Written Answers Nos. 82-101
82. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on efforts to introduce a voluntary code of practice for the publishers of school text books; the projected savings to be accrued to schools and parents from this code of practice; and if he will provide an update on his efforts to extend the book lending scheme to primary and post-primary schools across the State. [43112/12]
View answerI 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 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.
In May my Department published research 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.
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 pupil is provided to primary schools, with DEIS schools receiving €21. At second level the grant is €24, with DEIS schools receiving €39 per pupil.
83. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of the continued high demand for second level places in schools across north County Dublin, if there have been any changes in capacity to facilitate current demand. [43040/12]
View answerMy Department has identified a number of areas including North County Dublin where, due to demographic changes, it is projected that there will be a requirement for significant additional school provision at both primary and post-primary levels over the coming years.
In this context, I announced in June 2011 that 20 new primary and 20 new post primary schools are to be established nationally in the next six years to meet the needs of our growing population, including 4 new post primary schools in North County Dublin which will provide almost 4,000 additional post primary places. In addition to these new schools, it may be necessary to extend the capacity of many existing schools to meet the demand for increased pupil places. My Department will consider applications by schools for funding for additional classrooms, which schools may provide on a permanent basis, where an immediate enrolment need is arising.
The above developments are in addition to the 4 new post primary schools that have already been established in North County Dublin since 2008 i.e. Donabate Community College, Phibblestown Community College, Ardgillan Community College and Luttrellstown Community College. An additional 4,000 student places will be provided for in the area, once these schools are at full capacity.
My priority is to ensure that there is sufficient school accommodation to meet projected pupil enrolment increases into the future. The 5 Year Construction Plan that I announced on 9 March last as part of a €2 billion capital investment programme outlines the major school projects that will commence construction over the duration of the Plan. The current status of all projects on the school building programme may be viewed on my Department's website at www.education.ie and this will be updated regularly throughout the year.
84. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether Irish higher education institutions are operating at maximum productivity. [43094/12]
View answerIt must be acknowledged that the higher education sector has accommodated significant increases in students numbers over the last number of years, at a time when both funding and staff numbers have reduced.
The recurrent provision made available for 2012 to the University and Institutes of Technology sectors is €1.119 billion compared to €1.177 billion in 2011. The provision in 2008 was €1.393 billion.
Third level institutions have been the subject of an Employment Control Framework since 2009. A reduction in numbers of 6.5% was achieved under the initial ECF covering 2009 and 2010. A further reduction of 1.5% was achieved in 2011. This overall reduction of more than 8% in numbers has been delivered in a period of continuing growth in student numbers.
Enrolments in higher education continue to increase significantly with over 160,000 full-time students (both undergraduate and postgraduate) enrolled in our higher education institutions in 2010. Projections of future enrolments show that by 2020 there will be a further 16% growth in student numbers.
My Department is continuing to work with the higher education sector to ensure further efficiency gains within the context of public sector reform initiatives and the Public Service Agreement. The HEA, at my request, is also undertaking a study on the sustainability of the current funding system for higher education. An initial report was published last year, and the HEA is continuing its work in this area.
85. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to commence the remaining sections of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004; his further plans to commence section 13 and the sections relating to the introduction of a personal education plan for each student with special educational needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43044/12]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that a number of sections of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act have already been commenced.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) made recommendations which suggested that additional investment over a period of years of up to €235m per annum, across the education and health sectors, would be required to fully implement the EPSEN Act. My Department's opinion is that the level of investment required would be greater than that envisaged in the NCSE report.
In the light of the very difficult economic situation, and these significant costs, the previous Government deferred the full implementation of EPSEN.
Given the costs involved and current fiscal constraints, addressing this issue will be very challenging. I will be considering how we can develop a plan to implement the objectives of the EPSEN Act so as to deliver improved educational outcomes for students with special needs.
In the interim, in relation to individual education plans, schools are encouraged to use individual education plans through policy guidance, support, and training. My Department's Learning Support Guidelines, which are available at www.education.ie, recommend that an individual profile and learning programme should be devised for all children who are receiving supplementary teaching from a learning-support teacher.
86. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a breakdown in tabular form of the amount paid by each of the universities in legal fees for the years 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011; if he will provide in tabular form the legal firms representing each of the universities and the amount they received in respect of this representation for the same years; if he will set out the tendering process for the awarding of these contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43043/12]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy is not readily available in my Department. Officials of my Department have asked the Higher Education Authority to contact each university seeking a response and I will forward the available data to you as soon as possible.
87. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he approved the Higher Education Authority's decision to commission a report involving international experts which looked at mergers in the third level sector; the date on which he gave this approval; the date on which he intends to publish the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43066/12]
View answer101. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the recent Higher Education Authority report which recommends the merging of Trinity College, Dublin and University College Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42646/12]
View answer119. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Education and Skills has he received the Van Vught report on higher education; his views on the report’s recommendations, particularly in relation to merging Trinity College and University College Dublin; and if he will provide a date on which the report will be published. [43096/12]
View answer214. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a date for the publication of the report drawn up by a panel of international experts, requested by the High Education Authority on the future higher education landscape in Ireland. [42951/12]
View answer227. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Education and Skills in relation to a report in the media (details supplied) on Tuesday 25 September, if claims that an international expert panel report on higher education in Ireland is recommending a merger of Trinity and UCD; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43157/12]
View answer228. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Education and Skills in relation to a report in the media (details supplied) on Tuesday the 25 of September 2012, if claims that an international expert panel report on higher education in Ireland has made radical proposals, if he will detail these proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43158/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 87, 101, 119, 214, 227 and 228 together.
