Cormac Devlin
Ceist:117. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on the provision of a project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45520/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchools Building Projects
Ceisteanna (117)
Freagraí scríofa
In order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, the Department of Education divides the country into 314 school planning areas. The department 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 significantly impact the demand for school places at a local level. In that regard, as part of the demographic demand analysis, the department factors in planning and construction activity in the residential sector.
This involves the analysis of data sources from local authorities and the CSO along with proactive engagement with local authorities. 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.
The planned establishment of a new post-primary school in 2021 to specifically serve the Cherrywood SDZ which is in the Sallynoggin/Killiney/Dun Laoghaire Rathdown school planning area was announced in 2018 as a result of a countrywide demographic exercise. This announcement also included for the establishment of two new primary schools to serve the Cherrywood SDZ area specifically. One of those primary schools was designated as an Irish medium gaelscoil.
Further analysis has since been conducted on the necessity for the establishment of the planned new schools taking into account a number of factors including the pace of delivery of the expected additional residential development in the Cherrywood SDZ area, associated enrolments and the capacity in existing schools in the school planning area.
The department is satisfied that existing demand can be accommodated at present by the existing and growing schools in the school planning area. As a result, the establishment of the planned new post primary school and Irish medium primary school has been deferred.
Since 2011, new arrangements have been in place for the establishment of new schools involving the forecasting of demand for school places based on demographic exercises carried out by the department. 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.
These arrangements also give an opportunity to patrons to apply for the patronage of new schools. The criteria used in deciding on the patronage of new schools place a particular emphasis on parental patronage and language preferences and an analysis of existing provision in the areas where the schools are being established. This approach is underpinned by a 2011 government decision.
The pace of delivery of additional residential development in the Cherrywood SDZ area, along with updated enrolment data and demographic data will be kept under review and this will inform the timing of school requirements in the area.
Schools Building Projects
Ceisteanna (118)
Cormac Devlin
Ceist:118. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45521/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The school to which the Deputy refers was approved to enter the departments pipeline of school building projects under the Department’s Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme for reconfiguration works to existing accommodation to provide SEN accommodation and 2 SET rooms.
The project was devolved for delivery to the school authority.
I can confirm that in Q3 2024 my Department approved this project to construction and officials in my Department have since been informed by the school authority that a contractor has been appointed to carry out these works.
It is now within the remit of the school authority to progress this project accordingly.
Schools Building Projects
Ceisteanna (119)
Cormac Devlin
Ceist:119. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45522/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Major Building Project for the school referred to by the Deputy is currently completing Stage 2(b) - Detailed Design, which includes securing all statutory approvals and the preparation of tender documents for the first phase of this project for new educational spaces, with Stage 2(b) for the refurbishment works to existing buildings to follow.
All Statutory Approvals have been secured, and the Stage 2(b) Submission was received in my Department in late Q4 2023, for review. Following that review, my Department issued comments from the Professional and Technical Team to the Design Team for their consideration. The Design Team will need to make any necessary adjustments to the tender documents, and confirm to my Department that they are satisfied that all documents comply with Building Regulations, Department Technical Guidance and OGP Procurement regulations.
The prequalification of contractors process will be carried out in parallel with the Design Team addressing the Departments comments.
An enabling works contract to provide the decant accommodation that will be required during the construction phases of the major project is currently underway, and is anticipated to be available to the school in Q1 2025.
Upon completion of prequalification and subject to no issues arising , the project will then be considered to progress to Stage 3, Tender Award.
Department officials will keep the school authorities updated on progress and next steps.
School Funding
Ceisteanna (120)
Gino Kenny
Ceist:120. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Education the long-term funding plans for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45526/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department along with the Government is committed to supporting the provision of appropriate education to children with disabilities. Budget 2025 provides for a record level of investment in special education with €2.9 billion of my Department’s overall budget allocated for special education. This represents 6% or a €159 million increase on the 2024 provision.
