Written Answers Nos. 159-178
159. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education if free schoolbooks for primary age children are available for students using home tuition grants, many of whom do not have an appropriate school place for additional needs and who are doubly penalised without proper supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37380/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Education, I believe it is crucially important that children and young people are actively supported to access education in its fullest forms. This Government recognises that the cost of preparing children for school each September can be a cause of financial difficulty and worry for many Irish families. This is linked to ensuring that every child with special educational needs gets a suitable education which is a priority for the Department of Education.
The funding provided under Budget 2024 for the Primary Schoolbooks Scheme is to provide free school books to pupils in recognised primary and special schools. More than 555,000 pupils enrolled in approximately 3,230 primary schools, including over 130 special schools will continue to benefit from this scheme. Funding is provided directly to schools at a per capita rate based on validated September 2023 enrolment figures.
My Department’s Home Tuition Grant Schemes provide funding towards the provision of a compensatory educational service for children who, for a number of specific reasons, are unable to attend school. By its nature, it is intended to be a short-term intervention.
Home tuition is provided as an interim measure only for children for whom a placement in a recognised school is not currently available and should not be regarded as an optional alternative to a school placement. Aspects of the scheme differ, depending on the reason for the application.
The Department of Education operates four categories of home tuition:
1. Home tuition for children with special educational needs and on medical grounds. gov - Home Tuition (www.gov.ie )
2. Maternity-related absences gov - Home Tuition (www.gov.ie )
3. No School Place (NSP) Home Tuition Scheme gov - Home Tuition (www.gov.ie )
4. Children in Care (CIC) Home Tuition Scheme gov - Home Tuition (www.gov.ie )
In the 2023/2024 academic year, 9% of the overall home tuition applications received were for children seeking a special school or special class place. The Home Tuition Grant Scheme is an interim measure to provide for education until a suitable school place becomes available, at which point the home tuition grant is discontinued.
The remaining 91% of applications received were for pre-school children with autism or children who were already enrolled in a recognised schools who would benefit from the home tuition grant scheme as a one-time measure to compensate for a period of absence which occurred in the previous school year.
There are a variety of reasons why a child may be without a school place such as children moving school mid-year, family relocating, expulsion, children receiving a place further away than they can travel to. The Home Tuition Scheme is a short-term measure until a solution is put in place.
The Educational Welfare Service is part of Tusla Education Support Service (TESS) and operates under the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000, a piece of legislation that emphasises the promotion of school attendance, participation, and retention. The EWS is a statutory service and its primary role is to ensure that every child either attends school regularly or otherwise receives a certain minimum education and to ensure and secure every child’s entitlement to education.
The Educational Welfare Service can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school placement for their child. Referrals to the Educational Welfare Service may be made throughout the school year. Once a referral is made to the Educational Welfare Service in respect of a child or young person with no school place, it will remain an open case until such time as a school place is offered and accepted.
A referral for a child without a school place is prioritised by the Educational Welfare Service and an Educational Welfare Officer (EWO) is assigned immediately to support families who are in this situation.
Application forms for the home tuition scheme for children who are temporarily without a school place, who are without an offer of a school place and who are actively seeking a school placement in a recognised school, are available from the local Educational Welfare Officer (EWO) or the appointed social worker. The Educational Welfare Service can assist a family when applying for home tuition if the child is without a school placement. Home tutors are engaged by the parents/guardian of the child who is to receive tuition and the tutor has no contractual relationship with the Department of Education.
Schoolbooks Scheme funding would have issued to schools in respect of these students if they were enrolled in a school on 30 September 2023.
If a school has a concern about funding for additional pupils who have enrolled in the school since this time, there is an exceptional cases funding provision under the scheme.
This provision allows a school to request additional funding when a significant increase in enrolments has occurred and the school cannot meet the costs of the books from within the original funding allocation or from previous surplus funding. Further information on exceptional cases is outlined in Section 5.5 of the published guidance.
Schools that wish to apply for additional funding under the exceptional cases provision should email primaryschoolbooks@education.gov.ie . As set out in the guidance certain considerations will apply and each application for funding will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
160. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education if her Department will engage with a person (details supplied) regarding pay scale concerns and queries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37412/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe criteria for the award of incremental credit are set out in the Department of Education’s Circulars 10/2001 for Primary teachers, 29/2007 and 29/2010 for Post-Primary teachers.
