Tuesday, 9 Oct 2012

Written Answers Nos. 207-228

School Curriculum

Questions (207)

Derek Keating

Question:

207. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider the inclusion of entrepreneurship and innovation as part of the school curriculum in the future either as a stand-alone subject or as part of a number of existing subjects such as business, mathematics and science in view of this Government’s policy to develop the right environment for the creation of jobs and the repair of our broken economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42858/12]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

There is widespread agreement in business, political, education and training sectors that one of the keys to Ireland's recovery rests heavily on the capacity of our education system and wider society to work effectively together to support creativity, innovation and enterprise. Last week I launched my Junior Cycle Framework. One of the eight principles underpinning the new Framework is "creativity and innovation". In the delivery of the new junior cycle programme in schools, curriculum, assessment, teaching and learning must provide opportunities for students to be creative and innovative. The learning outcomes for students at the core of the Framework for Junior Cycle are described in twenty-four statements of learning. One of these states that the student "takes initiative, is innovative and develops entrepreneurial skills". There is, therefore, a clear underpinning for innovative and entrepreneurial skills in the Framework. Innovation and entrepreneurial skills can be addressed either through the existing subjects or through short courses. A number of short courses are being prepared by the NCCA but in addition short courses can be developed at school level, meeting agreed criteria, which will address the individual needs and local contexts of schools and their students.

In senior cycle students taking the Transition Year option, the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme and the Leaving Certificate Applied are provided with specific opportunities to acquire enterprise skills. These programmes place a strong focus on active learning, community-based approaches, personal development and teamwork. Students also engage in work experience. In addition, enterprise is part of the Business syllabus in second level schools. The Sean Lemass Award for Student Enterprise is an annual award which is presented to the top 3 winners from both the Transition Year Mini-company Get up and Go Competition and the County/City Enterprise Board Student Enterprise Competition. In 2012, there were some 17,000 young people involved in these competitions.

Programme for Government Implementation

Questions (208)

Simon Harris

Question:

208. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline in tabular form the commitments in the Programme for Government pertaining to his ministerial portfolio; the current status of these commitments in terms of implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42877/12]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The information requested by the Deputy is being compiled and will be forwarded to him as soon as possible.

School Textbooks

Questions (209)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

209. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost to fund a central school book provision scheme for primary and secondary school children, which would see books provided free of cost at all schools. [42896/12]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I am very conscious that the cost of textbooks is a considerable burden on families. Since becoming Minister for Education and Skills, I have attempted to take steps to reduce the burden on families. Shortly after coming into office I met with members of the Irish Educational Publishers' Association and impressed on them the need to limit the cost of textbooks. I have also stressed to them the real need to avoid placing schools and families in a position where textbooks are altered unnecessarily. The Association has responded positively to my approaches and have agreed a voluntary Code of Practice among their members. The Code commits the publishers to limit the publication of new editions and to maintaining editions of books in print unchanged for at least six years. The publishers have also given assurances to me that they will sell textbooks to schools at discounts in the range 10% to 17.5% so that schools can purchase textbooks in bulk to stock textbook rental schemes. All these developments are welcome, and I look forward to seeing the members of the Association implement these commitments.

My Department published research last May which shows that there is a high level of book rental schemes in operation at primary school level. The research indicates that 76% of primary schools operate a book rental scheme and I want to encourage this practice across all schools. Results at second level are not as conclusive.It is estimated that approximately €60m is spend on textbooks in Ireland annually. My Department provided approximately €15m in total to first and second level schools by way of book grants in 2012. A grant of €11 per pupils is provided to primary schools, with DEIS schools receiving €21. At second level the grant is €24, with DEIS schools receiving €39 per pupil.

Given the scale of our economic crisis, I have no scope to introduce new or additional funding measures generally or for specific purposes, such as that referred to by the Deputy.

School Meals Programme

Questions (210)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

210. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost to provide every primary school child in the State with a free lunch meal. [42897/12]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

Expenditure on the provision of school meals which is funded by the School Meals Programme, administered by my colleague, the Minister for Social Protection was €34.97 million in 2011 with €35 million provided for 2012. The estimated cost of providing a daily lunch meal for the 516,460 children currently attending primary school is €285 million per annum (based on an estimate of €3 per meal).

