Tuesday, 16 May 2023

Departmental Funding

Questions (318)

Marian Harkin

Question:

318. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Education if she will meet with an organisation (details supplied) and reconsider a decision to withdraw recognition and funding from this organisation. [22532/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

The voice of parents and that of children and young people is of critical importance to me as Minister and to my Department in all of our work. Children and parents are engaged with regularly, in a variety of ways, in relation to all significant policy being developed by my Department. To assist with ensuring that they have a strong voice, my Department provides funding to ensure that parents and students are supported to have national representation.

My Department has an obligation under the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Circular 13/2014 to ensure that all Exchequer funds are accounted for and properly managed and that there is transparency and accountability in the management of public money.

My Department, following engagement with the NPCPP, commissioned an independent company to conduct a governance and financial review of the Council. This was in keeping with practice across other Government departments. Following a publicly tendered procurement process, an external company with considerable experience of governance and related issues, was contracted to conduct a review of the governance and financial arrangements applying in the National Parents’ Council Post Primary (NPCPP) and to make observations and recommendations on foot of same.

Subsequently the NPCPP’s Board consistently and repeatedly declined to engage with this review process. The final report of the external governance expert, which was undertaken without the co-operation of the NPCPP, has now been published.

As a result of the serious governance issues which have arisen with the NPCPP, which have been set out comprehensively to the Board and are also detailed in the governance review report, the decisions by the Department to cease funding and withdraw the recognition of the NPCPP as a ‘national association of parents’ under the Education Act 1998, Section 2, are unchanged.

It is the view of the Department that to make any further grant payments would be a breach of its obligations to protect Exchequer funding. The Department did however, offer to pay for any outstanding appropriate costs.

In order to ensure continuity of support for parents and their continued input into policy making, my Department has formally requested the National Parents’ Council Primary to extend its remit and provide representation and support to post-primary parents with immediate effect.

Officials from my Department have been in continual contact with the NPCPP. Throughout the review process, including what was intended as a preparatory phase, senior officials from my Department sought to engage with the NPCPP, including offering meetings, but these offers were not availed of including the most recent offer to meet from the Department by letter of 14 March 2023 and again by email of 20 April 2023. A reply to the email of 20 April 2023 is awaited from the NPCPP.

The Department sincerely regrets the situation which has arisen directly as a result of the actions of the Board of the NPCPP. As I referenced before, bodies in receipt of Exchequer funding are obliged to meet governance standards and to be transparent and accountable with regard to how this funding is used. Having strong parental representation remains a top priority for me and I am grateful to the National Parents Council (Primary) for stepping in to assist and ensure continuity.

Special Educational Needs

Questions (319)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

319. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education if every effort is being made to secure a placement in Kildare ASD unit for the son of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22551/23]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education

I would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:

Enabling children with special educational needs (SEN) to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this Government.

It is also a key priority for me as Minister for Special Education & Inclusion, for my Department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE). The vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs require additional supports, special classes and special school places are provided.

For 2023, the spend by my Department on special education will be substantially increased by over 10% on last year, meaning that for 2023 my Department will spend over €2.6 billion providing supports to children and young people with special educational needs and their schools.

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 funding to support children with SEN in mainstream classes; funding for new special classes and new special school places; additional special educational teachers and special needs assistants.

The NCSE has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs nationwide.

Over the last two to three years, my Department and the NCSE have introduced a number of strategic initiatives to plan for and provide sufficient special class and special school places.

These initiatives are bearing fruit 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.

My Department is engaging intensely with the NCSE in relation to the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places. This work involves a detailed review of statistical data in relation to forecasting demand for special class places, consideration of improved data sharing arrangements and a particular focus on the provision of special classes at post-primary level.

As a result of this forward planning, on the 12th of April, Minister Foley and I announced the establishment of 2 new special schools for the 2023/2024 school year, with further capacity being expanded in 11 other special schools.

Along with the two new special schools, 305 new special classes – 197 at primary and 108 at post-primary level – have been sanctioned by the NCSE for opening in the 2023/24 school year, with more to be confirmed in the coming weeks.