The criteria for the award of incremental credit to recognised teachers was agreed under the auspices of the Teachers Conciliation Council (TCC).
To qualify for an award of incremental credit, a teacher and their prior work experience being claimed must satisfy the eligibility criteria set out in the relevant circular. An award of incremental credit cannot be made where the eligibility criteria is not satisfied.
The Department has not received any application for incremental credit from the person named.
Prior service as a Home Tuition/Summer Programme tutor does not qualify for annual leave payments or incremental credit. Work completed under the home tuition scheme does not count towards pensionable service. It is a private arrangement between the parent/legal guardian and the tutor. The Department is a payroll agent that acts on behalf of parents/legal guardians who have been sanctioned to receive funds under the home tuition grant scheme. The relevant unit within the Department have been in contact with the person named regarding same.
161. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education for an update on the school transport pilot projects; the budget for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37426/24]
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 School Transport 2030 report, which was published in February of this year following Government approval, marks the largest review of the School Transport Scheme since it was established in 1967. The Government is committed to working to achieve the report’s recommendation of expanding access to the scheme so that an additional 100,000 pupils can be carried by 2030. The recommended changes to the future operation of include expansion of the current eligibility criteria, addressing current operational challenges and moving towards better integration with public transport to ensure the best value for money to the Exchequer.
A phased implementation of the review’s recommendations began at the start of this school year. As indicated at the time of the launch of the review, the implementation includes a shared effort between the Department of Education and the Department of Transport, supported by the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Bus Éireann, to pilot and introduce greater integration of existing public transport networks with post-primary school transport routes. Two areas were identified for these initial pilot projects:
• One in the Limerick/Shannon area
• One in the Roscommon/Athlone area
The estimated cost of implementing these two initial pilots in the 2024/2025 school year is circa €870k. The annual Estimates process will be utilised to seek to implement recommendations in the Review.
Other areas may be considered where it is possible,subject to available resource, to implement aspects of the revised eligibility criteria.
The pilot projects in the 2024/2025 school year will provide valuable insights on the scale of planning and implementation required for national implementation of a revised School Transport Scheme, to include the integration of public transport and school transport services.
It is intended, subject to resources, to commence implementing the revised eligibility criteria in the 2025/2026 school year.
162. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education the status of a new building for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37427/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school to which the Deputy refers was approved to enter the department’s pipeline for a project under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme. The project will provide five mainstream classrooms, one SET room and a two classroom Special Education Needs (SEN) base. The project was devolved to the school authority for delivery.
My department received a stage 1 report in Q2 2024. This is currently being reviewed from both a technical and cost perspective in accordance with the requirements of the Public Spending Code. All projects, including this one, will undergo the necessary due diligence outlined in the public Infrastructure Guidelines. Managing timing, scope, and cost is crucial to staying within budgetary limits for the overall program.
Once this review is complete my department will be in touch with the school authority on how best to progress this important project.
163. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education if her Department will urgently approve an application made by a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37428/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school referred to by the Deputy was approved to enter my Department’s pipeline of school buildings in 2017 for a project under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme to provide 1 Mainstream Classroom, 1 Staff Room and 1 classroom SEN base. The project was devolved to the school authority for delivery.
I can confirm that in 2017 the school submitted a further a request for an increase in accommodation within the SEN base to meet with the demographic needs for SEN places in the school. Approval for an increase in the brief from a one to two classroom SEN Base was provided to the school authority in 2018.
Due to the change in project brief this project was delivered on a phased base with phase one being completed in 2018 and delivering 1 mainstream classroom & 1 staff room. The school received furniture, equipment and ICT grants associated with this accommodation.
Approval to construction of the two classroom SEN base was issued to the school in 2022. Officials at my Department have confirmed that up to 90% percent of the allocated grant aid has been issued to the school. A Furniture & Equipment Grant and ICT Grant for a 2 classroom SEN form part of the ASA project approval and will be issued to the school authority shortly.
164. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education if she will direct Bus Éireann to allocate school bus tickets to siblings (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37429/24]
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.
