Róisín Shortall
Ceist:526. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education the status of the Supports for Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse Bill 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34191/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraLegislative Process
Ceisteanna (526)
Freagraí scríofa
The Supports for Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse Bill 2024 was approved by Government on 16 April 2024 and published on 22 April 2024. Dáil Committee Stage was completed on 21 June 2024 and it is intended to further progress the passage of the legislation as soon as possible.
School Enrolments
Ceisteanna (527)
Seán Haughey
Ceist:527. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Education if it is public policy to provide enough non-denominational primary school places in school planning areas; the obligations of schools to enrol these pupils and allow them to opt out of the religious curriculum in circumstances where no other school place is available; the position in this regard for the Drumcondra, Marino, Dublin 1 school planning area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34218/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
There are no non-denominational primary schools in Ireland. There are currently 169 mainstream primary schools with a multi-denominational or inter-denominational ethos, with this number increasing to 172 from September 2024.
Since 2011, new arrangements have been in place for the establishment of new schools involving the forecasting of demand for school places based on demographic exercises carried out by the Department. New schools are only established in areas of demographic growth as the resources available for school infrastructure have to be prioritised to meet the needs of areas of significant population increase so as to ensure that every child has a school place.
These new arrangements also give an opportunity to patrons to apply for the patronage of new schools. The criteria used in deciding on the patronage of new schools place a particular emphasis on parental patronage and language preferences and an analysis of existing provision in the areas where the schools are being established. This approach is underpinned by a 2011 Government Decision.
The patronage process is open to all patron bodies and prospective patrons. An Online Patronage Process System (OPPS) has been in operation under the Department since 2018 and provides objective information to parents in the relevant school planning areas to assist them in making an informed choice about their preferred model of patronage and language of instruction for the new school.
When the Department announces that a new school(s) entity is required, a prospective patron can choose the school(s) it wishes to apply for and complete an application form in that regard for each school, for submission to the Department. The Department provides details on the OPPS of the school(s) and the list of applicant patrons which have applied for patronage of the school(s). Parents can then access the OPPS website, which allows them to access the appropriate survey for their area, to input the details of the eligible child(ren) and to select their preferred patron and language of instruction. Parental preferences, as well as other considerations such as the extent of diversity of provision in an area (including Irish-medium provision), are key to the decision-making process and to whether at post-primary level a school would take the form of a Gaelcholáiste or whether, if English-medium, the school would include an Irish-medium unit or "Aonad".
My Department’s ‘Schools Reconfiguration for diversity process’ supports the transfer of schools from denominational patrons to multi-denominational patrons in response to the wishes of local school communities.
The Government’s goal remains to establish a strong process, that has the support of patrons and local communities, and which will enable us to continue to increase the number of multi-denominational primary schools across the country.
Under Article 44 of the Constitution and in accordance with Section 30 of the Education Act, 1998, parents have a right to have their children opt out of religious instruction classes if they so wish. It is expected that this right will be upheld by schools on foot of a parental request.
Under the provisions of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018, where schools provide religious instruction, they must clearly set out in their admission policies the school’s arrangements for students, where the parent or in the case of a student who has reached the age of 18 years, the student, has requested that the student attend the school without attending religious instruction in the school.
The manner in which any school ensures that the right to opt out of religion classes is upheld is a matter for the school concerned. Each individual school must determine the particular arrangements which are most appropriate in its individual circumstances having regard to local issues such as available space, supervision requirements and how the school concerned organises classes etc.
The right of parents to have their child opt out of religion classes applies in all schools regardless of the denomination or ethos of the school concerned.
Physical Education
Ceisteanna (528)
Patrick Costello
Ceist:528. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Education for a list of all second-level education institutions aided by her Department that provided physical education as a leaving certificate subject, for each school year since 2018, in tabular form. [34228/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The following link sets out the number of schools offering Physical Education Leaving Certificate Examination subject for the years 2018 to 2024.