Of these new classes, 5 are in Co. Kildare, with 3 at primary level and 2 at post-primary level. These new classes will bring the total number of special classes in Co. Kildare to 109, 81 at primary and 28 at post-primary.

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 special educational needs organisers (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 .

The NCSE is committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements will be available for children for the coming school year 2023/2024.

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.

As your query refers to an individual placement case, I will arrange to have it referred to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.

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.

School Transport

Questions (320)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

320. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education if school transport tickets for the academic year 2023-24 will be facilitated in the case of the two sons of a person (details supplied); if their case will be considered as a matter of urgency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22553/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

The 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 5,200 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.

The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.

The purpose of the Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.

Under the terms of my Department’s School Transport Scheme, children are eligible at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.

Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis in accordance with the terms of the Post Primary School Transport Scheme and subject to the following conditions:

• an application is made by the deadline date

• there is an existing service in place

• there is spare capacity on the service;

• routes will not be extended or altered, additional vehicles will not be introduced, nor will larger vehicles or extra trips using existing vehicles be provided to cater for children travelling on a concessionary basis;

• no additional State cost will be incurred;

Bus Éireann has advised that the pupils referred to are not eligible for transport as they are attending their third nearest Post Primary Centre. Bus Éireann has also advised that tickets were issued to these pupils on 21/03/2023 for the current school year.

The availability of concessionary transport may vary from year to year and cannot be guaranteed for the duration of a child’s post primary school education cycle. Where the number of applications for transport on a concessionary basis exceeds the number of seats available, Bus Éireann will determine the allocation of the tickets using a random selection process.

Bus Éireann will review all school transport services over the summer months. Arising from this review, routes may be altered, extended or withdrawn depending on the number and location of eligible children who will be availing of school transport for the following school year.

In cases where the Department is satisfied that the nearest and next nearest schools are full, eligibility for school transport will be determined based on the distance a family resides from their next nearest school(s) having regard to ethos and language.

To establish that the nearest and next nearest schools are full parents must provide:

• The detailed steps taken to enrol their child in the nearest and next nearest schools.

• Evidence that an application for enrolment was made within the deadline dates specified by the school(s) and

• A letter from the School Authorities confirming that the school was full at time of enrolment.

This documentation can be sent to school transport section at the address below for consideration to school_transport@education.gov.ie.

Special Educational Needs

Questions (321)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

321. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education when the two proposed additional classrooms and two special needs units are scheduled to commence construction at a school (details supplied) in light of the increasing number of students and, in particular, students with special educational needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22588/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

The school to which the Deputy refers to was approved under my Department's Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme to build a two-classroom SEN Base & 2 Mainstream Classrooms. The project has been devolved to the school authority for delivery.

I can confirm that my Department has received a Stage 2B report from the school. This report is currently being reviewed by officials in my Department. A decision will be conveyed to the school authority as soon as this review has been completed.

Renewable Energy Generation

Questions (322)

Cormac Devlin

Question:

322. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the supports available to schools to access and install solar panels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22624/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

As the Deputy is aware, Budget 2023 included the announcement for the provision of fully funded solar photovoltaic (PV) panels with an output of 6kW for all schools. This funding will be made available from the Climate Action Fund at the discretion of the Minister for the Environment.

This significant solar PV programme, will assist schools with their energy needs and costs along with supporting the decarbonisation of our school buildings.

As part of the preparation for the roll out of the national programme, a key first step was to establish the level of existing PV installations across the overall school estate. I can advise, that the survey in respect of the number of solar PV panels that are installed in schools across the country is now complete. The survey indicates that approximately 10% of post-primary schools and 5% of primary schools already have solar PV panels installed.

In respect of the roll out of the solar PV programme, I can advise that my Department officials are working closely with colleagues in the Department of Environment, Climate and Communication in relation to the arrangements for this scheme. In parallel, the Department is developing the strategic management requirements for provision of a multi annual solar PV delivery programme for primary and post primary schools.

