Pa Daly
Ceist:157. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Education the number of primary school teachers employed in Kerry in each of the years 2019 to date, in tabular form. [45829/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool Staff
Ceisteanna (157)
Freagraí scríofa
The information for the years requested by the Deputy, from 2019 to 2023, is available on my Department's website at the link below.
www.gov.ie/en/publication/c97fbd-teacher-statistics/#number-of-teachers-by-gender-appointed-to-teaching-posts
Statistical data on the breakdown of the number of teachers employed within each particular County, is not collated and published annually, and is therefore not readily available.
School Enrolments
Ceisteanna (158)
Pa Daly
Ceist:158. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Education the number of primary school students enrolled in Kerry schools in each of the years 2019 to date, in tabular form [45830/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Please find attached requested data for years 2019 to 2023, 2023 being the latest year we for which we have final enrolment data.
Please note enrolment data is taken from the Primary Online Database. All enrolments are as per the census date, the 30th of September, in each academic year.
|
Academic Year (Enrolment) |
County Description |
Enrolment per Return |
|
2019 |
Kerry |
15,990 |
|
2020 |
Kerry |
15,662 |
|
2021 |
Kerry |
15,450 |
|
2022 |
Kerry |
15,947 |
|
2023 |
Kerry |
16,101 |
School Staff
Ceisteanna (159)
Pa Daly
Ceist:159. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Education the number of secondary school teachers employed in Kerry in each of the years 2019 to date, in tabular form. [45831/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The information for the years requested by the Deputy, from 2019 to 2023, is available on my Department's website at the link below.
www.gov.ie/en/publication/c97fbd-teacher-statistics/#number-of-teachers-by-gender-appointed-to-teaching-posts
Statistical data on the breakdown of the number of teachers employed within each particular County, is not collated and published annually, and is therefore not readily available.
School Staff
Ceisteanna (160)
Pa Daly
Ceist:160. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Education the number of secondary school students enrolled in Kerry schools in each of the years 2019 to date, in tabular form. [45832/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The information requested by the Deputy is available in the attached table. Enrolment details for the 2024/25 school year are in the process of being collated and are not yet available.
Pupils enrolled in Post Primary Schools in Kerry 2019 - 2023
|
Kerry |
Kerry |
Kerry |
Kerry |
||
|
Community |
Comprehensive |
Secondary |
ETB |
||
|
Academic Year |
Count Unique Enrolments - <=30th Sept |
Count Unique Enrolments - <=30th Sept |
Count Unique Enrolments - <=30th Sept |
Count Unique Enrolments - <=30th Sept |
Total |
|
2019 |
1,275 |
503 |
6,543 |
2,574 |
10,895 |
|
2020 |
1,257 |
518 |
6,690 |
2,678 |
11,143 |
|
2021 |
1,305 |
527 |
6,885 |
2,799 |
11,516 |
|
2022 |
1,369 |
500 |
7,149 |
3,002 |
12,020 |
|
2023 |
1,473 |
529 |
7,350 |
3,135 |
12,487 |
School Funding
Ceisteanna (161)
Pa Daly
Ceist:161. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Education the funding provided through the ICT grant to Kerry schools in each of the years 2019 to date, in tabular form. [45833/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Digital Strategy for Schools 2027, which builds on the progress made under the previous Digital Strategy (2015-2020), is underpinned by an investment of some €200m included in the National Development Plan 2021-2030 providing continuity of funding following the €210m that issued to schools to support the previous strategy. To date, €100m of that funding has issued to supports schools to implement the Digital Strategy. Overall from 2019 inclusive, schools in Kerry have received over €7,970,509m in ICT Grant funding.
This funding issues directly to schools as schools are best placed to identify the requirements of their own student cohort and to meet those requirements in the most appropriate way. This can include the purchase of ICT devices such as tablets, hybrid devices, or laptops.
In addition, the Department as part of Ireland’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) under Next Generation EU funding facility, issued a once-off grant of €50 million in December 2021 to recognised primary and post-primary schools in the free education scheme in order to support those learners at risk of educational disadvantage through the digital divide.
This funding issued directly to schools as they were best placed to determine the needs of their own students and have autonomy to do so, within the criteria applying to this funding. This can include establishing schemes to loan devices to students, and this also applies to Digital Strategy Grant funding.
The specific timing for issue of the ICT grant is subject to the availability of Exchequer funding and the wider capital needs of the Department including the building programme to ensure the supply of school accommodation.
