Written Answers Nos. 351-374
351. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if representatives of the Defence Forces or his Department participated in the recent IDEX 2023 arms fair in Abu Dhabi, UAE; if so, the meetings any delegation participated in; if any contracts were made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11168/23]
View answerThere was no attendance from the Department of Defence at this event. I am also informed by the Military authorities that no Defence Force representative attended this event.
352. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he has spoken with the UK Secretary of Defence to date in 2023. [11210/23]
View answerTo date, in my capacity as Minister for Defence, I have not spoken with the UK Secretary of State for Defence, Mr. Ben Wallace MP.
However, I intend to engage collectively and bilaterally with international colleagues as and when the opportunities present themselves. In that regard, I look forward to an opportunity to speak or meet with the UK Secretary of State for Defence.
353. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the amount spent on purchasing military equipment from companies based in either France and Canada in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [11225/23]
View answerInvestment in new equipment for the Defence Forces is provided for under various Subheads of the Defence Vote relating to defensive equipment, mechanical transport, aircraft, ships and naval stores, engineering, communications and information technology equipment etc.
I am advised that the amount spent on purchasing military equipment from companies based in France and Canada in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023 was as follows:
|
Country |
Amount paid to suppliers |
|
France |
€4,739,411 |
|
Canada |
€733,142* |
*Based on current conversion rates
The Deputy is also advised that the Defence Organisation routinely publishes details of Purchase Orders for goods and services valued at more than €20,000. This information is published on the Department of Defence website – www.gov.ie/en/collection/b61276-purchase-orders-over-20000/.The Department has published details of Purchase Orders including those placed for weapons and equipment by the Defence Organisation for the years 2020 to the third quarter 2022. I am advised that a small number of Purchase Orders for that timeframe were excluded from the published list for security and operational reasons.
Details of Purchase Orders placed for the last quarter of 2022 are currently being compiled and will be published shortly.
354. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if his Department supports the use of gender-neutral pronouns in the drafting of legislation or policies initiated by or originating in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11266/23]
View answerMy Department's policy is that all personnel be accorded equality of opportunity and treatment.
The statutory provisions relating to the use of words importing gender are set out in section 18(b) of the Interpretation Act 2005. This provides that a word importing the masculine gender shall be read as importing the feminine gender and vice-versa.
Primary legislation relating to Defence matters is drafted by the Office of Parliamentary Counsel on foot of a general scheme prepared by my Department which has been approved by Government.
Secondary legislation relating to Defence matters is drafted by the Office of Parliamentary Counsel or by my Department. The preparation of any secondary legislation, such as Defence Forces Regulations, by my Department is carried out in compliance with the Interpretation Act 2005 and best practice and guidance from the Office of Parliamentary Counsel.
355. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education if her Department can supply a timeline for works to be carried out at a school (details supplied), including when the work will be put out to tender, planning permission dates, a date that the works will be completed by, and a date that the new classrooms will be operational; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10873/23]
View answerI am pleased to advise the Deputy that approval has issued for the refurbishment of 4 existing Modular Classroom units and for the provision of 2 additional Modular Classroom units at the school referred, to cater for increased enrolments.
The project is being delivered under the Department’s Devolved SEN Reconfiguration and Modular Accommodation programme which provides the services of a Project Manager to assist the School Authority. This approach supports accelerated delivery of the accommodation and maximises assistance to the school for this brief, the project will be delivered from the Department’s Procurement Frameworks which offers schools the option to provide and deliver a turnkey project with efficiency in terms of timelines, experience, tried & tested service with professional Design Teams and Contractors. The School Authority has overall responsibility for delivery of the project.
356. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education the population figures her Department is using to forecast future student numbers for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10874/23]
View answer357. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education if her Department will consider proceeding with the development of a 1,000 student school at a school (details supplied) in light of a forecasted dramatic increase in the student population based on research carried out by the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10875/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 356 and 357 together.
I wish to advise the Deputy, that in order for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System, using data from a range of sources, including Child Benefit and school enrolment data, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise and where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level. Current and planned residential development activity, as well as Project Ireland 2040 population and housing targets, additionally inform my Department's forecasts of school place needs.
Where data indicates that additional provision is required at primary or post primary level, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may be provided through either one, or a combination of, the following:
- Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools
- Extending the capacity of a school or school
- Provision of a new school or schools.
