Written Answers Nos. 360-379
360. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education the reason teachers in new appointments must wait eight weeks without pay for her Department to get them on payroll; if she appreciates the financial strain this places teachers under; the steps she will take to reduce this unnecessary burden on teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43949/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to outline to the Deputy details of the procedures to process applications for teachers and school staff appointments at the start of each new school year, and the commitment of staff of my Department to efficiently process these applications.
Early in the New Year, each school is advised by my Department of their teaching allocations for the forthcoming school year. It is the responsibility of the school Management Authority to ensure that all teaching posts are filled. Vacancies may arise in schools as a result of additional teaching posts being allocated, retirements, teachers moving to another school, career breaks, job sharing arrangements, or other absences.
Once a school has selected a successful candidate for a vacancy, they must provide the teacher’s appointment details to my Department in order to be set up on payroll. These details are provided in an appointment form and include details of the teachers’ appointment, type of contract, Teaching Council registration details, bank details, etc.
My Department gives an annual commitment to Schools, teachers, Unions and Education Partners that all correctly completed appointment forms received in Payroll Division in late June or early July will be paid on the first pay date in September. For the 2024/25 school year, these dates were 12th July, 2024 for primary school teachers and Non Teaching Staff, and 28th June, 2024 for post primary schools.
Appointment forms received after these dates are processed in date order of receipt. The majority of these appointment forms are also processed in time for salary payments to be made on the first pay date of September, or as early as possible thereafter.
It is therefore not the case that most teachers in new appointments will generally have to wait eight weeks without pay. The appointments for the majority of new teachers are processed in time to ensure that they can be paid at the earliest possible date from September of the new school year.
There are, however, many instances where a school forwards appointment forms after the start of the school year. This may be because it has taken some time for the school to recruit someone to a vacant position.
There are also instances where incomplete information is initially received and additional information is required in order to complete the processing of the appointment.
Where schools have not filled all of their allocated posts in advance of the school year, schools will continue to recruit teachers and may continue to submit appointment forms after the commencement of the school year, throughout October. In such cases a delay necessarily arises to adding the teacher to the payroll system
I wish to reassure the Deputy, that staff in my Department are in direct contact with schools and teachers, on an ongoing basis. They are highly aware of the financial pressure that late payments of salary can place on teachers, especially newly qualified teachers and every effort is made to resolve issues as soon as possible and to ensure prompt payment.
The majority of appointment applications have now been processed for the 2024/25 school year, and any new applications received are dealt with as soon as possible upon receipt of the appointment forms.
361. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education the reason a student has not received a school bus seat (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43951/24]
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.
The National Council for Special Education acts in an advisory role to the Department of Education on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs. Under the terms of the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, the Department will consider the report of the Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO). School transport is provided to children with special educational needs who are attending the nearest school to their place of residence that is or can be resourced to meet their educational needs, as identified by the SENO.
The pupil referred to by the Deputy is eligible under the terms of the scheme and a sanction has been sent by School Transport Section of my Department to Bus Éireann for the establishment of a new service for them.
Bus Eireann advise that a driver has been allocated to this route and is currently going through the vetting process. Once this is completed, the route will commence.
In such circumstances where there no existing suitable service was available to meet a child's needs, and while Bus Éireann were in the process of sourcing a dedicated service, the Department offers a Special Transport Grant (STG). The grant is intended to assist towards the cost of making private transport arrangements and is based on the number of days attended from the date of application until a suitable dedicated specialised service becomes available. The family have been contacted with the details of the grant.
362. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education the reason a student has not received a school bus seat (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43953/24]
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.
Under the terms of the Department's School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, children are eligible for transport where they are attending the nearest recognised school that is or can be resourced to meet their special educational needs.
The National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) acts in an advisory role to the Department on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs.
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 Eireann have advised that this pupil is currently travelling on board an existing service and commenced on transport from the start of the 2024/25 school year.
363. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43992/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe large scale capital project at the school for the provision of a new 600 pupil school and ancillary accommodation is at Architectural Planning Stage 3 – Tender Action and Award.
A new grant of planning was received in December 2023, with a number of conditions attached. The Design Team are examining the implications of these conditions along with reviewing technical design information in relation to statutory and current technical design guidance. When this review is complete, the Design team will be in a position to update my Department with a timeline for progression.
The large scale capital project remains a priority for delivery and my department officials will be in contact with the school authority when the Design Team complete their review.
364. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education regarding the recent announcement to establish a new special school in Tipperary next year to cater for the increasing number of students with special educational needs, where in Tipperary this school will be located; and if it will be a new standalone school or an extension of a current school. [44010/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy department works closely with the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) on the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places. In Budget 2025 funding was secured for up to 400 new special classes in mainstream schools, and an additional 300 special school places for the 2025/26 school year. This will deliver 2,700 new places for children.
Almost 1,700 new special classes have been opened over the last 5 years and 11 new special schools have been established in recent years. For this school year alone, over 400 new special classes have been sanctioned with classes provided in every county. Four new special schools also opened last month in counties Meath, Kildare, Wexford and Limerick.
Just last month Minster Foley and I announced that another five new special schools will be established for the next school year, two in County Dublin and one each in counties Cork, Monaghan and Tipperary. This will bring to 129 the number of NCSE supported special schools in the county.
The exact location, size of the schools and other details are currently being worked through.
However, it is envisaged that existing buildings will be repurposed, in the first instance, to facilitate the opening of the new special schools for the 2025/26 school year. This will allow the schools to open as quickly as possible.
The schools will provide for children and young people with complex special education needs from 4 years up to 18 years of age. They are being sanctioned as early as possible as part of advanced forward planning for the next school year to ensure that appropriate placements are available where needed to meet the needs of students with special educational needs. The exact initial capacity of each special school, including the new school in Monaghan will be considered further and confirmed shortly. Parents and families looking to apply for admission to the new special school will be supported and guided by the NCSE at local level and kept updated on developments.
Part of the forward planning process looks at how far students are travelling to access an education appropriate to their needs. This is an important factor which has been incorporated into the decision-making process.
The early announcement of the new schools allows more time for the planning of school admissions, recruitment of staff, staff training and completion of any necessary building works.
Dedicated working groups will be established by my department to work through the details in relation to the establishment of the new special schools.
365. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Education for clarification on the planned capacity of a school (details supplied) to provide dedicated ASD classes, and the expected timeline on that; and for an update on extension works for the school. [44018/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school referred to by the Deputy was approved a project to cater for a school with 1,300 students. The building project for this school has been devolved for delivery to Dublin Dun Laoghaire Education and Training Board (DDLETB) under a service level agreement.
Significant technical challenges for the delivery of the project on the current site have been identified. Given the complexity of these challenges on the site, the Department continues to engage with DDLETB, as patron of Skerries CC, to advance the provision of required accommodation at the school, including for the facilitation of special classes.
It is not possible currently to give a time frame for the delivery of the accommodation however the Department has and will continue to work closely with the school authority, DDLETB to identify the most appropriate solution for the wider education community in the area.
366. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education if she will direct her Department to urgently engage with a school (details supplied) where the roof is in serious disrepair, is an active threat to the safety of pupils and staff, and in need of urgent works; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44021/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school in question to which the Deputy refers submitted an application for funding under the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) for roof works. The application in question is currently being assessed by technical area within the EWS team.
Once a technical recommendation has been received the EWS team will engage further with the school as appropriate. The EWS team is aware of the urgent nature of the works required and will keep the school informed throughout the process.
367. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education the number of SNAs at a school (details supplied); why the numbers have been cut for 2024/25; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44029/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra369. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education the number of SNAs at a school (details supplied); why the numbers have been cut for 2024/25; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44051/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 367 and 369 together.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has the responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs including the allocation of special needs assistants (SNAs). SNA allocations to schools are posted on the NCSE's website annually. This information is broken down by county and school for ease of reference.
The published information shows that the school referred to by the Deputy has had 5.83 SNA posts allocated to it since the 2021/22 school year. This allocation has remained in place each year since then. The NCSE have confirmed that as of 2 Oct 2024 this allocation has been increased to 7.3 whole time SNA posts.
It is open to schools to apply to the NCSE for a review of its SNA allocation if it is insufficient to meet the needs of its students. Detailed information on the NCSE exceptional review process is published on the NCSE website
At the end of June this year there were over 21,000 SNAs allocated to schools nationwide. Budget 2025 builds on this figure providing an additional 1,600. These SNAs will support children with additional and significant care needs into mainstream education, special classes and special schools.
My department and the NCSE are committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential.
368. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education why funding has yet to be provided to a school (details supplied) to provide ASD classes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44030/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra370. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education why funding has yet to be provided to a school (details supplied) to provide ASD classes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44052/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 368 and 370 together.
Enabling 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).
