. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education if she will engage with Bus Éireann to alter their policy of an age limit for drivers over 70 years and instead replace this policy with a medical examination for drivers over 70 years to determine their ability to continue in their job; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26043/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
While over 90% of services are contracted locally, Bus Éireann apply stringent assessments of each individual driver on over 7,000 school routes. This includes vetting and background checks.
Bus Éireann drivers and drivers nominated by private operators who operate service as part of the School Transport Scheme may continue to perform in the role provided they hold the requisite license and satisfy an annual medical examination until they retire at age 70. This policy and criteria is applied to all drivers who provide school transport services on behalf of Bus Éireann equally.
The age limit on all bus drivers was increased to 70 years a number of years ago. While Bus Éireann have informed the Department there is no plan to increase the age limit further at this time, the matter will continue to be kept under review.
Bus Éireann and Department officials meet regularly to discuss operational and policy matters.
