Written Answers Nos. 155-174
155. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Education and Skills the eligibility criteria for the vocational training opportunity scheme; if vacant course placements will be extended to those seeking to return to the workforce through education following a long break from employment; and if he will give due consideration to an application in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 [41380/12]
View answerIn order to be eligible to participate in the Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS), a person must be over 21 years of age and in receipt of specified social protection payments for at least six months. The person referred to by the Deputy should contact City of Dublin VEC about their eligibility for VTOS as well as their options for a return to education through one of the other further education programmes delivered by VECs.
156. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will publish details of all allowances paid to staff in his Department; the business case made by his Department in respect of these allowances to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform; the cost of each individual allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41411/12]
View answerThe following tabular statement gives details of allowances paid to some staff at my Department in addition to their basic remuneration as requested by the Deputy. As the allowances are paid to the general Civil Service grades within my Department to carry out a particular function and were agreed at Central level for the whole Civil Service no business case for their retention was required to be submitted to the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform. The Foreign Delegates Allowance (Ref 10) was paid to officials that attended/chaired meetings of the European Communities or other international organisations. This allowance was withdrawn with effect from 19 September 2012.
List of Allowances Paid to Some staff Members at the Department of Education & Skills
|
Ref |
Type of Allowance |
Value Per Annum |
|
1 |
Home Office Allowance |
€700 |
|
2 |
Footwear Allowance |
€65 |
|
3 |
Key Holder Allowance |
€600 |
|
4 |
Children’s Allowance |
€114 per child |
|
5 |
Franking Allowance |
€1,700 |
|
6 |
Machine Allowance |
€2,300 |
|
7 |
Private Secretary Allowance to Minister/Minister of State. |
€19,653 |
|
8 |
Private Secretary Allowance to Secretary General |
€10,951 |
|
9 |
Programme for Competitiveness at Work Allowances (P.C.W.) |
€2,830 & €3,250
|
|
10 |
*Foreign Delegates Allowance |
Rates per Night €64.52 to €218.89 depending on the duration of the visit. |
* The Foreign Delegates Allowance has been withdrawn with effect from the 19th, September 2012.
157. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way he proposes to vindicate the constitutional rights of the parents who live in Portobello across Dublin 6, 8 and 12, and who are involved with the Portobello Educate Together group, to ensure that their children receive a primary education that is in accordance with their conscience and lawful preference; if he will explain the way to vindicate the rights of those parents and their children if the current negotiations he is carrying out on the transformation or divestment of existing school premises are unsuccessful in generating a new multi-denominational school in the local area for September 2013. [41432/12]
View answerAs you will be aware in June of last year I announced that up to 40 new schools are to be established up to 2017 to cater for increasing demographics across a number of locations. These consisted of twenty new primary schools and twenty new post-primary schools. This announcement did not include a proposal to establish a new primary school in the area referred to by the Deputy. However, the Forward Planning Section of my Department will continue to monitor enrolments in the Portobello area to ensure that there is sufficient school accommodation to meet any projected future demands.
As you may also be aware I recently announced an action plan in response to the report of the Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector. As part of this, I have requested that the process leading to divesting of patronage in areas of stable population begin immediately. It is proposed that surveys will be conducted by my Department during the Autumn in 44 identified areas, with a pilot in five of the 44 areas to commence during October. These surveys will be conducted with a view to determining parental preferences regarding school patronage in these areas.
158. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding school transport; if he will address these concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41434/12]
View answerBus Éireann, which operates the school transport scheme on behalf of my Department has advised that a new service will operate with effect from Tuesday, 2nd October.
159. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will recognise long term recipients of supplementary welfare as a long term social welfare payment when assessing income for the special rate of maintenance grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41435/12]
View answerThe report of the Action Group on Access to Third Level Education made detailed recommendations concerning the introduction of special rates of maintenance grants for disadvantaged students. The target group of "those most in need" was defined in terms of the dependants of people receiving long-term welfare payments, where the necessary conditions are fulfilled. To qualify for the special rate of maintenance grant for the 2012/13 academic year, an applicant must qualify for the standard rate of maintenance grant. In addition, total reckonable income must not exceed €22,703 in the 2011 tax year. Finally, as at 31st December, 2011, the reckonable income must include one of the eligible long-term social welfare payments prescribed in the Student Grant Scheme. Supplementary Welfare is considered to be a short-term payment. Therefore, it is not included as an eligible payment for the purpose of qualifying for the special rates of grant.
160. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will confirm that a school (details supplied) in County Offaly has submitted an amended proposal for an extension: if he will proceed with this design / model being piloted by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41462/12]
View answerThe major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of architectural planning. My Department completed a review of the initial Stage 1 Submission for the project. However the stage submission as presented could not be approved at that time. The School Authorities were advised to request their Design Team to submit a Revised Stage 1 Submission which would address the Department's comments on the initial submission. An amended submission has recently been received and is currently under review by my Department. Once this review has been completed, my Department will revert to the School Authorities in regard to the further progression of the project.
161. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on the status of a school building project (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41469/12]
View answerThe project referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of Architectural Planning. To ensure that every child has access to a school place, the delivery of projects to meet the increasing demographic demands will be the main focus for capital investment over the next 5 years, particularly in those areas where it has been identified that most future demographic growth will be concentrated. Due to competing demands on my Department's capital budget, imposed by the need to prioritise the limited funding available for the provision of additional school accommodation to meet those increasing demographic requirements, it was not possible to include the project referred to by the Deputy in the 5 year construction programme. Schools, including the one referred to by the Deputy, which have not been included in the five year construction programme, but which were announced for initial inclusion in the building programme will continue to be progressed to final planning stages in anticipation of the possibility of further funds being available to my Department in future years.
162. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the outcome of an appeal for school transport in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41476/12]
View answerThe case referred to by the Deputy, in the details supplied, is the subject of an appeal to the School Transport Appeals Board. This Board is independent of my Department and I understand their next meeting is scheduled for 18th October 2012. The Board will inform the family directly of their determination on the matter.
163. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review the application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny who has been refused school transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41506/12]
View answerFrom the 2012/13 school year, school transport eligibility for children is determined by reference to the distance they reside from their nearest post-primary education centre having regard to ethos and language. Central measuring points, such as post offices, are used where a number of schools are located in an education centre. Bus Éireann has advised that the student referred to by the Deputy is ineligible for school transport as he not attending his nearest school, having regard to both the central measuring point and actual school locations. Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for school transport on a concessionary basis subject to a number of terms and conditions which are detailed in the scheme. Bus Éireann has reported that transport on a concessionary basis can be availed of by the student in question on payment of the school transport charge. The changes to the Post Primary School Transport Scheme are being applied equitably on a national basis.
164. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide in tabular form education spending both as a percentage of gross domestic product and in nominal terms by year from 1992 to 2011. [41521/12]
View answerThe following table shows Education and Skills Expenditure on my Vote, as detailed in the annual Appropriation Accounts, for the years 1992 – 2011, including as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Direct comparison for the different years is difficult due to changes in the make-up of the Education and Skills Vote, which include, inter alia:
(a) The transfer into my Vote in 2010 of certain functions in relation to Skills Development (€144 million in 2010 and €164 million in 2011) and;(b) The transfer of responsibility for Nursing Education into my Vote in 2011 (€56 million in 2010 and 2011);(c) The transfer of responsibility for the School Completion Programme and the National Education Welfare Board out of my Vote in 2011;(d) The transfer of responsibility for Youth and Sports Services out of my Vote in the late 1990s;(e) The payment of Redress Awards from 2002 onwards.
|
Year |
Total |
GDP ** |
Education |
|
- |
Education |
|
Expenditure |
|
- |
Expenditure * |
|
as % of |
|
- |
€'000 |
€m |
GDP |
|
1992 |
2,091,161 |
40,489 |
5.2% |
|
1993 |
2,303,235 |
43,605 |
5.3% |
|
1994 |
2,521,520 |
47,494 |
5.3% |
|
1995 |
2,629,508 |
53,787 |
4.9% |
|
1996 |
2,799,944 |
58,894 |
4.8% |
|
1997 |
3,163,225 |
68,154 |
4.6% |
|
1998 |
3,460,044 |
78,685 |
4.4% |
|
1999 |
3,724,019 |
90,683 |
4.1% |
|
2000 |
4,233,233 |
105,775 |
4.0% |
|
2001 |
4,791,378 |
117,643 |
4.1% |
|
2002 |
5,390,451 |
130,877 |
4.1% |
|
2003 |
5,865,004 |
140,827 |
4.2% |
|
2004 |
6,597,296 |
150,194 |
4.4% |
|
2005 |
7,217,797 |
163,037 |
4.4% |
|
2006 |
7,896,897 |
177,729 |
4.4% |
|
2007 |
8,704,590 |
188,729 |
4.6% |
|
2008 |
9,295,040 |
178,882 |
5.2% |
|
2009 |
9,355,736 |
161,275 |
5.8% |
|
2010 |
9,345,730 |
156,487 |
6.0% |
|
2011 |
8,866,362 |
158,993 |
5.6% |
* Source: Appropriation Accounts 1992 - 2011. Note that expenditure not directly comparable between all years due to transfers of functions into and out of the Department.
