Written Answers Nos. 283-289
283. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education if and when the child of a person (details supplied) might obtain a school place for September next; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31971/23]
View answerWhile my Department is aware of enrolment pressures and demand for additional school places in some areas, it is important to note that where enrolment pressures arise, it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:
• Duplication of applications – pupils have applied for a place to a number of schools in the area
• School of choice – pupils can’t get a place in their preferred school while there are places in other schools in the town/area
• Some towns/areas have single sex schools and while places are available in the school they are not available to all pupils
• External draw – pupils coming from outside the local area
My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in the area. In 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.
Parents have the right to choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available the pupil should be admitted. However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available a selection process may be necessary. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.
The Department is working to establish the true extent of any capacity issues across school planning areas through ongoing discussions with the relevant school patrons and authorities.
This close engagement will allow the Department to identify particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming years which may necessitate further action to that already in train including, where required, the provision of modular accommodation solutions.
The Educational Welfare Services (EWS) of the Child and Family Agency (Tusla) is the statutory agency that can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The local service is delivered through the national network of Educational Welfare Officers (EWO). Contact details are available at www.tusla.ie/get-in-touch/education-and-welfare/
284. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education what provision will be made for gambling awareness in the new Junior Cycle SPHE curriculum, at TY level and at senior cycle as per recent statements in Dáil Éireann, given that problem gambling is not covered in schools at present; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31984/23]
View answerSchools have a role to play in supporting their students to develop the key skills and knowledge to enable them to make informed choices when faced with a range of difficult issues, including drugs, alcohol and gambling. This is mainly done through the Social Personal and Health Education (SPHE) programme.
SPHE forms part of the mandatory 'Wellbeing' area of learning at Junior Cycle. Wellbeing in Junior Cycle is about young people feeling confident, happy, healthy and connected, and it is one of the principles that underpins Junior Cycle education.
An updated Junior Cycle SPHE specification was published by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) in May 2023 and will be rolled out in schools from September 2023. It provides clear direction on the knowledge, skills, and dispositions that all students should gain during the three years of Junior Cycle SPHE. It places a strong focus on the development of important life skills that young people need growing up in a fast changing and complex world. The SPHE specification is grounded in values of respect, equality, inclusivity, responsibility, dignity, compassion and empathy.
The learning outcomes of the Making Healthy Choices strand in the updated specification include that students should be able to "discuss societal, cultural and economic influences affecting young people when it comes to making healthy choices about smoking, alcohol and other addictive substances and behaviours, and how harmful influences can be overcome in real-life situations". In the specification’s Glossary of Key Terms, addictive behaviours are defined as including “gaming, gambling and social media addictions”.
Schools are also encouraged to deliver the SPHE programme in Senior Cycle. In the course of the consultation on the Background Paper and Brief for the redevelopment of Senior Cycle SPHE, participants commonly talked about addictive substances and behaviours such as alcohol and gambling and the need for students to be enabled to recognise addition and the impact of addition on emotional wellbeing, on decision-making and on family and friends. This learning will be addressed in the draft specification due out for consultation this year.
The Transition Year Programme Statement is currently being redeveloped to support the realisation of the purpose and vision for a redeveloped senior cycle as set out the Senior Cycle Review Advisory Report, which was published by the NCCA in 2022. Transition Year provides schools with the flexibility and autonomy to design a curriculum in their local context to develop students holistically. TY provides opportunities for vocational education and awareness, greater community links, participation in a wide range of activities and experiences and a deeper sense of belonging. The draft programme statement will be published for consultation later this year.
285. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education if and when a second-level school place might be offered in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31987/23]
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 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 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, 11 are in Co. Kildare, with 6 at primary level and 5 at post-primary level. These new classes will bring the total number of special classes in Kildare to 115.
As demand for new special classes at post-primary level is expected to increase significantly over the next few years, due to increasing demographics and increasing prevalence rates, my department and the NCSE have engaged with post-primary stakeholders in relation to the provision of special classes.
In October of last year, my department wrote to all post-primary schools to advise them of the need to begin planning to provide additional special classes. It is envisaged that all post-primary schools will be required to provide special classes over the next 3 to 5 years, with an approximate average of 4 special classes in each school.
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 2023/24.
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.
286. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education the total advertising budget allocated by her Department and agencies in each of the past ten years, and to date in 2023, respectively; the funding provided directly to RTÉ in each year; if she has sought and secured an assurance that none of this funding was rebated via the RTÉ advertising barter account; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32004/23]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that my Department does not have a fixed annual advertising budget. As policy implementation dictates, advertising can be sought to deliver specific policy objectives or legal obligations. In the period of time in question, this has included awareness campaigns on school transport, promoting the teaching profession, the reopening of schools during the COVID-19 pandemic, and other matters such as local planning notices for school buildings and the advertising of the opportunity to engage with scoping inquiries.
The total advertising spend by year by my Department is given in the table below. This spend includes costs associated with media buying and creative costs, as well as some costs relating to events and Irish Sign Language (ISL) translation services.
