Written Answers Nos. 194-206
194. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education the status of Recommendation 4.3.b of her Department’s Review of the School Transport Scheme - Report 3, which was to be implemented in time for the school year 2024-2025, and which would allow for the provision of new routes in response to parental demand. [38725/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra195. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education if she will urgently engage with parents of secondary school students from Ardmore, Clashmore, Kinsalebeg and Grange in County Waterford, regarding the demand for a public school bus to Dungarvan, taking into account that the vast majority of secondary students attend schools in this town, and in light of the contexts of Recommendation 4.3.b contained in her Department’s Review of the School Transport Scheme - Report 3. [38726/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 194 and 195 together.
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2023/24 school year over 163,800 children, including over 136,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 20,200 pupils with special educational needs, and 7,400 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
The total cost of the scheme in 2023 was €382.02m.
Over 140,000 mainstream tickets have issued for the 2024/2025 school year, which is already 3% more than the total tickets issued for the full 2023/2024 school year.
As the Deputy is aware, a review of the School Transport Scheme has been completed. This review was conducted with a view to examining the current scheme, its broader effectiveness, and sustainability and to ensure it services students and their families adequately.
The School Transport 2030 report, which was published earlier this year, 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 have been identified for these initial pilot projects:
• One in the Limerick/Shannon area
• One in the Roscommon/Athlone area.
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.
Further pilots may be considered following a full evaluation of these initial pilot projects.
It is intended, subject to resources, to commence implementing the revised eligibility criteria in the 2025/2026 school year.
196. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education if she will commit to establishing an autism class at a school (details supplied) in time for the school year 2024-2025. [38727/24]
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.
At primary level, this situation generally arises to cater for a school’s accommodation requirements where an additional teaching post has been sanctioned by Teacher Allocation Section, or the requirement for a new class for pupils with special education needs has been identified by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), and all available alternative accommodation within the school is already being used for classroom purposes. The capacity at other schools in the area is also considered as part of the assessment of any accommodation needs
The school initially applied for 1 x mainstream classroom in 2023.
Following an initial assessment, a potential need for additional accommodation was identified and communicated to the school. This was not a formal approval letter. As part of its overall programme planning for 2024 school accommodation needs the Department is now examining enrolment data from the current school year and data on accommodation capacity at schools in order to reassess and identify critical accommodation requirements for the next school year, with a view to advancing these to formal approval stage. You will appreciate that it is very important that capacity in existing schools and across a town or area is maximised to the greatest extent possible and this includes ensuring that all school accommodation is being utilised as efficiently as possible, and that priority is given to the use of accommodation for classroom purposes, either to meet mainstream or special educational needs. This analysis is forming part of the Department’s current assessment process.
The school authority has recently submitted another additional application to provide 1 x Special educational need classroom for September 2025 through modular accommodation.
The Department’s Modular Accommodation Programme is an important mechanism for facilitating accelerated delivery of necessary additional capacity – including in relation to special classes. However, as part of maximising existing capacity and managing within budgetary parameters this is targeted at schools where there is no existing capacity in the general area to facilitate the establishment of urgently required special classes.
A key focus of the Department is the utilisation of existing accommodation at schools to provide facilities for special classes. This approach supports accelerated delivery of the accommodation and provision which is well integrated within the mainstream school accommodation. It is consistent with the Department’s commitment to supporting the educational needs of children who require specialist placements while at the same time meeting the requirements of the Government’s Infrastructure Guidelines.
Schools’ support for the establishment of special classes is very welcome. However, an analysis of both the need for special class places and existing capacity in schools in the general area will first need to be completed before a decision can be made on a school’s application for additional accommodation. In this regard, the Department is working very closely with the NCSE to ensure that the most appropriate solution is identified with a view to providing the most immediate and cost effective accommodation solutions for the establishment of new special classes.
Both applications are being considered in this context and we are working to get a decision communicated to the school as soon as possible.
197. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education if the application by a school (details supplied) can be expedited for a much-needed extension to the school in order to accommodate the growing school population. [38748/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to confirm to the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of an application from the school in question under the Department's Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme for mainstream accommodation.
The purpose of my Department’s ASA scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom accommodation and accommodation for pupils with special education needs is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation.