Physical Education
Ceisteanna (529)
Patrick Costello
Ceist:529. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Education to provide a list of all second-level education institutions, aided by her Department, that are affiliated with the Irish Schools’ Athletics Association, the governing body for post-primary schools athletics, in tabular form. [34232/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department of Education does not hold this information. Under the provisions of the Education Act, 1998 the board of management is the body charged with the direct governance of a school and the principal is responsible for the day-to-day management of the school, including arrangements for co-curricular and extra-curricular activities. The decision taken to become involved with the Irish Schools’ Athletics Association is a matter for each school.
To note, Athletics forms part of the PE curricula across all levels of education.
School Accommodation
Ceisteanna (530)
John McGuinness
Ceist:530. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education the status of the provision of six additional classrooms for a school (details supplied); and if the second ASD unit will be sanctioned as requested. [34240/24]
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 my Department’s 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.
At primary level, this situation generally arises to cater for a school’s accommodation requirements where an additional teaching post has been sanctioned by Teacher Allocation Section, or the requirement for a new class for pupils with special education needs has been identified by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), and all available alternative accommodation within the school is already being used for classroom purposes. The capacity at other schools in the area is also considered as part of the assessment of any accommodation needs.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has the responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs.
The Department engages intensely with the NCSE in relation to the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places. This engagement 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.
In general, demographics have been falling at primary level and are due to continue to decrease. 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. In relation to the provision of primary special classes, the shared preference of both the Department and the NCSE is to use and reconfigure existing school accommodation to provide special classes. Given the number of primary special classes available already and the falling demographics, it is also likely that most of the new additional special classes may be required in larger population centres in a local school planning area.
Since 2020, the Department of Education has invested in the region of €4.5 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 800 school building projects with construction currently underway at approximately 300 other projects, which includes 31 new school buildings. The 300 projects currently at construction involve a total State investment of over €1.2bn. 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.
The main focus of my Department’s resources over the last decade and for the coming period is on provision of critical additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics.
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. I can ensure the Deputy that officials in my department are engaging with the school in question with a view to establishing critical accommodation needs in the medium term and also the long term accommodation needs of the school.
Departmental Correspondence
Ceisteanna (531)
Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:531. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education to respond to correspondence from a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34246/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department has reviewed the correspondence and has issued a direct response to the individual on the matter raised.
Special Educational Needs
Ceisteanna (532, 533)
Sorca Clarke
Ceist:532. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the number of students that have had access to the Irish sign language specialist classroom support scheme since the introduction of the in-school supports for students who are deaf in 2022; and the number that have applied but have been refused, per year, in tabular form. [34260/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraSorca Clarke
Ceist:533. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education to outline, in relation to the in-school supports for students who are deaf introduced in 2022 and now that this scheme is in its second year running, the number of the seven persons on the Irish sign language specialist classroom support panel that have been called on to date. [34261/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 533 and 532 together.
As outlined in Circulars 069/2022 and 070/2022 and through the development of the associated scheme in October 2022 I recognise the importance of providing support for all children who rely on Irish Sign Language for communication.
The scheme is being implemented on a phased basis to allow for learning from the initial phase and to implement improvements, if required, to subsequent phases. The focus of the first phase was on ensuring that the available skilled resources are identified and applied where they are needed the most.
The NCSE commenced a national advertising campaign in January 2023, to recruit for the role of ISL-SCS on a nationwide basis. Interviews were held in May 2023 for the ISL Specialist Classroom Support (SCS) competition and a panel of 7 was formed with 2 candidates taking up positions in Mayo and Cork, in August 2023 and November 2023 respectively. ISL SCS have completed the first academic year in school. Both schools and parents in each case have expressed their satisfaction with the resource provided.
