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McHugh, JoeTuesday, 2 July 2019 |
Dáil Éireann Debate |
Special Educational Needs Service Provision
Was asked: the arrangements which will be made for a child (details supplied) that is due to start primary school and has no place in an ASD unit locally. 
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has a statutory function to plan and co-ordinate the provision of education and support services to children with special educational needs, in con...
This includes the establishment of special class and special school placements in various geographical areas where there is an identified need.
The NCSE ensures that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all children who have been identified as needing special class placements.
Individual school boards of management are responsible for the establishment of special classes. It is open to any school to make an application to the NCSE to establish a special class. In deci...
When the NCSE sanction a special class in a school, the school can apply to my Department for capital funding to reconfigure existing spaces within the school building to accommodate the class an...
The number of ASD special classes has more than doubled in the last 5 years from 511 in 2014 to 1,196 across the country now. Provision in special schools has increased from 6,848 placements in 2...
Details of all special classes for children with special educational needs are available by county on the NCSE website www.ncse.ie.
From time to time, the NCSE identifies local areas where additional special class provision is required. In those circumstances, Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) work with the schools...
As the matter raised by the Deputy refers to an individual child, I have arranged for the Deputy's question to be forwarded to the National Council for Special Education for direct reply.
Was asked: when a person (details supplied) will be provided with a SNA; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible for allocating a quantum of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support for each school annually taking into account the assessed care nee...
The NCSE allocates SNA support to schools in accordance with the criteria set out in Department Circular 0030/2014, which is available on my Department's website at www.education.ie, in order tha...
In considering applications for SNA support for individual pupils, the NCSE take account of the pupils' needs and consider the resources available to the school to identify whether additionality ...
SNAs are not allocated to individual children but to schools as a school based resource.
The NCSE Appeals Process may be invoked by a parent or a school where it is considered that a child was not granted access to SNA support because the requirements outlined in Circular 0030/2014 w...
Where a school has received its allocation of SNA support for 2019/20, but wishes new enrolments or assessments to be considered, which were not taken into account when the initial allocation was...
The closing date for receipt of appeals in regard to SNA allocations is Friday, 27 September 2019.
As this question relates to a particular child, I have referred the question to the NCSE for their direct reply. I do not have a role in making determinations in individual cases.
Was asked: the status of an application for special education teaching hours review by a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I wish to advise the Deputy that DES Circulars 0007/2019 for primary schools and 0008/2019 for post primary schools provide details of how the allocations of Special Education Teachers have been up...
Was asked: if he will review and address the cuts to SNA allocation at a school (details supplied) in view of non-reduction of enrolment numbers and the number of children presenting with significant medical ...
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible for allocating a quantum of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support for each school annually taking into account the assessed care nee...
The NCSE allocates SNA support to schools in accordance with the criteria set out in Department Circular 0030/2014, which is available on my Department's website at www.education.ie, in order tha...
In considering applications for SNA support for individual pupils, the NCSE take account of the pupils' needs and consider the resources available to the school to identify whether additionality ...
SNAs are not allocated to individual children but to schools as a school based resource.
SNA allocations to all schools can change from year to year as children with care needs leave the school, as new children with care needs enrol in a school and as children develop more independen...
The NCSE Appeals Process may be invoked by a parent or a school where it is considered that a child was not granted access to SNA support because the requirements outlined in Circular 0030/2014 w...
Where a school has received its allocation of SNA support for 2019/20, but wishes new enrolments or assessments to be considered, which were not taken into account when the initial allocation was...
The closing date for receipt of appeals in regard to SNA allocations is Friday 27th September 2019.
As this question relates to particular school, I will refer the question to the NCSE for their direct reply. I do not have a role in making determinations in individual cases.
Was asked: the reason a person (details supplied) has not received a SNA; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible for allocating a quantum of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support for each school annually taking into account the assessed care nee...
Schools Building Projects
Was asked: the steps he is taking to ensure that overcrowding of primary and secondary schools in Kilkenny city and county is ended; his plans for the provision of new schools in the county and updated facili...
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 d...
Was asked: the 20 school building projects which are delayed; the longest at stage 2b; when a design team was appointed in each case; and when a replacement design team was appointed if applicable.
