Written Answers Nos. 153-172
153. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 383 of 21 February 2023 (details supplied), when a response will issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20352/23]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:
The NCSE have confirmed to my department that a direct reply issued to the Deputy on 26th April 2023.
154. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the number of new special schools expected to open serving the Dublin area for the September 2023/2024 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20363/23]
View answer155. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Education if any additional special school places in existing special schools are expected to come on stream for the September 2023/2024 school year in Dublin Fingal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20364/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 154 and 155 together.
I would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:
My department is 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. My department strives to ensure that every child has access to an educational experience that is appropriate to their needs and supports both their academic and personal development.
As part of Budget 2023, my department’s budget was substantially increased, by over 10%, meaning that for 2023 the department will spend over €2.6 billion on special education. This level of educational funding and support is unprecedented and represents in excess of 27% of the department’s total allocation for 2023. This includes additional teaching and care supports.
Additional funding is also being provided to allow the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) recruit additional staff, including Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs). These additional resources should ensure that the NCSE can better support parents and schools in relation to the provision of special education needs places.
Our policy, which is set out in the Education of Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act 2004 is that children with special educational needs should be educated in mainstream placements with additional supports provided as appropriate.
Where children require more specialised educational settings, such as special classes or special schools, the department and the NCSE ensures that the necessary resources and supports for such placements are provided in line with the needs of the child.
We have made a lot of progress over the last three years in terms of providing special classes and special school places with over 600 new special classes sanctioned at primary level, almost 300 new special classes sanctioned at post-primary level and five new special schools established over the last three years.
There are a total of 2,537 special classes opened nationwide. Of the 2,537 special classes, there are 1798 at primary level and 739 at post primary level. We want to continue this level of progress to ensure that there are sufficient places in special classes and special schools for children who need them.
Just recently on 12th April, Minister Foley and l announced the establishment of two new special schools as part of a comprehensive update on enhanced education provision for students with special educational needs. These two new special schools will be established in Carrigtwohill, east Cork and Dublin 7 for the 2023/24 school year. This will bring to 7, the number of new special schools established in the last 3 years, 4 of which are located in Dublin. Capacity is also being expanded in 11 other special schools.
Along with the two new special schools, I also confirmed that 218 new special classes have been sanctioned by the NCSE for opening in the coming school year 2023/2024, with more to be confirmed in the coming weeks – 126 at primary and 92 at post-primary level. Of these new classes, 29 are in Co. Dublin, with 15 at primary level and 14 at post-primary level. These new classes will bring the total number of special classes in Co. Dublin to 494, 376 at primary and 118 at post-primary. Additional special classes will be sanctioned in the coming weeks.
The NCSE has advised my department that it continues to work with schools to ensure all students identified as requiring places in the special class meet the Department of Education’s criteria for enrolment in a special class.
Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact the NCSE locally so that their needs can be taken into account for planning purposes. The local SENOs remain available to assist and advise parents of children with special educational needs. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available at: ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list
Information on the list of schools with special classes, the types and locations of these classes is published on the NCSE website and is available at: www.ncse.ie.
I want to reassure you also that my department will continue to support the NCSE and schools through the provision of the necessary funding and capital investment to ensure all children are successful in accessing an education.
156. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Education when reliable and consistent school transport will be supplied by her Department to a pupil (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20365/23]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year, over 147,900 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
In addition, school transport scheme services are being provided in the current school year for over 4,500 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
The purpose of the School Transport Scheme for children with Special Educational Needs is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children with special educational needs arising from a diagnosed disability.
The National Council for Special Education acts in an advisory role to the Department of Education on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs. Under the terms of the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, the Department will consider the report of the Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO). School transport is provided to children with special educational needs who are attending the nearest school to their place of residence that is or can be resourced to meet their educational needs, as identified by the SENO.
Bus Eireann has advised this pupils service resumed operating from 25/04/2023.
158. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education the steps she is taking to expand the provision of co-educational, non-denominational post-primary education in Westport, County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20369/23]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that 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, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise. With this information, my Department carries out nationwide demographic exercises to determine where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.
