Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:283. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education if an application for home-based July provision can be approved (details supplied). [28738/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraEducation Schemes
Ceisteanna (283)
Freagraí scríofa
Details of the 2024 Summer Programme were published on the 21st March 2024. This builds on the successful summer programmes of the last three years. The full funding of €40m is available and, as in previous years, all of the funding is utilised to meet the needs of our most vulnerable children.
All schools have an opportunity to run a programme over the summer months for those children who need it the most so that these children can continue to be supported, nurtured and encouraged to engage in a fun and inclusive educational setting.
The main priority again in 2024 is that those children with the most complex special educational needs, especially in special schools, should have access to a school-based summer programme.
The Home-based programme is only available for pupils with complex special educational needs in circumstances where their school is not running a Summer Programme or a place on a school-based programme is unavailable. Details of the Home-based programme, including full details on the eligibility criteria, were issued to schools directly on the 29th May 2024 and has been published on www.gov.ie/summerprogramme .
In the case referred to by the Deputy, on registering the child for the home-based summer programme, the school indicated that a place on the school-based programme was available. As per the terms and conditions of the summer programme, a place on the home-based summer programme was therefore not sanctioned.
School Patronage
Ceisteanna (284)
Michael Ring
Ceist:284. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education to clarify the co-educational status of a school (details supplied) for the academic year 2025-2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28739/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy is aware the decision-making authority for any change of status is the Patron/Trustees of the schools, and this is subject to the approval of my Department.
Any proposed change involves extensive consultation at local level and must be well planned and managed in a manner that accommodates the interests of students, parents, teachers, local communities and contributes to an inclusive education system.
My Department has received correspondence from the patrons of the school referred requesting a change of status to co-educational. The request has been granted by the Department with effect 2025/26 academic year and the Patron has been advised of same.
Schools Building Projects
Ceisteanna (285)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:285. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education to provide a timeline for the completion of works at a school (details supplied). [28755/24]
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 a single classroom SEN base. The project was devolved for delivery to the school authority. My Department has received a tender report from the school which is subjected to the required due diligence as specified in the Public Infrastructure Guidelines in common with all such capital projects. The outcome of this review has been communicated to the school authority directly. It is expected that the project will now progress to the appointment of a contractor and works on site shortly.
For transparency, the status of all projects is regularly updated and can be found on a county-by-county basis at www.gov.ie. This information reflects the progress of projects through various stages, including capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender, and construction. Under the Project Ireland 2040 initiative, we will be allocating more than €5 billion from 2021 to 2025 to enhance school facilities and increase capacity nationwide. This investment is focused on meeting the needs of nearly one million students including those students with special education needs and over 100,000 staff members who utilise our schools daily.
Pupil-Teacher Ratio
Ceisteanna (286)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:286. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education the estimated full-year cost of reducing the pupil teacher ratios to 15:1, across primary and post primary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28845/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
At primary level, teachers are allocated to schools at an average of 1 classroom teacher for every 23 pupils, the lowest level ever seen at primary level. DEIS Urban Band 1 schools receive an average allocation of 17:1, 21:1 and 19:1 for junior, senior and vertical schools respectively.
Each one point improvement in the staffing schedule at primary level for DEIS and non-DEIS schools requires between 350-400 additional teaching posts, at a cost of approximately €23 million.
The estimated one-off capital cost of reducing the pupil teacher ratio by one point at primary level is circa €25-€35 million. This estimated capital cost is based on certain assumptions regarding the number of new teaching posts generated and available accommodation capacity.
Teachers are currently allocated to post primary schools at a ratio of 19:1 in the free educations system and 23:1 to schools in the fee charging sector. Each 1 point adjustment to the pupil teacher ratio at post primary level would require approximately 1200 posts, at a cost of circa €71 million per annum.
The estimated one-off capital cost of reducing the pupil teacher ratio by one point at post-primary level is circa €60-€75 million. This estimated capital cost is based on certain assumptions regarding the number of new teaching posts generated and available accommodation capacity.