School funding is provided by way of capitation which is intended to contribute to the day-to-day running costs of schools and is used to meet the cost of items such as heating, lighting, cleaning, insurance and general upkeep in schools. The current standard rate of capitation grant is €200 per pupil in primary schools. However, enhanced capitation rates are payable in respect of pupils attending special schools and special classes attached to mainstream schools. These enhanced rates are to assist with the extra costs associated with running classrooms with a small number of pupils receiving specialist provision. Enhanced rates of capitation for special educational needs are inclusive of the mainstream rate of €200, are based on the pupil’s additional needs, and vary from €512 to €986 per pupil. Scoil Mochua received a total of €67,519 in capitation funding for the 2023/2024 school year. A mainstream school with similar enrolments would receive €13,773.
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. Special rates for electricity and heating have been negotiated for schools. There is support available in relation to accessing a group insurance scheme for special schools by liaising with the relevant management body, the National Association of Boards of Management in Special Education.
As part of the capitation package in Budget 2025 over €30 million was secured 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 approximately 12% on current standard rates and enhanced rates. This increase is on top of the approximately 9.2% increase from last year’s budget.
School staff such as teachers and special needs assistants are paid directly by the Department of Education, and ancillary staff are paid either directly by the Department or through a specific grant paid to school. The Department funds 11 teaching posts and 36.5 SNA posts in the school. For this school year 2024/2025 the school was allocated a new Administrative Deputy Principal and an additional 9 post-primary teaching hours per week. The school also have an additional 15 part-time specialist teaching hours.
The Assistive Technology Scheme is provided by the department to supplement the overall approach to providing funding to schools for digital technology and equipment to support children with more complex learning needs who, in order to access the school curriculum, require essential specialist equipment. In total €41,150 has been provided to the school for assistive technology over the previous three-year period.
A school can also apply for specialised furniture or equipment for pupils with special educational needs who are enrolled in the school. This includes furniture for a particular child's postural and toileting needs which assists the students in managing their day to day needs and facilitates their access to the curriculum.
A major building project that will provide a new school building for Scoil Mochua is currently being advanced. The project has been devolved for delivery to the Central Remedial Clinic. The project is currently at detailed design stage, of the architectural planning design process.
Scoil Mochua will continue to receive enhanced levels of support from the Department in line with other special schools providing for the equivalent level of special educational needs.
The Department remains available to work with the school and school patron on any issues they have in relation to funding needs .
Special Educational Needs
Ceisteanna (121)
Joe O'Brien
Ceist:121. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Education under whose remit the power to direct schools to make additional special education provision available and ensure sufficient places are provided under section 37a of the Education Act 1998 lies. [45534/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Government introduced the Education (Provision in Respect of Children with Special Educational Needs Act) 2022 to support the provision of adequate special class and special school places for children with complex needs.
The legislation takes a child-centred approach to ensuring that appropriate provision is made for children with special education needs. It provides for a truncated and more streamlined Section 37A process where the Minister can direct a school to make additional provision for children with special educational needs. The Minister can consider issuing a direction under Section 37A on foot of receiving a detailed report from the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) who have the statutory responsibility for planning for special education provision.
While the Minister is open to using Section 37A if required, the preference for both the Department and the NCSE is to continue to work collaboratively with schools. This approach is working with almost 1700 new special classes and 11 new special schools provided over the last 5 years.
The 2022 legislation also amended Section 67 of the Education Act 1998 which provides for the NCSE to direct a school to enrol a child with special education needs.
The NCSE have used the revised section 67 power on a small number of occasions this summer to direct schools to enrol individual children with special education needs.
School Transport
Ceisteanna (122)
James O'Connor
Ceist:122. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the provision of substitute bus escorts for special needs students on school transport when their escort is not available (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45539/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
There is a facility within the Special Educational Needs Transport Scheme for the appointment of a School Transport Escort where a child’s care and safety needs while on school transport are such as to require the support of a School Transport Escort.
The Department of Education provides grant funding for the employment of the School Transport Escort and sets the rate of pay. The Board of Management/ETB are responsible for the employment of the School Transport Escort.
It is recognised that School Transport Escorts play a vital role in supporting children with Special Educational Needs in their journey to and from school.