Department of Education spending on advertising
|
- |
Year |
Amount |
|
|
|
2023 to June |
€43,435.57 |
|
|
|
2022 |
€674,899.67 |
|
|
|
2021 |
€879,720.08 |
|
|
|
2020 |
€613,409.24 |
|
|
|
2019 |
€285,014.64 |
|
|
|
2018 |
€337,812.21 |
|
|
|
2017 |
€71,630.37 |
|
|
|
2016 |
€79,913.20 |
|
|
|
2015 |
€114,838.31 |
|
|
|
2014 |
€124,961.03 |
|
|
|
2013 |
€310,157.35 |
|
|
|
Total |
€3,535,791.67 |
|
The information in respect of agencies within the scope of the Deputy’s question is not held by my Department. Contact details for these bodies are set out in the attached document should the Deputy wish to contact them directly with this query.
A contract with a media buying agency has been in place since 2018. The spend on advertising with RTÉ in that time by my department has amounted to €191,941. In addition, my Department paid RTÉ €1,000 in 2015 for activities relating to the 1916 Commemoration.
I can confirm that the media buying agency has never used a barter account for any business for my Department.
|
Contact E-Mail Addresses for State Bodies under the Remit of the Department of Education as at 03 February 2023 |
||
|
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 |
|
Educational Research Centre |
oireachtas.queries@erc.ie |
aidan.clerkin@erc.ie |
|
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment Note 1 |
oireactasqueries@ncca.ie |
Aine.ArmstrongFarrell@ncca.ie |
|
State Examinations Commission |
Oireachtas@examinations.ie |
Paddy.Quinn@examinations.ie |
|
The Teaching Council |
pqrep@teachingcouncil.ie |
lramsey@teachingcouncil.ie |
|
National Council for Special Education |
oireachtasqueries@ncse.ie |
patrick.martin@ncse.ie and cindyjane.oconnell@ncse.ie |
|
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
287. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the amount paid out to all consultancy firms for any services rendered; and the cost per contract for the year-to-date 2023, in tabular form [31697/23]
View answerI am advised that no expenditure was incurred on consultancy firms from my Department's Administrative Budget for the year-to-date 2023.
From time to time, my Department commissions experts to provide technical reports or advice on specific issues. While the providers of these services may describe themselves as consultants, their work is not classified as consultancy services and is not funded from my Department's Administrative Budget.
288. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if there is provision in the sports capital equipment programme for wheelchair lifts to promote inclusivity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31775/23]
View answerIn terms of my Department's responsibilities, the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country. Over 13,000 projects have now benefited from sports capital funding since 1998, bringing the total allocations in that time to over €1.15 billion. The Programme for Government commits to continuing the SCEP and to prioritising the needs of disadvantaged areas and groups (such as people with disabilities) in the provision of sports facilities.
More information on the many items funded under the SCEP historically, which include modifications to sports facilities to improve access for people with disabilities, can be found in the 2020 Guide to Making an Application published on the Department’s website at the following location:
www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=assets.gov.ie/194842/49a7273f-0be9-4106-a40b-412461c5a8d9.pdf#page=null
It is a requirement of the SCEP that all projects must be accessible to persons with disabilities and capital projects must conform to the seven principles of universal design.
The most recent, 2020, round of the SCEP, saw funding allocated for the installation of access lifts to further inclusion of persons with disability and such funding will continue to be available to eligible applications under a future round.
289. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when she expects the sports capital programme to open for applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31776/23]
View answerThe Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country. Over 13,000 projects have now benefited from sports capital funding since 1998, bringing the total allocations in that time to over €1.15 billion. The Programme for Government commits to continuing the SCEP and to prioritising investment in disadvantaged areas.
The 2020 round of the SCEP closed for applications on Monday 1 March 2021 and by the deadline a record 3,106 applications were submitted. The final allocations under the 2020 round were announced on 31 May last year and the total allocation of €166.6 million represents the highest level of allocation ever made under the SCEP. Details of all allocations can be found on the Department's website.
The priority in recent months has been to advance the successful applications, which number almost 2,900, under the 2020 round to "formal approval" and grant drawdown stage. This requires detailed, ongoing engagement with all grantees.
Following completion of the appeal process, my Department commenced a full review of all aspects of the 2020 round of the SCEP. This Review has now been published and is available on the Department’s website.
Among the recommendations contained in the published Review is a continued prioritisation of projects that share facilities with other sports and further enhanced investment in areas of disadvantage. The Review also identifies new areas for consideration including:
• an increase in thresholds for capital grants at both local and regional level
• rewarding projects which include adaptations for persons with disabilities through ring-fenced scores at assessment stage
• rewarding projects which incorporate climate action measures
• expanding the SCEP remit to include applications for upgrades to swimming pools, and
• prioritising applications from areas witnessing significant population growth.
Now that the Review has been published, I have asked my officials to draft the "Guide to Making an Application" for the 2023 round to reflect the recommendations in the Review and I hope to have this finalised shortly. Once completed, the Guide will be published on my Department's website and I will then announce the exact date on which the SCEP will open for applications.