Education Costs
Ceisteanna (287)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:287. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education the estimated full-year cost of making primary- and post-primary education totally free, i.e., abolishing all charges (including voluntary contributions), providing free school uniforms, books and all other required equipment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28846/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, my Department was voted over €10.9bn gross expenditure in the annual REV for 2024. This represents a substantial investment in our education system and in our children and young people.
There are many different aspects to a child progressing through our school system and costs associated with these. These include school books, school uniforms, school transport and extra-curricular activities such as school trips. These vary from pupil to pupil and therefore, it is not possible to put a figure on all these costs, as requested by the Deputy.
However, I can confirm that my Department provides grant funding to schools to cater for various costs, including school running costs, ancillary services and minor works. There are various circulars from my Department that give guidance on the use of such funding. They also provide discretion to the school authorities in determining the level of activities, equipment and other resources needed by pupils enrolled in their individual schools. This recognises that schools are best-positioned to determine the priorities in their own particular school environment.
In recognition of the particular challenges facing some schools, the Delivering Equality of Opportunity (DEIS) Programme addresses educational disadvantage at school level in a targeted and equitable way. I have increased the overall allocation for the DEIS programme to over €180 million in 2024.
In addition, I have introduced a free school book scheme for primary school pupils for the current school year. This free school book scheme will be expanded to Junior Cycle pupils from September for the coming school year 2024/25. I have allocated over €110m to these schemes, which will benefit some 770,000 pupils.
I have also maintained the reduced charges on school transport for the coming 2024/25 school year and continued the waiver for this year’s entry fees for students sitting the Junior Cycle and Leaving Certificate examinations.
When allocating the additional cost of living funding of €90m in 2022 and a further €60m in 2023 to support schools facing increased running costs, my Department made clear my expectation that this additional funding should mean that schools would not have to seek additional contributions from parents as a consequence of the increased in the cost of living. While voluntary contributions may be requested by schools, it is important to note that it must be made absolutely clear to parents that there is no requirement to pay, and that, in making a contribution, they are doing so of their own choice. In addition to these significant financial supports towards the running costs of schools, I also secured a permanent increase in the basic rate of capitation to €200 and €345 for primary and post primary pupils respectively for the coming school year, through an additional investment of €21 million.
In addition, supports are provided to parents of children attending school by my colleague the Minister for Social Protection through the payment of the Back to School Clothing and Footwear allowance on an annual basis along with the new free school meals initiative that is currently being rolled out further within certain schools.
Education Costs
Ceisteanna (288)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:288. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education the estimated full-year cost of doubling capitation grants to primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28847/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department is committed to providing funding to recognised primary and post-primary schools in the free education scheme by way of per capita grants. The two main grants are the Capitation grant to cater for day to day running costs such as heating, lighting, cleaning, insurance and general up-keep, and the Ancillary grant to cater for the cost of employing ancillary services staff. Schools have the flexibility to use capitation funding provided for general running costs and ancillary funding provided for caretaking and secretarial services as a common grant from which the Board of Management can allocate according to its own priorities.
The current standard rate of Capitation grant is €183 per student and the current rate of the Ancillary grant is €173 per student in primary schools. Primary schools with less than 60 pupils are paid the Capitation and the Ancillary grants on the basis of 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 and Traveller pupils. This represents an increase of circa 9.2% of current standard and enhanced capitation rates.
Based on the current standard rate of Capitation grant, the estimated cost of a 100% increase in the rate of Capitation grant for 2024/2025 academic year at primary level is a first year cost of €34 million and a full year cost of €99.8 million.
Education Costs
Ceisteanna (289)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:289. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education the estimated full-year cost of providing universal access to the school transport scheme and providing access to all applicants based on applications made last year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28848/24]
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.
The scheme is a demand led scheme and costs can vary from year to year based on the number of children for whom services are provided for in any given year and any additional costs incurred due to external factors such as for example the impact of Covid-19, the requirement to provide transport for children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine and the cost of living measures agreed by Government as they related to school transport.
The full cost of operating the scheme has increased from €200.2m in 2018 to €382.02m in 2023. The number of pupils travelling on school transport services over the period 2018/19 to 2022/23 has increased from some 117,800 pupils to over 161,600 pupils.