As the Board of Management/ETB is the employer of the School Transport Escort, it is the responsibility of the employer to keep up to date and comply with legislation relating to leave entitlements, terms and conditions of employment, etc. This includes ensuring the employee is issued an employment contract which generally includes for matters related to leave, e.g., annual leave, maternity Leave, and other leave entitlements. My Department can, where appropriate, issue additional grant funding for the employment of a substitute escort while an escort is on leave.
My Department recently issued a document - “Information Note – School Transport Escorts” to all schools, which provides information on employment related matters for bus escorts. This document will be reviewed and updated regularly.
Special Educational Needs
Ceisteanna (123)
Joe O'Brien
Ceist:123. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Education the timeframe for when a decision will be made regarding provision for a school (details supplied) in light of section 37a of the Education Act 1998. [45540/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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).
The vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs require additional supports, special classes and special school places are provided.
My department's Planning and Building Unit are engaging directly with the school patron regarding the short and long-term accommodation needs of the school referred to. My department is working to ensure that special classes can be accommodated at the school as a priority. The NCSE has advised my department that the local special educational needs organiser (SENO) has been in contact with a number of parents in the Skerries area and its surrounds and remains available to assist and provide advice to both the school and parents as required.
Almost 1,700 classes have been sanctioned by the NCSE in recent years, 11 new special schools have also been established and many more expanded. For this school year alone over 400 new special classes have been sanctioned bringing the total number of special classes nationwide to 3,337.
603 of these classes are in County Dublin, 70 are new for the 2024/25 school year, 48 at primary level and 22 at post-primary level. The vast majority of these are autism classes and have a teacher/student ratio of 1:6.
Budget 2025 provides funding for another 400 special classes and 300 special school places nationwide and it is estimated that a similar level of provision will be needed each year for the next 3 years.
The NCSE has recruited additional SENOs, advisors and team managers. SENOs play an important role in ensuring there is adequate special educational provision within local areas. The total number of SENOs has increased to 120 nationwide. There are now 28 SENOs operating in County Dublin. These SENOs are currently visiting schools to conduct planning meetings. These visits will be key in terms of forward planning for the 2025/26 school year.
Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact the NCSE locally for planning purposes. Local 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.
Schools Building Projects
Ceisteanna (124)
Colm Burke
Ceist:124. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education the current status of a school’s (details supplied) application for reconfiguration works to existing school accommodation for SEN purposes under the ASA scheme; if an official from her Department will visit the school to see the necessity of such works; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45541/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of an application for additional school accommodation (ASA) from the school authority in question.
The purpose of the ASA scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom and Special Education Needs (SEN) accommodation 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 a new SEN class has been sanctioned by the NCSE, and all available alternative accommodation within the school is already being used for classroom purposes.
The NCSE has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs nationwide. Over the last two years, the department and the NCSE have worked closely on a more streamlined and joined up planning process which has ensured a targeted approach to meet demand for special education placements ahead of each new school year. The Department continues to work with the NCSE in relation to the short-term requirements for special class and special school places and also the more strategic and longer-term requirements.
It is my department’s priority to ensure that all children have an appropriate school placement and that the necessary supports are provided to our schools to cater for the needs of children with special educational needs.
In 2024, the department will spend over €2.7 billion on special education and further progress will be made in 2025 as an additional €159 million has been dedicated to providing supports for children with special educational needs. Over a quarter of the entire education budget has been dedicated to special education in recent years. The main supports this funding provides for are special classes, SNAs and special education teachers.
The NCSE has advised that there are 3,337 special classes in operation nationwide for this school year. These classes can provide for over 21,000 students. 409 of these are new for the current school year – 289 at primary and 120 at post-primary level.
Over the last number of years, the department and the NCSE have introduced a number of strategic initiatives to plan for and provide sufficient mainstream, special class and special school places.
