Written Answers Nos. 159-167
159. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education if consideration has been given to the impact on independent and local book stores with the introduction of the free primary book scheme as it is currently proposed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13667/23]
View answerSince June 2020, and over the past three Budgets, I have secured funding to support measures aimed at ensuring that all children and young people are actively supported to access education in its fullest forms. One of the most important policies in this regard has been the establishment of Ireland’s first national primary school book scheme, which will provide free schoolbooks, workbooks and copybooks, in primary schools and special schools. More than 558,000 pupils enrolled in approximately 3,230 primary schools, including over 130 special schools, will benefit from this measure.
The total investment, of over €50 million, significantly increases the funding for school books currently provided to all recognised primary schools in the country.
The implementation of the measure will build on the experience of the existing school book rental scheme, which is available in the majority of recognised primary schools, and on the free school books pilot provided to over 100 primary DEIS schools in recent years.
Detailed Guidance on the implementation of the scheme is published and has been made available to primary schools to ensure schools have sufficient time to implement the new scheme in advance of the start of the 2023/24 school year. The Guidance has been informed by the engagements with relevant stakeholders.
My Department engaged with all relevant stakeholders as to how the scheme will operate. These included: primary school management bodies, unions, the National Parents Council Primary, representatives of booksellers and schoolbook publishers, IBEC, Retail Ireland, the Small Firms Association, Barnardos and the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul. My Department also engaged with a number of schools, including some of the primary schools participating in the DEIS pilot free book scheme, to learn of their first-hand experience of operating a book rental scheme.
The grant under the new scheme will issue to each recognised primary school in April. In the case of primary schools managed by ETBs, the funding will issue directly to the relevant ETB. Schools will have the autonomy to purchase books from a supplier of their choosing, including local book shops.
In recognition of the work required in schools associated with implementing this scheme, my Department has put in place an administrative support grant. The administration support grant will be paid separately to the schoolbook grant and will issue to all primary schools and special schools.
Primary schools and special schools will continue to have autonomy to choose books that meet their curricular requirements. The scheme will seek to ensure that value for money is achieved and that primary schools and special schools will be supported to implement the scheme in a way that has the best learning outcomes for pupils.
160. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education to list all schools in Ireland that were granted capital funding for additional accommodation from January 2019 to date, specify in the case of each school if this funding has been reviewed/withdrawn in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13982/23]
View answer167. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a list of all the schools on the school building programme which have recently been put on hold for all counties, including the stage at which the building project is currently at, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14129/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 160 and 167 together.
My Department has a strong track record of delivery of school building projects and this was achieved again in 2022 notwithstanding the wider construction sector environment of high inflation, labour shortages and supply chain issues.
Under Project Ireland 2040, we are investing €4.4 billion over the period 2021 to 2025, to add capacity and develop and upgrade school facilities across the country for the almost one million students and over 100,000 staff that learn and work in our schools every day.
My Department is very appreciative of the strong support provided by Government for our education budget. As part of the supplementary budget, €300m additional capital funding was provided in 2022. This helped to alleviate capital funding pressures that arose in 2022 which was reflective of the strong delivery by my Department of school building projects – particularly to support mainstream provision and special education needs provision. My Department’s overall capital outturn for 2022 was €1.12 billion.
The strong level of delivery is a key driver of capital pressures in the Department. In addition to the normal pressures on the school building budget, there are also additional pressures in the context of requirement to accelerate delivery of accommodation for children with Special Education Needs and also in respect of capacity for continued inflow of Ukrainian and other IP students – particularly at post-primary level where accommodation pressures are more acute
My Department's Planning and Building Unit is currently assessing its work programme and priorities for the remainder of 2023 in the context of its available funding. My Department's published NDP allocation for 2023 is €860 million. Over 70% of the NDP allocation for 2023 is needed to cover expenditure on contractual commitments on existing projects at construction carried forward from 2022. High construction inflation remains a continuing feature of the construction sector for 2023. As part of its planning ahead for the remainder of 2023, my Department is at the advanced stages of engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in relation to capital funding pressures in order to continue to adequately support the operation of the school system with rollout of school building projects to construction in 2023. I am conscious of the numerous pressures facing the Department and their need to manage these.
I think it is best for communications to be done at individual school level and that is the approach we have taken. The Department will be providing an update to individual schools when our engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform concludes. In tandem with this, my Department’s Planning & Building Unit will also be updating Patron Bodies and School Management Bodies at that stage.
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 2023/24 school year and beyond and also with particular regard to supporting special needs provision. The current status of all projects are listed on a county by county basis at www.gov.ie. and is updated on a regular basis to reflect their progress through the various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender and construction.
161. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the discrepancy in the assistive technology grant for students with hearing difficulties whereby only students with physical hearing impairments can qualify; this excludes those with non-physical auditory processing difficulties; can this grant be reviewed to include all students with a medically certified recommendation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13983/23]
View answerThe Assistive Technology Scheme is provided by my Department to supplement the overall approach to providing funding to schools for digital technology and equipment to support children for education purposes. All equipment provided under this scheme supports children with more complex disabilities who require essential specialist equipment in order to access the school curriculum.
It is vital that all learners have the opportunity to reach their potential, with digital technologies providing the means to overcome traditional barriers to learning, and to support inclusion across education.
An additional €2 million of funding was secured in Budget 2023 for this scheme. This represents an increase of almost 60% on funding allocated previously to this essential support. This increased allocation supports my Department’s commitment to ensure that a full range of resources, not just teachers and SNAs, are available to support children who most need it.
The Assistive Technology Scheme is currently being reviewed by my Department to ensure that it is still working for these children and that the resources are allocated appropriately and support other Department ICT funding as efficiently as possible. The review in ongoing and is expected to complete by mid-2023. As I have mentioned, this scheme is part of an overall approach. Last April, my Department announced the Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 and associated grant funding for all recognised primary and post-primary schools for digital technology infrastructure.
This strategy will advance the embedding of digital technologies across teaching, learning and assessment, building on the work under previous strategies. It aims to further support the school system so that all students across our schools have the opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills they need to navigate an ever-evolving digital world successfully.
As part of this strategy an ICT Grant will be provided to schools, with €200 million committed over the period of the Strategy, €50m of which has already been provided to schools. This approach facilitates multi-annual planning by schools to allow them to plan effectively for all of their children.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) is responsible for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports. SENOs also make recommendations to my Department where assistive technology/specialised equipment is required. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in making recommendations for support.
Schools make applications for Assistive Technology directly to the SENO in the NCSE, providing details of the student’s special educational needs or disability, including details of the approach taken by the school in making relevant interventions.
SENOs will review the Assistive Technology application together with professional reports provided in support of same, in order to establish whether the criteria of the scheme have been met. They will then make a recommendation to my Department as to whether or not assistive technology is required; and based on this recommendation, my Department will decide on the level of grant, if any, to be provided.
Applications for special equipment in respect of children with Visual or Hearing Impairment must be submitted by school management authorities should be made to the Visiting Teacher Service for Children with Sensory Impairment. Contact details for the Visiting Teacher Service are available at www.education.ie/en/Parents/Services/Visiting-Teacher-Service.
The Visiting Teacher Service will assess the application and give advice to the SENO in relation to equipment commonly used e.g. technology, large print, tapes, braillers, audiology equipment etc. The SENO will take account of the Visiting Teacher’s recommendations when considering applications for equipment for such pupils and make a recommendation to the DES for equipment.
An appeal against a refusal to provide an assistive technology grant to a school on the grounds that it does not fulfil the criteria set out in this circular, or an appeal against the refusal of the DES to sanction equipment recommended by an NCSE SENO, to sanction part of the recommendation, or to sanction an alternative form of equipment other than that recommended in a professional report, may be made to my Department.
Visiting teachers for children who are deaf/hard of hearing or blind/visually impaired provide additional supports for such children, their families, and schools. Details of the services which are provided to schools and families by the visiting teacher service are available at ncse.ie/visiting-teachers.
Each visiting teacher (VT) is responsible for a particular region and is allocated a caseload of students. The VT supports children/young people, parents, guardians, teachers and other professionals involved with the child. The frequency and nature of support takes into account a range of factors based on the individual’s needs.
162. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education for an update on the building programme review; what stage is this review at; when this review will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13985/23]
View answerMy Department has a strong track record of delivery of school building projects and this was achieved again in 2022 notwithstanding the wider construction sector environment of high inflation, labour shortages and supply chain issues.
Under Project Ireland 2040, the Department of Education is investing €4.4 billion over the period 2021 to 2025, to add capacity and develop and upgrade school facilities across the country for the almost one million students and over 100,000 staff that learn and work in our schools every day. Over the last 3 years this Government has invested €2.6 billion in school buildings. This is a record level of investment and has helped to add capacity and modernise existing accommodation in schools throughout the country.
The key drivers of capital investment in the schools sector are as follows:
- demographic change, including keeping pace with delivery of SEN and accommodation for Ukrainian pupils particularly at Post Primary
- ensuring alignment with housing provision as best as possible,
- construction costs,
- delivering on the Climate Agenda in the schools sector
Key achievements by my Department in 2022 include:
- There were circa. 180 school building projects delivered during 2022 and a further 300 school building projects remained under construction at the start of 2023 – the majority of which will be completed over the course of this year and early 2024. In this regard, it is worth noting that there were over 50 new school buildings under construction over the course of 2022. This is providing high quality new and modern facilities in schools throughout the country.