In general the unit cost for transporting mainstream students is approx. €1,400 per annum, while the unit cost for transporting students with special educational needs can be upwards of €10,000 per student depending on whether a School Transport Escort is required.
It is worth noting that there are other costs associated with the School Transport Scheme such as the provision of Special Transport Grants and Remote Area Grants where these grants are required.
Education Costs
Ceisteanna (290)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:290. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education the estimated full-year cost of increasing expenditure on education to the OECD average per student of 27% per capita GDP; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28849/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, my Department’s voted estimate for capital and current expenditure for 2024 stands at over €10.9 billion. This represents an increase of over €2.8 billion or 35% since 2019. This is the third largest budget across Government, and the largest ever investment in our schools. This indicates the strong commitment to investment in education by this Government.
In the lead up to the 2025 Budget, as Minister for Education, I will continue to deliver on the priorities outlined in the Programme for Government and to continue to support the students, staff and families in the education sector. As I am sure the Deputy appreciates, it would not be appropriate for me to outline any more specific plans at this stage of the Budgetary process but over the last four years, I have delivered substantial increases in investment in our Education system, and I remain committed to this vision of a world class education system for all.
The OECD average, as referenced by the Deputy, is taken from the annual ‘OECD Education at a Glance’ report. This report uses GDP as the base against which to compare investment in education across different OECD members. As the Deputy will be aware, senior academics and other independent analysts have raised questions regarding the use of GDP as the most appropriate measure of the size of the Irish economy. To assist with this, my department published a paper on this matter in October 2022 to assist users of these statistics to understand this issue. This paper is available on www.gov.ie under OECD briefing notes.
This paper outlines how the very large increase of 34% in GDP between 2014 and 2015 raised questions about the usefulness of GDP as an accounting standard for Ireland and its distorting effects on measures such as spend per capita on education. In order to help in analysis of the Irish macroeconomy and in the derivation of other such development indicators, a special measure, GNI-Star (GNI*), which excludes these distorting factors by (for example) excluding the net profits of companies that have been sent abroad, rather than staying in the Irish economy. GNI* has been calculated by the Central Statistics Office (2016) and is available as a continuous series (alongside GDP) from 1995. For context, according to the CSO, in 2021 GNI* was about 30 per cent below the level of GDP. An indication of the more appropriate value of GNI* versus GDP is that GNI* is now being used instead of GDP in national policy for example, the National Development Plan, 2021-2030. The Department of Finance uses GNI* in meeting the Government’s European budgetary requirements with debt-to-GNI* figures rather than debt-to-GDP.
The briefing paper referenced above outlines how, using the alternative measure of GNI*, education expenditure in 2020 as a percentage of GNI* stood at 5.8%. This compares favorably to the OECD average for education expenditure as a percentage of national income, which stood at 5.1% in 2020. The document also looks at Ireland’s spend on education as a percentage of total Government spending and this also compares well internationally.
Education Costs
Ceisteanna (291)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:291. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education the estimated full-year cost of increasing the ancillary grant to a level sufficient to cover average school running costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28850/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department is committed to providing funding to recognised primary and post-primary schools in the free education scheme by way of per capita grants. The two main grants are the Capitation grant to cater for day to day running costs such as heating, lighting, cleaning, insurance and general up-keep, and the Ancillary grant to cater for the cost of employing ancillary services staff. Schools have the flexibility to use capitation funding provided for general running costs and ancillary funding provided for caretaking and secretarial services as a common grant from which the Board of Management can allocate according to its own priorities, except for cases where a secretary is now paid from my Department’s payroll as per circular 36/2022.
The current standard rate of Capitation grant is €183 per student and the current rate of the Ancillary grant is €173 per student in primary schools. Primary schools with less than 60 pupils are paid the Capitation and the Ancillary grants on the basis of having 60 pupils.