Applications were also received in 2023-24 from 3 other schools. None of these students met the criteria for an ISL SCS as laid out in circular 69/22. There have been ongoing discussions between these schools and the NCSE around ongoing ISL supports and the NCSE will revisit applications if any new information is available.
|
Year |
Applications |
Eligible |
Ineligible |
|
2023/24 |
5 |
2 |
3 |
A new competition for 2024 is ongoing with interviews taking place this week with a view to filling identified vacancies, which cannot be filled by the existing panel, in Cork and in Mayo.
As well as ISL SCS supports in schools there are also a number of SNAs providing communication support in schools. This is usually in the form of ISL. These SNAs are working in mainstream and special schools across the country.
Question No. 533 answered with Question No. 532.
School Funding
Ceisteanna (534)
Claire Kerrane
Ceist:534. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education if the calculation capitation funding for small schools will be reviewed, given that it does not address inequality as schools without students with additional needs may receive the same funding as schools that do have students with additional needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34295/24]
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 the Department’s payroll as per circular 36/2022.
The current standard rate of Capitation grant is €183 per pupil in primary schools.
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 pupil 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 the relevant enhanced capitation rates.
Primary schools with fewer than 60 pupils are paid the Capitation and the Ancillary grants on the basis of having 60 pupils. At post-primary level, schools with fewer than 200 students receive ancillary-related grants on the basis of having 200 students.
Enhanced capitation rates are payable in respect of Traveller pupils and pupils attending special schools and special classes attached to mainstream schools to assist with the extra costs associated with the running costs of classrooms with a small number of pupils operating specialist provision. These rates depend on the particular level of need involved and are published in Circular 0056/2024 at: www.gov.ie/en/circular/8a6ff-revision-of-capitation-grant-rates-to-recognised-primary-schools-2024/
The Department is aware that costs and funding can pose a very real problem for schools, and the Department of Education is constantly working to address this matter, and to enhance the financial and other supports available to schools.
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 funding required to meet the ongoing costs of running schools.
The Financial Support Services Unit (FSSU), funded by my Department, is an important source of advice and support to schools on financial matters, including budgeting and cashflow management. Contact details for FSSU can be found on www.fssu.ie.
School Facilities
Ceisteanna (535)
John Lahart
Ceist:535. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education to investigate the lack of facilities and resources at a school (details supplied) where a wonderful staff is doing their absolute best, however the lack of facilities and resources do not meet with health and safety standards and are not appropriate to meet the needs of the curriculum; and if her officials will liaise with the school to help improve the situation and deliver the facilities and resources that are appropriate to these children. [34298/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is not in receipt of a current application from the school in question under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme.
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.
At primary level, this situation generally arises to cater for a school’s accommodation requirements where an additional teaching post has been sanctioned by Teacher Allocation Section, or the requirement for a new class for pupils with special education needs has been identified by the NCSE, and all available alternative accommodation within the school is already being used for classroom purposes.
It is open to the school authority to make an application for additional accommodation through the 'Additional School Accommodation scheme (ASA)' which is available at gov.ie/en/service/563cae-additional-accommodation-scheme
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.
My Department works closely with the NCSE to plan for special school capacity requirements across the country.
School Patronage
Ceisteanna (536)
Patrick Costello
Ceist:536. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Education to identify all second-level education institutions aided by her Department, which have been newly established since 2011 and whose patronage was determined by parental preference in accordance with the patronage process for new schools overseen by the new schools establishment group, providing in each case the school roll number, patronage body and ethos. [34314/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The patronage process for new schools is overseen by an external independent advisory group, the New Schools Establishment Group (NSEG). This Group was set up in 2011 to advise the Minister on the patronage of new schools. Following their consideration of the Department’s assessment reports, the NSEG submits a report with recommendations to me for consideration and final decision. The assessment reports and the NSEG recommendations for all such patronage processes are made available on the education section of the gov.ie website.
Since the introduction of the new patronage process in 2011, 49 post primary schools were established which were overseen by the New Schools Establishment Group. The list of schools by patronage body and ethos is set out at the following link.