These initiatives are bearing fruit with almost 1,700 new special classes sanctioned and eleven new special schools established over the last number of years. The department engages intensely with the NCSE in relation to the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places to ensure every child has a place in an educational setting best fitting their educational need. This forward planning work is well underway ahead of the 2025/26 school year. This work involves a detailed review of statistical data in relation to forecasting demand for special class places, an analysis of available school accommodation, consideration of improved data sharing arrangements and a particular focus on the provision of special classes at post-primary.
I wish to advise the Deputy that the school's application has been assessed however further clarification is required on foot of review of the application. An official from my department has been in contact with the school recently with a view to progressing the school's application.
I want to assure you that the 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 appropriate to their needs.
Schools Building Projects
Ceisteanna (125)
Réada Cronin
Ceist:125. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education the status of a new building for a school (details supplied); the recent developments in this regard; her plans to bring this project to fruition; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45585/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy will be delivered under my Department's ADAPT Programme.
The ADAPT Programme uses a professional external Project Manager to co-ordinate and drive the Design Team to achieve the best possible timeframe for the project through the stages of Architectural Planning to Tender and Construction.
The brief for this project is to provide a new permanent school for the Curragh Community College, and this project is designed to be delivered in 2 phases; Phase 1 will deliver accommodation for 425 students and Phase 2 will deliver the remaining accommodation to provide for a Long Term Projected Enrolment of 1000 students, at the former Magee Barracks site in Kildare town.
The project is currently at Stage 2(b) of Architectural Planning – Detailed Design, where all statutory approvals are secured, and the suite of tender documents are prepared.
The Design Team lodged their application for planning permission in October 2023. The Design Team received a substantial Request for Further Information (RFI) from the Local Authority in respect of the planning application. Following the Design Teams RFI response in respect of the planning permission application, the Design Team received the Local Authority’s initial decision to grant planning permission, with conditions, on 09 October 2024.
The initial grant of planning decision has been appealed to An Bord Pleanala. A decision is awaited.
Until all statutory applications have been secured, it will not be possible to provide an estimated on site date.
School Funding
Ceisteanna (126)
Richard Bruton
Ceist:126. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a school (details supplied) with financial assistance to cover costs for essential upgrades, including electrical system, fire alarm, plumbing, and groundworks, necessary for Tusla compliance under the emergency works scheme; if there are other financial aid programs available to assist with these costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45604/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The purpose of the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) is to provide funding specifically for unforeseen emergencies, or to provide funding to facilitate inclusion and access for pupils with special needs. It does so by ensuring the availability of funding for urgent works to those schools that are in need of resources as a result of an emergency situation.
An emergency is deemed to be a situation which poses an immediate risk to health, life, property or the environment, which is sudden, unforeseen and requires immediate action, and in the case of a school, if not corrected would prevent the school or part thereof from opening.
The EWS operates on the basis of a minimal scope works to address the emergency situation. The EWS is intended to remedy an emergency situation and provides only an interim measure until a permanent solution can be delivered under the Summer Works Scheme (SWS) which deals with upgrade works to the school.
The option is open to the school to make an application under the EWS for any works that the school deems might fall under the remit of an emergency.
In respect of the upgrade works referenced by the Deputy, it should be noted that the purpose of the Summer Works Scheme (SWS) is to devolve funding to individual school authorities to undertake small-scale building works which, ideally, can be carried out during the summer months or at other times that avoid disrupting the operation of the school.
The Summer Works Scheme plays an important role in the maintenance and upgrade of the condition of our schools. It provides important opportunities for enhancing the facilities in a school such as upgrade works to roofs, windows, Life Safety Systems, Electrical systems, heating systems and External works etc. The SWS was last open for applications in 2019.
As part of it’s planning, Department officials are considering and planning for the next phases of the summer works programme and the opportunities this may create to support the sustainability agenda. In this regard, it is envisaged at this stage that, a multi-annual SWS with a focus on climate action and energy conservation will be the focus for the next summer works scheme to be opened for applications. The arrangements and timing of that SWS is still under consideration and schools will be updated in due course.