** Source: CSO -National Income & Expenditure 2011
(a) 1995 to 2011 based on ESA95 methodology including FISIM
(b) 1992 to 1994 based on ESA95 methodology excluding FISIM
165. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 271 of 12 June 2012 the reason someone in Bus Éireann decided that persons (details supplied) in County Roscommon were not fit to travel together as they presented safety concerns, yet these persons share the same room at Ivy House where they are resident; the reason no-one consulted with the staff who look after them, their teachers, or their parents; if he will name the person who made the decision; if he will provide documents relating to the decision, both in the first instance and upon review; if his attention has been drawn to the waste of resources involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41538/12]
View answerAs previously advised due to safety concerns Bus Eireann have with the proposed transport arrangement, it was not possible to facilitate the specific transport request. However, Bus Éireann has advised that an alternative arrangement which may address the transport requirements of the pupils concerned is being examined.
166. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills if for the purposes of determining if a third level student is the required distance from the college to be eligible for the non-adjacent grant, the distance is measured from the persons home to the gates of the college or to the college building the student habitually attends, particularly in view of the size of some of the campuses, the legal and regulatory basis for the method of measuring; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41580/12]
View answerArticle 27(3)(a) of the Student Grant Scheme 2012 provides that the relevant distance will be measured in line with agreed guidelines. These guidelines require that the shortest most direct route between the applicant's normal residence and the institution where the approved course takes place should apply and that, in determining the shortest most direct route, the relevant awarding authority shall establish: the method for measuring a route; the factors to be taken into account in establishing and measuring a route.
The awarding authority's criteria for measuring a route must be accessible, particularly to the applicant, the appeals officer and the Student Grants Appeals Board.
167. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to implement the recommendation made recently to him that teacher training will cease in colleges (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41583/12]
View answerI have accepted the recommendations set out in a report commissioned by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) on the structures of initial teacher education. The purpose of the report, which I requested, was to identify new possible structures to improve initial teacher education in Ireland so that it is comparable with the best in the world.
The international panel of education experts recommended that teacher education be provided in six "centres for teacher education". Currently there are 19 state funded providers of ITE (and three non-state funded) offering more than 40 college programmes in primary and post-primary teaching. The new collaborations recommended by the international panel will mean that a smaller number of centres for ITE exist, but that they offer education across multiple sectors from early childhood to primary, to post primary to adult education. These centres for teacher education will also possess a critical mass in terms of research capacity which is not always possible in smaller institutions. The new configurations will mean strong research bases can be created in each centre.
I have asked the HEA to submit a detailed report, before the end of the year, on how to implement the recommendations of the Panel. It is too early at present to set out plans for individual colleges. I will consider the implementation plan from the HEA, when received.
168. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason he will not enter into negotiations with the Health Service Executive regarding the purchase, for a nominal price, of a field adjacent to a school (details supplied) in County Sligo, to provide much needed parking which would provide critical safety infrastructure at this busy primary school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41692/12]
View answerThe proposal to purchase land adjacent to the school referred to by the Deputy was considered. While the purchase price of the land is nominal, the development of the land for use as car parking/set down area will incur significant costs. In view of the need to ensure that every child has access to a school place, the delivery of major school projects to meet significant demographic demands nationally will be the main focus for capital investment in schools in the coming years. The five year programme announced this year is focused on meeting those demographic needs. In that context, the purchase and development of lands for purposes other than the provision of additional classrooms and other educational accommodation, is not a priority and cannot be considered at this time. However, this does not preclude the school authorities from acquiring the land and carrying out the development works concerned.
169. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will revive the modern languages in primary schools initiative in view of statistics that only 4% of primary students here learn a foreign language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41701/12]
View answerThe initiative referred to by the Deputy came to an end last June. This Government does not plan to review the decision to end the modern languages in primary schools initiative.