Departmental Circulars
Ceisteanna (537)
Gary Gannon
Ceist:537. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if she will the provide an update on the issuance of a circular regarding the permission for permanent job-sharing teachers to undertake substitute teaching work given the ongoing challenges faced by schools across the country in securing substitute teachers. [34338/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Job Sharing Scheme for teachers is contained in Chapter 8 of my Department’s Circular Letter Circular 0054/2019 titled ‘Leave Schemes for Registered Teachers Employed in Recognised Primary and Post Primary Schools’. Paragraph 11.1(a) of the Job Sharing Scheme states a teacher may not engage in any substitute teaching whilst job sharing.
In response to issues raised in relation to teacher supply, this restriction of engaging in substitute teaching imposed in the Job Sharing Scheme was suspended for the 2023/24 school year.
Following consultation with the relevant stakeholders, I wish to advise that this temporary arrangement will remain in place for the 2024/25 school year. Please see Information Note TC/IN 0008/2024 for further information.
School Transport
Ceisteanna (538)
Verona Murphy
Ceist:538. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Education the provisions for school transport that will be afforded to students (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34359/24]
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 2023/24 school year over 163,800 children, including over 136,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 20,200 pupils with special educational needs, and 7,400 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
The total cost of the scheme in 2023 was €382.02m.
Over 140,000 mainstream tickets have issued for the 2024/2025 school year, which is already 3% more than the total tickets issued for the full 2023/2024 school year.
The purpose of 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.
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.
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 in accordance with the terms of the Post Primary School Transport Scheme and subject to a number of conditions:
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. Where the number of applications for transport on a concessionary basis exceeds the number of seats available, Bus Éireann will determine the allocation of the tickets using an agreed selection process.
Bus Éireann has advised that the pupils referred to by the Deputy are not eligible for school transport as they are not attending their nearest post primary school/centre.
Bus Éireann further advise they were unsuccessful in obtaining a concessionary school transport ticket for the 2024/25 school year and a refund has issued.
School Transport
Ceisteanna (539)
Michael Ring
Ceist:539. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education if school transport can be provided to a pupil (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34378/24]
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 2023/24 school year over 163,800 children, including over 136,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 20,200 pupils with special educational needs, and 7,400 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
The total cost of the scheme in 2023 was €382.02m.
Over 140,000 mainstream tickets have issued for the 2024/2025 school year, which is already 3% more than the total tickets issued for the full 2023/2024 school year.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
Under the terms of the School Transport Schemes, children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kms from and are attending their nearest national school. At post primary level, they are eligible where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre. Distance is determined by the Department/Bus Éireann and rules have regard to ethos and language.
Children who are not eligible but who apply for school transport are considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
Because of the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible children and the priority of providing places for eligible children, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places. In these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using an agreed selection process.
Bus Eireann have advised that the pupil to whom the Deputy refers, is not eligible for school transport as the family do not meet the distance criteria. A concessionary ticket has issued for the 2024/25 school year.
Special Educational Needs
Ceisteanna (540)
Ruairí Ó Murchú
Ceist:540. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Education the reason an application for assistive technology was refused for a child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34379/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under the Assistive Technology Scheme, as set out in my Department’s Circular 0010/2013, funding is provided to schools towards the cost of computers and specialist equipment, which are required for educational purposes.
All equipment provided under this scheme supports children with more complex disabilities who, in order to access the school curriculum, require essential specialist equipment.
Based on the professional information provided to the SENO and in line with criteria set out in Circular 10/2013, the SENO was not in a position to recommend an assistive technology grant for the school concerned on behalf of the student.
It is open to the school to appeal this decision. The appeals process is outlined on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/service/237c68-assistive-technology-grant/
Separately, where an appeal has been unsuccessful, but new information becomes available, it is open to the school to submit a new application to the SENO for consideration.