Major new residential developments in a school planning area have the potential to alter demand in that area. In that regard, as part of the demographic exercises, my Department engages with each of the local authorities to obtain the up-to-date information on significant new residential development in each area. This is necessary to ensure that schools infrastructure planning is keeping pace with demographic changes as there is a constantly evolving picture with planned new residential development.
The 2022 demographic exercise indicates that 85% of the 314 school planning areas at primary level show static or decreasing enrolments for the period to 2026 compared with 2021. At post-primary level some 74% of school planning areas are anticipated to have increased enrolments for the period to 2029, with most expected to reach a peak within the next two or three years.
Where data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may, depending on the circumstances, be provided through either one, or a combination of, the following:
• Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,
• Extending the capacity of a school or schools,
• Provision of a new school or schools.
There are two post primary schools serving the Westport school planning area, Rice College –Denominational Boys and Sacred Heart School – Denominational Girls. The most recent demographic enrolment projections indicate that enrolments should increase slightly until 2026 with a slight decline in enrolments thereafter.
A patronage process is run, only after it has been decided, based on demographic analysis, that a new school is required. This patronage process is open to all patron bodies and prospective patrons. The assessment process recognises the desirability of diversity as outlined in Section 10(2) (b) of the Education Act and incorporates analysis of the extent of diversity of existing provision (including Irish-medium) in the area.
The Online Patronage Process System (OPPS) has been developed by my Department to provide objective information to parents and guardians which will allow them to make an informed choice in expressing a preference for their preferred model of patronage for their child’s education.
Parental preferences for each patron, from parents of children who reside in the school planning areas concerned, together with the extent of diversity currently available in these areas, are key to decisions in relation to the outcome of this process. This is also fully consistent with my Department’s obligations under Section 6 (k) of the Act concerning the objective of promoting the language and cultural needs of students having regard to the choices of their parents.
159. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education the procedure for enrolment into a national State school where the consent of one parent is withheld or not available; if the school can deny enrolment, stating the school needs the consent of both parents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20377/23]
View answerIn relation to school admissions, it is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998 and the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018.
It is appreciated that practical difficulties can arise where family circumstances vary and differ, however, the Department's approach to the issue of the rights of separated parents to involvement in their children's education is that the rights of both parents should be respected. A qualification to that approach would arise where the best interest of the child required a different approach.
Schools must exercise their own judgment in implementing their enrolment policies and what is appropriate in each individual case, while respecting any order made by the Court in relation to the custody and welfare of the child which is known to or made known to the school.
160. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education the length of time of absence from primary school after which a child’s welfare must be referred to Tusla and other school authorities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20378/23]
View answerSince January 2021 Tusla Education Support Services (TESS) is under the remit of my Department.
TESS operates under the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000, a piece of legislation that emphasises the promotion of school attendance, participation and retention. TESS has three strands namely the Statutory Educational Welfare Service (EWS) and the two school support services the Home School Community Liaison Scheme (HSCL) and the School Completion Programme (SCP). The three TESS strands work together collaboratively with schools, families and other relevant services to achieve the best educational outcomes for children and young people. All three strands share the same national outcomes:
• Improved Attendance
• Improved Participation
• Improved Retention
The EWS deal with children and families who have difficulties in relation to school attendance, participation and retention. This is a statutory service and its primary role is to ensure that every child either attends school regularly or otherwise receives a certain minimum education, to ensure and secure every child’s entitlement to education.
Under the Education (Welfare) Act 2000, primary and post-primary schools are obliged by law to submit an Annual Attendance Report (AAR) to TESS on the levels of school attendance each year. This data is collated by TESS and analysed to provide information which can be used by TESS to monitor non-attendance, expulsion, and suspensions in all primary and post-primary schools at national level.
Student Absence Reports (SAR) are submitted to TESS by schools twice each year on those students with serious attendance issues that have been identified during the school year. Students that have been absent from school for a cumulative total of twenty days or more are reported. However, if a school principal has a specific concern in relation to a pupil’s non-school attendance, they can submit a referral to TESS at any time.
TESS publishes the analysis of school attendance data on its website at Research and StatisticsTusla - Child and Family Agency.
161. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education the action her Department is taking to increase teacher and SNA uptake of the Summer Education Programme for 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20388/23]
View answerMy Department announced the 2023 Summer Programme on the 9th February 2023. This follows the previous announcement on 17th October 2022 that additional funding was secured in Budget 2023 to run the programme to match the investment in 2021 and 2022, bringing the total funding available to €40m. This year's earlier announcements was to support schools and staff to plan for the summer programme much earlier in the school year.
The central theme for this year’s programme is, ‘Building Confidence and Connections’. The primary aim of this theme is to help our children and young people to realise their potential, to be resilient in dealing with the normal stresses of their lives, to take care of their physical wellbeing and to have a sense of purpose, connection and belonging to their school community.
The main priority in 2023 is that those children with the most complex special educational needs, especially in special schools, should have access to a school-based summer programme.
The terms and conditions for the 2023 Summer Programme are being implemented following a comprehensive review and engagement with education partners and stakeholders since last summer, including the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Autism. The Department has engaged with management bodies, schools and parents and listened to their views and designed this year's programme to encouraging more schools and staff to participate in the 2023 programme. Measures to encourage schools to sign up and provide places on the school-based summer programme are as follows:
This year, the Primary School Scheme combines the Inclusion Programme and Special Class elements from last year into one cohesive scheme for mainstream primary school bring a more targeted approach for children with special educational needs.
This year also introduces a new adjustment to the scheme for special schools. This programme has been designed and developed to ensure supports and funding are targeted to enhance the availability of a school-based programme for pupils in special schools.
As part of this pilot, a National Coordinator has been appointed to liaise with special schools to help facilitate them run a programme. A series of live recorded webinars directed specifically at encouraging as well as assuaging any concerns of Special Schools have recently taken place and are available to view on: www.gov.ie/summerprogramme.
In addition, there are two in-school schemes at mainstream primary level and one at post primary:-
• The Primary School Scheme for pupils in all primary mainstream schools.
• The DEIS expanded literacy and numeracy summer camp/campaí samhraidh for pupils in DEIS primary schools.
• The Post-Primary Scheme for students with complex special educational needs and those at risk of educational disadvantage.
Further supports that will facilitate schools run a school based programme 2023:
• School Organiser Role - In 2023, instead of preparation hours, there will be a dedicated role of School Organiser in each school offering the summer programme. The School Organiser will receive additional remuneration for their role. This is envisaged to be a key leadership role that will offer development opportunities for staff in schools.
• Summer Programme Manager - In all schools (mainstream and special), the role that was previously called the Overseer will now be called the Summer Programme Manager.
• Staff training – This year there will be information and training session provided to all schools, including special schools, which will provided guidance and training.
• Length of school day for special schools - the length of the day for children’s activities is being reduced from the full school day to 10am – 2pm or alternate hours which best fits the school’s need. Four hours of activities for children must be provided each day, this again recognises the challenges associated with running the programme in a special school.
• Flexibility in Weeks - The weeks schools run a programme do not have to be consecutive, the scheme is flexible to allow schools choose weeks which best suit their needs and staff availability.
• Continuation of 2022 supports - Other enhanced measures from last year will continue to encourage schools’ participation, including a Centralised Application Process to reduce admin burden on schools, earlier payment of school staff and an additional capitation to cover the running costs of the scheme, as well as enhanced capitation for special schools.
Helpline support has been available to schools since the launch of the programme. The online registration portals for Primary, Post-Primary and Special Schools opened on 01 March 2023. Participating schools can request additional resources from the Department to run their programme.
Schools are given flexibility to engage staff that are not currently employed in their schools to support their summer programme. A portal is also available for teachers and SNAs to register their interest in working on a school based programme in a special school. This portal went live on the 1st March 2023 on: www.educationposts.ie. Student teachers and students in relevant disciplines such as therapy, social care and nursing and others, including early childcare workers and carers, will also be able to register their interest in working on this year’s Programme.
162. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Education if school transport can be provided to a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20393/23]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year, over 147,900 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
In addition, school transport scheme services are being provided in the current school year for over 3,800 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
Children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest primary centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
A minimum number of 10 eligible children residing in a distinct locality, as determined by Bus Éireann, are required before consideration may be given to the establishment or retention of school transport services, provided this can be done within reasonable cost limits.