My Department has been engaging with Kildare Wicklow Education & Training Board (KWETB), as patron of the school, regarding the long-term accommodation needs of the school and my Department is currently further reviewing the demographics for the Blessington School Planning Area (SPA) in that context.
My Department has also been working with KWETB to ensure that there is sufficient accommodation in place to meet the interim needs of the school, pending the delivery of the main building project.
My Department's Planning and Building Unit is currently assessing its work programme and priorities for 2023 in the context of its available funding. My Department's published NDP allocation for 2023 is €0.86 billion. High construction inflation remains a continuing feature of the construction sector for 2023. As part of its planning ahead for 2023, my Department is engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in relation to capital funding pressures in order to continue to be able to adequately support the operation of the school system with roll out of school building projects to construction in 2023.
Key priorities for my Department's work programme include continuing strong delivery to support the operation of the school system with particular regard to planning ahead for the 2023/2024 school year and beyond and also with particular regard to supporting special needs provision. The school to which the Deputy refers is among the many school accommodation needs across the country being considered as part of this process.
My Department is currently considering the long-term capacity requirements in the Blessington area, taking into account existing demographic requirements as well as current and future residential developments in the area. It is important that school building projects take appropriate account of the longer-term needs of an area, as well as ensuring that the immediate school place requirements can be facilitated. Officials will continue to engage with KWETB in this regard. A solution to address the school's interim accommodation needs is also being progressed.
I can assure the Deputy that the provision of required school places, including for children with special educational needs, is a priority for my Department and my officials are working to ensure that there is sufficient provision to met the school place needs in Blessington for 2023 and future years.
358. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education the minimum required sport facilities guidelines for secondary schools from her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10876/23]
View answerI wish to confirm to the Deputy that investment and expenditure on PE Halls is an element of the overall School Building Programme. Almost 95% of the post primary schools that made 2020 Annual Schools Returns have indicated to the Department that they either have a PE Hall, access to a nearby PE Hall, or a project in train that will deliver a new PE Hall which can be used as a sports facility.
The provision of GP rooms and PE Halls, at primary and post primary level respectively, and outdoor hard play areas, form part of the accommodation brief for all new school buildings. This is also the case where a major building or refurbishment project is being delivered for an existing school. Practically all schools have outdoor play areas and many schools use adjacent local facilities, including community halls, public parks, playing fields and swimming pools.
The typical facilities provided are outlined in the Department's design guidelines for new schools. (Ref TGD-023 “Post-primary School Design Guidelines”), & (Ref TGD-022 “Primary School Design Guidelines”), published on www.gov.ie
Furthermore, as per any new school building, where the site area and building configuration permits, an area may be reserved suitable for use as a practice playing field.
The main focus of my Department’s resources over the last decade and for the coming period is on provision of additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics particularly at post-primary level, and for provision to meet the needs of children with special educational needs. My Department has successfully supported and facilitated the enrolment of over 14,000 children from Ukraine in our primary and post primary schools.
Under Project Ireland 2040 the education sector will receive a total of approximately €4.4 billion capital investment over the period 2021-2025. There will be a rolling 5 year funding envelope which will be updated annually for the period 2026 to 2030 within the Government’s overall NDP funding envelope of €136 billion in exchequer capital (€165 billion total capital including non-Exchequer) that will facilitate building a modern and sustainable school infrastructure.
This significant investment allows us to move forward with certainty on our ambitious plans and deliver high quality building projects, with a real focus on sustainability, for school communities across Ireland. The strengthened focus on refurbishment of existing school stock will have different strands and will include a PE build and modernisation programme which will enable students in post-primary schools to have access to appropriate facilities to support PE provision, particularly also in the context of the roll-out of PE as a leaving-certificate subject. Enhanced and modernised PE facilities will also provide important amenities for local communities.
My Department will continue to work to ensure that capital investment in our schools is targeted in the most efficient and effective way to support schools in meeting the education needs of their students and local communities.
Details of large-scale projects being delivered under the school building programme may be viewed on my Department's website at, www.gov.ie and this information is updated regularly. In addition, a list of large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date may also be viewed on the website.
359. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education the minimum required toilet facility guidelines for a student for secondary schools from her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10877/23]
View answerMy Department has an ongoing policy of updating and improving its suite of School Design Guides (SDGs) for schools with a view to offering better guidance to school authorities and Design Teams. The update of design guidance documents is based on evidence based research, collaboration, codes of practice and international best practice.
SDG-02-06, which is only one document of a suite of Design Guidance, describes the design parameters to be considered by the Design Team in the formulation of their design response in relation to Sanitary Facilities specifically. The document describes the methods for calculating the number of WCs within a school, the design parameters for each self-contained WC Space, where and how these are to be organised to maximise passive supervision, prevent discrimination and minimise the risk of bullying in our schools. It also details the robustness and privacy requirements of each private WC space. The design guidance is written to respond to the wide ranging requirements of a multitude of stakeholder voices, and intended to ensure that the school environment is designed to be flexible and responsive to each school’s individual requirements. Education environments are to be designed to promote equality, to be flexible, inclusive and adaptable to changing needs where these particular needs arise. These TDG documents relate to the provision of new school buildings and are available on my Department's website.
The extent of sanitary provision in existing schools may vary depending on the school layout.
360. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education if a school transport scheme will be free for eligible families for the upcoming 2023/2024 school year; if not, if an announcement will be made regarding the reintroduction of fees in the near future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10878/23]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year, over 147,900 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
In addition, school transport scheme services are being provided in the current school year for over 3,800 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
Children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 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 are now accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
In addition, temporary alleviation measures have been continued for the current 2022/23 school year, pending completion of the review and this means that transport is provided for post-primary pupils who are eligible for transport to their nearest school and are attending their second nearest school and who applied by the 29th April 2022 and registered for a ticket by the 29th July 2022.
Children who are not eligible for school transport, but who completed the application process on time, are considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
For the 2023/2024 school year, reduced charges of €50 per student at primary level and €75 per student at post-primary level will apply, with a cap per family of €125. This means that ticketholders will save up to €50 at primary and €275 at post-primary, with an overall reduction in the family maximum contribution of €525 compared to the fees for 2021/2022 school year. This reduction in fees is at a cost of €49m.
Planning for the operation of the school transport scheme for the 2023/24 is expected to be completed shortly. Bus Éireann will advertise the details of the 2023/2024 school year process through their website and social media platforms. Details will also be available on gov.ie/schooltransport.
Eligible children holding valid medical cards and eligible children with special educational needs remain exempt from paying the annual charge.
361. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education if her Department will be releasing the results of a review of the school transport scheme which was carried out in February 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10879/23]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year, over 147,900 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
In addition, school transport scheme services are being provided in the current school year for over 4,000 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
A review of the School Transport Scheme commenced in February 2021. The review is being conducted with a view to examining the current scheme, its broader effectiveness and sustainability, and to ensure that it serves students and their families adequately.
Significant consultation has been undertaken as part of this review. A public survey was administered for parents/guardians and students who use the service and those who do not use the service but who would like to. A broad array of stakeholders including schools, special education interest groups, industry representatives and other Government Departments were all consulted as part of this review.
Phase 1 of the review examined the impact of eligibility criteria on mainstream pupils who were eligible for transport to their nearest school but attending their next nearest school. The report was completed in June 2021.
Following consideration of this report, for the 2021/2022 school year, the provision of temporary alleviation measures was approved for transport for post-primary students who are otherwise eligible for school transport, but were attending their second nearest school and had applied and paid on time. These measures have been continued for the current 2022/2023 school year, pending completion of the review. These measures mean that transport is provided for post-primary pupils who are eligible for transport to their nearest school and are attending their second nearest school and, who applied for school transport by the 29th April 2022 and registered for a ticket by the 29th July 2022. Phase two of the review has progressed significantly and is being completed in tandem with phase three which is well underway.
While work on the review was impacted somewhat by the current conflict in Ukraine, and by the increased demand for the scheme in summer 2022 due to fees being waived, my officials are working to complete phase 3 of the review within the coming weeks with recommendations on the future operation of the Department’s School Transport Scheme. Once approved by Government it is planned that the review will be published.
362. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Education the number of current and planned additional ASD places for primary school children in areas (details supplied), in tabular form. [10913/23]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:
Enabling children with special educational needs (SEN) to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this Government.
