Written Answers Nos. 179-198
179. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the restoration of posts of responsibility in primary schools, as called for by an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37576/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraBudget 2017 allowed for the commencement of restoration of middle management posts as part of an agreed distributed leadership model and meant lifting the rigidity of the longstanding moratorium on these posts. The equivalent of approximately 1,300 middle management posts (Assistant Principal One (API) and Assistant Principal Two (APII)) were restored in our primary and special schools.
My Department committed to annually revising the allocation of Posts of Responsibility to take into account retirements during the school year which has ensured that the current level of Posts of Responsibility are maintained in the school system. In 2022, the Sectoral Bargaining process under Building Momentum for the primary sector was used to increase posts of responsibility in primary and special schools by 1,450 posts.
Budget 2024 has also provided for an additional 1,000 posts of responsibility (500 APII posts in both primary and second-level) for the 2024/25 school year. A revised Post of Responsibility Schedule issued to schools earlier this year to reflect this increase in Assistant Principal II posts available to schools in the current school year. Today, 1 in 3 primary school teachers hold management positions in our primary and special schools.
180. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the concerns of principals in special educational needs primary schools (details supplied); if this is under review within her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37577/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Minister and the Department are committed to supporting all staff involved in special education, with the overall investment in special education now standing at a record level of almost €2.8 billion.
Pay and workplace reform measures for all public servants, including teachers, have been governed by a framework of public service pay agreements for a number of years. The current pay agreement, Public Service Agreement 2024-2026 is in place until June 2026 and provides for a local bargaining process to deal with outstanding adjudications, commitments, recommendations, awards and claims.
Any further amendments to Teacher Terms and Conditions, including pay and other terms and conditions, can only be achieved through engagement and collective bargaining agreements between the Government and the public service unions or through the Teachers Conciliation Council (TCC) forum in the Department of Education.
The TCC is the recognised forum for dealing with matters relating to the pay and conditions of service for teachers paid from monies provided by the Oireachtas. It is open to the relevant parties to the TCC to seek changes to terms and conditions under this process and any such proposals would need to be considered in detail by the Council.
181. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Education when a school in County Louth (details supplied) will be granted DEIS status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37578/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy department provides a wide range of supports to all schools, DEIS and non-DEIS, to support the inclusion of all students and address barriers to students achieving their potential. Supplementing the universal supports available to all schools, the Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS) Programme is a key policy initiative of my department to address concentrated educational disadvantage at school level in a targeted and equitable way across the primary and post-primary sector.Following the largest expansion of the DEIS programme to date in 2022, benefitting 361 schools, the programme now includes in the region of 1,200 schools and supports approximately 260,000 students. This expansion added an additional €32million to my department’s expenditure on the DEIS programme from 2023, bringing the overall allocation for the programme to over €180million.The DEIS programme is targeted at schools with the highest levels of concentrated disadvantage. Schools that were included in the programme in 2022 were those with the highest levels of concentrated disadvantage as identified through the refined DEIS identification model. Schools were not required to apply for inclusion in the DEIS programme and the model was applied fairly and equally to all schools. A detailed paper on the refined DEIS identification model is available on gov.ie.The extension of the DEIS programme to new schools is just one component of work in my vision for an inclusive education system which supports all learners to achieve their potential. While the DEIS programme supports those schools with the highest levels of concentrated educational disadvantage, I also recognise that there are students at risk of educational disadvantage in all schools. Since June 2020, and over the last four budgets, I have secured funding to provide measures to support children in this regard. These measures include reducing class sizes and the allocation of free schoolbooks to students up to Junior Cycle.To support this work, I invited the OECD Strength Through Diversity: Education for Inclusive Societies project to review Ireland’s current policy approach for the allocation of resources to support students at risk of educational disadvantage. In July this year I welcomed the publication by the OECD Education for Inclusive Societies project of the ‘Review of Resourcing Schools to Address Educational Disadvantage in Ireland'.The review finds that Ireland has an education system that consistently outperforms many other OECD countries but also exhibits relative socio-economic fairness, making it one of the stronger performers globally. It also recognises the positive impact of resources provided universally to all schools, as well as the additional resources provided to schools in the DEIS programme, in addressing educational disadvantage.The review also highlights continued improvements over the past decade in retention and attainment levels between children and young people in DEIS and non-DEIS schools. It notes that, even with these improvements, important differences in outcomes persist between DEIS and non-DEIS schools and for children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, and Travellers and Roma. This information and data has also informed the Traveller and Roma Education Strategy (TRES), published in July (www.gov.ie/en/consultation/2545f-traveller-and-roma-education-strategy/).The OECD review sets a number of recommendations for future policy, to bridge those gaps, improve equity and ensure every child and young person at risk of educational disadvantage is supported to achieve their potential in education. Over the coming months my department will work with other government departments and agencies, the education partners, and stakeholders across the education sector to develop tangible actions informed by the recommendations set out. These actions will aim to build on the success of the DEIS programme through the development of a dynamic resource allocation model that can respond to changing levels of need and ensure that all children and young people in both DEIS and non-DEIS schools are supported to achieve in education.
182. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education if she will direct Bus Éireann to allocate a school bus ticket to a pupil (details supplied), given the upheaval that will be forced upon them and their family if they have to change schools at this stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37586/24]
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.
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 pupil referred to by the Deputy is not eligible for school transport under the terms of the scheme they are attending their third closest post primary school/centre.
While the pupil applied and paid on time for the current school year, they were not successful in obtaining a concessionary ticket and the service is operating to capacity.
183. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education the reason a person (details supplied) has not been provided with school transport; when transport will be provided in order for them to attend school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37588/24]
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.
Bus Éireann has reported that unfortunately, for a small number of families assigned to Special Educational Needs transport services, difficulties have arisen in some localities with a small number of contracted services. These services were secured for the 2024/2025 school year and due to reported driver/contractor unavailability at short notice, services could not commence as expected.
Bus Eireann have advised that transport for the pupil referred to by the Deputy has not commenced yet due to a procurement issue.
Bus Éireann School Transport team is working intensively to ensure that transport arrangements are put in place as soon as possible. A Special Transport Interim 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.
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.
Work is continuing in order to resolve this matter and Bus Éireann are committed to providing transport as quickly as is possible.
Bus Éireann has put in place a dedicated customer care call centre to assist families specifically with School Transport queries during the busy summer period. Families that have queries can contact the call centre on: LoCall 0818 919 910. Operating hours are usually 09.00 – 17.00 Monday to Friday.
Families can also contact Bus Éireann by submitting a query via the following link [Customer Care - Bus Éireann - School Transport]
education.cloud.gov.ie/apps/ePQ/Lists/ParliamentaryQuestions/Forms/Parliamentary%20Question/Customer%20Care%20-%20Bus%20%C3%89ireann%20-%20View%20Ireland%20Bus%20and%20Coach%20Timetables%20&%20Buy%20Tickets%20(buseireann.ie)
184. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education the total number of freedom of information requests submitted to her Department in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; the total number of such requests that were rejected in their entirety; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37592/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department reports annually to both the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform and the Office of the Information Commissioner (OIC) on Freedom of Information activity. The OIC publishes this data in its annual report and the annual reports up to 2023 are available on its website www.oic.ie/publications/annual-reports/
In 2022 my Department received 359 requests. 64 of these requests were refused.
In 2023 my Department received 389 requests. 80 of these requests were refused.
To date in 2024 my Department has received 388 requests. 78 of these requests have been refused.
Requests may be refused where, for example, the request is not sufficiently detailed to enable the records to be identified after all reasonable efforts have been made, the information is already in the public domain and can be accessed by the requester as a result, or where a request is for information which is going to be published within 30 working days of receipt of the request.
185. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education the plans in place for the secondary school education of a child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37639/24]
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.
As your query refers to an individual placement, I will arrange to have it referred to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.
The NCSE will be undertaking planning visits to schools during term 1 of this school year to assist with the forward planning of special class provision for the 2025/26 school year.
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 3,335 - 2,338 at primary level and 997 at post-primary level.
Of these, 7 are in County Monaghan, 6 at primary and 1 at post-primary, bringing the total number of special classes in Monaghan to 54. The vast majority of these are autism classes which have a teacher/student ratio of 1:6.
Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact the NCSE locally for planning purposes. Local special educational needs organisers (SENOs) are available to assist and advise parents and can provide details on schools with available special educational places. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available on the NCSE website.
My department and the NCSE are committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements will be available for children for this school year and future years.
186. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Education the status of the application by a school (details supplied) for a new building, having witnessed its seriously inadequate school facilities and amenities for herself, and given that the school’s board of management can provide an alternative and appropriate site for a new school at no cost to the State. [37640/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am pleased to advise the Deputy that the school in question has received approval in principle for a building project under my department’s Additional School Accommodation, or ASA, scheme. The project will provide for two mainstream classrooms and two special education teaching rooms. This project is currently at Stage 3, tender stage.
In addition, further approval was provided under the ASA scheme in 2022 for modular accommodation to provide one mainstream classroom and two special education tuition rooms. In early 2023, the brief for the school was reviewed and a further special education needs classroom was added to the scope. This accommodation has since been delivered.
I can confirm to the Deputy that the department is in receipt of a letter dated the 28th February 2024 from the Board of Management of the school in question in relation to the acquisition of a greenfield site by the school. Furthermore, the school recently submitted a "First Level Education", or FLE, application for a new school building.
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.
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 education needs. The overall position with regard to potential modernisation and replacement of existing school infrastructure will be kept under review.
I would note that the level of additional accommodation already being progressed for the school under reference, both under the modular and traditional-build ASA programmes, will significantly improve the teaching and learning environment.
Modular accommodation being provided to schools today is high quality, robust and durable. All new buildings, including modular buildings, are required to meet the Near Zero Energy Building, or NZEB, standard, which ensures high levels of energy efficiency, thermal performance and sustainability.
Since 2020, the department has invested over €5 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 950 school building projects and with construction currently underway at approximately 350 other projects, which includes 37 new school buildings. These 350 projects currently at construction involve a total State investment of over €1.5bn.
The Department 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’s approach is to maximise the usage of existing capacity in the school estate and, in tandem with this, to manage the progression of the existing pipeline of projects within available budgets and in line with the Government’s Infrastructure Guidelines.
My officials will be in further contact with the school in due course.
187. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Education the financial supports available to primary schools across the State to provide important life skills such as swimming lessons. [37641/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department and its support services continue to work to support all schools and teachers to deliver the full breadth and balance of the curriculum. Physical Education is a core part of the curriculum at primary level which seeks to satisfy the physical needs of the child through a consistent and comprehensive experience of movement and play that challenges the child to realise his or her individual physical potential.
Physical Education is one of seven curriculum areas within the Primary School Curriculum which was introduced in 1999. A minimum of one hour of physical education per week is recommended for all primary school pupils. The curriculum has been structured so as to allow individual schools a high degree of flexibility and choice in the planning of a broad and balanced Physical Education programme for pupils, and includes six broad strands featuring Athletics, Dance, Gymnastics, Games, Outdoor and Adventure activities and Aquatics.
The Physical Education curricula at both primary and second level have been developed on the understanding that facilities available to schools vary. Consequently, they offer a level of flexibility that allows each individual school to design a programme that can be delivered using the resources and supports available to it.
Where schools decide to provide pupils with swimming classes in school time, they are expected to fund them from resources already available to them. Under the Rules for National Schools, while voluntary contributions may be sought, no school may charge a fee as a condition of admission to an activity provided within school hours.
The new Primary Curriculum Framework (PCF) published on 9 March 2023 will guide the development of the specifications for each of the curriculum areas. The development of the Wellbeing specification, which is to include Physical Education, is underway and will be completed for introduction into schools in the 2025/2026 school year. To support this, Oide are currently considering the professional learnin which will be made available to all schools for the rollout of the new Wellbeing specification.
For information, my Department is committed to providing funding to all recognised 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 and ancillary funding as a common grant from which the Board of Management can allocate according to its own priorities. The current standard rate of Capitation grant is €200 per pupil in primary schools.
In addition to these grants, €20 million in funding was issued in October 2023, to support all recognised 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 was 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 basic 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 are also 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.
188. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Education if the correct school bus ticket will be provided to a student (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37642/24]
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 my Department. 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.
In relation to mainstream school transport, where practicable and subject to consideration of costs and logistics, routes are planned to avoid an eligible child having to travel more than 2.4 km at primary level and 3.2 km at post primary level to a designated pick-up point.
Bus Éireann advise that the pupil referred to by the Deputy is eligible for school transport and is currently assigned to a route with a pick-up point approximately 1km from her house. They are currently liaising with the family regarding availing of an alternative service with a closer pick-up point for the remainder of the 2024/25 school year.
189. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Education when modular classrooms will be installed at a school (details supplied) in Limerick city; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37649/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is in receipt of an application for capital funding, under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme, from the school in question.