The solar panel programme for schools is detailed in the published Climate Action Plan 2023, to be developed with roll out of the multi-annual delivery programme commencing in late 2023.

I will also be announcing in due course, an enhanced climate action Summer Works Scheme programme, to enable the progression of climate action specific initiatives which will assist with the rollout of smaller scale energy retrofit works in schools.

School Staff

Questions (323)

Brendan Smith

Question:

323. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education for an update on the review of the SNA contract in line with commitments under the Building Momentum national pay agreement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22677/23]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education

In December 2022 my Department established a dedicated SNA Workforce Development Unit (SNAWDU) within Special Education Division, in order to ensure that sufficient time and attention is given to examination of the SNA role and any reform or development required. The SNAWDU will adopt a more strategic approach to SNA policy development with the objective of developing an enhanced SNA service which delivers the best outcome for children with significant care needs in our schools.

A priority task for the Unit is the review of the SNA Contract of Employment in line with a commitment under the Building Momentum National Pay Agreement. An extensive review of the SNA contract is progressing in collaboration with internal stakeholders in my Department. Once this concludes the draft SNA contract will be provided to education partners and relevant external stakeholders for consideration and feedback.

School Staff

Questions (324)

Brendan Smith

Question:

324. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on the implementation of the new pay deal for school secretaries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22678/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

In February 2022, following a series of engagements at the WRC, a suite of measures designed to improve the working conditions of school secretaries was proposed, and which Fórsa agreed to recommend to its members. A ballot of the relevant members was undertaken, and the result was 95% agreement in favour of the deal.

Since then, in conjunction with Fórsa, work to implement this agreement has been ongoing in my Department. This work requires a complex process of assimilating information to capture accurate data in respect of each individual secretary.

Last year, my Department issued circular 36/2022 to schools which outlines how the agreement is to be implemented. In the first phase of implementation of the agreement, schools had to, by the end of September 2022, calculate the initial assimilation rate of pay and annual leave entitlement due and offer it to each individual secretary working in their school.

Following this initial process, a survey issued from the payroll division of my Department to all schools on the 7th November 2022, seeking details of the offers made by schools to their secretaries, and other information required to bring a secretary on to the payroll service. The survey closed in December and based on the returns received, nearly 2,850 secretaries have accepted the offer made by their schools in line with the methodology set out in Circular 36/2022.

The second implementation phase involves calculating back pay to September 2021, taking into account the pay increases from February 2022 and October 2022, and/or any other public service pay agreements as may be relevant at the time calculations are performed.

The plan is that Secretaries who have accepted the offer made to them by their schools will be paid on my Department’s payroll service from 1st September 2023, with a first pay date of 14th September. Implementation of this agreement remains a priority for my Department this year.

School Transport

Questions (325)

Michael Ring

Question:

325. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education the reason a student (details supplied) in County Mayo is being denied school transport in view of the fact that this student qualifies under the temporary alleviation measures for post-primary students who are otherwise eligible for school transport but are attending their second nearest school; if this student is deemed not to come under this stipulation, the reason therefor; the reason the school in question is not considered their second nearest school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22680/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

The 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 5,200 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 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.

Children who are not eligible for school transport, but who completed the application process on time, are considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.

Due to 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.

Where there are already existing routes in place, temporary alleviation measures will be continued for the 2023/24 school year, pending completion of the School Transport Review. This means that transport will be provided for post-primary pupils who are eligible for transport to their nearest school and are attending their second nearest school. Families must have applied for school transport by the 28th April 2023 and complete the payment process by 9th June 2023.

Bus Éireann has advised that the family, to whom the Deputy refers, is not eligible for school transport as they are not attending their nearest post primary school. The family is attending their second nearest post primary but there is no service currently operating from where the family reside to the school of attendance.

School Equipment

Questions (326, 327)

Seán Crowe

Question:

326. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Education the number of blind and vision-impaired students who have received assistive technology from her Department in the past five years, broken down by year and by primary or second level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22706/23]

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Seán Crowe

Question:

327. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Education who is responsible for the training and the provision of technical support on assistive technology when it is awarded to blind or vision-impaired students by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22707/23]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education

I propose to take Questions Nos. 326 and 327 together.