In addition to these grants, €20 million in funding was issued in October 2023, to support all recognised primary and post-primary schools in the free education scheme. This funding was the first tranche of an overall additional €60 million funding announced as part of Budget 2024 measures designed to assist schools with increased day-to-day running costs such as heating and electricity. A further €40 million in funding was delivered in early 2024.
As part of the capitation package in Budget 2024 I am pleased to have secured €21 million as a permanent increase in capitation funding to assist schools now and longer term with increased day-to-day running costs. This 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 and Traveller pupils. This represents an increase of circa 9.2% of current standard and enhanced capitation rates.
As you may be aware, - following the acceptance by Fórsa of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) agreement in respect of salaries and various leave entitlements for grant-funded school secretaries, - those secretaries who accepted the terms of this agreement were placed on a payroll operated by my Department from September 2023. Therefore, ancillary related-grant funding has been revised to reflect the fact that schools are no longer paying these salaries directly.
The arrangements for the 2023/24 school year are based on reducing grants by the value of the salary schools paid to grant-funded secretaries prior to their acceptance of the new terms and conditions. Schools provided my Department with these details and this information is now being used to reduce the ancillary-related grant funding.
Correspondence issued to all schools on 20th December 2023 providing details of these arrangements for the period September to December 2023. Further correspondence issued on 26th April 2024 setting out the position for the period January to August 2024.
In the 2023/24 school year, schools have been paid the usual ancillary grant amount, minus the amount that schools previously paid to grant-funded secretaries prior to their acceptance of the new terms and conditions. Schools are in no way disadvantaged by this, as the grant is reduced only by the amount they previously paid to their secretaries.
Schools have been advised that work and engagement is ongoing to identify a method of standardising the reduction to the Ancillary and SSSF Grants for the longer term, where school secretaries are being paid via a payroll operated by my Department. It is not possible to provide an estimated costing for an increase in this grant funding at present.
Any possible further increases will be part of Budget 2025 negotiations. While not wishing to pre-empt the outcomes of any future Budget negotiations or fiscal parameters agreed by Government, the Department of Education will continue to seek and prioritise the additional funding required to meet the ongoing costs of running schools as part of the annual Estimates process.
Education Costs
Ceisteanna (292)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:292. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education the estimated full-year cost of reinstating the numbers of assistant principals to the highest previous level. [28851/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I recognise the key role school leadership has in promoting a school environment which is welcoming, inclusive and accountable
Budget 2017 allowed for the commencement of restoration of middle management posts as part of an agreed distributed leadership model and meant lifting the rigidity of the longstanding moratorium on these posts. The equivalent of approximately 1,300 middle management posts (Assistant Principal I and Assistant Principal II) were restored at both primary and second-level. (2,600 in total)
My Department committed to annually revising the allocation of Posts of Responsibility to take into account retirements during the school year which has ensured that the current level of Posts of Responsibility (PORs) are maintained in the school system. The Sectoral Bargaining process under Building Momentum for the primary sector has been used to increase posts of responsibility (POR) in primary and special schools by 1,450 posts.
Budget 2024 has also provided for an additional 1000 post of responsibility (500 APII posts in both primary and second-level) for the 2024/25 school year and a revised Post of Responsibility Schedule has issued to schools to reflect this increase in Assistant Principal II posts available to schools from September 2024.
In the intervening period to enhance middle management structures in schools, enrolment thresholds for Deputy Principals were altered to allow for additional Deputy Principals in our second-level schools. The number of posts allocated in respect of the Deputy Principal allocation has increased from 393 in 2016 to 1024 for 2024/25 school year i.e. a significant increase of over 630 Deputy Principal posts in 8 years. These additional posts provide resources to focus on leadership and management in our schools.
As a result of Budget 2022, I ensured that all primary schools with a teaching principal have a minimum of 37 Principal Release Days. i.e. one administrative day per week since September 2022. Schools with one special class have 4 additional release days, a total of 41 in the school year and schools with 2 special classes have admin principal status.
Other measures introduced at primary level in the intervening period in relation to School Management structures include:
• all teachers in 2 teacher schools gaining Deputy Principal status as opposed to holding AP II posts.