As part of the forthcoming Review of the National Development Plan, my Department’s aim is to provide better clarity and certainty for schools on the timelines for payment of minor works and ICT grant funding.
The information sought by the Deputy in relation to the breakdown of ICT grant funding to schools in County Kerry from 2019 to current, is as follows:-
|
Year |
Number of Schools |
Total amount of Grant (€) |
|
2019/2020 |
162 |
1,637,276 |
|
2020/2021 |
162 |
1,625,811 |
|
2021/2022 |
162 |
1,546,481 |
|
2021/2022 NRRP |
162 |
1,593,612 |
|
2023/2024 |
161 |
1,567,329 |
Schools Building Projects
Ceisteanna (162)
Pa Daly
Ceist:162. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Education the number of applications received from schools in Kerry under the major capital works scheme; and the number granted to date in 2024, in tabular form. [45834/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As requested by the Deputy, please see attached table showing projects for schools in Kerry which were received by my Department and received initial approval in 2024.
Please note that there are other school building projects in Co Kerry at various stages of progress. The Department's website provides a list, by county, of all projects being progressed under the large scale and additional accommodation scheme. This is available here: gov - Building works for the construction, extension and refurbishment of schools (www.gov.ie). gov.ie - Building works for the construction, extension and refurbishment of schools
School Funding
Ceisteanna (163)
Colm Brophy
Ceist:163. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Education the rate of capitation at primary and post-primary school from 2011 to 2024 inclusive; the amount to be provided in 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45870/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department is committed to providing funding to recognised primary and post-primary schools in the free education scheme by way of per capita grants. The two main grants are the Capitation grant to cater for day-to-day running costs such as heating, lighting, cleaning, insurance and general up-keep, and the Ancillary grant to cater for the cost of employing ancillary services staff. Schools have the flexibility to use capitation funding provided for general running costs and ancillary funding provided for caretaking and secretarial services as a common grant from which the Board of Management can allocate according to its own priorities, except for cases where a secretary is now paid from my Department’s payroll as per Circular 0036/2022.
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 Capitation rates as requested by the Deputy are as follows:
|
Primary |
Post Primary |
||
|
Year |
Standard Capitation Rate per mainstream pupil |
Year |
Standard Capitation Rate per mainstream student |
|
2011 |
€190.00 |
2011 |
€328.00 |
|
2012 |
€178.00 |
2012 |
€317.00 |
|
2013 |
€176.00 |
2013 |
€306.00 |
|
2014 |
€173.00 |
2014 |
€301.00 |
|
2015 |
€170.00 |
2015 |
€296.00 |
|
2016 |
€170.00 |
2016 |
€296.00 |
|
2017 |
€170.00 |
2017 |
€296.00 |
|
2018 |
€170.00 |
2018 |
€296.00 |
|
2019 |
€179.00 |
2019 |
€309.00 |
|
2020 |
€183.00 |
2020 |
€316.00 |
|
2021 |
€183.00 |
2021 |
€316.00 |
|
2022 |
€183.00 |
2022 |
€316.00 |
|
2023 |
€183.00 |
2023 |
€316.00 |
|
2024 |
€200.00 |
2024 |
€345.00 |
|
2025 |
€224.00 |
2025 |
€386.00 |
School Funding
Ceisteanna (164)
Colm Brophy
Ceist:164. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Education the annual capitation grants allocated from 2011 to 2024 inclusive; the amount to be provided in 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45871/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department is committed to providing funding to recognised primary and post-primary schools in the free education scheme by way of per capita grants. The two main grants are the Capitation grant to cater for day-to-day running costs such as heating, lighting, cleaning, insurance and general up-keep, and the Ancillary grant to cater for the cost of employing ancillary services staff. Schools have the flexibility to use capitation funding provided for general running costs and ancillary funding provided for caretaking and secretarial services as a common grant from which the Board of Management can allocate according to its own priorities, except for cases where a secretary is now paid from my Department’s payroll as per Circular 0036/2022.
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 information requested by the Deputy in respect of the annual Capitation expenditure from 2011 to 2016 is not readily available at this time.
