Written Answers Nos. 298-319
298. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education whether the facilitators report on the proposed divestment at schools (details supplied) has been revised following submissions from interested parties; if a finalised report will be produced and circulated to stakeholders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30751/23]
View answerIn respect of the pilot area to which the Deputy refers, the facilitator prepared a preliminary report with a recommendation, based on engagement with stakeholders, including school staff and parents on whether there is sufficient demand for transfer of patronage and change of ethos or whether the school community wishes to remain under the patronage of the Catholic Church, and submitted this to the patron.
This preliminary report to the patron was circulated to the school community, including staff and parents, and a dedicated e-mail address was provided so that the school community could provide any feedback/views. As part of the process, my Department collated this and provided it to the relevant facilitator, who reflected this, as appropriate, in the facilitator’s final report to the patron.
The facilitator’s final report was submitted to the patron who reflected on the level of demand as indicated in the report. The patron then communicated with the schools on whether there was sufficient demand for transfer of patronage and change of ethos or whether the school would remain under Catholic patronage. In this instance the facilitators recommendation in their final report remained unchanged, there is a majority interest in Raheny for the three schools to remain under the Catholic patronage.
In relation to the pilot reconfiguration process in general, the engagement at local level across the seven pilot areas was largely concluded at the end of Q1 2023 and the process has been very helpful in clarifying the level of demand for reconfiguration.
As this was a pilot process it was always intended to review its operation and examine the learnings. The review, by my Department, of the process in these pilot areas and the engagement with the school communities is underway. The review is considering the learnings going forward, including the aspects that worked well, the elements that can be improved upon and the pathway on the process for providing multi-denominational options for parents in other towns and areas of the country going forward.
It is the intention of my Department to publish the final facilitator reports for the schools engaged with as part of this pilot in due course.
299. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Education if her Department will review the decision not to award an extra teacher to a school (details supplied) in County Sligo that now will have 34 pupils in junior infants from September 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30763/23]
View answerThe 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.
The staffing process contains an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain criteria to an independent Primary Staffing Appeals Board.
The appeal submitted by the school referred to by the Deputy has been deemed ineligible by the Appeals Board, as the grounds of the appeal did not meet the appeal criteria published in Circular 0006/2023. The Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.
300. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education if she will issue ICT grants for national schools at double the previous rate before the commencement of the new academic year to address the shortfall from the failure to pay the grant this year. [30767/23]
View answerUnder the Digital Strategy for Schools 2015 to 2020 overall investment of €210m issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools in annual grant funding. This funding was to support schools to invest in appropriate digital infrastructure to embed the use of digital technology in teaching, learning and assessment.
The new Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 was published last year and is underpinned by an investment of €200m to support schools over the period committed to under Ireland’s National Development Plan (NDP). The first tranche of €50m issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools in late 2021.
It is hoped to issue the next tranche of funding in the 2023-2024 school year. As with all such funding, the issuing of the grant is subject to the availability of Exchequer funding and the wider capital needs of the Department.
It is anticipated that the funding committed to under the NDP will be available to support the implementation of the Digital Strategy to Schools in future years.
As with funding under the previous strategy, the funding under the Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 issues directly to schools as they are best placed to identify the requirements of their own student cohort and to meet those requirements in the most appropriate way in accordance with their digital learning plan.
301. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Education who the members of the independent Primary Staffing Appeals Board are; if there are any teachers on the board; if there is a mechanism to appeal a decision made by the board; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30801/23]
View answerThe Primary Staffing Appeals Board was set up in 2002 as an independent mechanism to consider staffing appeals made by school authorities in regard to teaching staff allocations. The Appeals Board is a technical committee that adjudicates on appeals using criteria published in the annual Staffing Arrangements for Primary Schools (Section 4 of Circular 0006/2023). The Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final. Should a school's circumstance change following the initial decision, e.g. additional enrolments, a school may submit a new appeal to the Board.
The Primary Staffing Appeals Board is a 5 person Board and meets three times a year. The members of the Board are 3 retired school principals (of which one was principal of a DEIS band one school), school inspector and civil service personnel.
302. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on the status of a transport application for a pupil (details supplied); when a decision will be made on the application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30890/23]
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 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% in tickets issued to eligible students and an increase of 38% in 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 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
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.
