Written Answers Nos. 256-275
256. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education the current situation regarding additional classroom accommodation at a primary school in County Cork, (details supplied); if this project can proceed in the circumstances, the alternatives being considered by the Department in this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41235/23]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that my Department received an Additional Schools Accommodation application from the school in question and additional accommodation was subsequently approved for this school. The project was handed over to our Devolved Section for delivery. Unfortunately, following a feasibility study, the provision of modular accommodation at the school was deemed unviable due to access issues.
My Department is currently liaising with the School to examine alternative solutions. Supplementary information has been requested from the school authority and once this has been received, and the assessment completed, a decision will be conveyed directly to the school authority.
257. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education for an update on the case of a pupil (details supplied) whose school place has been delayed opening of their class but is currently not receiving any tuition as home tuition is not suitable or available; if she will confirm if the school will open in November 2023; and if an SNA in a mainstream school could be made available in the meantime. [41247/23]
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 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 has been 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, special needs assistants (SNAs) and funding for the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS).
In 2023, the number of teaching and SNA posts in our schools will increase with an additional 686 teachers and a further 1,194 SNAs. The NCSE has the responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs.
For the first time ever there will be over 19,000 teachers working in the area of special education and over 20,000 SNAs. Together we have almost 40,000 qualified and committed people in our schools who are focused wholly and exclusively on supporting children with special educational needs.
It should be noted that SNAs are allocated to schools as a school based resource and play a central role in the successful inclusion of students with additional and significant care needs into mainstream education, special classes and special schools ensuring that these students can access education within these settings to enable them to achieve their best outcomes and reach their full potential.
My department can provide an update on the school previously referred to and I am pleased to advise that approval under the Additional School Accommodation scheme has issued to the school for the provision of a 1 x special education reconfiguration.
The project is being delivered under my department’s Devolved SEN Reconfiguration and Modular Accommodation programme. This programme provides project management supports to enable the accommodation to be provided as quickly as possible and helps to ease the administrative workload for individual schools in relation to the management and delivery of the project.
Given complexities it’s not possible to give an expected completion date at this time. The overall construction sector environment is challenging and my department and the project management company are doing everything possible to ensure that the accommodation is delivered as quickly as possible.
In relation to the Home Tuition Grant Scheme, home tuition can be provided as an interim measure for children where a placement in a recognised school is sought but not available. It is not, and should not be regarded as an optional alternative to a school placement.
The purpose of the scheme is to provide a compensatory educational service for children who, for a number of reasons, are unable to attend school. The scheme also provides a compensatory educational service for children with special educational needs seeking an educational placement where such a placement is not readily available.
In regards to the pupil referred to, an application for home tuition was received on the 8 of September, and a letter of eligibility for home tuition was issued to the parent by email on the 13 of September. Per the eligibility letter issued, the pupil is eligible for 20 hours home tuition per week. The parent must source an appropriately qualified tutor/tutors in accordance with the terms of section 3 of the home tuition circular 0024/2023.
My department does not keep lists of tutors available to carry out home tuition, however, it may be helpful to contact local schools in the first instance. Alternatively, the department is aware that many parents use education provider websites to advertise for tutors or indeed place advertisements in local newspapers or on shop/community notice boards. Additionally, the Irish Primary Principals' Network (IPPN) has created a home tuition noticeboard to help parents source suitable candidates. This noticeboard is available on www.educationposts.ie.
My department and the NCSE are 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.
258. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Education the reason for the delay in issuing teacher registration numbers across the State (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41259/23]
View answerThe Teaching Council is the competent authority for the recognition of qualifications for those who qualified as teachers outside of Ireland. The Teaching Council adheres to the Teaching Council Act 2001-2015, the Teaching Council Registration Regulations (2016) and in its role as a competent authority, it operates in accordance with the EU Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications Directive (2005/36/EU as amended). As a statutory professional standards body, the Teaching Council is required by law to properly determine and to authenticate the relevant standards and qualifications of all applicants for registration. One of the ways the Council ensures and regulates standards is by ensuring that all teachers entering the profession in Ireland have met the required standards.
Fully qualified teachers are eligible to apply for registration with the Teaching Council under the Teaching Council (Registration) Regulations. The Council registers teachers under five Routes of Registration: Route 1 Primary, Route 2 Post-primary, Route 3 Further Education, Route 4 Other and Route 5 Student Teachers.
