Written Answers Nos. 586-605
586. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education when a pupil (details supplied) who is eligible for school transport will be issued with a ticket for the school transport service, in view that they have not received a ticket to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34726/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2023/24 school year over 163,800 children, including over 136,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 20,200 pupils with special educational needs, and 7,400 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
The total cost of the scheme in 2023 was €382.02m.
Over 140,000 mainstream tickets have issued for the 2024/2025 school year, which is already 3% more than the total tickets issued for the full 2023/2024 school year.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
Under the terms of the School Transport Schemes, children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kms from and are attending their nearest national school. At post primary level, they are eligible where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre. Distance is determined by the Department/Bus Éireann and rules have regard to ethos and language.
Bus Éireann has advised that no application for school transport has been received for the pupil referred to by the Deputy and that an application should be made to the following link.
School Transport Application - public.flowforma.com/?token=OfHd8bEHNUjypR1J2ohyawPtOLA8xbJSVD02MsoVP7sPa83cAd.
Officials in my School Transport section have also liaised with the local Regional Education and Language Support Team (REALT) co-ordinator in regards to assisting the family with making the application.
587. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education when a pupil (details supplied) who is eligible for school transport will be issued with a ticket for the school transport service, in view that they have not received a ticket to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34727/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2023/24 school year over 163,800 children, including over 136,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 20,200 pupils with special educational needs, and 7,400 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
The total cost of the scheme in 2023 was €382.02m.
Over 140,000 mainstream tickets have issued for the 2024/2025 school year, which is already 3% more than the total tickets issued for the full 2023/2024 school year
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
Under the terms of the School Transport Schemes, children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kms from and are attending their nearest national school. At post primary level, they are eligible where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre. Distance is determined by the Department/Bus Éireann and rules have regard to ethos and language.
Bus Éireann has advised that the pupil referred to by the Deputy has been accommodated on a school transport service and a ticket has issued to the family.
588. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education the provisions being taken by her Department to ensure that all eligible students who apply for school transport under the post primary school transport scheme in an area (details supplied) for the 2024/2025 academic year will be facilitated, in view that there is a high probability that the service will be oversubscribed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34734/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
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 has advised that there are 2 mainstream services that operate from the area to the schools in the town referred to by the Deputy. For the 2024/25 school year, these services are carrying a total of 33 eligible students, 27 TAM concessionary students and 43 concessionary students. 21 concessionary applicants were unsuccessful in the allocation process.
In general, pupils the area referred to by the Deputy are concessionary as the school centre in question is their third or fourth nearest.
589. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education for an update on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34744/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to confirm to the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of an application from the school in question under the 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.
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. However, my Department is working towards an increasing focus on the upgrade and refurbishment of the existing school stock, with particular focus on climate action goals.
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.
The Department is required to manage the overall school building programme so that we target and prioritise areas that are under greatest pressure for additional school places. This reflects the Department’s fundamental objective of ensuring the availability of a school place for every child.
I can confirm to the Deputy that the school in question was approved a project for 3x Mainstream classrooms in 2019. The project is currently at stage 2b.
Officials from my Department are currently reviewing a building conditions report on the Convent building. 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 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.
Once the review is complete, the school authority will be contacted directly with a decision. I can only seek to assure you that we will advance this matter as quickly as possible.
590. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education if funds will be released this year to schools for summer works; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34749/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, the purpose of the Summer Works Scheme (SWS) is to enable individual school authorities to undertake small-scale building works on a devolved basis and, ideally, can be carried out during the summer months or at other times that avoid disrupting the operation of the school. The SWS operates on a multi-annual basis for categories of works such as roof works, window replacement, mechanical and electrical works, external works etc. and was last opened for applications in 2019.
My Department is leading an ambitious sustainability agenda and has progressed a wide array of measures to improve the overall sustainability of our school buildings. It is a priority for Government to deliver on Ireland’s ambitious climate agenda and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This includes targets around the decarbonisation of Ireland’s public buildings.