It is also a key priority for me as Minister for Special Education & Inclusion, for my Department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
For 2023, the spend by my Department on special education will be substantially increased by over 10% on last year, meaning that for 2023 my Department will spend over €2.6 billion providing supports to children and young people with special educational needs and their schools.
This level of educational funding and support is unprecedented and represents in excess of 27% of the Department’s total allocation for 2023.
This includes funding to support children with SEN in mainstream classes; funding for new special classes and new special school places; additional special educational teachers and special needs assistants.
The National Council for Special Education (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 mainstream, 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.
There are currently 106 special classes in Co. Tipperary. Of these, 71 special classes are at primary level and 35 are at post-primary level.
The Department is engaging intensely with the NCSE in relation to the forward planning of new special classes for the next school year 2023/2024. This work involves a detailed review of statistical data in relation to forecasting demand for special class places, consideration of improved data sharing arrangements, consideration of school accommodation capacity and a particular focus on the provision of special classes at post-primary level.
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, the Department and the NCSE have engaged with post-primary stakeholders in relation to the provision of special classes. The Department has also previously written to all post-primary schools in October 2022 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. If the recent growth in the need for special classes continues, it is expected that a similar level of new special classes will be needed at primary level over the next three years as have been provided over the last three years. At post-primary level however, it is expected that we will need to double the number of new special classes being provided over the next three years as compared to the last three years.
The NCSE is continuing to engage with schools regarding the establishment of additional special classes for the next school year 2023/2024. Every support will be made available to schools to progress the opening of special classes in the shortest possible timeframe. It is expected that the NCSE will confirm where new special classes at post-primary level have been sanctioned for the coming school year over the next few weeks. This is in keeping with timelines in previous years.
It is of course open to any school to engage with the NCSE to establish a special class.
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
Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact the NCSE locally so that their needs can be taken into account for planning purposes. The local SENOs remain available to assist and advise parents of children with special educational needs. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available at: ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list
My Department is committed, in conjunction with the NCSE, to continue to work with parents, schools, patrons and all stakeholders to ensure that there are sufficient appropriate places for students with additional needs and to support all students to achieve their potential.
I want 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.
363. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education when parents in Kilcock can expect confirmation of school-places, locally, for their children starting primary education in 2023, given the understandable anxiety regarding same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10923/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, for school planning purposes, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and utilises a Geographical Information System to anticipate school place demand. Information from a range of sources, including Child Benefit data, school enrolment data and information on residential development activity is used for this purpose. Additionally, Project Ireland 2040 population and housing targets inform my Department's projections of school place requirements.
While the Department is aware of increasing pressures and demand for additional school places in the Kilcock area, 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
The Department is working to establish the true extent of any capacity issues through ongoing discussions with the relevant school authorities. In that context, similar to the process adopted in advance of the current academic year, the Department is engaging with patron bodies and school authorities, including those of schools in the Kilcock areas, to identify particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming years which may necessitate further action to that already in train.
Additionally, the Department will continue to work to advance the planned and current projects in the Kilcock School Planning area and to ensure sufficient places for both mainstream provision and for pupils with special education requirements both for the coming academic year and into the future.
364. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she will clarify whether there is an age limit in respect of a child for a parent or guardian to take parental leave; if she can supply the circulars and or memos that communicate parental leave to teachers in primary and post-primary schools. [10925/23]
View answerThe Parental Leave Scheme for teachers is regulated by the Parental Leave Act 1998, as amended. The terms and conditions of the Parental Leave Scheme for primary and post primary teachers are contained in my Department's Circular Letter 0054/2019 (Chapter 5).
Parental Leave is a period of statutory unpaid leave available to a teacher for the specific purpose of caring for their child. Parental Leave is available to a) the natural parent, b) the adoptive parent c) the adopting parent and d) a teacher acting in loco parentis to a child.
Under the Parental Leave Scheme, an eligible teacher may avail of Parental Leave in blocks of at least one week up to a maximum of 26 weeks in respect of each child up to the age of 13 years, or the age of 16 years in the case of a child with a disability and/or long-term illness. In certain circumstances, a teacher may avail of Parental Leave in the form of individual days where a child has particular medical problems that require the teacher’s attendance with the child at a hospital, clinic or therapeutic appointment on a regular basis.
365. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Education if a school can be mandated to go above the minimum number of 24 students per class for the 2023-2024 academic year, if there is a list of qualifying students awaiting a placement in a school. [10945/23]
View answerIn relation to school admissions, it is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998 and the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in that area.
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 will 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 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 30th September.
The staffing schedule operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all similar types of schools equally, irrespective of location. For the 2023/24 school year, the staffing schedule for primary schools has been improved by one point and schools will be provided with class teachers on the basis of a general average of 1 teacher for every 23 pupils which is a historical low ratio. Lower thresholds apply to DEIS Urban Band 1 schools.
The configuration of classes and the deployment of classroom teachers are done at local school level. My Department's guidance to schools is that the number of pupils in any class is kept as low as possible taking all relevant contextual factors into account (e.g. classroom accommodation, fluctuating enrolment etc.). School authorities are also requested, where possible, to use their autonomy under the staffing schedule to implement smaller class sizes for junior classes.
Where the reason for refusal to enrol a child is due to the school being oversubscribed, a parent/guardian can appeal that decision under section 29 of the Education Act, 1998, and an independent appeals committee will be appointed to consider the appeal. My Department has no authority to compel a school to admit a student, except in circumstances where an appeal under section 29 of the Education Act, 1998 has been allowed and the appeals committee directs that the school admit the child concerned.
Further information on the school admission process is available on the Department of Education website by accessing the following link: www.gov.ie/en/policy-information/c5bd9f-school-enrolment/
366. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on an appeal by a person (details supplied) for a transport grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10969/23]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year, over 147,900 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
In addition, school transport scheme services are being provided in the current school year for over 4,000 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
Decisions made by, or on behalf of, the Department of Education regarding the provision of school transport services and/or grant-aid under the terms of the School Transport Schemes may be appealed to the School Transport Appeals Board.
This Board is independent in the performance of it’s functions and will liaise directly with the appellant regarding an appeal date for any appeal lodged followed by their subsequent deliberations
The family may also wish to contact the appeals board directly at schooltransportappealsboard@education.gov.ie in relation to the appeal.
367. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education in light of the projected increasing population of Kill village and the constrained nature of the current site of a school (details supplied), if her Department's forward-planning unit plans to engage with school management to explore options for the school's expansion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10987/23]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, in order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System, using data from a range of sources, including Child Benefit and school enrolment data, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise and where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level. Current and planned residential development activity, as well as Project Ireland 2040 population and housing targets, additionally inform my Department’s forecasts of school place needs.
Where data indicates that additional provision is required at primary or post primary level, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may beprovided through either one, or a combination of, the following:
- Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools
- Extending the capacity of a school or school
- Provision of a new school or schools.
School accommodation requirements across the country, including in Kill are being kept under review.
Separately, it is open to the school authority in question to make an application for additional accommodation through the 'Additional School Accommodation scheme (ASA)', details of which are at gov.ie - Additional accommodation scheme (www.gov.ie)
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.
At primary level, this situation generally arises to cater for a school’s accommodation requirements where an additional teaching post has been sanctioned by Teacher Allocation Section, or the requirement for a new class for pupils with special education needs has been identified by the NCSE, and all available alternative accommodation within the school is already being used for classroom purposes.
My Department has no current record of an application for additional accommodation from the school to which the Deputy refers.
368. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education if she will indicate the projected intake into each of the primary schools in the Clongriffin, Baldoyle and Howth planning area in September 2023; the way this compares to the projected demographic demand for such places in the area; and if she plans to promote the creation of additional places for the area. [10991/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, for school planning purposes, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and utilises a Geographical Information System to anticipate school place demand. Information from a range of sources, including Child Benefit data, school enrolment data and information on residential development activity is used for this purpose. Additionally, Project Ireland 2040 population and housing targets inform my Department's projections of school place requirements.
The areas referred to by the Deputy are located in the Donaghmede_Howth_D13 School Planning Area. While the Department is aware of increasing pressures and demand for additional school places in this area, 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
The Department is working to establish the true extent of any capacity issues through ongoing discussions with the relevant school authorities. In that context, similar to the process adopted in advance of the current academic year, the Department is engaging with patron bodies and school authorities to identify particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming years which may necessitate further action to that already in train.