• Administrative Principal pupil threshold reduced from an enrolment of 178 to 169 with Deputy Admin Principal threshold reduced from and enrolment of 655 to 573.
As well as general teaching posts improvements, a new leadership framework introduced in 2017 allows for flexibility in identifying and prioritising the evolving leadership and management needs of schools. This shared leadership model supports school leaders in the overall management and operation of schools. It provides for the assignment and re-assignment of post holders to specific roles and responsibilities to meet a school’s evolving needs. Today, 1 in 3 primary and second-level teachers hold management positions in our schools.
My Department and I are currently turning our thoughts to Education 2050 and how we take the best elements of our schools and build on this to create a system for future generations. The small schools project is an example of school communities coming together to explore and trail new ideas for the future including how admin supports can assist teaching principals with their administrative duties. It is acknowledged by my department that implementing policies while teaching can be challenging.
As well as general teaching posts improvements, a new leadership framework introduced in 2017 allows for flexibility in identifying and prioritising the evolving leadership and management needs of schools. This shared leadership model supports school leaders in the overall management and operation of schools. It provides for the assignment and re-assignment of post holders to specific roles and responsibilities to meet a school’s evolving needs.
The estimated full-year cost of reinstating the numbers of assistant principals to the highest previous level is €27.7m i.e. €4.4m at primary level and €23.3m at second-level.
Special Educational Needs
Ceisteanna (293)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:293. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education the number of psychologists currently employed by NEPS; the number of sanctioned psychologist posts in NEPS; the estimated full-year cost of running NEPS; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28852/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The NEPS service provides access for all schools to:
• Psychological support in the event of a Critical Incident,
• A Casework Service for individual children where there is a need for intensive consultation and assessment via a NEPS psychologist or through the Scheme for the Commissioning of Psychological Assessments (SCPA),
• A school staff Support and Development Service, to build school capability to provide a comprehensive continuum of support in schools and,
• Ongoing access to advice and support for schools.
The number of educational psychologists currently employed in NEPS stands at 228 whole time equivalents across eight regions. This is the highest number employed in NEPS since it was established. NEPS has sanction for 271 whole time equivalent posts. Since the start of the 2023/24 school year, the NEPS service has expanded to all special schools, which is hugely important given the increased support needed for children in these settings.
The budget allocation for NEPS in 2024 is 32.3m and this allocation covers both pay and non-pay costs. A further €5m has also been allocated for the Counselling in Primary Schools Pilot.
Where schools do not have an assigned psychologist due to a vacancy, a psychologist from the local NEPS team undertakes the role of advisory psychologist to respond to queries that the school may have. Such schools continue to have access to critical incident response, advisory support, and support and development training delivered by their local NEPS team. Individual assessments for students in these schools are available via the Scheme for the Commissioning of Psychological Assessments (SCPA).
In relation to the recruitment of educational psychologists, the Department has been exploring opportunities to increase the numbers of suitably qualified staff. This will strengthen the response to the educational psychological needs of children in recognised primary and post-primary schools across the country. Since January 2023, NEPS has supported bursaries for Trainee Educational Psychologists who are enrolled in the University College Dublin Professional Doctorate in Educational Psychology and Mary Immaculate College Limerick’s Professional Doctorate in Educational and Child Psychology. Those in receipt of a bursary commit to joining NEPS upon graduation. There are over 60 Trainee Educational Psychologists in receipt of a bursary who are expected to join NEPS upon graduation, with an additional 14 to be bursaried from September 2024, bringing the total to 74.
Additionally, the Public Appointments Service commenced a recruitment campaign for Educational Psychologists at the end of 2023. Interviews have taken place and panels now established. The Department is actively engaging with PAS to maximise the numbers of psychologists being recruited.
In addition to the service outlined above, NEPS is leading on the Counselling in Primary Schools Pilot. The pilot has two Strands. Strand 1 is the provision of one-to-one counselling to support a small number of children in all primary schools in counties Cavan, Laois, Leitrim, Longford, Mayo, Monaghan and Tipperary. Strand 2 of the pilot is the establishment of a new type of support to schools from Education Wellbeing Teams and the introduction of Education Wellbeing Practitioners to support clusters of schools in Cork, Carlow, Dublin 7 and Dublin 16.