For school bus operating purposes a “distinct locality” is a cluster of eligible children who reside in the same general area, in the same general direction from the education centre attended, as determined by Bus Éireann taking cognisance of the local road network.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who have completed the application process on time will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
Children who are not eligible for school transport, but who completed the application process on time, will be 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.
Parents of a child wishing to avail of school transport services are required to apply on-line on Bus Éireann website at: www.buseireann.ie
In respect of the 2023/24 school year, the closing date for new applications was Friday 28 April 2023. Any new applications made after the closing date are considered late applications and families are not guaranteed a seat on any available service.
The Bus Éireann family portal will accept payments/medical card details until 9th June 2023. Payments made after the deadline date will be deemed late and a seat may not be available to families at that stage. Parents of eligible pupils must ensure applications are received and paid for on time to be considered.
Bus Éireann has responsibility for reviewing all School Transport services for the 2023/24 School Year. This review of services will be carried out after the payment deadline of 9th June 2023.
Any new services can only be established under the terms of the scheme set out by The Department of Education.
163. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update in respect of a site her Department owns and its intended use for a permanent building for a school (details supplied); if she will provide details of her engagements with the patron in respect of same; and the date on which the project will commence its stages to becoming a live project. [20394/23]
View answerA Minister-owned school site, Coláiste Chiaráin in Leixlip, has been identified as an option for potential redevelopment to accommodate a second school. The Trustees of Coláiste Chiaráin have agreed to allow the installation of temporary interim modular accommodation to meet the urgent accommodation needs for the school referred to by the Deputy for September 2023 and 2024.
My Department will be proceeding with a master planning exercise of the Coláiste Chiaráin site, with the agreement from the representatives of the existing school, in order to assess the potential to develop a school campus to meet the current and future primary and post primary needs for the area. The outcome of the master plan study will determine the next steps to be taken.
The Patron Bodies and Trustees for two schools concerned will be kept informed of developments in respect to master planning exercise.
164. Deputy Ciarán Cannon asked the Minister for Education when she intends to commence a national programme to deliver sports halls to the many schools that have no such facilities, thus remaining severely disadvantaged in terms of delivering the many elements of the physical education curriculum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20436/23]
View answerInvestment and expenditure on PE halls is an element of the overall expenditure and investment in the School Building Programme.
Almost 95% of the post primary schools that made 2020 Annual Schools Returns have indicated to the Department that they either have a PE Hall, access to a nearby PE Hall, or a project in train that will deliver a new PE Hall which can be used as a sports facility.
The main focus of resources over the last decade and for the coming period is on provision of additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics, particularly at post-primary level and for special education needs provision.
The Deputy will appreciate that the immediate priority of my Department is providing new and replacement school places each year, to ensure that every child has a school place. The provision of GP rooms and PE Halls, at primary and post primary level respectively, and outdoor hard play areas, form part of the accommodation brief for all new school buildings. This is also the case where a major building or refurbishment project is being delivered for an existing school.
Under Project Ireland 2040 the education sector will receive a total of approximately €4.4 billion capital investment over the period 2021-2025. There will be a rolling 5 year funding envelope which will be updated annually for the period 2026 to 2030 within the Government’s overall NDP funding envelope of €136 billion in exchequer capital (€165 billion total capital including non-Exchequer) that will facilitate building a modern and sustainable school infrastructure.
This significant investment allows us to move forward with certainty on our ambitious plans and deliver high quality building projects, with a real focus on sustainability, for school communities across Ireland. The strengthened focus on refurbishment of existing school stock will have different strands and will include a PE build and modernisation programme which will enable students in post-primary schools to have access to appropriate facilities to support PE provision, particularly also in the context of the roll-out of PE as a leaving-certificate subject.
165. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education if a person currently employed as an SNA is entitled to include years worked as a care assistant in the HSE/health board in their years of service record; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20441/23]
View answerThe criteria for the award of Incremental Credit for previous experience is outlined in Circular 0139/2006 for special needs assistants (SNAs), and was agreed with the unions representing the Special Needs Assistants, school management representatives, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, and the Department of Education.