As part of it’s planning, Department officials are considering and planning for the next phases of the summer works programme and the opportunities this may create to support the sustainability agenda. In this regard, it is envisaged at this stage that, a multi-annual SWS with a focus on climate action and energy conservation will be the focus for the next summer works scheme to be opened for applications. The arrangements and timing of that SWS is still under consideration and schools will be updated in due course.
591. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education the number of flights she has taken to or from Shannon Airport, Cork Airport and Knock Airport since assuming office. [34753/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy that since taking office as Minister for Education, I have taken one flight to Shannon Airport in March 2024.
I have not flown via Cork Airport or Knock Airport on Ministerial business.
592. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education the number of new ASD classes sanctioned at both primary and secondary level in Dublin 9 and Dublin 11, as of August 2024, compared to 2019, in tabular form. [34776/24]
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).
The vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs require additional supports, special classes and special school places are provided.
Over 400 new special classes have been sanctioned by the NCSE for the 2024/05 school year. This brings to 3,333 the number of special classes nationwide. The vast majority of these are autism classes of which 42 are in the Dublin 9 and Dublin 11 areas, 33 at primary and 9 at post-primary level. This is an increase of 200% compared to 2019 when there were 14 autism classes in operation in the area, 12 at primary and 2 at post primary level.
The table below outlines these figures.
|
Year |
Primary |
Post-Primary |
Total |
|
2019 |
12 |
2 |
14 |
|
2024 |
33 |
9 |
42 |
593. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education the number of SNA’s allocated to schools throughout the country and for a comparison with the total allocation in 2019, in tabular form. [34777/24]
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).
Special needs assistants (SNAs) 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 an education to enable them to achieve their best outcomes and reach their full potential. There is now over double the number of SNAs in schools compared to 2011 and Budget 2024 provided for a further 1,216 posts.
The NCSE has the responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs including the allocation of SNAs.
The table below provides a comparison of the total allocation of SNAs by the NCSE in 2019 and 2024.
|
School year |
Total WTE posts |
|
2019/20 (Number of SNA's as at 31/12/2019) |
15,948 |
|
2024/25 (Number of SNA's as at 31/07/2024) |
21,980 |
The NCSE has published the SNA allocations for each school for the 2024/25 school year. Details of each school's allocation is available on the NCSE's website at www.ncse.ie/set-hours-and-sna-allocations.
Schools can apply to the NCSE for a review of its SNA allocation if they feel their allocation is insufficient to meet the needs of its students. Detailed information on the NCSE review process is also published on the NCSE website available at www.ncse.ie/application-for-sna-exceptional-review.
My department and the NCSE are committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential.
594. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education the capital allocation made to a school (details supplied) between 2020-2024, in tabular form. [34778/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe capital allocation made to the school referred to by the Deputy between 2020-2024 is set out at the following link:
595. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education the capital allocation made to a school (details supplied) between 2020-2024, in tabular form. [34779/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe capital allocation made to the school to which the deputy refers, between 2020-2024 can be found below in tabular form.
|
All PBU Capital Spend |
2020-2024 YTD |
2024 |
2023 |
2022 |
2021 |
2020 |
|
Total PBU Capital Spend |
€1,530,754.42 |
€16,938.25 |
€1,285,759.68 |
€62,736.49 |
€30,000.00 |
€135,320.00 |
596. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education the capital allocation made to a school (details supplied) between 2020-2024, in tabular form. [34780/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe capital allocation made to the school to which the deputy refers, between 2020-2024 can be found below in tabular form.
|
All PBU Capital Spend |
2020-2024 YTD |
2024 |
2023 |
2022 |
202 |
2020 |
|
Total PBU Capital Spend |
€779,245 |
€174,845 |
- |
€63,223 |
€363,497 |
€177,680 |
597. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education the capital allocation made by her Department to a school (details supplied) between 2020-2024, in tabular form. [34781/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe capital allocation made to the school referred to by the Deputy is outlined at the following link:
598. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education if school transport for a child (details supplied) will be approved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34785/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 my Department's School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, children are eligible for transport where they are attending the nearest recognised school that is or can be resourced to meet their special educational needs.