Student Councils Issues

Questions (211)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Question:

211. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if statistics are available on the number of democratic student-led student councils that are currently in place and the support and training structures been put in place to encourage the establishment of these in second-level schools on a coordinated national level; if he will provide these details in tabular form broken down into regions and county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42906/12]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

Section 27 of the Education Act, 1998 provides for the establishment of student councils, intending them to play an integral and important role in the post-primary school community. Student councils provide a representative structure through which students can debate issues of concern and undertake initiatives of benefit to the school and wider community. A student council shall promote the interests of the school and the involvement of students in the affairs of the school, in co-operation with the board of management, parents and teachers. Support regarding the establishment of student councils is available on www.studentcouncil.ie. There were in the region of 400 student councils for the 2010/11 school year. The statistics sought by the Deputy are not available for the last school year.

Schools Building Projects Status

Questions (212, 213)

Regina Doherty

Question:

212. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cut off point before a new site is identified for a school (details supplied) in County Meath in view of the frustration this school has experienced waiting for this issue to be resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42941/12]

Regina Doherty

Question:

213. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the purchase of land in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42942/12]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 212 and 213 together.

My Department has sought the assistance of, and is working closely with, the relevant Local Authority in relation to identifying and acquiring a suitable site for the development to which the Deputy has referred. Due to commercial sensitivities attaching to site acquisitions generally, it is not possible to comment further on the site acquisition aspect of the project at this time.

Question No. 214 answered with Question No. 87.

Redundancy Payments

Questions (215)

Willie O'Dea

Question:

215. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will honour the commitment he made, when he met with representatives of the former workers of St. Enda's Sports Complex, Limerick, on 21 of March 2012, to resolve the issue of the outstanding redundancy payments owed to the former workers by his Department as a result of a Labour Court recommendation of 19 May 2011; if he will honour the Labour Court recommendation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42955/12]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I wish to inform the Deputy that a consultation process between the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and my Department is still ongoing in relation to the matter of Labour Court recommendation LCR20062 dated 19 May 2011. However, this consultation process is expected to be concluded in the near future.

Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Questions (216)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

216. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a higher education grant will be awarded in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42965/12]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The decision on eligibility for new student grant applications from the 2012/13 academic year is a matter for the new centralised grant awarding authority, SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland). Officials in my Department have confirmed with SUSI that the student in question applied for grant assistance and I understand that a decision has issued. If an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a student grant, or that the rate of grant awarded is not the correct one, she/he may appeal, in the first instance, to SUSI.

Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down, in writing, by SUSI, and remains of the view that SUSI has not interpreted the scheme correctly in his/her case, an appeal form outlining the position may be submitted by the applicant to the Student Grant Appeals Board. The relevant appeal form will be available on request from SUSI.

Teacher Redeployment

Questions (217, 274)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

217. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the final number of posts lost in 2012 through the raising of the pupil threshold requirements for small schools; if he will list the schools that have lost teachers through this measure; the amount he expects this measure to save in monetary terms by the end of 2012; the projected savings and projected axed number of posts for 2013, 2014 and 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43006/12]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

274. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he can ameliorate the negative impact of the budgetary problems on smaller rural schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43378/12]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 217 and 274 together.

The target savings from this budget measure is 250 posts over the 3 year period. Some 73 small primary schools were originally due to lose a classroom teacher in September 2012 as a result of the budget measure to increase the relevant pupil thresholds. The Primary Staffing Appeals Board considered appeals from any of the 73 schools that could show that their projected enrolments for September 2012 were sufficient to allow them retain their classroom teacher over the longer term.

Some 38 small schools had their appeals provisionally upheld by the Appeals Board subject to confirmation that their actual enrolments in September 2012 reach the required level. My officials are currently liaising with these schools to ascertain actual enrolments at 30 September. When this process is completed the overall position for the 2012/13 school year will be known. In these extremely challenging times, all public servants are being asked to deliver our public services on a reduced level of resources and teachers in small schools cannot be immune from this requirement.

Schools Building Projects Status

Questions (218)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

218. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the detailed plan for school construction, expected in late 2012, will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43118/12]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

In addition to the Five Year Building Plan, announced on 9 March last, my Department is committed to publishing a detailed annual programme in relation to planned expenditure on individual major school projects commencing construction. The first of these, which related to 2012 expenditure, was published in December 2011 last. It is anticipated that details of the 2013 annual programme will be announced before year-end.