The 20 major school building projects which are the longest at stage 2(b) are detailed in the following table. The information requested by the Deputy is provided in the table.
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Was asked: the progress made since a school (details supplied) met with officials in Tullamore, County Offaly in December 2018; his plans for the school when the current lease expires in June 2020; and if he ...
The Deputy will be aware that a major building project for the school to which he refers, is included in my Department’s school building programme to be delivered as part of the National Developmen...
Schools Building Projects Status
Was asked: further to Parliamentary Question No. 212 of 11 June 2019, the length of time the design team has been completing the pre-qualification process; and the timeline for completion of this stage.
This project was authorised to complete pre-qualification in April 2019. The final pre-qualification report was submitted to my Department on 23 May. Final confirmations have been sought while th...
Was asked: further to Parliamentary Question No. 213 of 11 June 2019, the length of time the design team has been completing the pre-qualification process; and the timeline for completion of this stage.
This project was authorised to complete pre-qualification in April 2019. The final pre-qualification report was submitted to my Department on 23 May. Final confirmations have been sought while th...
Was asked: the status of a project (details supplied).
I can confirm that a project to deliver a permanent building for the school to which the Deputy refers is included on my Department's capital programme and the acquisition of a site is required to ...
Officials in my Department have been working closely with officials from the relevant Local Authority under the Memorandum of Understanding in relation to the acquisition of a suitable permanent ...
The Department is currently considering a shortlist of site options and is engaging with relevant landowners in this regard. Given the commercial sensitivities associated with land acquisitions g...
The acquisition of a suitable site for the school is very active on the programme of site acquisitions and every effort is being made to secure the suitable site for the school as expeditiously a...
Was asked: if he will request an up-to-date evaluation on progress made in recent weeks regarding the building of a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.
As the Deputy is aware, the project to which he refers is devolved for delivery to Westmeath County Council (WCC).
It appears from the latest programme provided by the contractor for this project that the building will not be fully occupied until this coming October. I am extremely disappointed and frustrated...
I fully appreciate the anxiety and frustration of the pupils, staff, parents and the local community awaiting the completion of the Curraghmore project that has been caused by the continuing slow...
Was asked: the status of the construction of the new primary school in Kanturk, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The Deputy will be aware that the project to which he refers is devolved to the OPW for delivery.
I am pleased to confirm that the Stage 2B report (preparation of tender...
Was asked: when construction on a school (details supplied) will commence and be completed; the way in which he plans to address the capacity issues prior to construction of the new building; and if he will m...
A new school building is due to be provided for the school to which the Deputy refers. The current position is that a suitable site has been identified and it is contained within a parcel of land ...
Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme
Was asked: the number of national schools implementing the Gaeltacht education policy, Polasaí Thumoideachas, that are in danger of losing a teacher in the coming academic year 2019-2020; the number in the Ga...
105 primary schools are currently participating in the Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme to strengthen the provision of Irish-medium education in these schools. 14 of the primary schools are loc...
Schools participating in the Scheme are allocated additional Irish-language support hours relative to pupil enrolment.
Physical Education Facilities
Was asked: his policy on playing pitches and other recreational facilities at schools.
I wish to advise the Deputy that the provision of play space, where site conditions and circumstances allow, is one of the issues considered in the architectural design of new schools and major ext...
Was asked: his plans to develop playing pitches at a school (details supplied).
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that a playing pitch is being provided at the education campus in question.
Student Grant Scheme Eligibility
Was asked: the grant support available to persons seeking to commence a course outside the State that is postgraduate; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The main support available to students is the statutory based SUSI grant scheme. The scheme supported circa 78,000 students in 2018/19. Under the terms of the Student Grant Scheme funding outside o...
Education Costs
Was asked: his views on the provision of free primary education to children, including the provision of free schoolbooks and learning aids; if he will consider moving towards a free primary school system in t...
I strongly support any measures that can be put in place to reduce back to school costs for parents.
It is important that we work to make life easier for families and this is a priority for this Government.
In the Action Plan for Education, I have committed to the restoration of capitation payments. My Department has commenced the process of restoring capitation this year with a 5% increase in capit...