- Accelerated delivery of modular accommodation to facilitate additional capacity in special classes and special schools to cater for over 900 children with additional needs.
- Successfully supported and facilitated the enrolment of over 15,000 children from Ukraine in our primary and post-primary schools. It is worth highlighting that our approach is based on integration and inclusion that supports both the educational and well-being of the children that have come to Ireland as a result of the ongoing war in Ukraine.
- Necessary refurbishment and maintenance through small-scale works across nearly 1,000 schools.
- 16 Deep Energy Retrofit Pathfinder projects ongoing in partnership with SEAI which is shaping our direction of travel for delivering on the climate agenda in the schools sector.
- Strategic initiatives put in place to support planning for school provision requirements include the Department’s Geographic Information System, National Inventory of School Capacity, engagement with key stakeholders and also setting up of 16 Regional Education and Language Teams (REALTs) to facilitate enrolment of children from Ukraine in a structured and coordinated manner.
- Strategic initiatives put in place to support delivery include use of project manager supports, procurement frameworks, variety of delivery mechanisms and a strong pipeline of projects.
My Department's Planning and Building Unit is currently assessing its work programme and priorities for the remainder of 2023 in the context of its available funding. My Department's published NDP allocation for 2023 is €860 million. High construction inflation remains a continuing feature of the construction sector for 2023. As part of its planning ahead for the remainder of 2023, my Department is at the advanced stages of engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in relation to capital funding pressures in order to continue to adequately support the operation of the school system with rollout of school building projects to construction in 2023.
Going forward, capital allocations for the medium term to 2028 will be determined later this year as part of a review of the NDP. The Department is anxious to ensure that the capital allocations are sufficient to ensure a smooth as possible delivery of urgently required school building projects.
163. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update in respect of a school building project in Naas, County Kildare (details supplied); if this project will be delivered on schedule; if prefabs will be required in addition to the new build classrooms; if she will clarify the consequences if the school determined it required additional permanent classrooms added to the project at this point in time. [13997/23]
View answerThe major building project referred to by the Deputy is to provide a new 16 classroom school with a 2 class SEN Base on the existing site. The major project is currently at an advanced stage of Architectural Planning Stage 2(b) – Detailed Design, which includes securing all statutory consents and the preparation of tender documents.
Following a Request for Further Information, and taking into account the new Local Authority Area Development Plan, all Statutory Approvals, including planning permission, have now been secured and the Design Team are currently preparing the tender documents and final Stage 2(b) report, for submission to my Department for review.
Upon receipt, review and approval of the Stage 2(b) submission by my Department, the school authorities will then be advised as to the further progression of this project.
The Schedule of Accommodation being provided has been agreed with the school and it’s Patron.
Any increase in the Schedule of Permanent Accommodation to be provided would likely necessitate the project being redesigned, and new applications for all statutory applications to the local authority; all of which would incur significant delay in the delivery of this major building project.
164. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Education her engagement to date with the Minister for Transport in relation to extending the age limit for school bus drivers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14098/23]
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.
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.
My Department officials meet regularly to discuss operational and policy matters with Bus Éireann and engage regularly with other Departments in relation to the School Transport Scheme.
165. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Education if her Department has policies in relation to private companies paying for wages of school staff in primary schools; if her Department has policies in relation to private companies providing classes to pupils in primary schools; if issues relating to the relationship between the private company (details supplied) and a school has been brought to her Department's attention or if it came up in the school's last inspection; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14120/23]
View answerPrivate primary schools are not recognised by the Minister under the Education Act, 1998 and therefore do not fall within the remit of the Minister for Education. The Department has no responsibility regarding funding or any other matter relating to private primary schools that are not recognised by the Minister as such schools are privately owned and managed.
166. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education if she will reconsider putting a school (details supplied) on hold in the school building programme and start the building immediately; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14128/23]
View answerThe large scale capital project for the school referred to by the Deputy, is at Architectural Planning Stage 3 - Tender Action and Award. The project brief is to provide a new 8 classroom school with 2 classroom SEN.
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 €860 million. High construction inflation remains a continuing feature of the construction sector for 2023. As part of its planning ahead for the remainder of 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 adequately support the operation of the school system with rollout of school building projects to construction in 2023. I am conscious of the numerous pressures facing the Department and their need to manage these.
We will be providing an update to individual schools when our engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform concludes. In tandem with this, my Department’s Planning & Building Unit will also be updating Patron Bodies and School Management Bodies at that stage. 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 2023/24 school year.