It is also open to parents to contact SENOs directly to discuss their child’s special educational needs, using the contact details available at: www.ncse.ie/seno-contact-information
School Transport
Ceisteanna (541)
Verona Murphy
Ceist:541. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Education the total number of school transport applications received through the school transport system for County Wexford for the 2024-2025 academic year; the number of school transport tickets issued to students in County Wexford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34386/24]
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 2023/24 school year over 163,800 children, including over 136,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 20,200 pupils with special educational needs, and 7,400 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
The total cost of the scheme in 2023 was €382.02m.
Over 140,000 mainstream tickets have issued for the 2024/2025 school year, which is already 3% more than the total tickets issued for the full 2023/2024 school year.
Under the terms of the School Transport Schemes, children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kms from and are attending their nearest national school. At post primary level, they are eligible where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre. Distance is determined by the Department/Bus Éireann and rules have regard to ethos and language.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who complete the application process on time (apply on time and pay on time) are accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation and where there is capacity to do so.
Children who are not eligible but who apply for school transport are considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
Because of the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible children and the priority of providing places for eligible children, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places. In these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using an agreed selection process.
Temporary Alleviation Measures (TAMS) at post primary level are continued for the current school year. Under these measures, transport will be provided where there is a route in operation and where capacity exists for concessionary post primary pupils who are eligible for transport to their nearest school, are attending their second nearest school and who applied and paid on time.
Bus Éireann have provided the total number of school transport applications received and the total school transport tickets issued to date for County Wexford for the 2024/25 school year at the following link.
Total number applications received and school transport tickets issued
School Transport
Ceisteanna (542)
Verona Murphy
Ceist:542. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Education the number of school transport students facilitated on temporary alleviation measures in County Wexford for the 2024-2025 academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34387/24]
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 2023/24 school year over 163,800 children, including over 136,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 20,200 pupils with special educational needs, and 7,400 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
The total cost of the scheme in 2023 was €382.02m.
Over 140,000 mainstream tickets have issued for the 2024/2025 school year, which is already 3% more than the total tickets issued for the full 2023/2024 school year.
Under the terms of the School Transport Schemes, children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kms from and are attending their nearest national school. At post primary level, they are eligible where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre. Distance is determined by the Department/Bus Éireann and rules have regard to ethos and language.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who complete the application process on time (apply on time and pay on time) are accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation and where there is capacity to do so.
Children who are not eligible but who apply for school transport are considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
Because of the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible children and the priority of providing places for eligible children, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places. In these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using an agreed selection process.
Temporary Alleviation Measures (TAMS) at post primary level are continued for the current school year. Under these measures, transport will be provided where there is a route in operation and where capacity exists for concessionary post primary pupils who are eligible for transport to their nearest school, are attending their second nearest school and who applied and paid on time.
Bus Éireann have confirmed that the number of school transport students facilitated under temporary alleviation measures in County Wexford for the 2023/24 and the 2024/25 years are at the following link.
School Transport
Ceisteanna (543)
Jennifer Murnane O'Connor
Ceist:543. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Education the alleviation measures being put in place for exceeded demand on school bus transport availability in Carlow; if her Department is aware of reduced capacity in Carlow and children with longstanding concessionary seats not receiving same in advance of the school year (details supplied); if there are plans to increase capacity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34390/24]
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 2023/24 school year over 163,800 children, including over 136,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 20,200 pupils with special educational needs, and 7,400 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
The total cost of the scheme in 2023 was €382.02m.
Over 140,000 mainstream tickets have issued for the 2024/2025 school year, which is already 3% more than the total tickets issued for the full 2023/2024 school year.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
Under the terms of the School Transport Schemes, children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 km from and are attending their nearest national school. 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. Distance is determined by the Department/Bus Éireann and rules have regard to ethos and language.
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.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who complete the application process on time (apply on time and pay on time) are accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation and where there is capacity to do so.