The annual Capitation expenditure from 2017 to 2023 are included in the table below. It should be noted that the 2024 Capitation expenditure is not readily available as expenditure in respect of 2024 has not been finalised to date. Also, the 2025 Capitation allocation is not readily available at present.
|
Primary Expenditure |
Post Primary Expenditure |
||
|
Year |
Annual Total for Capitation |
Year |
Annual Total for Capitation |
|
€ |
€ |
||
|
2017 |
107,104,411 |
2017 |
87,902,426 |
|
2018 |
108,503,765 |
2018 |
88,988,416 |
|
2019 |
111,511,104 |
2019 |
91,696,410 |
|
2020 |
116,645,545 |
2020 |
98,124,855 |
|
2021 |
118,105,614 |
2021 |
101,979,090 |
|
2022 |
118,165,827 |
2022 |
106,789,227 |
|
2023 |
119,737,353 |
2023 |
114,904,371 |
School Staff
Ceisteanna (165)
Colm Brophy
Ceist:165. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Education the total number of teachers at primary and post-primary school from 2011 to 2024; the number to be provided in 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45872/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department of Education publishes details of the total number of teachers appointed to primary schools, and to Voluntary Secondary and Community and Comprehensive post primary Schools each year, and this information is available at gov - Teacher Statistics (www.gov.ie).
Special Educational Needs
Ceisteanna (166)
Colm Brophy
Ceist:166. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Education the total number of SNAs at primary and post-primary school from 2011 to 2024; the number to be provided in 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45873/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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 education to enable them to achieve their best outcomes and reach their full potential.
The NCSE has the responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs including the allocation of SNAs. Allocations are provided to schools on the basis of the school's overall profile of need. As a result, the number of students supported by SNAs varies from school to school.
When the NCSE allocates a SNA post, the board of management as the employer, is responsible for filling the vacancy. The decision on whether to employ a full time SNA to fill a full-time post or to employ an equivalent number of part time SNAs rests with the employer. Therefore data on the number of SNAs employed is held at a local level.
The NCSE publish their allocation of SNA posts annually on their website. For ease of reference these allocations are broken down by county and school type. This data is available at the following link: SET Hours and SNA Allocations – National Council for Special Education – Working to deliver a better special education service.
We have been steadily building on the number of SNAs in our education system. At the end of the 2023 school year there was just over 21,000 SNAs in schools, double the number there were in 2011. Budget 2024 provided for 1,216 new SNA posts and Budget 2025 for a further 1,600.
This increase provided in budget 2025 represents an increase of approximately 128% in the number of SNAs provided since 2011 at which point 10,320 SNAs were available.
The NCSE have provided details of the number of SNAs posts allocated to primary, post primary and special schools since 2011 and these are set out in the table below.
|
Year |
Number of Special Needs Assistants at 31st December each year |
|
2024/25 |
21,900 estimated |
|
2023/24 |
20,363 |
|
2022/23 |
19,169 |
|
2021/22 |
18,004 |
|
2020/21 |
17,014 |
|
2019/20 |
15,948 |
|
2018/19 |
14,973 |
|
2017/18 |
13,990 |
|
2016/17 |
12,900 |
|
2015/16 |
11,924 |
|
2014/15 |
11,154 |
|
2013/14 |
10,656 |
|
2012/13 |
10,487 |
|
2011/12 |
10,320 |
School Accommodation
Ceisteanna (167, 168)
Colm Brophy
Ceist:167. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Education the number and location of primary schools from 2011 to 2024; the number proposed; the delivery date of each; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45874/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraColm Brophy
Ceist:168. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Education the number and location of post-primary schools from 2011 to 2024; the number proposed; the delivery date of each; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45875/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 167 and 168 together.
Please find attached requested data.
Data includes the number of primary and post-primary schools by County for the years 2011 to 2023. With 2023 being the last year we have final data for.
I have also included the number of new primary and post-primary schools opened due to demographic reasons as well as the number of new primary schools due to divesting of patronage.
In order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a geographical information system, using data from a range of sources, including CSO census data, child benefit and school enrolment data, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise and where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.
Major new residential developments have the potential to alter the demand for school places at a local level. In that regard, as part of the demographic demand analysis, my department monitors planning and construction activity in the residential sector. This involves the analysis of data sources from local authorities and the CSO along with the engagement with local authorities and the construction sector. In this way, up-to-date information on significant new residential developments is obtained and factored into the demographic analysis exercise. This is necessary to ensure that schools infrastructure planning is keeping pace with demographic changes, at a local level, where there is a constantly evolving picture with planned new residential development.