Tax Collection

Questions (219)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

219. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason UCD paid the Revenue Commissioners €400,000 in unpaid tax for Student Union staff without anyone being held to account and without any investigation into where the deducted tax has gone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43119/12]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

As the Deputy will be aware, universities are autonomous institutions and my Department does not have any function in their day to day operational affairs, for which the Governing Bodies and the management staff of the institutions are responsible. However, in relation to this matter I understand that the payment to the Revenue Commissioners referred to by Deputy relates to an amount paid by the Student Union in UCD in respect of unpaid tax liabilities following a revenue audit of its tax liabilities from 2007 to 2011. The Students Union is a separate entity from UCD and it manages and runs its own affairs completely independently from UCD. Again, I understand that the Students Union has conducted its own investigation on this matter and UCD is also carrying out a financial and governance review on the records of the Students Union.

Teaching Contracts

Questions (220)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

220. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has any concerns that the cuts on newly qualified teachers will have a detrimental effect on both their morale and the willingness of young people to enter such a low paid profession; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43120/12]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

Measures in relation to the pay of new public service entrants, including teachers, have to be viewed against the backdrop of a very serious financial and budgetary situation. Reductions in the pay of new entrant public servants, including teachers, date back to the last Government. More recently, this Government has made further adjustments on foot of the allowances review. In the case of teachers, while there has been a small decline in applications to the B.Ed for primary teaching between 2011 and 2012, the overall number of applications remains high. A similar trend obtains for the professional diploma in education (PDE), which is the main route to post-primary teaching. It is significant that successful applicants to the B.Ed courses in 2012 continue to be from the top quartile of Leaving Cert students, in terms of points. Ireland has always attracted students of the highest calibre to the teaching profession, a profession that enjoys the respect, trust and high regard of the public and I am confident that this will continue in the future.

School Transport Availability

Questions (221)

John Halligan

Question:

221. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will reconsider reinstating the entitlement of some 20 children (details supplied) to qualify for transportation under the school transport scheme in the 2012/2013 school year; the monetary savings that would be made arising from changes to the school transport scheme in respect of these 20 pupils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32498/12]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

Changes to the Post Primary School Transport Scheme were announced in Budget 2011 and derived from recommendations in the Value for Money Review of the Scheme. These changes are being applied equitably on a national basis. Under 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 from the area in question are not attending their nearest school and are therefore not eligible for school transport under the terms of the scheme. However, 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 Eireann has advised that 18 first year pupils from this area have been issued with tickets on this basis. There is no scope for reversing these changes as under the four year recovery plan, there is a requirement to deliver savings of €17 million on the school transport budget and all these measures, including the ceasing of the catchment boundary system, are an integral part of this. It makes economic sense that when fully implemented, the provision of school transport to the nearest school will reduce the cost of those school transport services.

Education Policy

Questions (222, 223, 277)

John Halligan

Question:

222. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the resources that are being put in place to ensure that every child in the State, regardless of ability, can access education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33394/12]

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

223. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Skills the resources that are being put in place to ensure that every child in the State, regardless of ability, can access education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33339/12]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

277. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is satisfied that the requirements of special needs pupils in mainstream education will continue to be addressed on an on-going basis within the coming year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43382/12]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 222, 223, and 277 together.

I wish to advise the Deputy that this Government is committed to the protection of frontline services for pupils with special educational needs, in order to ensure that every child in the state, regardless of ability, can access education and to ensure that the requirements of pupils with special educational needs in mainstream education can continue to be met. The Programme for Government sets out that education will be a priority for this Government and that we will endeavour to protect and enhance the educational experience of children, young people and students.

Approximately 15% of the entire budget of my Department – some €1.3 billion – was spent in support of children with Special Educational Needs in 2011. The provision for the current year is in line with expenditure last year and shows that despite the current economic difficulties, the overall level of funding for special education has not been cut. Some 10,575 whole time equivalent (wte) Special Needs Assistant (SNA) posts are being provided for primary, post-primary and special schools for the coming school year in order to support the care needs of pupils with disabilities.

- Approximately 9,950 learning support/resource teacher posts, including those provided under the General Allocation Model, are also being provided in primary & post primary schools in order to provide additional teaching support to pupils with special educational needs.

- Over 1,100 teachers are also being provided for in special schools providing teaching to pupils with various disabilities at much reduced pupil: teacher ratios, for example the autism PTR is 6:1 and the moderate general learning disability PTR is 8:1.