The Assistive Technology Scheme is provided by my Department to supplement the overall approach to providing funding to schools for digital technology and equipment to support children for education purposes. All equipment provided under this scheme supports children with more complex disabilities who require essential specialist equipment in order to access the school curriculum.

It is vital that all learners have the opportunity to reach their potential, with digital technologies providing the means to overcome traditional barriers to learning, and to support inclusion across education.

Additional €2 million funding was secured in Budget 2023 for this scheme. This represents an increase of almost 60% on funding allocated previously to this essential support. This increased allocation supports my Department’s commitment to ensure that a full range of resources, not just teachers and SNAs, are available to support children who most need it.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) is responsible for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports. SENOs also make recommendations to my Department where assistive technology/specialised equipment is required. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in making recommendations for support.

In order to qualify for equipment under the Assistive Technology Scheme, a student must have been diagnosed with a physical or communicative disability and must also have a recommendation in a professional assessment that the equipment is essential in order to allow the student to access the curriculum. It must also be clear that the existing I.T. equipment in the school is insufficient to meet the child's needs.

Schools make applications directly to the SENO, providing details of the student’s special educational needs or disability, including details of the approach taken by the school in making relevant interventions.

SENOs will review the application, and professional reports provided in support of same, in order to establish whether the criteria of the scheme have been met. They will then make a recommendation to my Department as to whether or not assistive technology is required; and based on this recommendation, my Department will decide on the level of grant, if any, to be provided.

Although equipment is sanctioned under the Assistive Technology scheme for use by particular students, it is the property of the school, and the school’s management authority is responsible for maintenance, repair, and insurance of the equipment.

The Department of Education provides funding for visiting teachers for children who are deaf/hard of hearing or blind/visually impaired. The management of visiting teachers is the responsibility of the NCSE.

Visiting teachers (VT) for children who are deaf/hard of hearing or blind/visually impaired provide additional supports for such children, their families, and schools. Visiting Teachers will also discuss and demonstrate the management of assistive technologies for children who are blind/visually impaired.

Details of the services which are provided to schools and families by the visiting teacher service are available at ncse.ie/visiting-teachers.

Each VT is responsible for a particular region and is allocated a caseload of students. The VT supports children/young people, parents, guardians, teachers and other professionals involved with the child. The frequency and nature of support takes into account a range of factors based on the individual’s needs. In case of any technical issues with a student's assistive technology, it is recommended that the school contacts their visiting teacher from the NCSE's Visiting Teacher Service. The visiting teacher will collaborate with the provider to offer the necessary training and technical supports to both students and teachers

Additional training support can also be requested through the NCSE. Through its everyday work, the NCSE aligns its Teacher Professional Learning (TPL) with the Teaching Council’s national framework for teacher professional learning. One of the main aims of the NCSE is to support teachers and schools in a way that builds capacity, supports the inclusion of all children, including students with special educational needs, at a whole school level.

The NCSE provides a suite of professional learning opportunities for school leaders and teachers, which in turn, aims to improve educational experiences and outcomes for all students.

The NCSE offers bespoke in-school support for either whole school staff, small groups, or individual teachers. The support can be tailored to specific TPL needs within a school, such as, in the areas of differentiation, planning, autism and behaviour. A school may contact the NCSE directly with regards to tailored training specific to their needs.

A broad range of blended CPD programmes and resources continue to be made available to assist schools to implement the DLF and to effectively use digital technologies in teaching and learning practices. The upskilling of teachers is a key priority for the Department in the promotion of digital technologies in teaching and learning.

The Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) offers professional learning opportunities to teachers and school leaders in a range of pedagogical, curricular and educational areas. Its dedicated Technology in Education Team, together with its ICT Team of Advisors, continue to design, develop and deliver a comprehensive range of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programmes for teachers and school leaders.