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.
Bus Éireann have advised that the pupils referred to by the Deputy are not eligible for transport as they are attending their 2nd nearest primary school.
Bus Éireann have further advised that these pupils were unsuccessful in obtaining a concessionary seat and the existing service is currently operating to capacity.
165. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education if she will direct Bus Éireann to allocate a school bus ticket to a student (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37430/24]
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 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 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 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 pupil referred to by the Deputy is not eligible for school transport as they are attending their third closest post primary school/centre.
Bus Éireann further advise that they were unsuccessful in obtaining a concessionary school transport ticket for the 2024/25 school year as services are full to capacity.
166. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education if she will instruct Bus Éireann to establish additional school bus capacity to collect children in Clontibret, County Monaghan, who attend secondary schools in Castleblayney, County Monaghan, considering that there have been a number of children in this area who have been denied school transport this year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37431/24]
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 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 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 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 pupils from the area referred to by the Deputy are not eligible for school transport to the post primary school/centre referred to by the Deputy as they are not attending their nearest post primary school/centre.
Bus Éireann further advise that a number of the pupils from the area referred obtained a ticket for the 2024/25 school year, however others were unsuccessful in obtaining a concessionary school transport ticket and the services are now operating to capacity.
167. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the capitation grant for both primary and secondary schools; the last time they were reviewed by her Department; if her attention has been drawn to concerns of school principals that it has not kept pace with inflation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37438/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy 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 0036/2022.
The current standard rate of Capitation grant is €200 per pupil in primary schools and €345 per student in post-primary schools.
Primary schools with fewer than 60 pupils are paid the Capitation grant 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.
Budget 2020 provided for a 2.5% increase in standard capitation funding for primary and post primary schools that applied from the start of the 2020/21 school year. This brought the standard rate of Capitation grant to €183 per pupil in primary schools and €316 per student in post-primary schools. This built on the 5% increase in capitation funding announced in Budget 2019.
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 supports a permanent restoration of funding for all primary and post-primary schools from September 2024. This brings the standard rate of Capitation grant to the pre-2011 level of €200 per pupil in primary schools and €345 per student in post-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 rates and the relevant enhanced rates.
I am 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.
168. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the concerns of school principals regarding the cost of electricity as schools head into the winter months; if a targeted grant can be considered to support schools with this rising cost; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37439/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy 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 0036/2022.
The current standard rate of Capitation grant is €200 per pupil in primary schools and €345 per student in post-primary schools.
Primary schools with fewer than 60 pupils are paid the Capitation grant 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 supports a permanent restoration of funding for all primary and post-primary schools from September 2024. This brings the standard rate of Capitation grant to the pre-2011 level of €200 per pupil in primary schools and €345 per student in post-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 rates and the relevant enhanced rates.
I am 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.
169. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the average primary school class size in County Wicklow; the way it compares to the national average; the efforts that are being made to bring class sizes in line with the highest EU standards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37475/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the 2023/24 academic year, the average primary class size in County Wicklow was 22.7 students, with 22.5 students being the national average class size.
This figure is based on mainstream classes in mainstream schools and are collated from the relevant Class Size tables published on the DES website and can be found at the link below;
www.education.ie/en/Publications/Statistics/Data-on-Individual-Schools/primary/
In previous budgets, I have prioritised reducing the pupil teacher ratios in primary schools which has brought the teacher allocation ratio to an average of 1 classroom teacher for every 23 pupils in all primary schools, the lowest level ever seen at primary level. A three point reduction in the retention schedule, which I introduced in 2021, assists schools that would otherwise be at risk of losing teaching posts. I also improved teacher allocations for DEIS Urban Band 1 schools which now stand at an average of 17:1, 21:1 and 19:1 for junior, senior and vertical schools respectively. Any further improvement in pupil teacher ratios will have to be considered as part of the overall budgetary process.
170. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the method by which student teacher ratios are calculated at primary school level; if nonmainstream class teachers (details supplied) are removed from the calculation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37477/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Pupil Teacher Ratio calculation includes both classroom teachers, and other teachers that support the overall education of pupils, that is, special education teachers, English as an Additional Language (EAL) support teachers, administrative principals, and Home School Community Liaison (HCSL) teachers, as well as any other full-time teaching staff.
171. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education when she will take the first step towards the commitment from the current Programme for Government to develop an Irish language policy in the education system from pre-school to third level; and if she will establish an expert group to develop the policy. [37479/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is taking a staged approach to developing a comprehensive policy for the Irish language from early years education to teacher education. As it relates to the Department of Education there are three strands to this work: the Policy on Gaeltacht Education; the policy on Irish-medium education outside of the Gaeltacht; and the work commencing on a policy framework and action plan to support Irish in English-medium schools.
Significant progress has been made in implementing the Policy on Gaeltacht Education. The Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme is the cornerstone of the Policy on Gaeltacht Education. It gives schools in Gaeltacht language planning areas the opportunity to seek recognition as Gaeltacht Schools. Schools must meet specific language-based criteria in order to achieve that recognition. Additional targeted supports are provided to schools to support them in implementing the Scheme. The Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme was launched in April 2017.
The Department is now progressing work on the development of a new policy on Irish-medium education outside of the Gaeltacht. In order to inform the development of the policy, a comprehensive public consultation process was conducted to seek the views of stakeholders including young people, parents, education professionals, education stakeholders and Irish language organisations.
The Sealbhú research centre in DCU analysed the information gathered during the consultation and prepared a series of reports to inform policy development. These reports provide an overview of the views, opinions and suggestions shared with my Department during the various periods of public consultation.
Sealbhú was also commissioned to carry out a review of international literature to inform the policy. Their research review focuses on teaching through minority languages in jurisdictions with contexts similar to that of Irish in Ireland.
The reports prepared by Sealbhú were published by my Department in May 2024.
A policy framework document outlining the direction of the new policy has been drafted, which draws on the reports prepared by Sealbhú, as well as the information shared by stakeholders in bilateral meetings. The framework is also informed by the existing provision for Irish-medium education and future projections of demand for the education system, as well as the Department’s budgetary and legislative context. The policy framework was shared with stakeholder representatives who attended a consultation event with officials from my Department on 20 September 2024. It is intended that implementation of actions under the policy will commence during the 2024/25 school year.
A new unit has been recently established within my Department which will have a remit relating to the Irish language in English-medium schools. The policy framework and action plan to be developed by the Department’s newly established Irish Language Unit for English-medium Schools will address particular key strategic challenge points where immediate and tangible action is likely to make a difference in a reasonable period of time.
In parallel to the work being carried out by my Department, the Department of Children, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Youth is currently developing a national plan on Irish language provision in early learning and care and school-age childcare. The Departments are working closely together to ensure their policies are in alignment.
Taken together, these policies and initiatives are important steps towards achieving the Programme for Government commitment of providing a comprehensive policy for the Irish language from pre-primary education to teacher education for all schools.
172. Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Education if she will authorise payments to a school (details supplied). [37499/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school referred to was approved to enter the Department’s pipeline of school buildings for a project to provide 6 mainstream classrooms and 5 SET rooms plus 1 admin/office. The project has been devolved to the school authority for delivery and is currently approved to Stage 4 - Construction stage.
I can confirm that all design team fees received in my Department up to Stage 2b of the process have been issued to the school authority.
A request for the drawdown of the next instalment of design team fees has been submitted to my Department in recent weeks. I am pleased to advise that the assessment of these fees has been completed and administered and should be with the school authority shortly.
173. Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Education if she is making any contingency plans for the possibility of having to provide school places for a wave of refugees coming to Europe and Ireland from Sudan due to the war, famine and humanitarian crisis unfolding there; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37502/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIntegration and utilisation of each school’s existing capacity in the most flexible way possible is key to supporting IPA arrivals.
Regional Education and Language Teams, or REALTs, were established as part of the Department of Education’s response to the humanitarian crisis arising from the war in Ukraine to assist Ukrainian families, among other things, in securing school places.
The primary role of the REALT is to build on existing regional education support structures and co-ordinate the provision of education services to schools and families across their defined areas.