As the Deputy may be aware, my colleague, the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Regina Doherty T.D., has recently announced an increase to the back to school allowance for th...
I also want to give parents a strong voice in ensuring costs are always kept to a minimum. My Department published a Circular in 2017 which details the measures to be adopted by schools to reduce...
I believe that these actions will also significantly strengthen the focus on reducing back to school costs for parents.
Student Data
Was asked: the number of third-level students in each of the past ten years by the number of students born here; the number of EU, Swiss, EEA students and others; the percentage of each nationality in each of...
For the Deputy's information I set out in the following link disaggregated data for the period 2008/2009 - 2017/2018 as collated by the Higher Education Authority on the composition by nationality ...
Teachers' Remuneration
Was asked: the estimated full year cost of a proposal (details supplied).
As a consequence of the economic crisis, there was a need to enact a number of measures to reduce public expenditure so as to stabilise the country’s public finances.
The Government approved a number of measures relating to public service allowances following a public service-wide review of allowances and premium payments conducted by the then Minister for Pub...
Any person who was in receipt of the relevant allowances on 31 January 2012 will continue to be paid that allowance except where that teacher ceases that job role or changes school or employer on...
The annual cost of restoring the Island allowance from a current date to new entry teachers in Primary, schools would be approximately €20,000 annually.
This information relates to the teachers paid on payrolls operated by my Department. I will arrange to obtain the information relating to the cost of the restoration of the allowance for teachers...
Was asked: if the full salary of a person (details supplied) will be backdated to pre-2011 pay scales.
Salary scales for teachers are based on the date of their first qualified appointment to an Oireachtas funded post as follows:
A person first appointed to an Oireachtas funded ...
Oireachtas Joint Committee Reports
Was asked: his views on the recommendations in the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Education and Skills report on challenges facing island schools published in February 2018; and the details of each recommenda...
Following the submission to the Department of Education and Skills of correspondence outlining the challenges facing island schools, including the Report on Challenges Facing Island Schools...
Digital Strategy for Schools
Was asked: if academic standards and attainment levels at State examinations have been examined at schools involved in the digital learning framework compared to those schools not involved in the framework; a...
The Deputy will appreciate that no one factor can specifically be attributed to the quality of teaching and learning and student academic performance in State examinations and there are no plans to...
However the effective use of digital technologies, as outlined in the DLF and which is for use by all schools, will enhance teaching, learning and assessment practices in schools. The use of digi...
The Digital Strategy for Schools acknowledges that the embedding of digital technologies in teaching and learning is a complex endeavour. The important focus, as provided for in the Digital Strat...
In the context of the DLF, schools are supported to develop a Digital Learning Plan, and have flexibility to determine how best to embed the use of digital technologies in teaching and learning ...
The Framework is in its second year of dissemination and is accompanied by an extensive CPD framework for teachers and schools.
My Department has also commissioned the ERC to conduct a more longitudinal study of the DLF of a three year duration. This study commenced in January 2019. The focus of the Evaluation will be the...
State Examinations
Was asked: the policy on students who become ill during the junior certificate or leaving certificate exams and that, for example, need to be hospitalised; the arrangements in place to deal with this scenario...
The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations.
In view of this I have forwarded your query to...
Springboard Programme
Was asked: the funding provided to Springboard since it was created by year; the number of students accepted in each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Springboard+ which incorporates the ICT skills conversion programme, is a targeted initiative which is used to provide funding for higher education courses aimed at meeting the need for in-demand s...
Pupil-Teacher Ratio
Was asked: the estimated cost to restore the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools to the EU average of 20:1.
Budget 2019 marks the third year of a major reinvestment in the education. In 2019, the budget for the Department of Education and Skills will increase by €674 million, a 6.7% increase on last year...
Was asked: the estimated cost to reduce the pupil-teacher ratio in secondary schools to 20:1.
Teacher allocations to all second level schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment and are available on the Department's...
Each 1 point adjustment to the pupil teacher ratio at post primary level is estimated to cost in the region of €63m per annum.
Third Level Fees
Was asked: the estimated cost to abolish higher level education fees for both institutes of technology and universities.