My department received an application under the Additional Schools' Accommodation (ASA) Scheme in 2021 from the school referred to by the Deputy. The application was for the provision of three special education classrooms and an in-depth review of the school site was undertaken given its restricted nature. The review confirmed that the school and the site were at maximum capacity and that it would not be possible to provide the required accommodation on site unless vast amounts of existing single storey accommodation was demolished and replaced with two storey accommodation.
At that time, considering all the relevant impediments to deliver the brief of accommodation and the site constraints, my department was not in a position to provide funding for the significant demolition of the school building. In light of this, officials in my department contacted the NCSE to advise them of same and to look to establish any special classes in other schools in the area.
Subsequently, funding was approved under the ASA Scheme in June 2022 for the replacement of a dilapidated prefab with 1 Modular Unit to accommodate 4 SET teachers. This project is devolved to the school authority for delivery with guidance from my department regarding use of the Modular Accommodation Framework. Department officials have recently confirmed to the school authority that their design team need to commence design of the unit in conjunction with the nominated modular supplier.
Following confirmation by the NCSE in January 2024 of the need for special classes in the area and the submission of an engineer’s condition report to my department in support of their proposal to knock and rebuild a portion of the school building, my department's technical team agreed to review the contents of the condition report. This review was undertaken and is now complete. However, the NCSE is continuing to review the special education provision requirements in the wider area.
The department met with the school patron on the 14 of May. The outcome of the NCSE review of special education provision needs in the school planning area is awaited to determine next steps.
409 new special classes have been sanctioned by the NCSE for the 2024/25 school year, of these 66 are in Cork, 43 at primary level and 23 at post primary level. This brings to 563 the number of special classes in the county. 491 of these are autism classes with 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.
The NCSE have recruited additional special education needs organisers (SENOs), advisors and team managers. A total of 120 SENOs now operate nationwide, 18 of these are operating solely in County Cork. SENOs play an important role in ensuring there is adequate special educational provision within local areas and are currently visiting schools nationwide to conduct planning meetings. These visits will be key in terms of forward planning for the 2025/26 school year.
371. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education the policy rationale for school secretaries not getting the same Covid leave (five days) as teachers and SNAs, given that they are as exposed to the school population; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44053/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is providing a payroll service for school secretaries which are covered under the terms of Circular 36/2022.
The provision of a payroll service is part of a package agreed with Fórsa, the trade union representing school secretaries, following a series of engagements at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).
While this agreement includes revised terms and conditions related to salary and leave entitlements, it does not accord public servant status to school secretaries who have agreed to accept these revised terms. It is also important to note that the school remains the employer of secretaries.
The revised leave arrangements which have been included in the agreement are set with reference to statutory leave entitlements. While statutory entitlements such as annual/sick leave etc. are obligations which employers must provide to employees under legislation, other leave types (such as paid COVID-19 leave) are not underpinned by legislation and are generally negotiated, either at a local level or through collective deliberations.
In the normal course, there are ongoing discussions with the public service unions on matters relating to pay agreements as well as general terms and conditions of employment. Any changes to the terms and conditions agreed can occur only under those processes and any such proposals would need to be considered in detail by this Department, the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform (DPENDPR) and the relevant union.
372. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Education if the matters raised (details below) can be examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44057/24]
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.
Classes are established under a particular designation of student need, e.g., Mild/Moderate/Severe to Profound Learning Disability or for particular conditions e.g. Autism or Deaf/Hard or Hearing. Enrolment into these classes is closely linked to its designation. This ensures that these classes continue to meet the needs of the students for which they were intended. For this reason a diagnosis and/or professional report is required in order for students to be enrolled.
The NCSE has the responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs. They have advised my department that the local special educational needs organiser (SENO) has had some correspondence from the parent and they have provided them with information in relation to eligibility for enrolment in a special class.
Where there is no class and there is known demand in a local area the NCSE will work with local schools to sanction a class. The NCSE actively encourages expressions of interest from schools to open special classes, and the efforts taken by boards of management in expressing an interest is to be commended. Any school who wishes to do so should contact the NCSE locally.
It is important to note that a continuum of support is provided in our education system. The allocation of special education teachers allows schools to provide additional teaching support for all students who require such support in their schools and for schools to deploy resources based on each student’s individual learning needs.
In addition, special needs assistants (SNAs) play a central role in the successful inclusion of students with additional and significant care needs into mainstream education, special classes and special schools ensuring that these students can access an education to enable them to achieve their best outcomes and reach their full potential.
The NCSE provides support for teachers with additional training needs in the area of special education, through the NCSE support service which manages, co-ordinates and develops a range of supports in response to identified teacher training needs.