The remit of the REALTs was extended in November 2022 to include supporting non-Ukrainian IPAS arrivals and children under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) to find school places. The current Tusla Education Support Service (TESS) team continue to operate as normal with new arrivals and work closely with the 16 REALT co-ordinators in the regions and request supports from the REALT when needed to assist with the enrolment in schools. The statutory role of Tusla to ensure that all children aged 6 to 16 are in receipt of an education is not affected.
All of the relevant information in relation to the Department’s approach and the supports in place is available on the Department’s website at gov - Department of Education (www.gov.ie)
174. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Education to outline, given recent reports of historical sexual abuse in primary and secondary schools, what course of action can be taken by victims of sexual abuse at a school (details supplied) in seeking redress; the scheme and or process currently open to them; the way victims should go about applying for inclusion; if, in the event that there is no current redress scheme covering these cases, these victims will be included in the new scheme which she is alleged to be preparing, as mentioned recently in media; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37534/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am deeply conscious of the enormous trauma suffered by those who have experienced child sexual abuse and I have been shocked at the appalling revelations of widespread allegations of sexual abuse in the Report of the Scoping Inquiry into Historical Sexual Abuse in Day and Boarding Schools Run by Religious Orders.
The Scoping Inquiry submitted its report on 7 June 2024. Following consultation with the Attorney General, and consideration of the contents of the detailed Report, I sought Government approval to publish the Report on 3 September 2024. The Government also accepted the primary recommendation of the Report, which was to establish a Commission of Investigation.
I have appointed a high-level inter-departmental group (IDG) to consider the terms of reference for the Commission, and to examine the further recommendations of the Report in detail. These include a recommendation that consideration be given to the establishment of a redress scheme, and that the religious orders involved should be consulted in relation to contributing to any such scheme.
As the Deputy will appreciate, this is a complex matter and the IDG will consider and report back on all aspects of these recommendations. I intend to bring further proposals to Government relating to the Commission of Investigation and the other recommendations of the Report in due course.
Anyone with information relating to sexual abuse may wish to report it to An Garda Síochána by calling 1800 555 222 which is a dedicated line for reports of child sexual abuse, or by calling into any Garda station.
There are a number of organisations that can provide support and advocacy for survivors of sexual abuse. In particular, One in Four helps adults who have experienced childhood sexual abuse and they can be contacted by phone at +353 1 662 4070, by email at info@oneinfour.ie or via their website at www.oneinfour.ie/contact
175. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Education to escalate a new school bus route (details supplied) and grant approval for same. [37545/24]
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 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.
An Interim Special Transport Grant has been offered to families of children with special educational needs who, following the application process, are eligible under the terms of the school transport scheme and were awaiting a School Transport service to be put in place.
This grant is a once off payment. The interim grant is offered from the date of application to assist with the cost of private transport arrangements the family had put in place until a transport service is ready to commence. Further information on the Special Transport Interim Grant can be found at: gov.ie/schooltransport.
Bus Eireann has advised that the route for the pupil referred to by the Deputy commenced on 23 September 2024.
176. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education for an update on the provision of a special needs school for County Monaghan, following her recent meeting with parents. [37549/24]
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.
My department and the NCSE continue to monitor and review the need for further new special schools and the expansion of existing special schools in all areas of the country including County Monaghan. It is estimated that a further 300 new special school places may be required nationwide each year for the coming years.
Where additional special school places are needed, the preference is generally to expand capacity in existing schools. However, consideration is being given to whether further new special schools, in addition to those recently established are required in certain locations. As part of this work, the NCSE is examining known demand in areas, the distances children are travelling to special schools and potential capacity in special schools which already exist. This work is ongoing and is expected to be substantially completed in late autumn. A number of regions are under consideration for special school provision.
My department and the NCSE are progressing this review work ahead of determining where additional capacity is required, in existing special schools, or, in what regions a new special school may need to be established for the 2025/26 school year.
177. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Education if she is aware of a situation in a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37552/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is one of many major school building projects, designed and constructed, delivering accessible infrastructure, in accordance with a granted Disability Access Certificate (DAC), which is a statutory approval.
The project for the school included the provision of a single lift which is consistent with the design from the architectural planning permission stage and detailed design stage and complies with Part M of the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 351 of 2009) which prescribes the procedures to be followed in this regard.
The design and provision of a single lift complies with the Building Regulations (TGD Part M) and with the Department of Education’s Technical Guidance Documents.