The main focus of my Department’s resources over the last decade and for the coming period is on provision of critical additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics.
Since 2020, my department has invested in the region of €4.9 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 900 school building projects and with construction currently underway at approximately 300 other projects, which includes 30 new school buildings. These 300 projects currently at construction involve a total State investment of over €1.2bn.
I also announced earlier in the year that close to 90 projects, including 28 new school buildings, would be authorised to proceed from tender stage to construction over the course of 2024 and early 2025.
In total, around €800 million will be invested in these projects under the department’s Large Scale Capital Programme and Additional Accommodation Scheme for essential classroom accommodation.
Between projects currently under construction and projects moving to construction in this latest phase, investments by the Department of Education are adding over 550,000 square metres of new and modernised capacity to our school estate.
This is a record level of investment in school buildings. It will expand the number of school places, significantly increase provision for special education and upgrade and modernise our school infrastructure. The impact of this will be felt in communities right around the country.
The Department is required to manage the overall school building programme so that we target and prioritise areas that are under greatest pressure for additional school places. This reflects the Department’s fundamental objective of ensuring the availability of a school place for every child.
As the Deputy is aware the purchase of additional lands has been recently being finalised and the application for the school in question is being considered in this context. Official in my Department are in contact with the school authority and I can assure the Deputy that we are working to get a decision communicated to the school as soon as possible.
200. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education when a decision will be reached in respect of a stage 1 application, in view that the school (details supplied) is awaiting the outcome of this decision for some time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38785/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school to which the Deputy refers was approved to enter the department’s pipeline of projects under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme. The project will provide four mainstream classrooms, a two classroom Special Education Needs (SEN) base and six SET rooms. The project was devolved to the school authority for delivery.
My department received a Stage 1 report, which 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.
This review is near completion and my department will be in touch with the school authority on how best to progress this important project shortly.
201. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Education if there are plans to allocate extra time for students with dyslexia, dyscalculia and other learning difficulties in second level education (details supplied). [38791/24]
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.
202. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the plans in hand to address the lack of special classes in secondary schools in north Kildare; whether additional classes will be made available to facilitate the child of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38795/24]
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 me as Minister for Special Education & Inclusion, 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.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs nationwide.
In relation to the child referred to by the Deputy, the NCSE has advised my department the local special educational needs organiser (SENO) has provided the family with information relating to the criteria for enrolment in a special class and information on schools with special classes in the area. The SENO remains available to provide any further support to the family.
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, 16 are in Kildare, 12 at primary level and 4 at post primary level. This brings the overall number of special classes in County Kildare to 131.
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. In 2022, the department wrote to all post-primary schools to ask them to begin planning to provide on average 4 special classes each over the coming years. This message is being discussed in ongoing Department and NCSE engagement with post-primary education stakeholders also.
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 will continue to support the NCSE and schools through the provision of the necessary funding and capital investment to ensure all children are successful in accessing an education.
203. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education when funding will be provided to a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38850/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy, that the school in question has submitted an application for capital funding, under my department's Additional Schools' Accommodation (ASA) Scheme for extra accommodation to provide special education needs classroom's.
The purpose of the Additional Schools' Accommodation scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream and special education classroom accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year and where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation or at other schools in the area.
Since 2020, my department has invested in the region of €4.9 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 900 school building projects and with construction currently underway at approximately 300 other projects, which includes 30 new school buildings. These 300 projects currently at construction involve a total State investment of over €1.2bn.
I also announced earlier in the year that close to 90 projects, including 28 new school buildings, would be authorised to proceed from tender stage to construction over the course of 2024 and early 2025. In total, around €800 million will be invested in these projects under the department’s Large Scale Capital Programme and Additional Accommodation Scheme for essential classroom accommodation.
Between projects currently under construction and projects moving to construction in this latest phase, investments by the Department of Education are adding over 550,000 square metres of new and modernised capacity to our school estate.
This is a record level of investment in school buildings. It will expand the number of school places, significantly increase provision for special education and upgrade and modernise our school infrastructure. The impact of this will be felt in communities right around the country.
Officials from my Department have been engaging with the school Patron regarding additional building space for the school in question. The Patron has submitted information required and the application from the school is currently being considered. Once the assessment process has been finalised the school authority will be notified of the decision directly.
204. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education the plans to introduce additional time during State exams for students with dyslexia, dyscalculia, and so on; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38854/24]
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.
205. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education further to Topical Issue debate No. 2 of 25 September 2024, the technical advice and reports that her Department has received which has led to the decision that a field in the ownership of her Department cannot be used as a playing field; if she will reconsider her decision and make the property available to the adjacent schools to be used as a playing field by the children attending the schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38878/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to reassure the Deputy that it has always been the intention that the area in question will be available for use by all three schools.
Given the nature of the site, a flooding specialist was procured as part of the planning process for this campus project and a Flood Risk Assessment (FRA), Maintenance Plan and Flood Response Plan were provided.
The area will be subject to ponding of water and potential flooding at times given that the these lands are designed to retain overflow flood waters during periods of heavy rainfall.
The area is not currently accessible and a planning application will be submitted to the local authority shortly by the contractor to provide the access road and entrance to this area. Once this work is complete, the area will be made available for use by the schools.
It is the intention that the area will be managed by the post-primary school in terms of shared access for all three schools on the campus as a green area.
206. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education the steps being taken to establish a national advisory group on school library provision and to develop a national strategy ensuring every school has a library, a librarian, and access to the Junior Certificate school programme demonstration library programme digital library service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38915/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra'Ireland’s Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Literacy Strategy 2024-2033: Every Learner from Birth to Young Adulthood' and five-year implementation plan was published in May 2024 by the Department of Education and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. This strategy aims to promote the development of essential literacy, numeracy, and digital literacy skills. Consideration of the establishment of a national advisory group on school library provision will be taken in line with action 1.3.5 of the Strategy, ‘Explore the potential for an expanded programme of library support services to ELC settings, primary and post primary schools’.
I wish to advise the Deputy that the estimated costing in relation to the provision of libraries in schools would be substantial. For example the provision of a librarian in each school would have an estimated cost of €212,000,000 per annum. The provision would include many different factors in addition to librarians such as provision of the physical space, fixtures and fittings, IT facilities, librarian assistants, stock (physical and digital), national co-ordinator, professional development etc. In order to have accurate costings an evaluation would be required to include an assessment of the different school structures as each school type would require different works etc.
As the Deputy is aware, once off funding of €20 million was made available in May 2022 to enable all recognised primary and post-primary schools in the Free Education Scheme to improve their existing literacy resource banks. Support was provided so as to ensure that schools can make best use of the grant funding within their schools. In this regard the Department worked with the Public Library Service.
It should be noted that the public library provides access to a wide range of resources, facilities and activities that aim to support schools in developing children's literacy, numeracy, creativity and communication skills. The development of existing partnerships between schools and libraries provides many benefits for both the schools and for public libraries. The Library Service published ‘The Library is the Place: National Public Library Strategy 2023-2027’ in July 2023. Under this strategy and the Department’s ‘Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Literacy Strategy 2024-2033’, the Department will further enhance the partnership with the Library Service to increase school usages of the resources that are available through the public libraries.
Webinars and the Public Library Resource Guide for Schools provides information for primary and post-primary schools to develop and expand reading and literacy collections within the school setting (www.librariesireland.ie/services/right-to-read/services-to-schools). The Public Library Supports for Schools are jointly agreed by the Department of Education and the Department of Rural and Community Development.
A teacher’s card is made available to every teacher in every school, which enables each teacher to borrow items for his/her class. As no doubt the Deputy is aware, library membership is completely free of charge for everyone in every library in the country. Further information on the services to schools can be found at www.librariesireland.ie/services/right-to-read/services-to-schools. Libraries Ireland also offer a Digital Library Service, and currently anyone with a library card can access the eBooks, Audio books and eLearning Resources.
The Department also issued a grant in 2023 to provide free schoolbooks for all children and young people enrolled in all recognised primary schools, including special schools. This grant has been extended, in 2024, to provide free schoolbooks for all Junior Cycle students in the Free Education Scheme. Where any surplus funding remains after all other schoolbooks and related classroom resources costs have been met, a school has the discretion to purchase library books, audio books and other material to increase the literacy (in English, Irish or other languages) and numeracy resources for their school.
I hope this information is of assistance to the Deputy.