School Accommodation
Ceisteanna (127)
Richard Bruton
Ceist:127. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education if she will provide additional modular classroom accommodation with toilets for a school (details supplied) which, due to increased enrolment and inadequate facilities, is facing severe space constraints despite the appointment of an additional teacher; if she agrees that immediate support is needed to ensure a conducive to learning; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45605/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can confirm to the Deputy, that to date the school in question has not submitted an application for capital funding, under my Department's Additional School Accommodation Scheme.
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.
Since 2020, my 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 this 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 schools 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.
It is open to the school in question to submit an application for the ASA scheme, details are available on my Department's website www.gov.ie . Any application submitted will be assessed by my officials and a decision will issue to the school authorities directly.
Island Communities
Ceisteanna (128)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:128. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education if it is intended to increase the remote area boarding grant for students from off-shore islands that have to travel to the mainland for their secondary schooling due to the fact there is no post-primary school on their islands, given the grant is totally inadequate at present; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45623/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The purpose of the Remote Area Boarding Grant scheme is to give students who are disadvantaged because of their remoteness from schools an opportunity to attend school on the same basis as students not so disadvantaged.
The terms of this scheme are set out in Circular 16/2016 which is published on the Department’s website at - www.gov.ie/en/circular/14bf3da700a54567a821513272945bd1/ .
Under the terms of the scheme, a second-level school is a school which is recognised by the Department for the purpose of providing the prescribed certificate courses, which enters its students for the State examinations and is subject to inspection by the Department.
As per the circular above, the pupil “must be resident 4.8 km or more from a second-level school where suitable free second-level education is available and more than 3.2 km from a pick-up point on a transport service to such a school; and must be unable to obtain a place in a suitable second-level school within 25 km of his/her normal place of residence & should provide written confirmation of same”.
Pupils resident on off shore islands that do not have a school providing suitable free second level education may also qualify for assistance under the scheme.
For pupils requiring an Irish medium education the outlined criteria will be applied to the nearest second level school providing instruction through Irish.
The curriculum choices provided by a school (including the provision or otherwise of transition year) within 25 km of the applicant’s normal place of residence will not be a factor in the determination of eligibility for the award of a grant.
The maximum grant payable under the scheme may not exceed €4,947 per pupil per annum. The grant is payable after each school term to the school or parent/guardian, whichever is appropriate, subject to verification by the school that the pupil has been in full-time attendance for the period concerned and a statement of the annual maintenance charge for the boarding or lodging fees, whichever is applicable, is provided.
EU Funding
Ceisteanna (129)
Sorca Clarke
Ceist:129. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education if her Department received EU funding for current or capital works projects in 2023 and to date in 2024; and if so, the projects that were funded and by how much, in tabular form. [45640/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has received direct EU funding for the following current and capital works projects in 2023 and to date in 2024:
|
Project Description |
Project Type |
2023 |
2024 to-date |
|
EU contribution to The Centre for European Schooling |
Current Project |
€317,883 |
€0 |
|
EU Grant Funding for Ireland’s participation in the Eurydice Network |
Current Project |
€136,000 |
€0 |
|
REPowerEU Expanded School Sector Pathfinder Decarbonisation and Retrofit Programme and Energy Profile Inventory of Schools |
Current Project |
€0 |
€7,000,000 |
|
React EU Allocation refund on Covid payments to Schools for the reopening during the pandemic. |
Capital works Project |
€0 |
€70,994,621 (but was processed by the ESF in DFHERIS) |
Departmental Programmes
Ceisteanna (130)
Sorca Clarke
Ceist:130. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the number of staff members employed to support the school completion programme in Wexford in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [45641/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The School Completion Programme (SCP) is funded by my Department via Tulsa Education Support Service (TESS) and is a central element of the DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) programme, a key policy initiative of my Department to address educational disadvantage at school level.
TESS have operational responsibility for the SCP, with Local Projects operating under the management and direction of a Local Management Committee (LMC). The LMC is responsible for the oversight of the project delivery at local level, including the use of project resources and accountability for public funds.