Teachers who qualify from outside of Ireland applying for registration under the standard pathway to registration must be fully qualified teachers which includes the completion of any period of post-qualification registration requirements in the country they qualified, e.g., teacher induction in England. All applications from teachers who qualify outside of Ireland are processed in line with EU Directive.
In addition, for a time limited period under the Teaching Council (Registration) (Amendment), 2023, the Teaching Council is accepting applications from teachers who have not completed induction in the country they qualified.
The Teaching Council has confirmed that there are no backlogs or delays in the processing of any category of applications, including all applications currently being processed. The published timeframes for the processing of applications are being adhered to. The Teaching Council has all necessary resources in place to ensure the timely registration, renewal of registration and vetting of teachers for the national Register of Teachers. Over the past two years in particular, they have further streamlined and enhanced all registration systems and processes, introducing a new online registration system that has added efficiencies to processes, making it easier for applicants to track applications in real time.The average processing time to successful completion of registration for domestically qualified applicants is is 2.6 weeks.
The Teaching Council receives approximately 600 eligible applications annually from teachers who have qualified outside of the Republic of Ireland. Teachers who qualified outside of Ireland are advised that applications may take up to 12 weeks to process from receipt of all required documentation. This is in line with the EU Directive timeframe which provides for an assessment to be carried out due to the necessity to verify and assess qualifications and credentials obtained in other countries. Processing time commences from the date that applicants submit all documents required to conduct that assessment.
On average the processing time of overseas applications for primary teachers is 3-4 weeks and for post-primary teachers is 8 weeks.
259. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Education for an update on an application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41272/23]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for the question. The purpose of the Home Tuition Grant Scheme is to provide funding towards the provision of a compensatory educational service for children who, for a number of specific reasons, are unable to attend school as follows:
a) Early educational intervention for children with autism who meet the scheme’s eligibility criteria
b) Students with special educational needs seeking an educational placement in a recognised school
c) Students, enrolled in schools, with a significant medical condition, or school phobia and/or associated depression/anxiety, which has caused, and is likely to continue to cause, major disruption to their attendance at school
In exceptional cases the Department will consider home tuition applications on behalf of students with diagnoses of school phobia and/or associated depression/anxiety which has caused, and is likely to continue to cause, major disruption to their attendance at school. This exception will only apply where a continued absence from school is required to facilitate appropriate medical or therapeutic intervention with a view to the reintegration of the student in their school.
In relation to applications in respect of students with diagnoses of school phobia and/or associated depression/anxiety, the principle that home tuition cannot be provided as an alternative to school applies.
Eligibility in exceptional cases is assessed having regard to, although not limited to, the following criteria:
• The student’s attendance levels during the previous school year.
• Psychologist’s/psychiatrist’s report which should
i. Clearly confirm a diagnosis of school phobia and/or associated depression/anxiety.
ii. Provide details of medical or therapeutic intervention plans in place with a view to reintegrate the student back into his/her school.
• Details of engagement with the relevant support agencies (e.g. School, National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS), Education Welfare Officer (EWO), Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), TUSLA (Child and Family Agency), HSE, NCSE).
An application for Home Tuition for the child referred to by the Deputy was received by my Department on the 15th of September 2023. The application was made on the grounds that a significant medical condition/school phobia etc. has caused/continues to cause a major disruption to the child's attendance at school. To make a decision on this case, further information is required by the Special Education Section. A letter requesting this information was sent to the applicant on the 15th of September 2023 and my officials are awaiting a response. Should they require any further assistance, the parents are welcome to contact the Special Education Section using the contact details provided below.
Address: Special Education Section, Department of Education, Cornamaddy, Athlone, County Westmeath, N37 X659
Email: special_education@education.gov.ie.
Phone number: (090) 648 4187.
260. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education the responsibility of a school in situation (details supplied); if the school is responsible for arranging alternative education or supervision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41275/23]
View answerIn accordance with Section 30 of the Education Act, 1998, parents have a right to have their children opt out of classes which are contrary to the conscience of the parent if they so wish. It is expected that this right be upheld by schools on foot of a parental request.
The manner in which any school ensures that the right to opt out of classes is upheld is a matter for the school concerned. The school must determine the particular arrangements which are most appropriate in its individual circumstances having regard to local issues such as available space, supervision requirements and how the school concerned organises classes, etc.
261. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Education for an update in relation to the provision of phase 2 of school accommodation at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41287/23]
View answerI am pleased to advise the school to which the Deputy refers was recently granted approval under the Additional School Accommodation scheme for the provision of four classrooms. This project is being delivered under the Department’s Devolved SEN Reconfiguration and Modular Accommodation programme.
This Reconfiguration and Modular Accommodation involves the use of Project Management supports which is designed to enable the accommodation to be provided as quickly as possible and help ease the administrative workload for school authorities in relation to the management and delivery of projects. The use of the Department’s Modular Accommodation Framework also assists in ensuring lead in periods for procurement of modular accommodation are minimised to the greatest extent possible.
However, the wider context in relation to the overall modular market at present is challenging with modular accommodation suppliers being very busy across commercial, housing and other sectors. The Department is working closely with the Project Management teams and the modular accommodation suppliers to ensure additional capacity for the schools sector is delivered as quickly as possible.
262. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Education for an update in relation to the provision of school accommodation at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41291/23]
View answerI am pleased to inform the Deputy that the building project for the school to which he refers is being devolved for delivery to Galway & Roscommon Education and Training Board (GRETB).
The Design Team for the project were appointed earlier this year and are currently preparing the Stage 1 report (preliminary design).
It is not possible to provide a timeline for completion of the project at this early stage.
263. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure that an application for additional accommodation by a school (details supplied) will be progressed without delay; and if she will provide an update as to the current status of same. [41322/23]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of an application for capital funding, under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme, from the school to which he refers.
The purpose of my Department’s Additional School Accommodation (or ASA) scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom accommodation and accommodation for pupils with special education needs is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation.
The application from the school in question is currently being assessed, including identified technical complexities that are being considered as part of our assessment of the school’s accommodation needs.
My Department will be in further contact with the school authorities shortly in this respect.
264. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education the reasons that a child (details supplied) did not receive the correct school bus ticket for the 2023/2024 academic year; when this issue will be resolved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41342/23]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2022/2023 school year, over 149,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
There was an increase of 21% in tickets issued to eligible students and an increase of 38% in tickets issued on a concessionary basis in the 2022/23 school year compared to the 2021/22 school year.
In addition, school transport scheme services were provided for over 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
Already over 132,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the same time last year. This number of tickets has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.
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.
Bus Éireann advise that this issue raised by the Deputy has now been resolved. This pupil has now been moved to the correct service and a ticket will issue in the coming days.
265. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education the up-to-date position with an appeal for a school bus in County Kildare (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41396/23]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2022/2023 school year, over 149,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country. In addition, school transport scheme services were provided for over 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.Already over 133,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the start of the 2022/2023 school year. The number of tickets issued so far has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.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 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.Bus Éireann review all school transport services based on the number of applications received. 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.
Bus Éireann has advised that the child referred to by the Deputy resides 2.3 km from home to their nearest school and school of attendance. This child is not eligible for transport as they do not meet the distance criteria under the Primary School Transport Scheme.
Bus Éireann has further advised that this pupil was unsuccessful in obtaining a concessionary seat for the 2023/24 school year as the existing service is currently operating to capacity.
An appeal in respect of school transport for the family referred to by the Deputy has been lodged with the School Transport Appeals Board on 8th August 2023. The Board is independent of my Department and will liaise directly with the appellants when the appeal is due for consideration.
266. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education the up-to-date position with an appeal for a school bus in County Kildare (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41397/23]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2022/2023 school year, over 149,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country. In addition, school transport scheme services were provided for over 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.Already over 132,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the same time last year. This number of tickets has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.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.
Bus Éireann has advised that the family referred to by the Deputy were issued tickets on route in question on 10th July 2023 and the route is operating at present.
The School Transport Appeals Board has not received an appeal from this family referred to date.
267. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education the number of school bus routes currently not in operation in County Kildare; the reasons for these routes not operating; the expected re-commencement date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41398/23]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2022/2023 school year, over 149,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
In addition, school transport scheme services were provided for over 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
Already over 133,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the same time last year. This number of tickets issued so far has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.
Bus Éireann has reported that unfortunately, for a small number of families assigned to school transport services, a number of difficulties have arisen in some localities with just under 2% of contracted services nationally affecting less then 1.25% of those pupils who have been issued with a ticket. These services were secured for the 2023/2024 school year however, Bus Éireann was informed at the last minute that due to driver/contractor unavailability, services could not commence as expected. These services are not cancelled, and the Bus Éireann School Transport team is working intensively to ensure that transport arrangements are put in place as soon as possible.