The Student Contribution, was introduced with effect from the 2011/12 academic year. While the student contribution now stands at €3,000, it is important to recognise that there has been no increas...
School Accommodation Provision
Was asked: the estimated cost to include the building of an extra classroom to each planned school build in the next five year period.
The notional cost of building a classroom, at current building costs, for a primary school is €176,937.50 including VAT and for a post primary school is €165,762.50 including VAT.
The projects that are planned for the next five years are already at various stages of Architectural Planning, many of which have statutory approvals in place such as Planning Permission, Fire Ce...
Due to the specificity of each project, the cost of adding an additional classroom to each school on the building programme is not readily ascertainable and would representative a significant adm...
Was asked: the assistance he is providing to a school (details supplied) in obtaining a new premises that can accommodate enrolment numbers for September 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
My Department does not have any remit for the provision of accommodation for the school referred to by the Deputy. However, it is open to the school in question to explore with local schools in the...
Summer Works Scheme Applications
Was asked: if a decision has been made on a summer works programme application by a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
An application for funding to works on the playground of the school referred to by the Deputy was received. Unfortunately, it was deemed that the scope of works for the project was considered to be...
The purpose of the Emergency Works Scheme is solely for unforeseen emergencies or to provide funding to facilitate inclusion and access for special needs pupils. An emergency is deemed to be a s...
In relation to the roof works referred to by the Deputy, I am pleased to advise you that approval was granted to the school under the 2016 Summer Works Scheme programme for repair works to the ro...
It was open to the school to make an application under the Summer Works Scheme (SWS) 2020 for its most urgently required small-scale building works project. I understand that an application has b...
Was asked: the position regarding 2015 summer works applications; if the case of a school (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I can confirm that the school referred to by the Deputy has a Category 10 application under my Department's 2015 Summer Works Scheme. It is intended to undertake an analysis of these outstanding ap...
Residential Institutions Statutory Fund
Was asked: if he will meet formally with the chief executive officer and chairperson of Caranua before the organisation closes down at the end of August 2019; if staff working within Caranua will be redeploye...
Caranua, the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund, ceased to accept applications on 1 August 2018 and I understand that it expects to have substantially completed the processing of remaining app...
All of Caranua's current staff are employed by the organisation on a contract basis and they are not civil servants. Accordingly, the issue of redeployment within the civil service does not arise.
The Chair of Caranua has invited me to attend a meeting of the Board of the organisation and I am giving consideration to this request. Senior officials of my Department meet with the Chair and C...
School Costs
Was asked: his views on schools making demands for voluntary financial contributions for items such as school tours, stationery and resource fees from parents who are not in a position to pay; and if he will ...
Voluntary contributions by parents are permissible provided it is made absolutely clear to parents that there is no question of compulsion to pay and that, in making a contribution, they are doing ...
The manner in which voluntary contributions are sought and collected is a matter for school management, however their collection should be such as not to create a situation where either parents o...
Apart from those recognised fee-charging second level schools, recognised primary and post primary schools are precluded from charging school fees. Section 64 of the Education (Admission to Schoo...
When a child is enrolled in a school certain charges may be legitimately requested such as:
- payment for school books, lockers, text messages or photocopied material provided by the school where the charge is reasonable and simply reflects the true costs concerned; or
- charges for meals and refreshments provided pupils are not obliged to purchase same and can bring their own refreshments to school (e.g. lunchbox); or
- payments in respect of extra-curricular activities provided such activities are not obligatory and individual pupils can choose whether or not to participate.
However, as outlined above such charges may not be used as a condition of admission to a school placement. It is permissible for a school to seek payments in respect of extra-curricular activitie...
I believe that schools need to be accountable to parents and we need greater levels of communication, engagement and transparency in how schools serve their communities. Work on the drafting of t...
Schools Grievance Procedures
Was asked: if he is satisfied with the procedures in place for parents to make complaints regarding a grievance or misconduct in respect of schools; if this procedure can involve the principal, board of manag...
The complaint procedures currently operated by most schools are those that have been agreed between the teacher unions and school management bodies. The Office of the Ombudsman for Children may al...
The Deputy may be aware that my Department is currently working on the drafting of the Education (Student and Parent Charter) Bill 2019 in conjunction with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel.