The Department is progressing a number of building projects in the Donaghmede_Howth_D13 planning area under the National Development Plan. This includes provision for mainstream accommodation as well as for children with special educational needs. These projects include a new 16 classroom school with 2 classrooms for pupils with special education needs for Stapolin ETNS with an estimated completion date of August 2023.
Under the provisions of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018, all schools are required to have drafted admissions policies, which have been approved by the patron, following consultation with staff and parents of children who are attending the school. The school’s admissions policy is published on the schools website.
All schools must publish an admissions notice outlining the timelines of the admissions process, this must be published a minimum of one week prior to the admissions process taking place. The notice must, in relation to the school year concerned, provide the number of school places available in the intake group, in the case of a boarding school, the number of residential and the number of non-residential places available and in the case of a school with a special class the number of school places available in the special class concerned.
369. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education if he will address a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11032/23]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year, over 147,900 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
In addition, school transport scheme services are being provided in the current school year for over 3,800 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
Bus Éireann has confirmed the pupils to whom the Deputy refer are eligible for school transport as they are attending their nearest post primary centre.
An application for school transport was received for all pupils on 25th August 2022 for the 2022/23 school year and tickets were issued to the pupils on 13th September 2022, within the guidelines of the school transport scheme.
370. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education if she will respond to concerns raised (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11049/23]
View answerAs Minister, I am committed to inclusive education for all. My Department is fully committed to creating safe and supportive environments in schools, that are welcoming and inclusive for every student. My Department’s Wellbeing Policy Statement and Framework for Practice (2019) promotes the provision of a whole-school approach to supporting wellbeing, an approach that has been found internationally to produce a wide range of educational and social benefits for individual children and young people, including increased inclusion, greater social cohesion, increased social capital and improvements to mental health. To support schools in this work the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) provides training to schools to ensure that the promotion of wellbeing is at the core of the ethos of every school.
I take it that the details supplied refer to the introduction of the new Junior Cycle specification for Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) including Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE). The Programme for Government states that ‘this Government will develop inclusive and age appropriate curricula for RSE (Relationships and Sexuality Education) and SPHE (Social, Personal and Health Education) across primary and post-primary schools, including an inclusive programme on LGBTI+ relationships’.
The work of updating the curricula in SPHE and RSE follows on from a 2019 National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) review of RSE across primary and post-primary. The review involved students, parents, teachers, school leaders, researchers and organisations, with a view to gaining a full appreciation of the nature of young peoples’ needs and experience of RSE and this included responses from nearly 8,000 parents. That review said there was unanimous agreement among students about the importance of RSE. Students said that they wanted a safe and inclusive environment where they can discuss, ask questions and talk about all aspects of relationships and sexuality.
SPHE and RSE teaching and learning is an important and sensitive area and as a result, parents would be expected to have strong views on this. This is reflected in the NCCA consultation on the Junior Cycle specification in 2022, where more than 4,000 parents responded to the online survey.
Consultation is a core feature of the NCCA’s work in developing curricula. The NCCA consultation on the draft Junior Cycle specification took place from July to October 2022, three months rather than the normal six week consultation. Many parents, students and teachers as well as organisations with an interest in the area took the time to participate in the consultation process and more than 4,000 parents responded to the online survey element.
That consultation has informed the NCCA’s finalising of the Junior Cycle specification, which is currently being considered in my Department ahead of planned implementation in schools in September. The parent’s voice is also reflected throughout the curriculum development process for all subjects.
Work on Senior Cycle specifications has begun and it is expected to be available for public consultation in Q3 2023. A background paper was already published for consultation in October last year.
Work on Primary specifications will begin once the new Primary Curriculum Framework which has been in development by the NCCA is finalised for approval. This Framework will be the foundation for all curriculum specifications including those for SPHE and RSE. Development of a draft primary specification is expected to be completed in early 2025, with public consultation on this specification planned for 2024.
To support teachers in meeting these objectives while new curricula are being developed, the NCCA has created “toolkits”. For example, there are resources to help teachers in teaching about rights and responsibilities in relationships, how to recognise healthy, unhealthy and abusive relationship, and how to interact safely and respectfully (both online and face-to-face) and consent.
The teacher’s professional judgement plays a key role in identifying when an issue is age and stage appropriate for the particular class. The role of the SPHE/RSE teacher is complex, with a range of sensitive topics addressed in the classroom. Teachers need ongoing, appropriate teacher professional development to support them in this important work.
