Written Answers. - Government Programme.
Ruairí Quinn
Question:
344
Mr. Quinn
asked the
Minister for Education and Science
the specific commitments, if any, set out in An Action Programme for the Millennium which have been implemented in full; the commitments, if any, implemented in part; the commitments, if any, initiated; the commitments, if any, yet to be initiated and implemented by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[15054/98]
A summary of the material requested by the Deputy is as follows:
“Learning should be lifelong, and our educational system must respond accordingly.” The Department of Education and Science has in place a wide range of education initiatives ranging from pre-school to third level and adult education. As regards adult education £2.7 million will be provided in 1998 and 1999 for childcare services for the youthreach and VTOS schemes; adult literacy provision has been raised by £2 million for 1998, bringing it to over £4 million; grants totalling £600,000 will be awarded to women's voluntary education groups in 1998 and 1999; annual grants — £309,000 in 1997, £500,000 in 1998 — are given to five adult education organisations to assist them in administering schemes, for example, literacy schemes; Minister of State, Deputy O'Dea, has established a committee to consider the establishment of an Adult Education Bank which will deal with lifelong learning-skill enhancement and a Green Paper on adult education is being prepared.
“Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats in Government will focus on people's needs and parental choice rather than on bureaucratic or administrative structures.” The Education (No. 2) Bill, which is currently being discussed in the Dáil, does not contain provision for an intermediate education structure in the form of education boards. The priority is to channel such resources as are available for education directly into the schools and other education institutions. This will avoid the expenditure of up to £40 million on regional boards. With regard to “the provision of a specific budget for pre-school education”, a consultative national forum on early childhood education was held in March 1998. A report on the proceedings of the forum will be published shortly and a White Paper will be developed before the end of the year.
“To give primary education a clear priority in allocating resources, including the provision of remedial teachers and resources for special learning difficulties; one teacher schools with ten pupils or over to receive a second teacher, and renewal of substandard accommodation.” The 1998 Estimates provide for a 9 per cent increase in resources for primary education and for a £5 increase in capitation payments. This represents an increase of 11 per cent on the last Government's 1997 allocation. All two-teacher schools which, as a result of falling enrolments, were due to lose a teacher and become one-teacher schools with effect from September 1997 — 24 schools — have been permitted to retain their second teacher. The remaining schools will be addressed in 1998-99 and 1999-2000. In addition, a number of proposals are under consideration to alleviate the current problems of teacher shortages at primary level.
I will shortly announce the allocation of additional remedial and resource teacher posts to primary schools for the forthcoming school year.
"To achieve computer literacy throughout the schools system." The Schools IT 2000 project involves a State investment of £40 million, as well as some industry investment. The national centre for technology in education has been established to implement the various elements of IT 2000 and a national seminar has been held to inform the partners of progress in the area. This programme is already having a major impact. All schools will be on the Internet in September and 8,000 will receive IT training this year.
"Recognition of the role of parents as the first teachers of their children by ensuring their role at all levels of school management and also by the introduction of the parents as first teachers programme. Under PAFT, first time parents from deprived areas are visited by a trained educator/health visitor from the pre-natal stage until the child is three year of age." The Education Bill strengthens the position of parents within the education system by, for example, providing a statutory basis for the role of parents on boards of management and by providing a channel for appeals by students and their parents. It is hoped, resources permitting, to expand the home/school liaison scheme. The PAFT proposal is being considered by the early education forum.
"Appointment of a high-powered group to examine the points system and provide a wider choice of curriculum for smaller schools." The work of the commission on the points system is well under way. It is planned that the commission will publish a consultative document in early September 1998 and will hold public seminars later in the month. The aim is for a final report in spring 1999.
"More resources to youthreach and a targeted programme developed to meet the needs of the 20,000 young people who do not complete the second level cycle." The following initiatives have been put in place. At present there are 3,975 participant places on the youthreach programme in FÁS and VEC centres and 550 places in senior traveller training centres. A further expansion of 2,240 places is under way which will bring the total to 6,765. A wider range of curricula is provided at second level; it is projected that 40,000 students will take the leaving certificate vocational programme in 1999/2000, as compared with 23,000 at present and that 10,000 students will take the leaving certificated applied in 1999/2000, as compared with 7,000 at present. A sum of £2.96 million has been provided over 1998 and 1999 for a new initiative which will target early school leavers, both potential and actual, aged between eight and 15 years.
"To set up a national psychological service to address learning difficulties." A planning group was established in September 1997 to prepare proposals and make recommendations in this regard. This group is finalising its report. Fifteen psychologists have recently been appointed to assist primary schools.
"Renewed respect for the principle of academic freedom and autonomy at third level." Legislation is currently in preparation for the third level technological sector which will allow some institutions to award their own qualifications within a national framework. The principle has been observed on dealings with institutions.
"Equitable support of students attending PLC courses." PLC maintenance grants will be effective from September 1998. In addition, PLC places have been expanded and the first capital budget for PLCs has been put in place.
"Increased support for post-graduate research." In the 1998 Estimates, the Government provided an additional £5 million for current spending on research and development. Of the Scientific and Technology Education (Investment) Fund, approximately £15 million has been allocated for capital expenditure on research and development and £30 million to support a comprehensive programme of equipment renewal.
"We are committed to the development of an STI infrastructure capable of supporting the researchers, technicians and innovators needed to underpin the competitiveness of Irish firms in the dynamic global environment of the new millennium." As mentioned above, in the 1998 Estimates, the Government provided an additional £5 milion for current spending on research and development. Of the Scientific and Technological Education (Investment) Fund approximately £15 million has been allocated for capital expenditure on research and development and £30 million to support a programme of equipment renewal.
"Increase the throughput of computer and electronic graduates through our colleges and universities to keep pace with demand and ensure that Ireland will continue to be attractive as a base for such industries." The Scientific and Technological Education (Investment) Fund has been provided for in legislation. The legislation provides that £100 million will be paid into the fund in 1998 with further sums totalling £150 million to be paid in 1999 and 2000. The funding is in addition to annual capital allocations and does not replace or reduce existing investment. The new mechanisms announced by the Government in November 1997 are now in place and the partnership forum, chaired by the Minister for Education and Science and by the Tánaiste, met on 18 June 1998.
"Establish immediately a national committee to undertake a complete study on Irish language teaching methods." A committee is included in the Education Bill currently before the Dáil.
"Modify school curriculum to emphasise cultural and artistic activities." The new primary curriculum will emphasise cultural and artistic activities. This principle is also embodied in the new senior cycle English programme.