This support service provides Teacher Professional Learning (TPL) to teachers of students with a variety of special educational needs. The NCSE continues to update current TPL courses for teachers and design new TPL courses in response to the needs of teachers.
My department and the NCSE are committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential.
I will ask the NCSE to keep in contact with the parent here and to keep my Department updated in relations to developments on this matter.
373. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education the process in place for exchange students to access school transport (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44103/24]
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.
The pupil referred to by the Deputy falls into the TAMs concessionary category as they are attending their second closest school/centre.
An application was received late for the 2024/25 school year. No payment was received prior to the deadline for the 2024/25 school year and the service is now operating to capacity.
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.
374. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education if additional capacity is being added to route F53T to enable families access to this bus route (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44104/24]
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 current terms of the School Transport Schemes, children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kms from and are attending their nearest national school. At post primary level, they are eligible where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre. Distance is determined by the Department/Bus Éireann and rules have regard to ethos and language.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who complete the application process on time (apply on time and pay on time) are accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation and where there is capacity to do so.
Children who are not eligible but who apply for school transport are considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
Because of the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible children and the priority of providing places for eligible children, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places. In these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using an agreed selection process.
Temporary Alleviation Measures (TAMs) at post primary level are continued for the current school year. Under these measures, transport will be provided where there is a route in operation and where capacity exists for concessionary post primary pupils who are eligible for transport to their nearest school, are attending their second nearest school and who applied and paid on time.
Bus Éireann advises that the pupil referred to by the Deputy has been accommodated on a service for the 2024/25 school year. As all eligible pupils in this area are being accommodated on a service, the establishment of a new service or the upgrade to a larger bus is not warranted.
375. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education if there is any provision, or policy in place, for families in situations where a child’s eligibility for local secondary schools in a new area of residence is affected by having attended a primary school outside of the new area of residence, particularly when the decision to keep the child in the former primary school was made in the child’s best interests; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44105/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn accordance with the provisions of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018, schools are required to clearly set out their selection criteria, for application in the event of oversubscription, in their admission policies. The criteria to be applied by schools and the order of priority are a matter for the schools themselves.
Parents have the right to choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available for the relevant year, the pupil/student should be admitted. However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available, a selection process will be necessary. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. However, this may result in some pupils/student not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice. It is an important feature of the act that schools can only make a decision on an application for admission that is based on the schools admission policy.
Under Section 29 of the Education Act 1998, the parent of the student, or in the case of a student who has reached the age of 18 years, the student, may appeal a decision of this school to refuse admission. An appeal may be made under Section 29 (1)(c)(i) of the Education Act 1998 where the refusal to admit was due to the school being oversubscribed. An appeal may be made under Section 29 (1)(c)(ii) of the Education Act 1998 where the refusal to admit was due a reason other than the school being oversubscribed.
TUSLA’s Education Support Service (TESS) which is the statutory agency that can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. TESS can be contacted at 01-7718500. For ease of reference, I have provided you with a link to the relevant phone numbers for the Education Welfare Officers who are part of TESS assigned to various areas around the country. See www.tusla.ie/get-in-touch/local-area-office.
376. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education for an update on the status of a new school building (details supplied), and on the works required before commencement can take place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44106/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the deputy that approval has issued to the School Authority in question under the Additional School Accommodation scheme for the provision of 2 Mainstream Classrooms, 1 Special Education Tuition, 2 Special Educational Needs Classrooms, 1 Central Activities room, 1 Skills room and 1 Office under the Departments Modular Accommodation Framework.
The project is being delivered under the Department’s Devolved SEN Reconfiguration and Modular Accommodation programme. The use of the Department's Modular Accommodation Framework assists in ensuring lead in periods for procurement of modular accommodation are minimised to the greatest extent possible.
My Department has been advised by the School Authority that additional funding will be needed, the School Authority has yet to submit costs for same and advise that they are working closely with the relevant contractor. On receipt of this information my Department will consider the matter without delay as the Department is fully aware of the urgency in respect of this project and is committed to working with the School Authority to keep it updated on overall project delivery and timelines.
377. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education if she will fully reinstate the 'teaching through Irish’ allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44108/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department, along with other Departments across the public service, implemented the outcome of the public service-wide review of allowances and premium payments (September 2012) by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
This meant that many allowances were no longer payable to “new entrant” Teachers. Among the allowances that had sanction for payment to new beneficiaries removed was the Teaching through Irish Allowance and the Gaeltacht Allowance.