Tess have advised that the total number of SCP Workers across SCP projects in Wexford from 2021 to 2024 are as set out below. These figures include SCP coordinators, SCP project workers, and sessional staff employed to support the SCP.
|
Year |
2021/2022 |
2022/2023 |
2023/2024 |
|
Total number of staff |
37 |
25 |
32 |
Since I took over responsibility for the SCP in January 2021, an additional allocation of €2.3 million was provided for the programme as part of Budget 2021 measures, increasing the SCP full year budget to €27 million from 2022. This increase allowed for the extension of SCP to an additional 28 schools and incorporated a 5 % increase in budget to current SCP funding overall.
From September 2022, an additional €4 million (€5.9 million full year) was provided to allow access to SCP to new DEIS urban primary and post-primary schools under the recent DEIS expansion. Under Budget 2023, a further increase of 5 % for SCP was negotiated and the total allocation of SCP funding for 2023 was €34 million.
The total allocation for the SCP for 2024 is over €35 million, which includes additional provision towards pay costs.
My department now spends over €180 million annually, providing additional supports to just under 1,200 schools in the DEIS programme which is aimed at improving outcomes for children and young people that attend schools in the programme.
School Funding
Ceisteanna (131)
Sorca Clarke
Ceist:131. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the amount of capital funding her Department provided to a school (details supplied) in 2023 and to date in 2024 in tabular form. [45642/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Since 2020, my 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 this 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 schools 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.
During 2023, the school referred to by the Deputy, received over €19,000 in capital funding for Minor Works and Furniture & Equipment. In 2024 to date over €33,000 in capital funding has issued to the school comprising of Emergency Works funding and Minor Works funding.
Special Educational Needs
Ceisteanna (132)
Sorca Clarke
Ceist:132. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the additional capacity that will be provided to a school (details supplied) in order to increase the number of children to be able to attend this special school for the 2025-2026 school term. [45643/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is not in receipt of a current application for the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme, from the school in question.
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 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 NCSE has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs nationwide. Over the last two years, the department and the NCSE have worked closely on a more streamlined and joined up planning process which has ensured a targeted approach to meet demand for special education placements ahead of each new school year. The Department continues to work with the NCSE in relation to the short-term requirements for special class and special school places and also the more strategic and longer-term requirements.
It is my department’s priority to ensure that all children have an appropriate school placement and that the necessary supports are provided to our schools to cater for the needs of children with special educational needs.
In 2024, the department will spend over €2.7 billion on special education and further progress will be made in 2025 as an additional €159 million has been dedicated to providing supports for children with special educational needs. Over a quarter of the entire education budget has been dedicated to special education in recent years. The main supports this funding provides for are special classes, SNAs and special education teachers.
The NCSE has advised that there are 3,337 special classes in operation nationwide for this school year. These classes can provide for over 21,000 students. 409 of these are new for the current school year – 289 at primary and 120 at post-primary level.
Over the last number of years, the department and the NCSE have introduced a number of strategic initiatives to plan for and provide sufficient mainstream, special class and special school places.
These initiatives are bearing fruit with almost 1,700 new special classes sanctioned and eleven new special schools established over the last number of years. The department engages intensely with the NCSE in relation to the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places to ensure every child has a place in an educational setting best fitting their educational need. This forward planning work is well underway ahead of the 2025/26 school year. This work involves a detailed review of statistical data in relation to forecasting demand for special class places, an analysis of available school accommodation, consideration of improved data sharing arrangements and a particular focus on the provision of special classes at post-primary.
I want to assure you that the 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 appropriate to their needs.
Schools Refurbishment
Ceisteanna (133)
Sorca Clarke
Ceist:133. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education when refurbishment works at a school (details supplied) will be completed; and the estimated cost of these works. [45644/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department does not currently have refurbishment works in progress at the school referred to by the Deputy.
The major building project for the school will deliver a new 1,000 pupil post-primary school and accommodation, including two classrooms, for children with special educational needs. The project is being delivered under my Department's Design and Build programme in two phases.
The school commenced operation in the completed Phase 1 of the new school building in September 2022, which delivered accommodation for some 500 pupils. The project for Phase 2 of the new school is currently on site and will deliver the remainder of the school's accommodation.
