Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for her question. I am taking this question on behalf of the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley. My understanding is that more than 800 schools in this country already have DEIS status. As the Deputy knows, the entire DEIS model is under review at present. Funding was almost doubled to €32 million in the budget from the €18 million available last year. That is on top of the €150 million that was given to the Department to make sure there are supports for the DEIS programme. It is important we look after all children going to school, but disadvantaged children in particular as well as children with additional needs, who fall under my remit.

I am aware Scoil Mhuire Lourdes girls' school has applied for DEIS status and I also understand the technical aspects of the refinement of the identification model is being looked at. A lot of consultation is ongoing with our education partners, national representative bodies and unions. It is important to note that schools are not required to apply for inclusion in the DEIS programme because all schools will automatically be considered under the refined model when it is applied.

The Deputy also asked about additional accommodation. I am aware there has been an application from that school for additional accommodation under the additional school accommodation, ASA, scheme. From listening to the Deputy's comments, I imagine that is probably because they are looking for a special class. I know there are approximately 40 special classes in the general area of Carlow. In fact, one of those is a new class that opened just this year. The National Council for Special Education, NCSE, is telling me that, at present, there is sufficient capacity to cater for all children with additional needs. I agree with the Deputy's comments about commending Scoil Mhuire Lourdes girls' school for wanting to open a special class in the first instance. It is not always the case, and I am always grateful and welcoming to schools that take the initiative, want to take an inclusive approach to education and have that culture and ethos within the school to welcome all children with additional needs. I know the application that has been put in to modernise and consider new accommodation is being assessed. On completion of that assessment process, the school authority will, of course, be contacted directly with a decision.

There is also the minor works grant, which is payable to all primary schools. It gives schools flexibility in making improvements to the physical infrastructure of school buildings. There are also enhanced capitation grants that are given to schools, particularly where they open a special class. Some schools even open two special classes. They are given grants of €6,500 and €7,000 for furniture and ICT, respectively. That is important.

The Deputy mentioned transport in particular. Education is a right for all children, including those with additional needs. It is not always possible to provide that education in their own locality, but certainly the NCSE and the Department endeavour to do so.

On school transport, I know there is now an onus on the public sector to provide electric vehicles, so many of the buses will be carbon-free over the next period of time. There are targets for the green agenda the Deputy mentioned.

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