The purpose of my Department’s Additional School Accommodation (or ASA) scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom accommodation and accommodation for pupils with special education needs is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation or at other schools in the area.
In order to meet these needs my Department has broadened its delivery streams and is utilizing Modern Methods of Construction, including Modular Accommodation, as well as traditional construction delivery methods. Modular accommodation has particular advantages in terms of overall timelines and also climate impact in that they do not generally have a reliance on fossil fuels.
In overall terms, it is important to have a range of delivery mechanisms for delivering school accommodation to support the current very strong and ambitious rollout of school building projects. This is particular relevant given the overall challenging construction sector market.
A number of factors are considered by my Department in determining the most appropriate construction method to meet a school’s accommodation requirements, including the timing and duration of that accommodation need, and other school-specific factors.
Officials in my Department have been engaging with the school in question regarding the appropriate construction method which would best suit the schools requirements.
The application from the school is currently being considered by my officials. Once the assessment process has been finalised the school authority will be notified of the decision directly.
190. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Education if she has received the correspondence from a family (details supplied), which has been sent on seven separate occasions since August 2021, related to allegations of historic child abuse and sexual harassment; the action, if any, that was taken; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37756/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Education takes child protection matters very seriously and considers the protection and welfare of children to be a fundamental responsibility of all involved in the care and education of children.
The enactment of the Children First Act 2015 led to the issue of revised Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-primary Schools in 2017 (revised 2023), with an extensive programme of professional development for teachers and school leaders. A fundamental principle of the the Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-primary Schools in 2017 (revised 2023) is that schools must keep pupils/students safe from harm while attending school or participating in school activities.
Any concern or allegation of a child protection nature received by staff in the Department of Education is dealt with in accordance with the Department’s Procedures for responding to Child Protection Concerns which come to the attention of staff employed by the Department of Education.
Under these procedures, the Department does not make any judgement on the concerns which come to its attention and ensures that the details of the concern are immediately passed on to the relevant authorities, that is Tusla - the Child and Family Agency, and An Garda Síochána. The school authority is also informed of the alleged concern received.
In this instance, the relevant procedures were adhered to and Tusla, An Garda Síochána and the relevant school authority were informed of the concern raised.
The Department has no powers to investigate child protection concerns. Tusla has statutory responsibility to assess all reports of child welfare and protection concerns. An Garda Síochána has statutory responsibility for the safety and welfare of children and for the decision on the direction of any criminal investigation.
191. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education the status of the three proposed schools, one secondary and two primary, in a location identified in the Donabate local area plan (details supplied); when she expects construction to commence, given that the population will increase dramatically in the next five years, with planning permission granted for 2,157 units, with 1,627 under construction;; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37774/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, the Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System, using data from a range of sources, including CSO Census data, Child Benefit and school enrolment data, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise and where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.
Major new residential developments have the potential to alter the demand for school places at a local level. In that regard, as part of the demographic demand analysis, the Department monitors planning and construction activity in the residential sector. This involves the analysis of data sources from Local Authorities and the CSO along with the engagement with local authorities and the construction sector. In this way, up-to-date information on significant new residential developments is obtained and factored into the demographic analysis exercise. This is necessary to ensure that schools infrastructure planning is keeping pace with demographic changes, at a local level, where there is a constantly evolving picture with planned new residential development.
Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may, be provided through: • Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,• Extending the capacity of a school or schools,• Provision of a new school or schools. 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.
If additional accommodation is required, the aim to try and facilitate this, as much as possible, by way of expansion of existing schools rather than establishing new schools. The expansion of existing schools is consistent with wider Government objectives under Project Ireland 2040 for an increased emphasis on compact growth. In respect of post primary schools, new post primary schools must have a student enrolment capacity of 600-1,000 students and must be co-educational. A lower threshold of 400 students may apply to Gaelcholáistí, having regard to the alternative of establishing an Irish-medium unit (Aonad) in an English-medium school.
There are 3 primary school projects planned in the Donabate school planning area and when completed, will increase capacity in the area:
Gaelscoil na Mara (Roll No: 20530R) – Brief: new 16 classroom school building + 4 SEN. Stage Project Brief. Project Brief stage - this includes determining the project brief and schedule of accommodation.