The Department has established an interim grant arrangement to assist with the cost of alternative arrangements until services are in place.
The Exceptional No Service Interim Grant will be made available to families retrospectively. This payment will be paid as an exceptional measure and will be calculated from the date the service was due to commence up to the date that a service is provided for children.
Bus Éireann have also advised that for a small number of families assigned to Special Educational Needs transport services that had been secured, difficulties have arisen in some localities with a small number of contracted services. These services are not cancelled, and the Bus Éireann School Transport team is working intensively to ensure that transport arrangements are put in place as soon as possible. Bus Éireann is also engaging with families where transport was sanctioned and where there may be delays in securing a new service.
A Special Transport Interim Grant is available to families of children with special educational needs who, following the application process, are eligible under the terms of the school transport scheme and are awaiting a School Transport service to be put in place. The Department will be in direct contact with families in regard to full details of this grant.
This grant is a once off payment. The interim grant is offered from the date of application to assist with the cost of private transport arrangements that families have to put place until a transport service is ready to commence.
Bus Éireann have advised that at present in Kildare, there are 2 routes that operated for pupils with special educational needs in the 2022/23 school year that are not currently operating in the 2023/24 school year and there are 5 routes that operated for mainstream pupils in the 2022/23 school year that are not currently operating in the 2023/24 school year.
268. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education if she has discussed the urgent need for those over 70 years of age to be allowed, if they desire, to drive school buses once again, given the crisis with school transport at this time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41399/23]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2022/2023 school year, over 149,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
In addition, school transport scheme services were provided for over 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
Already over 133,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the start of the 2022/2023 school year. The number of tickets issued this year has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.
The purpose of my 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.
While over 90% of services are contracted locally, Bus Éireann apply stringent assessments of each individual driver on school routes. This includes vetting and background checks.
It is Bus Éireann company policy that normal retirement age for all Bus Éireann staff is currently 66 years. However, Bus Éireann part-time school bus drivers and drivers nominated by private operators who operate service as part of the School Transport Scheme may continue to perform in the role provided they hold the requisite license and satisfy an annual medical examination until they retire at age 70. This policy and criteria is applied to all drivers who provide school transport services on behalf of Bus Éireann equally.
The age limit on school bus drivers was increased to 70 years a number of years ago. While Bus Éireann have informed the Department there is no plan to increase the age limit further at this time, the matter will continue to be kept under review.
269. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education if she will intervene, as a matter of urgency, in the case of an applicant (details supplied) for teacher registration to have their application completed as a matter of urgency and a registration issued to them for interview-purposes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41408/23]
View answerThe Teaching Council is the competent authority for the recognition of qualifications for those who qualified as teachers outside of Ireland. The Teaching Council adheres to the Teaching Council Act 2001-2015, the Teaching Council Registration Regulations (2016) and in its role as a competent authority, it operates in accordance with the EU Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications Directive (2005/36/EU as amended). As a statutory professional standards body, the Teaching Council is required by law to properly determine and to authenticate the relevant standards and qualifications of all applicants for registration. One of the ways the Council ensures and regulates standards is by ensuring that all teachers entering the profession in Ireland have met the required standards.
Fully qualified teachers are eligible to apply for registration with the Teaching Council under the Teaching Council (Registration) Regulations. The Council registers teachers under five Routes of Registration: Route 1 Primary, Route 2 Post-primary, Route 3 Further Education, Route 4 Other and Route 5 Student Teachers.
Teachers who qualify from outside of Ireland applying for registration under the standard pathway to registration must be fully qualified teachers which includes the completion of any period of post-qualification registration requirements in the country they qualified, e.g., teacher induction in England. All applications from teachers who qualify outside of Ireland are processed in line with EU Directive.
In addition, for a time limited period under the Teaching Council (Registration) (Amendment), 2023, the Teaching Council is accepting applications from primary and post-primary teachers who have not completed induction in the country they qualified.
The person referred to by the Deputy qualified outside of Ireland and applied for registration as a post-primary teacher under the Teaching Council (Registration) Regulation, 2016. The person referred to did not complete an induction period in country where they qualified. They were therefore ineligible to continue the application they made for post-primary registration through the standard registration process.
The person referred to was advised that their application was being transferred to the application process under the Teaching Council (Registration) (Amendment), 2023. This pathway to registration has been introduced for a time limited period for qualified teachers who have not completed induction in the country in which they qualified.