Further analysis has since been conducted on the necessity for the establishment of planned new schools taking into account a number of factors including the pace of delivery of the expected additional residential development in the school planning areas, associated enrolments and the capacity in existing schools in the areas.
My department is satisfied that the existing demand can be accommodated at present by the existing and growing schools in the school planning areas. As a result, the establishment of the planned new schools has been deferred.
The pace of delivery of additional residential development in the school planning areas, along with updated enrolment data and demographic data will be kept under review and this will inform the timing of school requirements. My department will continue to liaise with the Local Authorities in respect to the projected completion of planned residential developments.
Question No. 168 answered with Question No. 167.
Special Educational Needs
Ceisteanna (169)
Colm Brophy
Ceist:169. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Education the number and location of special classes from 2011 to 2024; the number proposed; the delivery date of each; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45876/24]
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.
The NCSE has the responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs. They have advised that in 2011 there were approximately 600 special classes nationwide. This figure has been substantially built on in recent years. There are now 3,337 special classes distributed in every county. Almost 1,700 of these new special classes have been sanctioned by the NCSE in the last 5 years. The attach document provides a breakdown of where these classes are located.
Over 400 of these classes have been sanctioned for this school year, 289 at primary level and 120 at post primary. Budget 2025 provides funding for another 400 special classes and 300 special school places next year. It is estimated that a similar level of provision will be needed each year for the next 3 years.
As demand for new special classes at post-primary level is expected to increase significantly over the next few years, due to increasing demographics and increasing prevalence rates, my department and the NCSE have engaged with post-primary stakeholders in relation to the provision of special classes.
In October 2022, my department wrote to all post-primary schools requesting that each school begin planning to provide for up to four special classes to meet the needs of children progressing from primary school. Just last month my department issued a circular to all schools setting out new measures to support the forward planning of special education provision. Included in this circular was a reminder of the need for post primary schools to continue planning for this level of provision.
The NCSE have recruited additional special education needs organisers (SENOs), advisors and team managers. A total of 120 SENOs now operate nationwide. 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.
Special Educational Needs
Ceisteanna (170)
Colm Brophy
Ceist:170. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Education the number and location of special schools from 2011 to 2024; the number proposed; the delivery date of each; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45877/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
There are currently 124 special schools supported by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) in operation throughout the country. The attached list provides the locations of these special schools. 113 of these were in operation prior to 2011.
The below table provides a list of the new special schools which have been established in recent years.
|
School |
County |
Year Established |
|
Danú Community Special School |
Dublin |
2019 |
|
Our Lady of Hope School |
Dublin |
2021 |
|
Carrigaline Community Special School |
Cork |
2021 |
|
Libermann Spiritan School |
Dublin |
2022 |
|
Rochestown Community Special School |
Cork |
2023 |
|
An Cósan Community Special School |
Dublin |
2023 |
|
East Cork Community Special School |
Cork |
2023 |
|
Craddockstown School |
Kildare |
2024 |
|
Limerick Community College |
Limerick |
2024 |
|
Gorey Hill School |
Wexford |
2024 |
|
Cara Community Special School |
Meath |
2024 |
As announced last month by myself and Minister Foley, there are five new special school planned for the 2025/26 school year. These schools will be located in counties Cork, Dublin (2), Monaghan and Tipperary. The exact location, size of the schools and other details are currently being worked through.
These schools will provide for children and young people with complex special education needs 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 announcement of these schools is a significant step forward. 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. In addition, information held on the department's Geographical Information System (GIS), particularly in relation to student demographics and other statistical data also forms part of the process. NCSE knowledge of the need for special school places at local level is a key element also.
The early announcement of the new schools is an important milestone because it allows more time for the planning of school admissions, recruitment of staff, staff training and completion of necessary building works.
It is envisaged that existing buildings will be repurposed to facilitate the opening of the new special schools for the 2025/26 school year. Further details such as the precise location of the new schools in each county will be confirmed in due course as part of the finalisation of arrangements for the opening of the new special schools.
Dedicated working groups will be established to support the establishment of each of the new special schools.
School Staff
Ceisteanna (171, 172)
Colm Brophy
Ceist:171. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Education the teacher to pupil ratios applied in 2011 to 2024; the number proposed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45878/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraColm Brophy
Ceist:172. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Education the total allocation to her Department for the years 2011 to 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45879/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 171 and 172 together.