St Patrick's BNS (Roll No: 16267G) – Brief: 2x Special education classrooms. Stage 1. Stage 1 is the Preliminary Design Stage where the Design Team in conjunction with the school authorities, will analyse all the constraints of the site, develop a preferred design option and ensure that the preferred option is the best option for the delivery of the brief.
Scoil Padraig (Roll No: 18412W) – Brief: 1x Special education classroom:2x Special education tuition rooms and 4x Mainstream classrooms. Stage 1.
Details of large-scale projects being delivered under the school building programme may be viewed on my Department's website at www.gov.ie and this information is updated regularly. In addition, a list of large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date may also be viewed on the website.
The Department is monitoring the pace of delivery of residential developments in the Donabate area to ensure that education provision can be provided when required. The Department will continue to liaise with Fingal County Council in respect of their County Development Plan and any associated Local Area Plans with a view to identifying any potential long-term school accommodation requirements across school planning areas.
192. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education the projects and programmes with her Department which have been allocated funding under the EU's Recovery and Resilience Programme; the funds drawn down to date in each instance; the profiled drawdown in each of the forthcoming years of the programme; the steps she is taking to ensure that projects and programmes are completed within the specified timeframe; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37783/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) has been developed by the Government so that Ireland can access funding under the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility. Ireland is expected to receive €988 million in grants under the Facility up to 2027.
The Recovery and Resilience Facility is the largest component of NextGenerationEU, the European Union’s response to the global pandemic. The aim is to help repair the immediate economic and social damage brought about by the pandemic and to prepare for a post-Covid Europe that is greener, more digital, more resilient and fit to face the future.
Under this facility, the Department of Education applied for and received funding in respect of two projects to provide digital infrastructure and funding to schools, high speed broadband connectivity for primary schools where the National Broadband Plan and commercial provision will not provide such connectivity (Project A), and funding for schools to provide for interventions to address the digital divide, particularly access to digital devices and relevant ICT infrastructure (Project B).
Project A provided some €13.5m in funding. This supported an intervention project whereby those primary schools outside of the National Broadband Plan Intervention area, and in areas where commercial provision is insufficient, was provided with high-speed connectivity of 100 Mbp/s or greater. The programme operates under the Schools Broadband Programme with the Implementation of this project, been led by a Steering Group which included representatives from my Department, the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, HEAnet, and Oide-tie. Through this project, some 990 primary schools were have now been upgraded to a high speed broadband connection.
Project B provided €50m in funding for schools in late 2021. This funding issued through a one-off scheme to schools, targeting those learners most at risk of educational disadvantage through lack of access to ICT equipment. While available data shows that some schools have concentrated levels of disadvantage it is also the case that other schools may have learners at risk of educational disadvantage among their student cohort. Schools are best placed to identify and address inequalities to ensure those learners most at risk are supported and have access to the appropriate digital technologies required to give them every opportunity to fulfil their educational potential and gain key digital skills as part of their education.
The Department of Education projects under Ireland's National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) have now successfully concluded and as such, are subject to the mechanisms established in the Recovery and Resilience Facility Operational Arrangement outlined in the Council Implementing Decision of 8th of September 2021. Overall responsibility for Ireland's NRRP lies with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform as Implementing Body and as such is responsible for drawdown requests. My Department liaises with DPer as required to ensure that the operational arrangements agreed to are met to assist with any such requests.
193. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Education for an update on the review of the reasonable accommodation policy for exams; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37804/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the state examinations.
In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
194. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education following the announcement that she is planning on banning mobile phones from all second-level schools, if she has considered the financial costs of this on schools; and if she is planning to financially support schools who wish to purchase pouches and other equipment for the mobile phones once this ban is implemented. [37816/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, I recently issued a letter, instructing schools to implement a ban on the use of mobile phones during the school day, both in primary and post-primary schools.
This policy approach is based on the growing concerns expressed about the impact of the use of mobile phones during the school day, including the potential for distraction during class time, the risk of accessing inappropriate content and cyberbullying, and the potential for decreased social interaction with peers.
It is recognised that many schools already have well-developed and managed policies in place in this area currently and this initiative will build on that foundation. I commend schools for the time and attention given to this in recent years. In some schools, there will be no material change, whereas for other schools this ban provides a supportive framework to enable them to implement specific and consistent policies.