In order to avoid any pupil travelling unnecessarily long distances, a school would need to consider its timetable to use alternative suitable classrooms nearby and use of the classrooms closest to the existing lift. In this way, accessibility can be managed both through the provision of a lift in the building and through practical local solutions.
178. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education the reason for her views that gender transitions "have to be medically led", as mentioned in an article (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37562/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department is committed to creating an inclusive and positive environment for all students and staff, including LGBT students and staff.
My Department has also participated in the national LGBTI+ Youth Strategy 2018-2021 and the national LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019-2021. It is currently participating in work led by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in the development of the successor to the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy.
Our work in this regard is underpinned by a range of measures.
For example,, my Department has provided funding to Belong To to support the Stand Up Awareness Week
The aim of doing so is to prevent and tackle homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying in schools, to raise awareness of LGBT students among other students, teachers and principals, to increase respect for LGBT identities and to increase the likelihood that LGBT students will report bullying and thereby reduce bullying and mental health difficulties among LGBT students.
In December 2022, the Department launched Cineáltas: Action Plan on Bullying, the successor to the 2013 Action Plan. Amongst the 61 actions contained within Cineáltas is a commitment to continue to provide funding to support the Stand Up Awareness Campaign .
A significant action under Cineáltas was to update the 2013 Anti-Bullying Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools. This action has been completed with the publication in June of this year of Bí Cineálta: Procedures to Prevent and Address Bullying Behaviour for Primary and Post-Primary Schools. The Bí Cineálta procedures are centred on a child rights-based approach and support a partnership approach where all members of the school community work together to prevent and address bullying behaviour. The procedures have been updated to take account of gender identity bullying, cyberbullying, racist bullying, sexist bullying, and sexual harassment. They support schools to develop clear strategies to prevent and address these bullying behaviours. The Bí Cineálta procedures are to be implemented by schools at the start of the 2025/2026 school year.
Also under Cineáltas, my Department has commissioned a review and update of the Being LGBT In School resource. The work is being carried out by Maynooth University. The updated resource will be published on completion of the work.
In SPHE, curriculum supports pupils’ learning in the areas of inclusion and diversity. In the context of social, economic, cultural, ethnic, and religious diversity, it seeks to foster in the learner attitudes and behaviours that are characterised by understanding, empathy, and mutual respect One of the aims of the SPHE curriculum is to enable the learner to respect human and cultural diversity and to appreciate and understand the interdependent nature of the world.
The updated Junior Cycle SPHE, which was introduced to schools in September 2023, includes four strands: Understanding Myself and Others, Making Healthy Choices, Relationships and Sexuality, and Emotional Wellbeing. Among the learning outcomes of the Relationships and Sexuality strand is that students should be able to “appreciate the breadth of what constitutes human sexuality, and how sexual orientation and gender identity are experienced and expressed in many ways”. Other learning outcomes are that students should be able to “recognise the factors and influences that shape young people’s self-identity, such as family, peers, culture, gender identity, sexual orientation, race/ethnic background, dis/abilities, religious beliefs/world-views”, and to “discuss experiences/situations of bias, inequality or exclusion and devise ways to actively create more inclusive environments”.
Following significant public consultation, I recently approved the NCCA’s newly developed Senior Cycle SPHE specification. The updated SPHE specification is designed as a mandatory component to support 60 hours of teaching and learning over two years, reflecting the importance of SPHE for young people at this stage in their post-primary education. Schools have until September 2027 to introduce the specification for students entering fifth year, to allow for the necessary training and capacity building within the system. There are three strands within this specification, Health and Wellbeing, Relationships and Sexuality and Into Adulthood. Learning outcomes include that students should be able to “examine how both positive and harmful attitudes around gender are perpetuated in the media, online, and in society and discuss strategies for challenging and changing harmful attitudes and narratives”. In regard to the Relationships and Sexuality strand, the specification notes that each of the learning outcomes below should be taught in a way that LGBTQ+ identities, relationships and families are fully integrated and reflected in teaching and learning, as opposed to being addressed within stand-alone lessons.
In respect of the issuing of gender recognition certificates, this is a matter for the Department of Social Protection.