The National Council for Special Education acts in an advisory role to the Department of Education on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs. Under the terms of the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, the Department will consider the report of the Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO). School transport is provided to children with special educational needs who are attending the nearest school to their place of residence that is or can be resourced to meet their educational needs, as identified by the SENO.
The Department and Bus Éireann are very conscious of the specialised nature of transport provision for children with special educational needs. This is reflected in the standard of dedicated service provided and the fact that these services are generally planned and timetabled to operate on a door-to-door basis. In certain cases, the Department also provides funding to schools for the employment of escorts to accompany children whose care and safety needs require this level of support while they travel to and from school.
Given the concerns regarding the welfare of these children with special educational needs, it is not always practical to make these services available to children who can travel on standard mainstream school transport services. As to do so might diminish the level of care and safety that the Department and Bus Eireann wish to provide for these vulnerable children.
Since the sibling referred does not meet the criteria for school transport for children with special educational needs, they are therefore not eligible for school transport under the terms of the scheme.
In instances where there is only one family on a dedicated service, a sibling who is not eligible may be accommodated on board this service until such time another child who is eligible for school transport under the terms of scheme requires this service. At this time the non-eligible child is removed from the dedicated service.
599. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education to provide assistance to a school (details supplied), regarding the ongoing issue with this school’s accommodation needs for their additional ASD classroom; the steps being considered to address the issues highlighted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34789/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy, that the school in question submitted an application for capital funding, under my department's Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme for one modular Special education classroom.
The purpose of my department’s Additional School Accommodation (or ASA) scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom accommodation and accommodation for pupils with special education needs is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation or at other schools in the area.
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that the school in question was approved funding to deliver 1 Special education classroom in 2017. This project was completed in 2019 and the special class was opened. The school was subsequently approved 3 Mainstream classrooms, (one prefab replacement) in 2019. This project was completed in 2021. The school has since submitted an application seeking modular accommodation for a second Special education class.
The Department has a significant modular accommodation programme in place to assist schools in the provision of additional capacity, including in respect of facilitating the establishment of special classes.
This programme involves the use of Project Management supports which is designed to enable the accommodation to be provided as quickly as possible and help ease the administrative workload for school authorities in relation to the management and delivery of projects.
The use of the Department’s Modular Accommodation Framework also assists in ensuring lead in periods for procurement of modular accommodation are minimised to the greatest extent possible.
The Department is working closely with the Project Management teams and the modular accommodation suppliers to ensure additional capacity for the schools sector is delivered as quickly as possible.
The Department will continue to prioritise special educational needs provision and the NCSE is working to ensure that special educational supports required by schools are in place for children transitioning into these schools. The Department and the NCSE are available to assist schools as required.
Over 400 new special classes have been sanctioned by the NCSE for the 2024/25 school year bringing the total number of special classes nationwide to 3,333 - 2,337 special classes at primary level and 996 at post primary level.
Of these new special classes for the 2024/25 school year, 16 are in Tipperary, 12 at primary level and 4 at post-primary level. This brings to 138 the number of special classes in County Tipperary, 90 at primary level and 48 at post-primary level.
The NCSE regional team confirmed the requirement for a second class at the school and my department is now progressing a modular accommodation solution for the school. An interim solution has been put in place by the school pending the delivery of this modular accommodation.
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that the department’s project managers have recently submitted a project viability report to the department’s Technical team for review. Once this review is complete the project will proceed to the next stage. I can assure the Deputy that officials in my Department will progress the project as soon as possible.
600. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the selection process for school bus tickets; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34793/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra601. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the reasons families who previously held a school bus ticket and paid for these tickets for a number of years are now being put on a waiting list; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34794/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 600 and 601 together.
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 current 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) will be 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 which is outlined as follows.
Using the Family ID as a reference, first priority is given to all existing concessionary applicants (whether they had seats or not in the last school year) who have paid by the deadline date for payments plus siblings of these pupils provided they also have paid by the deadline date. Second priority is all new applicants who applied and paid by the deadline dates (i.e. those applying for transport for the first time). Finally, all other applicants (for example late applicants/payees).
602. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Education to advise if TAMS secondary school transport services will be provided for the approximately 50 students from Kilmore in County Wexford to Wexford town, County Wexford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34802/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 Eireann has advised that the children from the area referred to by the Deputy are not eligible for school transport to the school post primary school/centre referred as they are under the distance criteria to their closest post primary school/centre and are attending their second closest post primary school/centre.
Bus Éireann further advise that there is no service available from the area in question to the school referred to by the Deputy and the nearest pick up point is approx. 8.0 kms away.
There is a large bus operating from this area carrying 25 eligible pupils and 28 pupils who fall under the Temporary Alleviation Measures. 30 pupils were unsuccessful in obtaining concessionary tickets.
603. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education the reason that a Bus Éireann School Transport Case (details supplied), which was submitted through the Bus Éireann Oireachtas help desk, has not been answered and the reason a response has not been issued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34808/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2023/24 school year over 163,800 children, including over 136,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 20,200 pupils with special educational needs, and 7,400 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
The total cost of the scheme in 2023 was €382.02m.
Over 140,000 mainstream tickets have issued for the 2024/2025 school year, which is already 3% more than the total tickets issued for the full 2023/2024 school year.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
Under the terms of the School Transport Schemes, children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kms from and are attending their nearest national school. At post primary level, they are eligible where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre. Distance is determined by the Department/Bus Éireann and rules have regard to ethos and language.
Bus Éireann is responsible for the planning and timetabling of school transport routes on behalf of the Department. Safety of children travelling on the school transport services is of paramount importance to the Department and to Bus Éireann. Bus Éireann endeavours, within available resources, to ensure that each eligible child has a reasonable level of school transport service in the context of the Scheme nationally.
Routes are planned so that, as far as possible, no eligible child will have more than 3.2 kilometres to travel to a pick-up point. Children are generally expected to make their own way, or to be brought to convenient pick-up points along the main route.
Bus Éireann have advised that the pupils referred to by the Deputy reside 0.8km from their pick up point, which is within the terms of the scheme. It is not possible to alter the route as it would inconvenience other pupils on the route.
604. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education for an update on the pilot cooperation programme on educational attainment; to provide the total allocation; the expenditure to date; the amount that is contained with expenditure ceilings laid out in the Stability Programme update and Summer Economic Statement and the amount that will have to come from additional funding; the date the project was started; and the projected date of completion, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34811/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy that my Department and the Department of Education in Northern Ireland are working collaboratively to develop and introduce a pilot cooperation programme to address educational disadvantage.
This pilot cooperation programme will run from 2024 until 2026 and will comprise elements on teachers’ research exchange, creativity in schools, and supports to address educational disadvantage.
Subject to Ministerial approval, on both sides, the programme will be continued in 2026 and 2027 with additional resourcing through the Shared Island Fund.
As set out in tabular format below, the Government has approved and allocated up to €24 million towards the pilot cooperation programme. To date, as the project has not yet begun operating, there has not been any expenditure drawn down.
A Memorandum of Understanding between the two Departments in respect of addressing educational disadvantage was signed in August 2024.
|
Total Government allocation |
Up to €24 Million |
|
Expenditure to date |
There has been no expenditure to date |
|
Project start date |
October 2024 |
|
Projected date of completion |
31 December 2026 |
605. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education if, on the basis that many school secretaries have migrated to a scheme whereby their salaries are paid directly to them by the Department of Education, are they now entitled join the civil servants' pension scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34833/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is providing a payroll service for school secretaries with effect from 1st September 2023. The provision of a payroll service is part of a package agreed with Fórsa, the trade union representing school secretaries, following a series of engagements at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) and also includes revised terms and conditions for secretaries.
The Agreement however, which has provided for revised salary and annual leave entitlements, did not provide access to the Single Public Service Pension Scheme.
The school remains the employer of school secretaries and it is their obligation to provide access to a PRSA scheme for employees. For secretaries who are paid through the Department-administered payroll, a facility is now being offered to join a PRSA scheme administered by Cornmarket with contributions being deducted at source.
Should secretaries wish to avail of this option, they can contact Cornmarket directly – the participation of individuals in any scheme is a matter between the individual and the service provider.