All school transport services are reviewed over the summer months. Children who are eligible for school transport will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
An application was received for the pupil referred to by the Deputy on 7th June 2023. I am pleased to advise that this pupil has been deemed eligible for school transport to the school they are attending. Bus Éireann and School Transport Section of my Department will liaise with the family directly when transport options have been assessed by Bus Éireann.
303. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education if she has a plan to address the urgency for a new school building for a school (details supplied); if she will follow up her commitment to visit the school at the earliest possible convenience; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30922/23]
View answerThe Department of Education originally approved the construction of a standalone extension of just over 4,000m2 in area which included a two classroom Special Education needs base. Some works to the existing building were also included in this approval. Responsibility for delivering this major project for the school in question was devolved to Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education & Training Board (DDLETB).
DDLETB experienced delays with their Design Team in finalising the detailed design process for the project as it was originally approved, and in obtaining statutory consents from the local authority. The project was brought to Stage 2B (statutory planning) of the architectural process. At that point, it was agreed to proceed with an alternative proposal for the progression of the project which involved the development of a masterplan for the demolition and replacement of the existing building but also allowed for the provision of accommodation for another school on the site.
Following receipt of DDLETB’s Design Team submission, the Department’s Professional & Technical staff are currently reviewing the options available for progressing the project. This process is nearing completion following which my Department will engage with the patron in respect of the most appropriate delivery option. As the project is at an early stage in the delivery process and in advance of any required statutory approvals, it is not possible at this time to give a date for its completion.
Pending completion of the major building project, the Department approved modular accommodation for the provision of a Home Economics Room, an Art Room, and a toilet block at the school.
304. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education if a primary school principal must be the health and safety representative on the Board of Management; if she can make a statement on responsibilities of principals in terms of duty of care to staff as per the Education Act 1998; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30938/23]
View answerUnder the provisions of the Education Act, 1998 the Board of Management is the body charged with the direct governance of a school on behalf of the Patron. The principal is responsible for the day-to-day management of the school as set out in sections 22 and 23 of the Education Act. 1998.
The body which has statutory responsibility for ensuring that health and safety requirements are met by all employers, including schools, is the Health and Safety Authority (HSA). The Authority also provides information and advice to organisations, including schools, to assist them in ensuring that their responsibilities in respect of health and safety in the workplace are met. The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 sets out the responsibilities on individual school Boards of management to have a safety statement in place in their schools. The Statement should identify potential hazards, assess the risks to health and safety and put appropriate provision in place to safeguard the safety and health of employees and pupils. The HSA has published resources specifically for schools to support them in managing health and safety in the school environment including the selection and appointment of a safety representative. It also provides a number of online training courses specifically for the school sector. Further details on the advice, resources and training courses available from the HSA can be obtained from the HSA's website, www.hsa.ie.
305. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the status of the new school build for a school (details supplied) works for which you indicated in a previous Parliamentary Question reply to commence at the end of June 2023; the date for the commencement of this new build and the completion timeframe; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30946/23]
View answerSetanta Special School and Ballyowen Meadows School are part of a large-scale capital project, to be co-located on a campus at the existing site in Stillorgan.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that after completing the tendering process, the successful Tenderer commenced construction on site in May 2023.
The works will take an estimated completion timeframe of 18 months.
306. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education the current status for an application for emergency works (details supplied) for toilet facilities; when a decision is likely to be made in this case in view of the fact that these are urgently required to accommodate 42 children enrolled for September in the school which has recently become co-educational, that a delay in this project could result in the school being unable to accommodate these children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30967/23]
View answerThe Emergency Works application to which the Deputy refers has been received by my Department and is under active consideration. Officials in my Department's Professional and Technical team are currently examining the application from a technical perspective and once a recommendation has been made by the Professional and Technical team an update will issue to the school. My Department is aware of the time-sensitive nature of the works required and will keep the school informed throughout the application process.
307. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Education when a school (details supplied) can expect to have a decision on its applications under the additional accommodation scheme and the emergency works scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31043/23]
View answerMy Department has recently received an application for additional accommodation under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme from the school referred to by the Deputy. This application is under consideration at present and my Department will convey a decision directly to the school authority when this process has been completed.