- Enhanced levels of school capitation are payable to most special schools and special classes and special School Transport arrangements for pupils with disabilities are provided at a cost of over €60m per year. - Approximately €1.3m is also provided annually to schools for assistive technology support. - Early educational intervention is provided for children with autism from 2½ years of age. There are now 76 early intervention classes for children with autism attached to mainstream schools that are funded by the Department. Funding is also provided through the home tuition programme for children with autism aged from 2 ½ years to 5 who are unable to access an early intervention class.

- An extended school year is also currently available for pupils who have either a severe/profound general learning disability or who have autism.

The continued commitment of this Government to special education provision, at a time when savings are being required across a range of expenditure areas has ensured that children with special educational needs can continue to have access to educational facilities in line with their requirements.

Finally, I wish to assure the Deputy that it is my intention that resources available to my Department are utilised to optimum benefit to ensure the best possible outcomes for students with special educational needs. In this regard my Department is seeking advice from the NCSE on policy options for the allocation of these resources in future, with a view to ensuring that the most appropriate and efficient model is in place in the coming years.

Education Schemes

Questions (224)

Micheál Martin

Question:

224. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason he has replaced and renamed the five scholarship schemes for higher education, namely the Easter Week 1916 Commemoration Scholarship, An Scéim Scoláireachtaí Triú Leibhéal do Scoláirí ón nGaeltacht, An Scéim Scoláireachtaí Gaeilge Triú Leibhéal, An Scéim Scolaireachtaí Triú Leibhéal and the Donogh O’Malley Scholarship Scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39022/12]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

As announced in the 2012 Budget, five scholarship schemes for higher education, including the Easter Week 1916 and Irish scholarships, have been replaced with a new single scheme of bursaries. The awards under the new scheme are fixed at €2,000 per student. The bursary is an extra support and incentive to recognise high achievement for students who are from disadvantaged families and attending DEIS schools. Those students to whom bursaries are awarded will also be entitled to apply for student grants towards the cost of maintenance and the student contribution or fees.

This change has been made in order to make the best use of scarce resources so as to focus on the best performing students in the cohort of those who are most in need of financial help. Awards are made on a regional basis and students from all DEIS schools will be considered. These changes will not impact on those who already hold scholarships under the existing schemes.

FÁS Training Programmes Eligibility

Questions (225)

Jack Wall

Question:

225. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding courses in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43142/12]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I am informed by FÁS that the person in question has successfully completed Phases 5 and 7 under the Redundant Apprentice Placement Scheme. While he has successfully completed all Phases 1 – 7 of his apprenticeship he has not completed the required four years (208 weeks) in employment as an apprentice, which is a requirement for the award of the FETAC Level 6 Advanced Certificate – Craft. I understand the person in question currently has 187 weeks recorded employment.

FÁS has introduced a Competency Determination Mechanism (this is an assessment over a number of days in a FÁS Training Centre) which will enable apprentices in this situation to demonstrate their knowledge and skills against the occupational standard for their trade. If they successfully complete this assessment they will be progressed for the award of the FETAC Level 6 Advanced Certificate- Craft. Currently the Carpentry and Joinery Competency Determination Mechanism is offered by the Limerick Training Centre. I am informed that the person in question is not on the waiting list for this course. It is advised that he get in contact with his FÁS Training Adviser immediately to make application for same.

Grant Aid

Questions (226)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor

Question:

226. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Education and Skills if grant aid will be provided for students doing courses abroad when that course is not being provided by a third level institution here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43155/12]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

Under my Department's student grant scheme, maintenance grants are payable to undergraduate students doing courses abroad who are pursuing an approved full-time course in an approved institution and who meet the prescribed conditions of funding including those which relate to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means. An "approved institution" as set out in the Student Support Act 2011 includes an educational instituion that provides higher education and training which is situated in a Member State which is maintained or assisted by recurrent grants from public funds.

An "approved course" as set out in the Act means a course which is provided by an approved institution and has been prescribed as an approved course. To be an approved undergraduate courses in an approved institution in a Member State the course must be full-time, take not less than 2 years to complete, be provided in an institution that comes within the definition outlined above and must lead to a recognised major higher education and training qualification. In addition tax relief on tuition fees may be available for students attending courses in colleges abroad. Details in relation to this relief are available from the Revenue Commissioners.

Questions Nos. 227 and 228 answered with Question No. 87.