This CPD includes quality assured exemplars of effective and highly effective practices. Scoilnet.ie, an official Department website managed by the PDST, is a central repository of digital content containing in excess of 23,000 curriculum tagged digital resources for use in teaching and learning which demonstrate good practice in the use and embedding of digital technologies.

In relation to your request for the number of blind and vision-impaired students who have received assistive technology from the Department in the past five years, my department does not keep records of particular disability categories applied for and accordingly those figures are not available.

Below are the total number of assistive technology applications received by the NCSE each year, the number that were approved and the expenditure by my Department.

Year	Total number of applications received by NCSE	Number of applications recommended by SENO	Assistive Technology Expenditure
2018	4588	3350	€2,382,785
2019	5271	3719	€2,497,684
2020	4741	3500	€2,013,236
2021	6373	4607	€3,603,563
2022	6845	4905	€3,735,778

Question No. 327 answered with Question No. 326.

School Staff

Questions (328)

Michael Moynihan

Question:

328. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on her Department’s work to provide additional continuous professional development and supports to SNAs; if a focus group with SNAs has been set up to further this objective; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22709/23]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education

By the end of 2023, there will be over 20,000 SNAs working in our schools. SNAs make a valuable contribution to our school communities through the provision of adult support to enable students with significant care needs attend school.

My Department is very aware of the continuing need to provide appropriate training and development opportunities for SNAs. In this regard, in December 2022, my Department established a dedicated SNA Workforce Development Unit in order to ensure that sufficient time and attention is given to examination of the SNA role, including in the area of learning and development.

My Department currently funds the national on-line training programme for Special Needs Assistants (SNAs), a major educational initiative to enhance the knowledge, skills and expertise of SNAs. In addition to this formal training initiative the SNA Workforce Development Unit is currently developing a Learning and Development programme for SNAs. The aim of this programme is to increase the knowledge and expertise of SNAs and provide the means for building on their existing skills and competences.

As a first step in this process, SNA focus groups will take place in the coming weeks in locations around the country, to facilitate discussion and provide direct feedback to the Department on their learning and development needs.

School Transport

Questions (329)

Michael Moynihan

Question:

329. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Education if she is satisfied that the grants for children attending special schools or the transport options provided to children attending special schools are adequate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22710/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year, over 149,000 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. There has been an increase of 21% tickets issued to eligible students and 38% tickets issued on a concessionary basis in the current 2022/23 school year compared to the 2021/22 school year.

In addition, school transport scheme services are being provided in the current school year for over 5,200 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 to provide a reasonable level of transport service for children with a diagnosed disability and / or special educational need, who, because of the nature of their disability, may not be in a position to avail of a school bus service which would be time-tabled to pick up other children along the route of service.

A pupil with special educational needs is eligible for school transport if they is attending the nearest recognised mainstream school, special class / special school or a unit, that is or can be resourced, to meet the child's special educational needs under Department of Education criteria.

Eligibility is determined following consultation with the National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers. A Special Transport Grant towards the cost of private transport arrangements may be provided to families of eligible children in certain situations such as where Bus Éireann is not in a position to provide a transport service or where a child's age, behavioural difficulties or medical needs are such as to make the provision of a transport service impracticable.

My Department and Bus Éireann are very conscious of the specialised nature of transport provision for children with special educational needs. This is reflected in the standard of dedicated service provided and the fact that these services are generally planned and timetabled to operate on a door-to-door basis. In certain cases, my Department also provides funding to schools for the employment of escorts to accompany children whose care and safety needs require this level of support while they travel to and from school.

As the Deputy may be aware a review of the School Transport Scheme is currently underway. The review is being conducted with a view to examining the current scheme, its broader effectiveness and sustainability, and to ensure that it serves students and their families adequately. The review will include an examination of current rates of grant payments.

It is planned the review will be completed shortly with recommendations on the future operation of the Department’s School Transport Scheme. Once approved by Government it is planned that the review will be published.

School Admissions

Questions (330)

Réada Cronin

Question:

330. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education if she will examine urgently the case of a child (details supplied); if she will provide a suitable school place for them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22713/23]