My Department has no record of receiving an application under the Emergency Works from the school. The main purpose of the Emergency Works Grant Scheme is to provide for unforeseen emergencies that impact on school buildings. An emergency is a situation which poses an immediate risk to health, life, property or the environment, which is sudden, unforeseen and requires immediate action and, in the case of a school, if not corrected would prevent the school or part thereof from opening. Should the school consider that any issues it faces would fall under remit of the Emergency Works Grant Scheme, the Board of Management should appoint a Registered Architect, Chartered Civil/Structural Engineer or Registered Building Surveyor to complete an Emergency Works application on their behalf. In order to be of assistance I have attached the circular for the Emergency Works Scheme.
Link to EWS circular: education.cloud.gov.ie/apps/ePQ/Lists/ParliamentaryQuestions/2023/27290-23/EWS%20Circular%200068%202020.pdf
308. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education to provide a reason for the omission of the term "homophobic", "transphobic" and "biphobic" from the most recent Action Plan on Bullying, Cineáltas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31055/23]
View answerIn December 2022, my Department published Cineáltas: Action Plan on Bullying following an extensive consultation process. Cineáltas is founded on a rights-based approach, rooted in four key principles prevention, support, oversight and community and provides a clear roadmap for how the whole education community and society can work together to prevent and address bullying in our schools.
The implementation plan for Cineáltas was published on 10 April 2023 and this plan commits to implementing each of the 61 actions contained in Cineáltas within a 5 year period.
Cineáltas was developed by the Department of Education in collaboration with a diverse and dedicated Steering Committee led by Dr Noel Purdy of Stranmillis University College in Belfast. The Steering Committee consisted of senior officials from the Department of Education, including the Inspectorate and the National Educational Psychological Service, representatives of the National Parents’ Council Primary, National Parents’ Council Post-Primary, Irish Second Level Students’ Union (ISSU), the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, the National Anti-bullying Research Centre in DCU and other external experts and representatives of advocacy organisations which include BelongTo, Webwise, Parentline National Traveller Women’s Forum, Women’s Aid and the Independent Living Movement Ireland.
This review and development of Cineáltas involved significant consultation and collaboration across my Department, with other Government Departments and Bodies including the Ombudsman for Children, and also involves consultation with a broad range of education stakeholders, including parents and students, school management bodies and teacher and school staff unions.
The implementation of the actions in Cineáltas will greatly enhance and compliment the work that schools already do to ensure that all the children and young people are kept safe from harm and that the wellbeing of children and young people is at the forefront of everything we do.
Cineáltas contains a commitment to develop a new inspection model to assess whether a school has appropriate strategies in place to promote wellbeing, prevent and address bullying, and promote a positive and inclusive school culture. This new inspection model will be rolled out in schools early in 2024.
Cineáltas also contains the following relevant commitments:
• To continue to support the Stand Up Awareness Campaign
• To update the Being LGBT in School Resource
• To update the Anti-bullying procedures for primary and post-primary schools
• To update the Developing a Code of Behaviour Guidelines for Schools
• To ensure the FUSE anti-bullying and online safety programme is more widely available to schools
• To support the development of additional modules of the FUSE programme
• The SPHE/RSE curriculum across primary and post primary schools will be reviewed and updated to ensure that it includes, in an age appropriate manner, the areas of consent; healthy positive, sexual expression and relationships; safe use of the internet and social media and its effects on relationships and self-esteem; and LGBTQ+ identities.
All recognised primary and post-primary schools, and centres for education which are attended by students under the age of 18 years are required to adhere to anti-bullying procedures which were published in 2013.
These procedures give direction and guidance to school authorities and school personnel in preventing and addressing bullying behaviour including homophobic, transphobic and identity-based bullying, amongst its pupils and in dealing with any negative impact within school of bullying behaviour that occurs elsewhere.
All schools are required to confirm in their anti-bullying policy that the school will, in accordance with its obligations under equality legislation, take all such steps that are reasonably practicable to prevent the sexual harassment of pupils or staff or the harassment of pupils or staff on any of the nine grounds i.e. gender including transgender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race and membership of the Traveller community.
My Department is currently working with the education partners to update the anti-bullying procedures for schools with a view to the updated procedures being implemented in schools during 2023.