Budget 2025 provides for an unprecedented €11.8 billion investment in education and schools, an increase of some 9 per cent on the same figure in Budget 2024.
Currently there are almost 88,000 teaching posts allocated across the primary and post-primary school system. This represents an increase of over 10,000 teachers when compared with the 2019/20 school year.
The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September.
Since I became Minister, I have prioritised reducing the pupil teacher ratios in primary schools. I reduced the allocation by one point in 2021, 2022 and 2023 and it now stands at an average of 1 classroom teacher for every 23 pupils, the lowest level ever seen at primary level. A three point reduction in the retention schedule, which I introduced in 2021, assists schools that would otherwise be at risk of losing teaching posts. I also improved teacher allocations for DEIS Urban Band 1 schools which now stand at an average of 17:1, 21:1 and 19:1 for junior, senior and vertical schools respectively.
The Statistics Section of my Department's website contains extensive data in relation to our schools. The latest statistics available are for the 2023/24 school year. The 2023/24 educational statistical report shows that the average pupil teacher ratio at primary level last year was 12.8:1, while the average class size was 22.5. These ratios, brought about by recent budget improvements, are the lowest averages across the last 20 years.
Question No. 172 answered with Question No. 171.
Schools Building Projects
Ceisteanna (173)
Sean Fleming
Ceist:173. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education for an update on a school extension (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46006/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The school referred to by the Deputy was approved to enter the departments pipeline of school buildings for a project to provide a 4 classroom SEN Base.
The project was devolved to the school for delivery.
I can confirm that this project received my departments approval to go to planning in July 2024, the department now awaits a post planning (developed design) report from the school for review.
My department will continue to engage with the school authority to provide practical advice and assistance on the project.
School Admissions
Ceisteanna (174)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:174. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education if progress has been made regarding the location of a school place for a child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46032/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Tusla Education Support Service (TESS) is the agency which can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. TESS can be contacted at 01-7718500 (tessinfo@tusla.ie) for assistance. More information is available on their website on the following link: www.tusla.ie/tess/tess-ews/.
The Department understands that the parent was contacted by TESS during the summer and offered advice on schools that could be considered for the student as the parent’s school of choice was oversubscribed. Where a school has no places available the Educational Welfare Service cannot compel a school to enrol a child. The parent should contact TESS if their child is without a school place via the contact details above.
Special Educational Needs
Ceisteanna (175)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:175. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education if and when a review of her circumstances might be undertaken to ensure all supports for a child with special needs can be granted (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46035/24]
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 me as Minister for Special Education and 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 NCSE has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs. As your query relates to a individual case I have asked the NCSE to respond to you directly.
Almost 1,700 new special classes have been established in recent years, eleven new special schools have been established and many more have been expanded. For this school year alone, over 400 new special classes have been sanctioned with classes provided in every county, and four new special schools have been established, one of which is in County Kildare.
There are now 3,337 special classes nationwide. 131 of these are in Kildare, 16 are new for the 2024/25 school year, 12 at primary level and 4 at post-primary level. The vast majority of these are autism classes and have a teacher/student ratio of 1:6.
The NCSE have recruited additional special education needs organisers (SENOs), advisors and team managers. A total of 120 SENOs now operate nationwide, six of these are operating solely in County Kildare. 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.
Sports Funding
Ceisteanna (176)
Réada Cronin
Ceist:176. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason Kildare County Council received just €3 million from an application for large-scale sport infrastructure fund moneys for Sallins park, a project which requires €17 to 19 million; her plans to address the shortfall; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45769/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
On Monday, 4 November, Minister Martin and I announced the second round of funding allocations under the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). This follows the first LSSIF round of allocations announced in January 2020. The total amount of grants awarded under this round is €173 million, benefiting 35 individual projects. With this announcement, the cumulative investment from the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund since 2020 now stands €297 million.
All applications submitted under the LSSIF Fund were required to have the prioritised endorsement of a National Governing Body for Sport (NGB) or of a local authority. This prioritisation was one of a number of factors taken into account in the assessment and ultimate ranking of projects. It was informed by factors such as the potential to enhance sports participation, sustainability, similar access for both men and women, and the ability to execute the project within a specified timeframe.
The allocation in respect of Sallins Park reflects the assessment of the application and in particular the eligibility of certain aspects of the application. Funding under LSSIF is specifically targeted at sports infrastructure elements of proposed projects.