My Department will continue to keep the school and its patron body updated as the phase 2 permanent project progresses.
School Funding
Ceisteanna (134)
Sorca Clarke
Ceist:134. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the amount of funding that has been provided to schools in Limerick under the emergency works scheme for the period of 1 January 2023 to 1 October 2024, in tabular form. [45645/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The purpose of the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) is to provide funding specifically for unforeseen emergencies, or to provide funding to facilitate inclusion and access for pupils with special needs. It does so by ensuring the availability of funding for urgent works to those schools that are in need of resources as a result of an emergency situation.
An emergency is deemed to be a situation which poses an immediate risk to health, life, property or the environment, which is sudden, unforeseen and requires immediate action, and in the case of a school, if not corrected would prevent the school or part thereof from opening.
The EWS operates on the basis of a minimal scope works to address the emergency situation. The EWS in intended to remedy an emergency situation and usually provides only an interim measure until a permanent solution can be delivered.
The Department of Education, under the Emergency Works Scheme, have provided the following to schools in Limerick:
|
2023 |
€ 3,024,761.19 |
|
2024 to date |
€ 3,806,537.78 |
Departmental Programmes
Ceisteanna (135)
Sorca Clarke
Ceist:135. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the number of staff members employed to support the school completion programme in Clare in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [45646/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The School Completion Programme (SCP) is funded by my Department via Tulsa Education Support Service (TESS) and is a central element of the DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) programme, a key policy initiative of my Department to address educational disadvantage at school level.
TESS have operational responsibility for the SCP, with Local Projects operating under the management and direction of a Local Management Committee (LMC). The LMC is responsible for the oversight of the project delivery at local level, including the use of project resources and accountability for public funds.
Tess have advised that the total number of SCP Workers across SCP projects in Clare from 2021 to 2024 are as set out below. These figures include SCP coordinators, SCP project workers, and sessional staff employed to support the SCP.
|
Year |
2021/2022 |
2022/2023 |
2023/2024 |
|
Total number of staff |
13 |
13 |
13 |
Since I took over responsibility for the SCP in January 2021, an additional allocation of €2.3 million was provided for the programme as part of Budget 2021 measures, increasing the SCP full year budget to €27 million from 2022. This increase allowed for the extension of SCP to an additional 28 schools and incorporated a 5 % increase in budget to current SCP funding overall.
From September 2022, an additional €4 million (€5.9 million full year) was provided to allow access to SCP to new DEIS urban primary and post-primary schools under the recent DEIS expansion. Under Budget 2023, a further increase of 5 % for SCP was negotiated and the total allocation of SCP funding for 2023 was €34 million.
The total allocation for the SCP for 2024 is now over €35 million, which includes additional provision towards pay costs.
My department now spends over €180 million annually providing additional supports to just under 1,200 schools in the DEIS programme which is aimed at improving outcomes for children and young people that attend schools in the programme.
State Examinations
Ceisteanna (136)
Jim O'Callaghan
Ceist:136. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education the outcome of the Stakeholder consultation on the review of the Leaving Certificate curriculum carried out by the National Council for Curriculum Assessment; when the findings of the consultation will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45662/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I understand the Deputy is referring to the public consultation on the draft revised specifications for three science subjects at Senior Cycle - Biology, Chemistry and Physics - which took place from December 8th, 2023, to February 23rd, 2024.
The aim of this consultation, led by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA), was to seek views of the public in relation to the curriculum and assessment arrangements in the new draft specifications, as part of Senior Cycle Redevelopment, and to gain insights into participants’ overall impressions of the specifications.
The consultation took place using online surveys, online and written submissions, a range of school-based focus groups and a consultation event.
The consultation report, as well as the feedback gathered through the mediums outlined above, are all published on the NCCA's website: Report on the consultation on the draft senior cycle.
The feedback from the consultation process informed the finalisation of the specifications, which I approved in early September, and can be found on curriculumonline.ie Senior Cycle Subjects | Curriculum Online Students starting fifth year from 2025 will follow these revised specifications.