The person referred to is now registered as a post-primary teacher and has been sent confirmation of same.
270. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education when the ICT will grant be paid to primary schools for 2023/2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41432/23]
View answerThe Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 was published last year and is underpinned by an investment of €200m to support its implementation, 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.
The previous Digital Strategy for Schools 2015 to 2020 saw overall investment of €210m issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools in annual grant funding. This funding enabled schools to invest in appropriate digital infrastructure to enable the embedding of the use of digital technology in teaching, learning and assessment.
Funding of €50m secured as part of Ireland's National Recovery and Resilience Plan under the NextGenerationEU Recovery and Resilience Facility also issued to all recognised schools in the free education scheme to support learners at risk of educational disadvantage through the digital divide in late 2021.
My Department intends to pay the next tranche of ICT grant funding in the 2023 to 2024 school year. The specific timing for issue of the ICT grant is subject to the availability of Exchequer funding and the wider capital needs of the Department including the building programme to ensure the supply of school accommodation.
As part of the forthcoming Review of the National Development Plan, my Department’s aim is to provide better clarity and certainty for schools on the timelines for payment of minor works and ICT grant funding.
Minor Works Grant funding for primary and special schools can be used not only for the maintenance and small-scale improvements to school buildings and grounds but also for the provision of ICT infrastructure in schools.
271. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on the commitments made in the Programme for Government around education policy for the Irish language; what has been done to date to honour those commitments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41441/23]
View answerAs the deputy is aware, the Government recognises the importance of a strong education system in supporting access for all students to Irish language and culture and its significant role in the revitalisation and maintenance of Irish in Gaeltacht communities and beyond. My department continues to work to promote Irish in the education system and to support Irish-medium education through a variety of initiatives in keeping with the commitments made in the Programme for Government and the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030.
The Irish language curricula at primary and post-primary levels have been comprehensively reviewed in recent years. The development of learners’ proficiency in spoken Irish is a fundamental aim in curricular specifications for Irish at all levels. Following extensive research and robust consultation processes, the new Primary Language Curriculum and revised specifications for Irish at Junior Cycle were introduced for implementation from 2019 and 2017 respectively. As part of the revised Junior Cycle curricula, two separate specifications for Irish were introduced: the T1 specification is targeted at students in Irish-medium schools, including Gaeltacht schools, and the T2 specification is aimed at students who use the Irish language as a second language, mainly in schools that operate through the medium of English.
The learning outcomes in these specifications provide students with opportunities to build on their Irish language learning experience in primary school and to further enhance and extend their language competences. Communication is one of the three strands of the specification for Junior Cycle Irish. As is the case with the Primary Language Curriculum, the specifications for Junior Cycle Irish are based on the principles of a communicative approach to language learning emphasising an integrated approach to the development of all language skills. The development of students’ competence in spoken Irish, including their capacity in spoken production and interaction, is a central part of the specifications. The specifications for Junior Cycle Irish provide ample opportunity for the use of Irish language texts from a variety of genres and promote students’ participation in decision making on the texts selected.
Building on the developments in Irish language curricular provision at primary and junior cycle, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) published draft T1 and T2 specifications for Leaving Certificate (established) Irish for consultation in February 2021.
My department’s teacher support services, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) and An Chomhairle Um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG) are supporting the implementation of these curricula, and reviewing these supports on an ongoing basis.
In addition, a new website and mobile phone apps for Séideán Sí, an Irish language programme for Irish-medium education (T1) were launched on a phased basis over the last two years. My department’s investment in the digitisation of Séideán Sí books and support materials has brought that project to completion and my department is supporting the ongoing work of updating, revising and producing additional material for the programme.
My department provides funding to support the Gaelbhratach programme at primary and post primary level, and has funded the scheme on an annual basis since 2018. Gaelbhratach is a scheme which supports and encourages both Irish and English medium primary and post-primary schools in their efforts teach and to promote the Irish language. Schools are awarded the Gaelbhratach flag upon successful completion of a variety of targets. The targets relate to music, art, sport, the organisation of and participation in events and much more. The primary aim of the scheme is to create and encourage a culture of speaking Irish informally within the school community and beyond. The scheme is operated and coordinated by Gael Linn with support from Conradh na Gaeilge and Glór na nGael. Under the programme for Government, My department has increased funding to this initiative by 33% to €180,000 and my department expects to continue to seek funding to support this project in future budgets.