As the Deputy is aware the decision to end the scheme took account of a 2008 Report by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA). The report identified serious issues with curricular overload at primary level. The NCCA's advice recommended for the present modern languages should not be part of the Primary School Curriculum as an additional and separate subject. The advice in relation to curriculum overload predated the wake up call on literacy and numeracy triggered by the PISA results. I am taking that advice on board and with particular regard to the demands on time in school that will result from a heightened focus on literacy and numeracy.
The primary curriculum is currently being reviewed by the NCCA in the context of the National Literacy and Numeracy Strategy. The €2.5million in savings from this measure will go towards the cost of implementing the new National Literacy and Numeracy Strategy. The 17% of primary schools at present in the Initiative, who have had even more time demands than others in a crowded curricular space, should as a result be better placed to deliver under the strategy. Given the priority of literacy and numeracy, I have acted on the 2008 advice about overload and could not justify either the continuation of the initiative in the existing schools or its expansion to all schools even if funding was not an issue.
170. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the procedures that are in place to facilitate a person (details supplied) in County Meath regarding the school transport scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41729/12]
View answerUnder the terms of my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language. Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only in accordance with the terms of the Post Primary School Transport Scheme. Bus Éireann has reported that transport on a concessionary basis can be availed of by the pupil referred to by the Deputy in the details supplied on payment of the school transport charge.
171. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an appeal has been lodged in a school transport case in respect of a person (details supplied); if so, if he will issue an update on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41733/12]
View answerThe School Transport Appeals Board is independent of my Department. I understand that the case referred to by the Deputy, in the details supplied, is not the subject of an appeal to this Board.
172. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of establishments here that are providing English language classes for Chinese students; the number of Chinese students that have come here to study English since 2007; the strategies that are in place or under consideration to increase the number of such students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41820/12]
View answerChinese students may attend any English Language Training Organisation (ELTO) recognised by the ACELS service of the NQAI, provided the student holds the appropriate visa and permission from the Department of Justice and Equality. 64 recognised ELTOs offer academic year programmes. My Department does not collect statistics on the number of students in ELTOs. However, Fáilte Ireland has recently engaged economic consultants to carry out a study of the English Language Training sector, with the aim of establishing the size and value of the sector in Ireland (including the number of students) and assessing the potential for future growth. The results of the study will be available in 2013.
Considerable efforts are underway to promote awareness of Ireland as an education destination in China, with a particular focus on higher education programmes, which can frequently involve an English language training component. Minister of State Ciaran Cannon represented the Government in China for St. Patrick's Day earlier this year and as part of his programme he undertook a range of education promotional events. The Department of Justice and Equality has also been working with the English language sector to develop targeted initiatives in China. More generally, Fáilte Ireland is responsible for the strategic development and promotion of the English Language sector. Their activities include specialist media and agent familiarisation visits, workshops bringing incoming buyers face to face with Irish tourism suppliers including Language Schools and in-market workshops and seminars for special trade contacts, direct marketing campaigns to overseas agents' consumer databases and attendance at major EFL fairs overseas.
173. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Education and Skills if funding remains in place for the construction of an extension to be used as a gym facility at a college (details supplied) in Dublin 15. [41828/12]
View answerThe major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning. Due to competing demands on the Department's capital budget imposed by the need to prioritise the limited funding available for the provision of additional school accommodation to meet increasing demographic requirements it was not possible to include this project in the 5 year construction programme announced in March. School building projects, including the project referred to by the Deputy, which have not been included in the five year construction programme, but which were announced for initial inclusion in the building programme will continue to be progressed to final planning stages in anticipation of the possibility of further funds being available to the Department in future years.
174. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Education and Skills when repair work needed to address the pyrite found in a school (details supplied) in Dublin 15 will be completed. [41829/12]
View answerMy Department has recently appointed consultants to commence remediation work on the school to which the Deputy refers. Their work will include all necessary inspections and surveying, preparation of tender documents, procurement of a contractor to complete the remediation works, supervision of works and hand-over of school back to the Board of Management. It is not possible at this juncture to state definitely when the remediation works will be completed. When all necessary inspections are conducted, the full scope of works identified and a methodology for undertaking the remediation works known, my Department will be in a better position to state definitely when the works are likely to be completed. My officials are liaising with the school authorities and have apprised them of progress on this issue.