The overall aim of this legislation is to improve the level of engagement between schools and students and their parents by inviting feedback, comment and observations from students and parents a...
Under the legislation, each school will be required to prepare, publish and implement a Student and Parent Charter in accordance with national guidelines to be published by the Minister after con...
The legislation will provide for the charter guidelines to include new procedures that all schools will be required to follow when dealing with complaints of students or their parents relating to...
In-service Training
Was asked: his plans to update and modernise governance in schools; if the formal procedures for schools and teachers communicating with parents can be improved; if additional training can be provided for tea...
The governance structure of schools is such that, in accordance with the Education Act 1998 schools are managed by boards of management on behalf of the relevant school patrons. Under the Act, eac...
In primary schools the agreed composition and procedures for the appointment and operation of boards of management of primary schools are set out in my Department’s publication “Governance Manual...
At post primary level requirements in respect of the composition, appointment and operation of boards of management are set out in legal governing documents relevant to each of the three post pri...
Work on the drafting of the Education (Student and Parent Charter) Bill 2019 is close to being finalised and I intend to seek Government approval shortly for its publication. Under the Bill, each...
Key concepts in the legislation also include the need for schools to respond to feedback and comments from students and parents where appropriate and to address and resolve any concerns of studen...
Schools Building Projects Applications
Was asked: the status of an application for a permanent extension by a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of an application, for additional school accommodation, from the school authority in question.
Officials from my ...
Teacher Recruitment
Was asked: if a request for a full-time teacher for a school (details supplied) will be processed; and when a decision will be made.
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 30 Sept...
School Transport Provision
Was asked: the status of school transport for persons (details supplied).
Was asked: if free school transport will be offered in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: if an application for school transport for a child (details supplied) in County Cork will be approved in view of the circumstances that apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Departmental Reviews
Was asked: the number of live studies, reviews and research undertaken or commissioned by him; and the date by which each study, review and research is scheduled to be completed.
For the Deputy’s information, studies, reviews and research undertaken or commissioned by my Department has been taken to refer to such tasks undertaken by external consultants.
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Departmental Strategy Statements
Was asked: the documents published by his Department since 1 January 2016 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The information sought by the Deputy is contained in the following table.
Departmental Meetings Was asked: when a meeting will be arranged with a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. I understand from recent correspondence from the Deputy that the company in question runs a programme in media literacy, cyber awareness for young people including mindfulness It is the policy of my Department not to endorse or promote any commercial product or service, professional consultant or company. In this case the endorsement might be seen as advice to parents ... The Digital Strategy for Schools 2015–2020, which is currently being implemented, reflects my Department’s current policy on the effective use of digital technologies in teaching, learning and as... My Department, though its teacher support services, provides extensive training, supports and resources to schools to assist with the implementation of the Digital Strategy and in the development... Webwise.ie is a key educational resource for schools which promotes the promotes the autonomous, effective and safer use of the internet by young people through a sustained information and awaren... Within the PDST, there is also a team of 22 full time personnel focusing on health and wellbeing with the goal of helping schools, through the Social Personal Health Education (SPHE) curriculum a... Individual schools have however autonomy to determine whether they wish to supplement or support the school's work with other external resources/materials, such as those referenced by the Deputy,... Student Universal Support Ireland Was asked: when the SUSI grant rate of payment was last reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. Under the terms of the student grant scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students who meet the prescribed conditions of funding including those which relate to nationality, residency, approved c... The eligibility criteria for student grants including the grant rates is reviewed annually in my Department and approved by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. As the Deputy will be ... The aim of the student grant scheme has always been to make a contribution to the cost of going to college, covering the full cost has never been a feasible option. Students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. This Fund assists students, in a sensitive and compassionate ... Overseas Students Data Was asked: the number of students from New Zealand studying here; if he, in conjunction with Enterprise Ireland, is taking further steps to attract additional students from New Zealand to come here to study; ... I thank Deputy O’Dea for asking this question, Student Universal Support Ireland Data Was asked: the full rate of the SUSI grant in each of the years 2008 to 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. The information in respect of the 100% maintenance rates for the years 2008-2019 is set out in tabular form as requested. |
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