The anti-bullying procedures are being updated to take account of gender identity bullying, cyber bullying, racist bullying, sexist bullying and sexual harassment. This is in addition to the information currently provided in the procedures that advises schools on how to prevent and address identity based bullying such as homophobic and transphobic bullying. The procedures will also provide guidance as to when an incident of bullying becomes a Child Protection Concern, will ensure appropriate oversight at school level, and will ensure that a school’s anti-bullying policy is developed and reviewed in consultation with the whole school community.
Training and information, which will support all members of the school community to work in partnership to implement the new procedures, will be made available to all school staff, board of management members and parents.
309. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the capital budget allocation for her Department in 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [31084/23]
View answerUnder Project Ireland 2040, the Department of Education is investing €4.4 billion over the period 2021 to 2025, to add capacity and develop and upgrade school facilities across the country for the almost one million students and over 100,000 staff that learn and work in our schools every day.
My Department has a proven track record of delivery, with over 180 projects completed last year within a challenging construction sector environment of high inflation, labour shortages and supply chain issues. This year alone, in excess of 300 school building projects are currently under construction, including 40 new school buildings and 260 projects at existing schools.
Key priorities for my Department are supporting the operation of the school system and adding necessary capacity to cater for special education needs provision, mainstream demographics and catering for students from Ukraine and other countries under the International Protection system.
Below is the table showing NDP outturn for the years 2021 and 2022.
|
- |
2021 (€m) Outturn |
2022 (€m) Outturn |
|
Capital Funding |
989 |
1121 |
The NDP Allocation for my Department in 2023 is €860 million. The Department has secured a funding agreement with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in relation to 2023 capital needs which is allowing for the continued rollout of urgent projects under the School Building Programme.
310. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education when construction works at a school (details supplied) will be completed. [31085/23]
View answerThe project to which the Deputy refers has been devolved for delivery to Donegal Education and Training Board (DETB).
The Department is awaiting the Tender Supplementary Report from Donegal ETB. Once this report has been reviewed and all conditions are fully satisfied, the Department will approve the ETB to issue the letter of Acceptance to the contractor. It is anticipated that the project will be on site in Quarter 4 2023.
The Department expects that DETB will be engaging directly with the school community to keep it informed of progress.
311. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education when construction works at a school (details supplied) will be completed. [31086/23]
View answerThe Letter of Acceptance (LOA) for the school referred to by the Deputy issued to the preferred tenderer on the 19th May 2022 commencing the school building contract.
The school is due for completion in Quarter 3, 2023. My Department will continue to keep the school and patron body updated on progress.
312. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the number of additional teachers that would be needed to reduce the pupil/teacher ratio to 22:1 at primary level. [31087/23]
View answerUnder the Programme for Government there is a commitment to seek to make further progress in reducing the pupil teacher ratios in primary schools.
In Budget 2023, I ensured major investment in our schools and I have succeeded in bringing the teacher allocation ratio to an average of 1 classroom teacher for every 23 pupils in all primary schools for the 2023/24 school year which is the lowest ever seen at primary level. This was my third successive Budget which saw an improvement in allocation of teachers to primary schools. A three point reduction in the retention schedule, in place since 2021, assists schools that would otherwise be at risk of losing teaching posts.
A one point improvement in the staffing schedule at primary level would require approximately 300 additional teaching posts.
313. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education when construction works at a school (details supplied) will be completed. [31088/23]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the large scale capital project at the school they refer too, commenced on site in July 2022, works are progressing well with an expected completion date of Quarter 1 2024.
314. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education when construction works at a school (details supplied) will be completed; and the estimated cost of this project. [31089/23]
View answerThe Letter of Acceptance (LOA) for the school referred to by the Deputy issued to the preferred tenderer on the 1st July 2022 commencing the school building contract.
Works are progressing well on site and phase one of the school building is due for completion in Quarter 1, 2024.
My Department will continue to liaise with the school and their Patron Body in relation to interim accommodation needs pending delivery of their permanent accommodation.
The estimated cost of the project is some €32m.
315. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education when refurbishment works at a school (details supplied) will be completed. [31090/23]
View answerThe large scale capital project at the school referred to by the Deputy is part of a Campus Project with a Post Primary School. The project brief includes a new 3 storey Post Primary School of 8678sqm to cater for 750 pupils and a 2 storey Primary School of 1341sqm to cater for 5 mainstream classes plus a classroom for children with special education needs.
Works commenced on site in June 2021 with an expected overall completion date of Q4 2024. Phase 1 of the project was the construction of the Post Primary School and Phase 2 will include the construction of the Primary school.
316. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Education when approval will be sanctioned for a school (details supplied) to proceed to the next stage for the construction of two ASD units; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31112/23]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:
Enabling children with special educational needs 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 special educational needs 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, 380 new special classes – 250 at primary and 130 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, 8 are in Co. Laois, with 5 at primary level and 3 at post-primary level. These new classes will bring the total number of special classes in Co. Laois to 60.
The school building project to which the Deputy refers has been approved funding under my Department's Additional Accommodation Scheme 2020 to enable the school to build a two-classroom base.
To meet the school's interim accommodation needs, rental of prefabricated accommodation was approved for one special educational need classroom and one mainstream classroom.
In Dec 2021, the school submitted their design submission combined stage 1/2A report; approval for which was granted to proceed to the next stage.
In July 2022, the department were advised that planning permission was granted.
In Q2 2023 the school submitted a request to proceed to tender stage. This is currently under review by department officials and the outcome will be communicated to the school shortly.
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: www.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
The NCSE is committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements will be available for children for the coming school year 2023/2024.
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.
317. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education when ICT grants will be paid to primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31163/23]
View answerUnder the Digital Strategy for Schools 2015 to 2020 overall investment of €210m issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools in annual grant funding. This funding was to support schools to invest in appropriate digital infrastructure to embed the use of digital technology in teaching, learning and assessment.
The new Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 was published last year and is underpinned by an investment of €200m to support schools over the period committed to under Ireland’s National Development Plan (NDP). The first tranche of €50m issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools in late 2021.
It is hoped to issue the next tranche of funding in the 2023-2024 school year. As with all such funding, the issuing of the grant is subject to the availability of Exchequer funding and the wider capital needs of the Department.
It is anticipated that the funding committed to under the NDP will be available to support the implementation of the Digital Strategy to Schools in future years.
As with funding under the previous strategy, the funding under the Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 issues directly to schools as they are best placed to identify the requirements of their own student cohort and to meet those requirements in the most appropriate way in accordance with their digital learning plan.
318. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education the average total of voluntary contributions received annually by schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31166/23]
View answerThe Government believes that a rise in the cost of living should never be a barrier to education. In order to ensure this remains the case and as part of the cost of living measures announced in Budget 23, the government provided €90m for once off additional capitation funding.
All recognised Primary and Post-Primary schools in the Free Education scheme benefited from this additional capitation funding in December 2022 which represents an increase of circa 40% of current standard and enhanced capitation rates.
Section 64 of the Education (Admissions to schools) Act 2018, which was commenced in 2018 explicitly prohibits the charging of admission and enrolment fees for admission to or for continued enrolment in a school, with some exceptions such as boarding or fee charging schools.
The Government has introduced a new scheme to provide free schoolbooks to children and young people enrolled in recognised primary schools, including special schools, which will greatly reduce the burden on these families and reflects the importance that the Government places on education.
This scheme will ensure that parents and guardians of children in primary schools will not be asked to buy or rent any school books, workbooks or copy books as of autumn 2023.
Voluntary contributions can be requested by schools, however it must be made absolutely clear to parents that there is no requirement to pay, and that, in making a contribution, they are doing so of their own choice, and there is no compulsion to pay. In the context of the current cost of living crisis and the additional funding being made available to schools, I have previously indicated that schools should not seek additional voluntary contributions from parents.
Ultimately it is a matter for each individual school to determine if it should seek a Voluntary Contribution, considering its individual circumstances. The latest available data is for the school year 2020/21, when approximately €28 million was reported as received by primary and post primary schools in the form of voluntary contributions.
319. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education if she will engage with the State Examinations Commission regarding the possibility of an examination deferral for a student (details supplied), considering the traumatic circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31169/23]
View answerThe State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the state examinations.
In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