My Department has increased funding for COGG by 14% from €2,663,000 in 2020 to €3,040,000 in 2023, and in addition to increasing their funding, my Department has strengthened COGG’s capacity sanctioning an increase in staffing resources to further support and enhance their role.
COGG provide a wide variety of supports to teachers to support teaching in the area of Irish. These include, supports for Newly Qualified Teachers, live and interactive online sessions, sustained school supports, workshops, online resources, summer courses, webinars, whole school days as Irish and in some cases dedicated teams to provide specific areas as Gaeilge. The Summer Course Programme also encourages the provision of courses which support teachers in the teaching of Irish based on the Primary School Language Curriculum 2019.
‘An Tairseach’ (the Portal), dedicated to providing access to resources that support learning and teaching in Gaeltacht and Irish-medium schools has been developed and published by COGG. In addition to the resources already published, teachers are producing teaching and learning resources for the portal which will be made available following a quality assurance process.
Work on the development of a new policy for Irish-medium education outside of the Gaeltacht is well underway in my Department. The policy on Irish-medium education outside of the Gaeltacht builds on the achievements of the Policy on Gaeltacht Education 2017-2022. The development of the policy is an important step towards achieving the Programme for Government commitments on Irish in the education system.
The key objectives of the policy are in accordance with the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030 and the Programme for Government. They include:
• provision of a framework for the delivery of high-quality Irish-medium education in Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholáistí and in Irish-medium early learning and care settings (for example, naíonraí) outside of the Gaeltacht
• increasing the proportion of children and young people attending Irish-medium schools, including by building on the foundations laid in Irish-medium early learning and care settings (for example, naíonraí)
• exploring how opportunities for the establishment of Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholáistí can be increased as part of the patronage process
• developing a clear policy on the establishment and sustainability of Aonaid/Sruthanna (units/streams) in existing English-medium post-primary schools to strengthen Irish-medium education provision
• examining how the supply of teachers and other staff with a high standard of Irish can be increased to meet demand in Irish-medium education settings
• looking at ways to deepen community engagement around Irish-medium schools and early learning and care settings.
To inform the development of the policy on Irish-medium education outside of the Gaeltacht, an extensive public consultation process was conducted to gather the views of stakeholders, including young people, parents, education professionals, education stakeholders and Irish-language organisations. Sealbhú, DCU is currently carrying out an analysis of the information gathered during the consultation.
My Department is committed to creating opportunities for expanding Irish-medium education and in that context the plans for the establishment of 47 new schools, affords particular consideration to the establishment of Gaelscoileanna, Gaelcholáistí, and Aonaid Lán-Ghaeilge as part of the patronage process for new schools.
A patronage process is run after it has been decided, based on demographic analysis, that a new school is required in a particular area. The process is open to all patron bodies and prospective patrons. Parental preferences, as well as other considerations such as the extent of diversity of provision in an area, are key to the decision-making process and to whether at post-primary level a school would take the form of an Irish-medium school or whether, a new English-medium school would include an Irish-medium unit.
A lower threshold of 400 students for establishing a post-primary school may apply to Gaelcholáistí instead of the usual 600-1000 student capacity, having regard to the alternative of establishing an Irish-medium unit (Aonad) in an English-medium school. It is also possible for any post-primary school patron to contact my Department to explore the establishment of an Aonad in an existing school.
Eight new primary schools operating through the medium of Irish have been established in this way. At post-primary level, a new Gaelcholáiste was established in 2020 as part of the transition of an Aonad into a stand-alone Gaelcholáiste.
Following on from its undertaking in the 5 Year Action Plan for Irish 2018- 20022, my Department launched a Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) pilot project in 2019. This project is targeted at English-medium primary and post-primary schools and Early Learning and Care settings. The CLIL approach to teaching involves teaching aspects of both the target language and the target subject CLIL aims to extend learners’ access to the benefits of engaging in the study of other curricular subjects or aspects of the curriculum through Irish.
As a result of school closures under COVID-19 restrictions, it was necessary to postpone the in-school/setting phase of the pilot project, and the timeframe for delivery was therefore necessarily extended to 2023. Operating in consultation with third level experts, the support services, COGG and the Inspectorate, the project team continued to progress the development of resources to support the implementation of the project.
As part of this pilot project, resources to assist teachers in using the CLIL approach to teaching Irish and PE were developed during Year 1 and 2. . These resources which include lesson plan exemplars for teaching aspects of the PE curriculum were made available to all schools on a dedicated webpage maintained by Oide. It is proposed to develop the material further during the 2023/24 academic year.