Special Educational Needs
Ceisteanna (294)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:294. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education the number of special needs assistants currently employed by her Department; the number of sanctioned SNA posts; the estimated full-year cost of employing these SNAs; the average cost of each SNA to her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28853/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Special needs assistant (SNA) play a central role in the successful inclusion of students with additional and significant care needs into mainstream education, special classes and special schools ensuring that these students can access education to enable them to achieve their best outcomes and reach their full potential.
In 2024, the number of SNA posts in our schools will increase by 1,216. This will mean we will have over 21,700 SNA posts available to support the care needs of students with special educational needs.
At the end of the 2023/24 school year the National Council for Special Education had allocated 21,071 SNA posts to schools. When a school has been allocated an SNA, the board of management as the employer, is responsible for filling the vacancy. The decision on whether to employ a full-time SNA to fill a full-time post, or to employ an equivalent number of part-time SNAs rests with the employer. Therefore the number of SNAs employed is not to hand.
The approximate annual cost of a new entrant SNA post is €32,740 and the average salary cost of an SNA post (including employer PRSI) is €40,860. Based on an allocation of 21,700 SNA posts, the estimated full-year cost of employing SNAs is €886,662,000.
Special Educational Needs
Ceisteanna (295)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:295. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education the number of special education teachers currently employed by her Department; the number of sanctioned SET posts; the estimated full-year cost of employing these SETs; the average cost of each SET to her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28854/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I would like to thank the Deputy for the question.
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 includes funding to support children with special educational needs in mainstream classes; funding for new special classes and new special school places; additional special educational teachers, special needs assistants(SNAs) and funding for the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS)
At present for the 2024/25 school year there is a total in excess of 14,600 SET teachers allocated to mainstream schools and this will increase to approx. 14,750, an increase of in excess of 51% on 2011 numbers, ahead of the start of the 2024/25 school year when the projected enrolments post process is complete.
The special education teaching (SET) allocation model provides a single unified allocation for special educational support teaching needs to each school, based on each school’s educational profile.
The average teacher’s salary costs for Primary and Post Primary teachers are outlined in the following table.
|
- |
|
|
Primary Teacher |
Post Primary Teacher |
|
€72,090 per annum |
€70, 140 per annum |
|
|
|
Based on the average costs above the full year costs of employing the present number of SET teachers allocated to mainstream schools is approximately €1.046bn. This will increase to in excess of €1.053bn from the start of the 2024/25 school year when the projected enrolment posts are confirmed.
Education Costs
Ceisteanna (296)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:296. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education the estimated full-year cost of a new staff member in each education and training board to promote disabled students’ participation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28855/24]
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).
My department provides each of the sixteen Education and Training Board (ETB) with a staffing allocation to support its schools, colleges, head office and other centres of education. In providing these supports, it is the responsibility of each ETB to recruit and manage staffing levels within this allocation and to deploy staff in roles in accordance with the priorities and needs as identified by the ETB concerned.
The average salary cost of a post-primary teacher is approximately €70,140. Therefore if each ETB were to employ an additional staff member at this rate the annual cost would be in the region of €1,122,240.
Departmental Meetings
Ceisteanna (297)
Michael Ring
Ceist:297. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education when a meeting will be arranged (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28893/24]
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 a new four class primary school with one class special education needs base. It also involves the renovation and extension of an existing former school building. This would provide a general-purpose room, a library and resource area, a principal’s office, a general office and other ancillary accommodation.
The project has been devolved for delivery to Mayo and Sligo Education and Training Board who have appointed a design team to progress the project through the necessary architectural stages of design, statutory approvals, procurement and construction.
As the Deputy may be aware, the project to develop the Minister-owned former Scoil Phádraig building on Altamount Street for the school referenced was approved to Stage 2a of the architectural design process following a recent stage meeting. Once the Stage 2a submission is received, reviewed and approved by the Department, the next step for the Design Team will be to ascertain and obtain the required statutory planning approvals. When these are in place, the project can proceed to tender and construction in due course. While this school project progresses through its various stages, the Department has identified this building as a solution for urgent temporary accommodation needs for another school in Westport. The interim use of the building on Altamount St. for the other school aligns with the continued safe operation of schools which is of paramount importance to the Department.