In terms of the possible reintroduction of any allowance, additional amendments to Teacher Terms and Conditions, can only be achieved through engagement and collective bargaining agreements between the Government and the public service unions.
Over the course of recent collective agreements amendments have been agreed which have seen the value of certain allowances previously withdrawn being integrated into “new entrant” teacher pay. Examples are the equivalent of an honours primary degree allowance and the PME allowance for post-primary teachers.
Any further amendments to alter the allowances paid to teachers, whether “new entrant” or not, give rise to significant cost issues and should, as mentioned, be part of engagement and collective agreements between Unions and Government. Any review of the eligibility criteria for qualification allowances can occur only under that process.
378. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education if she will intervene to support a school (details supplied) that is under significant financial pressure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44113/24]
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 and the Ancillary grants on the basis of having 60 pupils. At post-primary level, schools with fewer than 200 students receive ancillary-related grants on the basis of having 200 students.
As part of the capitation package in Budget 2025 I am pleased to have secured over €30 million as a permanent increase in capitation funding to assist schools now and longer term with increased day-to-day running costs. This represents an increase of circa 12% on current standard rates and enhanced rates. This increase is on top of the circa 9.2% increase from last year’s budget. This will bring the standard rate of Capitation grant to the level of €224 per pupil in primary schools and €386 per student in post-primary schools from September 2025. Enhanced rates will also be paid in respect of pupils with special educational needs and Traveller pupils.
In addition to these grants, €45 million in cost of living supports will issue in 2024, to support all recognised primary and post-primary schools in the free education scheme. This additional funding announced in Budget 2025 is designed to assist schools with increased day-to-day running costs such as heating and electricity. Schools should also ensure that they are availing of the available OGP procurement frameworks and getting best value for money for all school expenditure.
The Financial Support Services Unit (FSSU), funded by my Department, is an important source of advice and support to schools on financial matters, including budgeting and cashflow management. Contact details for the FSSU can be found on www.fssu.ie. Alternatively, the school can contact Schools Division Financial, at sdfinfo@education.gov.ie, and an official from my Department can request for the FSSU to engage with the school directly.
379. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education the number of staff vacancies, by grade, in her Department at the end of August 2023 and August 2024; and the number of staff, by grade, on a career break of more than five years and more than six years, at the end of August 2023 and August 2024. [44122/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy, is as follows, at the end of August 2023, there was 173 vacancies at the below grades. The below information is for Civil Servants working in the Department.
|
Grade |
Number of Vacancies |
|
Clerical Officer |
41 |
|
Executive Officer |
29 |
|
Administration Officer |
3 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
19 |
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
14 |
|
Principal Officer |
3 |
|
Accountant |
2 |
|
Psychologists |
48 |
|
Inspectors |
3 |
|
Architect/Architectural Assistant |
4 |
|
Quantity Surveyor/Engineer |
7 |
During this period there was 32 staff on career break with 4 staff over 5 years and none over 6 years. My department engaged with these individuals regarding a return date or resignation. The grades of these roles are, 2 clerical officers, 1 executive officer and 1 higher executive officer. The grades of all those on career break are contained in the table below.
|
Grade |
Number on Career Break |
|
Clerical Officer |
7 |
|
Executive Officer |
7 |
|
Administration Officer |
1 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
5 |
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
2 |
|
Principal Officer |
1 |
|
Inspectorate |
1 |
|
Psychologist |
7 |
|
Accountant |
1 |
At the end of August 2024, there was 162 vacancies. A breakdown is in the table below.
|
Grade |
Number of Vacancies |
|
Clerical Officer |
23 |
|
Executive Officer |
33 |
|
Administration Officer |
6 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
16 |
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
16 |
|
Principal Officer |
1 |
|
Assistant Secretary General |
1 |
|
Accountant |
4 |
|
Auditor |
1 |
|
Psychologists |
46 |
|
Inspectors |
2 |
|
Architect/Architectural Assistant |
4 |
|
Quantity Surveyor/ Engineer/ Building Maintenance Mgr. |
9 |
During this period there was 28 staff on career break with 3 above 5 years, two at clerical officer grade and one at executive officer grade. One of the clerical officer grade is over six years. My department has engaged with these individuals regarding a return date or resignation. The grades of all those on career break are contained in the table below.
|
Grade |
Number on Career Break |
|
Clerical Officer |
8 |
|
Executive Officer |
7 |
|
Administration Officer |
1 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
5 |
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
1 |