To introduce new and existing teachers of Junior Cycle SPHE to the updated NCCA specification, beginning on 6 March a series of two-day seminars is being provided jointly by the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) and Junior Cycle for Teachers (JCT) Post-Primary SPHE teams. This seminar is being offered during the school day with full substitute cover sanctioned by my Department.
Over the course of these two days of Continuing Professional Development (CPD), teachers will explore and engage with the content of the updated draft Junior Cycle SPHE specification. Teachers will be supported in developing their understanding of the diverse and facilitative role of the SPHE teacher and advance a shared understanding of how to create a safe and inclusive SPHE classroom. This CPD will place an emphasis on pedagogical approaches which support and enhance teachers' confidence in using appropriate student learning experiences to establish an environment that meets the needs of all learners in Junior Cycle SPHE. Supports and resources which are available for teachers when dealing with sensitive or challenging issues will also be explored and signposted.
In addition, I recently announced the provision of a new flagship postgraduate programme to upskill registered post-primary teachers teaching Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) and Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE). This programme, funded by my Department and provided by Dublin City University (DCU) Institute of Education, will provide a pathway for progression for post-primary teachers interested in developing their skills in teaching SPHE/RSE and in so doing build capacity and leadership within the teaching profession in relation to teaching in this important area. Schools and teachers will be supported to access the upskilling programme with the programme fees covered by Department funding and facilitation of substitute cover to allow participating students to undertake the programme. The first cohort of students commenced in February and depending on demand, further intakes to the programme in the future will be offered.
371. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education the start date for the new school building project for a school (details supplied) in County Donegal which is due to start in Q1 of 2023; the date which the building company have given her Department for which it will start the construction phase of school building; and the date it foresees the project being completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11060/23]
View answerThe project referred to by the Deputy is at Architectural Planning Stage3 – Tender Action and Award. A tender process can take between 8-12 months to complete, subject to no issues arising.
My Department has a large pipeline of projects for delivery under the school building programme, including the project referred to by the Deputy. The main elements of this pipeline currently involve in excess of 1,300 school building projects for delivery under my Department’s Large Scale and Additional Accommodation Scheme. These projects are currently in progress across the various stages of planning, design, tender and construction.
My Department is currently assessing overall requirements for 2023 and associated work programme and will update individual schools of same in due course.
372. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the status of an application for a retrofit grant for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11072/23]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that my Department recently received an application under the Additional Schools Accommodation (ASA) scheme from the school in question to reconfigure an existing classroom to facilitate the opening of a special class. Once the application has been assessed, the school authority will be contacted directly with a decision.
373. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education if she has received an application from Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board in respect of granting independent school status to a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11075/23]
View answerMy Department has received correspondence requesting that the Irish-medium unit would be given approval to transition to a standalone gaelcholáiste. As the Deputy may be aware work on the development of a new policy for Irish-medium education outside of the Gaeltacht is now well underway in the Department. The policy on Irish-medium education outside of the Gaeltacht is part of the overall framework of the 20-year Strategy for the Irish language 2010-2030 and is building on the achievements of the Policy on Gaeltacht Education 2017-2022. Included among the key objectives of the policy are 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 and exploring how opportunities for the establishment of Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholáistí can be increased as part of the patronage process. A public consultation process was launched in October 2022 to gather the views of stakeholders, including young people, parents, education professionals, education stakeholders and Irish-language organisations. The first phase of this consultation, which included an online questionnaire and a call for written submissions, concluded on 30 January 2023. Responses to the questionnaire and the call for submissions are currently being analysed. Further phases of the consultation will commence shortly, and will involve further engagement with stakeholders in the form of focus groups, bilateral meetings and a Policy Forum. As part of the actions being taken to ensure that the new policy will be informed by current research is a review of national and international literature and research on Irish-medium Aonaid and Sruthanna in English-medium schools, which is being carried out on behalf of the Department.
The outcome of the above work will be useful in considering applications such as that referred to by the Deputy.
374. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the status of an application by a school (details supplied) for an extension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11079/23]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is in receipt of an application for the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme, from Bunscoil Rís Edmund Rice Senior Primary, Castlemoyle, New Ross, County Wexford.
The application is currently being assessed by my officials and the school authority will be contacted directly with a decision.