Section 4 of this circular covers previous relevant service which includes service as a nurse or care attendant.
The person to which the Deputy is referring to may wish to make an application for incremental credit in respect of their prior HSE/health board service. The SNA Circular 0139/2006 and the application form can be found on the Department’s website at following link - Circular 0139/2006. If the person to which the Deputy is referring to is employed as an SNA with an ETB school, they would need to contact the HR Unit of the ETB to apply for incremental credit.
An assessment of the eligibility for the previous relevant service will be made by officials in my Department once the application form has been received and the details of the previous service have been examined.
166. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education the number of educational welfare officer posts allocated to counties Cavan and Monaghan in 2021,2022 and to-date in 2023; the number of vacancies; the timeframe for these vacancies to be filled, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20464/23]
View answerIn line with the arrangements set out as part of the current Government formation, since January 2021 Tusla Education Support Services (TESS) is under my remit.
TESS has three strands namely the statutory Educational Welfare Service (EWS) and the two school support services the Home School Community Liaison Scheme (HSCL) and the School Completion Programme (SCP). The three TESS strands work together collaboratively with schools, families and other relevant services to achieve the best educational outcomes for children and young people.
The EWS operates under the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000, a piece of legislation that emphasises the promotion of school attendance, participation and retention. This is a statutory service and its primary role is to ensure that every child either attends school regularly or otherwise receives a certain minimum education; to ensure and secure every child’s entitlement to education. Educational Welfare Officers (EWOs) work with families and children in a child-centred way to overcome barriers to their school attendance, participation and retention. EWOs work closely with schools, educational support services and other agencies to support school attendance and resolve attendance problems for the benefit of children and families.
The number of educational welfare officer posts allocated to counties Cavan and Monaghan in 2021, 2022 and to-date in 2023 are as follows;
Cavan
2021- 1.5 EWO
2022-1.5 EWO
2023- 2.5 EWO (1 New EWO post)
Monaghan
2021 – 1.5 EWO
2022 – 1.5 EWO
2023 – 1.5 EWO
There have been no unfilled vacancies in these counties over the past 3 years.
167. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Education if she will give consideration to increasing the funding of €96 per student to schools to cover the cost of schoolbooks, workbooks and copybooks, given that the cost is much greater (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20465/23]
View answerI recently announced details of Ireland’s first national primary school book scheme, which is a permanent measure and will provide free schoolbooks, workbooks and copybooks, in recognised primary schools and special schools. More than 558,000 pupils enrolled in approximately 3,230 primary schools, including over 130 special schools, will benefit from this scheme.
Guidance on the operation of the scheme is published and has been made available to all primary schools and special schools. This Guidance was developed as part of my Department’s engagement process with all relevant stakeholders. The Guidance aims to ensure that value for money is achieved. Schools will be supported to implement the scheme in a way that has the best learning outcomes for pupils.
In line with the Guidelines, for the 2022/23 school year, schools will receive €96 per pupil which will be paid in line with recognised pupil enrolment on 30 September 2022.
This cost of €96 per pupil was arrived at following analysis of the experience over 3 years of the data from schools involved in the pilot free books scheme in over 100 DEIS primary schools, direct engagement by my officials with a sample of schools and an analysis by my Department of a range of school book lists.
At a minimum the scheme will provide free schoolbooks, workbooks and copybooks for all children and young people in recognised primary schools and special schools. It will eliminate the cost of school schoolbooks, workbooks and copybooks for parents of children and young people enrolled in these schools.
My Department will undertake a full evaluation of the first year of implementation of the scheme in order to inform the guidance, implementation, costs and efficiency of the scheme for future years.
168. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education if she, and the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, will meet with a person (details supplied) as a matter of urgency with the aim of resolving the issues that have prompted their hunger strike. [20479/23]
View answerThe Minister has offered to personally engage with the person concerned. The Minister is committed to providing supports to survivors of residential institutions. There has been ongoing engagement from Senior Officials in the Department with the named individual and this will continue. Furthermore, in the context of advancing proposals for the future supports for survivors of residential institutions, there will be engagement between the Department and Minister with the Consultation Forum of which the person concerned is a member.
169. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Education if there are plans to recruit extra doctors for a company (details supplied) in the mid-west; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20484/23]
View answerAn Occupational Health Strategy is in place as a supportive resource for teachers and SNA’s. The aim of this strategy is to promote the health of teachers and SNAs in the workplace, with a focus primarily on prevention rather than cure. The Occupational Health Strategy comprises the Employee Assistance Service and the Occupational Health Service (OHS).
The OHS is in place to provide employers with occupational health advice in relation to teachers’ fitness for work. It incorporates pre-employment health assessments, sickness absence referrals, assessments of medical fitness for work and ill health retirement assessments.
The OHS, contracted by the Department, was procured in line with public procurement guidelines. The current OHS provider is Medmark Occupational Healthcare Ltd.
It is the responsibility of the OHS provider Medmark to employ and recruit personnel including Occupational Health Physicians to carry out the services under the OHS.
Medmark have informed the Department that two Occupational Health Physicians have recently been recruited for the Limerick clinic who will be taking up their appointments in the coming weeks.
170. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education when an announcement will be made on the approval of funding for projects under the 2023 summer works scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20493/23]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the purpose of the Summer Works Scheme 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 upgrading science laboratories and enhancing the energy efficiency of schools through upgrade works to roofs, windows, heating systems etc.
I wish to advise that a funding investment of €65 million was provided in primary and post primary schools in 2022, to facilitate the delivery of 499 projects under the Summer Works Scheme.
My Department's Planning and Building Unit is currently assessing its work programme and priorities for 2023 in the context of its available funding. My Department's published NDP allocation for 2023 is €0.86 billion. High construction inflation remains a continuing feature of the construction sector for 2023.
As part of its planning ahead for 2023, my Department’s key priority is to continue a strong delivery to support the operation of the school system with particular regard to planning ahead for the 2023/24 school year and beyond and also with particular regard to supporting special needs provision.
As part of this planning for 2023, my Department's officials are working on the arrangements for the next phase of the current summer works programme, and schools will be notified of the details as soon as practicable.
171. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Education the number of external consultant reports commissioned by her Department in each of the years 2020, 2021, 2022 and to-date in 2023; the cost of same; the company involved; the title and publication date, by report, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20545/23]
View answerInformation in relation to consultancy expenditure in my Department is compiled annually in respect of the previous year and published online at: www.gov.ie/en/collection/department-of-education-and-skills-expenditure-on-consultancy/. The data in respect of 2023 will be published online in Q1 2024.
172. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Education the number of external consultant reports commissioned by the bodies under her Department's aegis in each of the years 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; the cost of same; the company involved; the title and publication date, by report, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20546/23]
View answerThe information in respect of consultancy reports commissioned by state bodies is not held by my Department.
Contact details for the state bodies are set out in the attached document should the Deputy wish to contact them directly with this query.
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Contact E-Mail Addresses for State Bodies under the Remit of the Department of Education as at 03 February 2023 |
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Name of Body |
Dedicated Email address for the Members of the Oireachtas |
Designated Official Responsible for assisting Oireachtas Members |
|
An Chomhairle um Oideachais Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta |
oireachtas@cogg.ie |
jacquelinenifhearghusa@cogg.ie |
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Educational Research Centre |
oireachtas.queries@erc.ie |
aidan.clerkin@erc.ie |
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National Council for Curriculum and Assessment Note 1 |
oireactasqueries@ncca.ie |
Aine.ArmstrongFarrell@ncca.ie |
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State Examinations Commission |
Oireachtas@examinations.ie |
Paddy.Quinn@examinations.ie |
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The Teaching Council |
pqrep@teachingcouncil.ie |
lramsey@teachingcouncil.ie |
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National Council for Special Education |
oireachtasqueries@ncse.ie |
patrick.martin@ncse.ie and cindyjane.oconnell@ncse.ie |
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Residential Institutions Statutory Fund – Caranua |
Michael.Fitzpatrick@caranua.ie |
Michael.Fitzpatrick@caranua.ie |
Note 1 - The spelling of the NCCA e-mail address to which Oireachtas queries may be addressed has been verified with the NCCA as being accurate.