Department officials have already met with both school authorities and have continued to engage proactively in order to ensure that both projects and design teams are as streamlined as possible. It is not possible to provide a reliable timeline for completion of the project at this early stage of the project.
School Patronage
Ceisteanna (298)
David Stanton
Ceist:298. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education the procedures to be followed to enable a school to change to a different patron; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28917/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under the Education Act 1998, the legal responsibility for transferring patronage rests with the current school patron in the first instance.
A school patron may write to me, as the Minister for Education, to request a voluntary transfer of patronage to another school patron under Section 8 of the Education Act 1998 in relation to a particular school and requesting that the patron register is amended accordingly.
Schools Building Projects
Ceisteanna (299)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:299. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education for an update on school building projects in the Maynooth area (details supplied). [28925/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The project for the first school referred to by the Deputy will deliver a new 8 classroom primary school and accommodation, including 2 classrooms for children with special educational needs.
The project currently has planning permission and will, along with a number of other projects, be brought to the level of employer-led design with a Design Team assigned to do so under the supervision of the Department’s project manager.
The process of appointing the Design Team from the Department’s Frameworks of Consultants was completed in September 2023 and the project is currently close to completion of Stage 2(b) of the architectural design process. Stage 2(b) involves detailed design and the preparation of tender documentation.
The next stage, subject to relevant Stage 2(b) approvals, will be Stage 3, tender stage.
Projects are subject to relevant due diligence at each stage in the process, within the context of overall programme and budgetary parameters.
The school is currently located in interim accommodation on the Moyglare Campus Site, Maynooth. There is sufficient interim accommodation for the 2024/2025 school year. My Department will continue to address the school's interim accommodation requirements pending delivery of its permanent accommodation.
My Department will continue to keep the school and Patron Body updated in relation to progress.
The second school referred to by the Deputy was approved to enter the Department's pipeline of Additional School Accommodation (ASA) building works for the provision of 3 SET rooms, 4x Mainstream Classrooms and to reconfigure existing classroom to Early Intervention unit and Ancillary.
The project was devolved to the school authority for delivery.
The school were approved to proceed to planning in Q1 2022 . The Department were advised in Q2 2023 that planning permission was refused. The school authority appealed this decision. The Department was advised that it was expected a decision date for the Planning Appeal would be in Q4 2023. To date, the Department has not been informed of the outcome of this appeal.
It is currently with the school authority to progress this project.
This project for the third school referred to by the Deputy has been devolved for delivery to Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board (KWETB). I am pleased to confirm that the design team was recently appointed by KWETB and will now begin preparing the Stage 1 report (preliminary design).
As the project is at an early stage in the delivery process, it is not possible at this time to give a date for its completion. Please be assured that KWETB will be engaging directly with the school authority to keep it informed of progress.
School Transport
Ceisteanna (300)
Michael Lowry
Ceist:300. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on the school transport scheme, specifically in relation to concessionary tickets, and on the specific case of a student (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28960/24]
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 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.
The purpose of the Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
Under the current terms of the School Transport Schemes children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 km from and are attending their nearest national school as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann having regard to ethos and language. At post primary level, they are eligible where they reside not less than 4.8 km from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who have completed the application process on time will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only and will be facilitated where spare seats are available after eligible children have been accommodated. Where the number of ineligible children exceeds the number of spare seats available Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for the spare seats using an agreed selection process.
The availability of concessionary transport may vary from year to year and cannot be guaranteed for the duration of a child’s post primary school education cycle.
Bus Éireann has advised that the pupil referred to by the Deputy is not eligible for school transport as they reside 0.4kms from their nearest post primary school and 26.9kms from the school they are attending, their fifth nearest post primary school.
Bus Éireann further advise that the pupil referred was unsuccessful in obtaining a concessionary school transport ticket for the 2024/25 school year.