Children who are not eligible but who apply for school transport are considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
Because of the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible children and the priority of providing places for eligible children, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places. In these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using an agreed selection process.
Temporary Alleviation Measures (TAMS) at post primary level are continued for the current school year. Under these measures, transport will be provided where there is a route in operation and where capacity exists for concessionary post primary pupils who are eligible for transport to their nearest school, are attending their second nearest school and who applied and paid on time.
Bus Éireann have advised that the pupils referred to by the Deputy are attending their third closest school. Applications and payment were received on time but the pupils were unsuccessful in obtaining a concessionary ticket for the 2024/25 school year. A refund will issue in due course.
School Accommodation
Ceisteanna (544)
Paul Kehoe
Ceist:544. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 395 of 15 September 2021, to provide an update on the longstanding application for a sports hall by a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34408/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department received an application from the school in question in 2017 seeking capital funding for the provision of a PE hall. The school authority was informed that funding was not available for GP/PE halls at this time and their application could not be considered.
However, I am pleased to confirm that funding was approved in September 2019 under my Department's Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme for the provision of 4x General Classrooms, 1x Special Education Tuition room, 1x Technical Graphics/Design & Communications room, 1x Home Economics room and master planning for the future build of a GP hall.
The purpose of the ASA scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom and Special Education Needs (SEN) accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation or at school nearby.
At primary level, this situation generally arises to cater for a school’s accommodation requirements where an additional teaching post has been sanctioned by Teacher Allocation Section, or a new SEN class has been sanctioned by the NCSE, and all available alternative accommodation within the school is already being used for classroom purposes.
Since 2020, my department has invested in the region of €4.9 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 900 school building projects and with construction currently underway at approximately 300 other projects, which includes 30 new school buildings. These 300 projects currently at construction involve a total State investment of over €1.2bn.
I also announced earlier in the year that close to 90 projects, including 28 new school buildings, would be authorised to proceed from tender stage 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.
Between projects currently under construction and projects moving to construction in this latest phase, investments by the Department of Education are adding over 550,000 square metres of new and modernised capacity to our school estate.
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
A future strengthened focus on refurbishment of existing school stock will have different strands and will include a PE build and modernisation programme which will enable students in post-primary schools to have access to appropriate facilities to support PE provision, particularly also in the context of the roll-out of PE as a leaving-certificate subject. Enhanced and modernised PE facilities will also provide important amenities for local communities.
However, the main focus of the Department’s capital funding over the last decade and for the coming period is on provision of critical additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics and children with special educational needs.
The Department manages the overall school building programme, ensuring that areas under the greatest pressure for addition school places are prioritised. This reflects the Department’s fundamental objective of ensuring the availability of a school place for every child.
School Admissions
Ceisteanna (545)
Carol Nolan
Ceist:545. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education if she is aware that a number of families are unable to secure school places for their children at both primary and post-primary level in Tullamore, County Offaly (details supplied); if she will take steps to ensure that no child is left behind at the start of the new academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34411/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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 has been aware of pressures for post primary school places for the 2024/25 school year in Tullamore and continues to engage with the relevant schools and patrons in the area.
On foot of this engagement, Coáiste Choilm has increased their first-year intake by an additional 4 places, relative to what was indicated on their Admissions Notice for 2024/25.
The situation with respect to the filling of the places at schools is an evolving one, as places are offered and accepted and refused, and this process is managed directly by the school authority. It is important to note 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.
The Educational Welfare Services of the Child and Family Agency, Tusla, is the statutory agency that can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The local service is delivered through the national network of Educational Welfare Officers. Contact details are available on Tusla’s website.
Department officials will continue to actively engage with schools and patrons to ensure that there is appropriate provision for all students in Tullamore into the future, including through the progression of relevant school building projects. There are currently a number of active projects at primary level and post primary level across the Tullamore School Planning area, including extensions for Coláiste Choilm and Killina Presentation Sec School.