The resources developed during the CLIL pilot project will support both the teaching of PE through Irish using that approach as well as the more general teaching of PE through Irish in English medium schools as proposed in the Programme for Government. The PE curriculum for Primary school is available through both English and Irish and in addition to the resources developed to support a CLIL approach to teaching PE with Irish. My department is working with COGG and Oide in order to further develop supports and resources to facilitate teachers in English-medium schools to teach PE either fully through Irish, by using the CLIL approach or by using less formal approach.
I recognise the importance of a strong education system in supporting access for all students to Irish language and culture and its significant role in the revitalisation and maintenance of Irish in Gaeltacht communities and beyond. Officials of my department and of its agencies will continue to review and reform the learning and teaching of Irish and increase access to Irish-medium education as appropriate.
272. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education when a school (details supplied) will see work commence on its new school building; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41450/23]
View answerThe large scale capital project for the school referred to by the Deputy is part of a joint campus project with another primary school and a post-primary school. My Department authorised the Design Team to retender the project as the first tranche of tenders were deemed unviable. The Design Team applied for a new planning permission due to a change in the Planning Acts introduced by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in Sept 2021 which removed the option to extend a planning permission. Following a Request for Further Information from the Local Authority, the grant of planning permission has been received.
In parallel, the Main Contractor Tender report was received and reviewed by my Department and the Tender report in respect of the Reserve Specialist Contractors is anticipated shortly from the Design Team.
Upon receipt and review of the 2nd tender report, my Department will be in contact with the School Authorities and the Design Team regarding further progression of the project.
273. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education if school transport can be made available for a person (details supplied). [41463/23]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2022/2023 school year, over 149,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
In addition, school transport scheme services were provided for over 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
Already over 132,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the same time last year. This number of tickets has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.
A pupil with special educational needs is eligible for school transport if they are 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 (SENO).
There was a 30% increase in the number of special educational transport journeys from 2019 to the 2022/2023 school year, and already over 1,400 new applications have been received since July for the 2023/2024 school year.
New applications for the 2023/2024 school year will be catered for through a mix of new services (some being individual), children being accommodated on existing services where capacity exists, extensions of existing routes and grants to families.
Bus Éireann has reported that unfortunately, for a small number of families assigned to Special Educational Needs transport services that had been secured, difficulties have arisen in some localities with a small number of contracted services. These services are not cancelled, and the Bus Éireann School Transport team is working intensively to ensure that transport arrangements are put in place as soon as possible. Bus Éireann is also engaging with families where transport was sanctioned and where there may be delays in securing a new service.
A Special Transport Interim Grant is available to families of children with special educational needs who, following the application process, are eligible under the terms of the school transport scheme and are awaiting a School Transport service to be put in place. The Department will be in direct contact with families in regard to full details of this grant.
This grant is a once off payment. The interim grant is offered from the date of application to assist with the cost of private transport arrangements that families have to put place until a transport service is ready to commence.
Bus Éireann have confirmed that the pupil referred to by the Deputy commenced on a school transport service on 25th September 2023.
274. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education if she will address the case of a person (details supplied). [41464/23]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2022/2023 school year, over 149,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
In addition, school transport scheme services were provided for over 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
Already over 132,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the same time last year. This number of tickets has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.
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. I am pleased to advised that the child referred to by the Deputy has been deemed eligible for school transport under the terms of the scheme.
Bus Eireann has advised that the child referred to by the Deputy is sanctioned on a new service and this service is currently in the procurement process. Bus Éireann continues to work intensively to ensure that transport arrangements are put in place as soon as possible.
The Department will sanction a Special Transport Grant to assist with the cost of alternative arrangements for the duration that the child referred has not been accommodated on a school transport service. School Transport Section of my Department will liaise with the family referred in this regard.
275. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education if she will advise a family (details supplied) on a school transport matter. [41465/23]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2022/2023 school year, over 149,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country. In addition, school transport scheme services were provided for over 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.Already over 132,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the same time last year. This number of tickets has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.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.
Bus Éireann has advised that the route referred to by the Deputy is not operating at present due to a driver resource issue. Once this issue has been resolved, the service will commence.
The Department has sanctioned an Exceptional Interim Grant to assist with the cost of alternative arrangements for the duration to the family referred until they have been accommodated on a school transport service. The family have been contacted by email in this regard.