This initiative also builds on the the guidelines “Keeping Childhood Smartphone Free” announced last year, containing practical advice and suggestions to support parents and Parent Associations wishing to develop voluntary codes regarding smartphone use among primary school children and can be accessed online here: www.gov.ie/en/publication/ece25-keeping-childhood-smartphone-free/ .
In implementing the ban on the use of personal mobile phones during the school day, schools are advised to consult with members of the school community including parents. This should include consideration as to the practicalities of enforcing the ban, including the specific mechanisms to do so, and consideration of cost. It should be noted that there are schools using a variety of approaches currently, not limited to the approach suggested.
My Department is committed to providing funding to recognised primary and post-primary schools in the free education scheme by way of per capita grants. The two main grants are the Capitation grant to cater for day-to-day running costs such as heating, lighting, cleaning, insurance and general up-keep, and the Ancillary grant to cater for the cost of employing ancillary services staff. Schools have the flexibility to use capitation funding provided for general running costs and ancillary funding provided for caretaking and secretarial services as a common grant from which the Board of Management can allocate according to its own priorities, except for cases where a secretary is now paid from my Department’s payroll as per circular 0036/2022.
195. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the number of home school liaison support workers in Donegal in 2024; and the number in 2020, in tabular form. [37841/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Home School Community Liaison (HSCL) scheme is one of the key supports provided by my Department as part of the overall DEIS programme. Tusla Education Support Service (TESS) manage the HSCL scheme on behalf of my Department. The scheme seeks to promote partnership between parents, teachers and community family support services, with a view to supporting improved attendance, participation and retention.
All DEIS urban primary schools and all DEIS post-primary schools are included in the HSCL scheme, which currently serves 687 DEIS schools, catering for approximately 207,000 children and young people. The scheme is delivered by 528 full-time HSCL Coordinators, who are teachers in these schools and assigned to HSCL duties, either in individual schools or in clusters of schools.
In addition to the above, a pilot project to support Traveller and Roma pupils, under the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy, is in operation in 4 locations with 1 HSCL Coordinator assigned in each location. A further 10 HSCL Coordinators are employed under Dormant Accounts funding to support attendance, participation and retention among Traveller and Roma students, across 14 non-DEIS post-primary schools.
The number of HSCL Coordinators in Co Donegal in 2024 and in 2020 is as follows:
|
Year |
Number of HSCL Coordinators |
|
2020 |
16 |
|
2024 |
27 |
You will note that number of HSCL Coordinators in Co Donegal has increased by 11 since 2020. This is as a result of the single largest expansion of the DEIS programme that I announced in March 2022, which benefited 361 schools.
The DEIS programme now includes in the region of 1,200 schools and supports approximately 260,000 students. 1 in 4 students and 30% of all schools are now supported under the programme.
The expansion added an additional €32 million to my Department’s expenditure on the DEIS programme from 2023, bringing the overall allocation for the programme to over €180 million.
196. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the number of post primary schools that have an enrolment figure of 500 students or more. [37842/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFor the 2023/24 academic year there were 722 post-primary schools of which 409 (56.6%) had an enrolment of 500 students or more.
Data is taken from the final post-primary enrolments for 2023/24 which can be found at the link below; www.gov.ie/en/collection/post-primary-schools/ .
197. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the number of teachers on the substitute supply panel in Kerry at present; and the number in 2020, in tabular form. [37843/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is attached.
198. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on the school building programme in Louth. [37844/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 2020, the department has invested over €5 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 950 school building projects and with construction currently underway at approximately 350 other projects, which includes 37 new school buildings. These 350 projects currently at construction involve a total State investment of over €1.5bn.
The Department 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 key drivers of capital investment in the school sector include:
• demographic growth, particularly at post primary level
• increased demand for special educational needs provision
• alignment of school place provision with new housing development
• climate action objectives including deep energy retrofit.
Since 2020, in the region of €80 million has been invested under the school building programme in Co. Louth schools.
Between 2020 to date, 21 school building projects have been completed in Co. Louth.
Currently there are 9 school building projects (Large Scale/ASA/Modular) under construction in Co. Louth, 1 of which is a new school.
There are also 26 school building projects (Large Scale/ASA/Modular) in Co. Louth moving through the various stages of design, of which 3 are new school projects.
These projects are being delivered to ambitious timeframes, and the position on individual projects evolves all the time as they advance through various stages. The status of all projects is set out at (www.gov.ie) . This is updated on a regular basis to reflect project progress through the various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender and construction.