"Towards a Higher Education Landscape" published in February 2012 initiated a process of engagement by the HEA with higher education institutions with a view to providing me with advice on the future configuration and development of the higher education system. As part of this process all publicly funded institutions were asked to make submissions to the HEA on their future strategic development within the system. The HEA also commissioned inputs from a panel of 6 international experts and the ESRI. My approval to the terms of reference for these specific inputs was not sought. I received a copy of a report by the international panel on 17 September. When the process of analysing the institutional submissions against the objectives and recommendations in the national strategy is completed this analysis, the panel report and the ESRI report will be published by the HEA.
88. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will ensure that community and adult education has a strong role to play within the new education and training authority SOLAS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43076/12]
View answerSOLAS, the new education and training authority, is being established under the aegis of my Department to ensure the provision of 21st century high-quality further education and training programmes to learners. These programmes will be integrated, flexible, value-for-money and responsive to the needs of learners and the requirements of a changed and changing economy.
Adult and community education programmes are a response to the training needs of a range of people, but in particular the disadvantaged, the hard-to-reach and the low skilled. In order to continue to meet the needs of this cohort, we will require adult and community education programmes; they will therefore remain part of an integrated further education and training sector.
89. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is open to receive proposals on alternative budgetary adjustment measures in the primary education sector that would allow for planned pupil threshold figure increases for small schools to be halted, particularly to avoid scenarios in the 2013/14 academic year, where up to 55 children across eight streams would qualify for only two teachers and 85 children across eight streams would qualify for only three teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42640/12]
View answer118. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review his policy on the staffing ratios of small rural schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42643/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 89 and 118 together.
The Deputies will be aware that in the context of Budget 2012, I announced a three year phased adjustment to increase the relevant pupil thresholds for small schools with four teachers or less. I have recently made clear to the House in the context of pre-budget discussions at committee level that there is no change proposed to the pupil teacher ratios in small schools. They are as they were announced and we are not doing anything more in that area. 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.
91. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the specialised training given to teachers tasked with teaching children with Autism Spectrum Disorder; and the numbers of teachers who have availed of this training. [43115/12]
View answerMy Department has provided for a comprehensive system of continuing professional development (CPD) for teachers in the area of special educational needs including teachers of children with Autism Spectrum disorder (ASD). Central to this is the "Special Education Support Service" (SESS) which was established in September 2003. The service consolidates, co-ordinates, develops and delivers a range of professional development initiatives and support structures for school personnel working with students with special educational needs including teachers of children with ASD who teach in a variety of educational settings. These settings include mainstream primary and post-primary schools, special schools and special classes.
SESS provides a wide range of supports and interventions in the area of Autism via online training, face-to-face training, phone advice and individualised support for schools identified with CPD needs. The approaches include Language and Communication, Managing Inclusion, Curriculum Access for Pupils with General Learning Disabilities and Autism, Sensory Integration, PECS, TEACCH, Social Stories, and Applied Behaviour Analysis. Delivery of this CPD begins prior to their entry to the units and continues following the opening of the unit with ongoing in school support as well as programmes of CPD. Since 2008 SESS has provided over 19,400 CPD places to teachers of students with ASD which include in-school support, seminars, online courses, ABA and Asperger's Syndrome. Furthermore, teachers can now have SESS CPD in the area of ASDs accredited by St Angela's College in Sligo.
Funding is also available through the SESS support scheme enabling teachers to identify their own CPD needs and attend appropriate and relevant courses not provided directly by the SESS. Funding of over €16,000 was provided to cover these applications in the 2010/2011 school year. Further information on all supports provided by SESS to teacher of special needs students is available on the SESS website at www.sess.ie.
In addition, my Department also funds several third level courses in teacher training colleges and universities. These include:
- Combined Post-Graduate Diploma Programme of Continuing Professional Development for Teachers involved in Learning Support & Special Education (available in seven colleges across the country) (295 places available annually)
- Graduate Certificate in the education of students with ASDs (St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra) (18 places available annually)
- Post-Graduate Certificate/Diploma Programme of Continuing Professional Development in Special Educational Needs (ASDs) for teachers (St. Angela's College, Sligo) (25 places available annually)
- Diploma in Applied Behaviour Analysis (Trinity College, Dublin) (3 places available annually).
92. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if, he expects to be in a position to maintain the network of smaller and rural schools throughout the country with particular reference to the need to address issues of the standard and quality of education available to rural communities and access thereto; if he is satisfied that his Department's requirements will be met in full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42998/12]
View answer107. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills when he will publish the value for money review of small schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43078/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 92 and 107 together.
Educational quality for pupils must be one of the main criteria in any consideration of primary school size and organisation. Ireland has a high proportion of primary schools relative to its population and a high proportion of these are small schools. A Value for Money review of small primary schools is at an advanced stage of finalisation and my Department expects to be in a position to publish the report in the near future. I hope that this report will inform a constructive engagement among all interested parties in considering the challenges ahead and how best to make provision for primary education in rural and dispersed communities.
93. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the discussions he has had with the Department of Social Protection regarding changes to the qualification criteria for the back to education allowance to enable those who are unemployed to qualify sooner for the back to education allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43072/12]
View answerEligibility for the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) and associated payments is determined and administered by the Department of Social Protection.
The BTEA is a second chance education opportunities scheme designed to enable participation in second and third level education by allowing eligible people on certain social welfare payments to continue to receive a payment while pursuing an approved full-time education course that leads to a higher qualification than that already held.
While any changes to the qualifying criteria for the Back to Education Allowance Scheme are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Social Protection, my Department is in ongoing contact with the Department of Social Protection in relation to the provision of supports for unemployed people accessing education and training.
94. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total number of unique individuals who have accessed additional supports between December 2011 and June 2012 from the three European Globalisation Fund construction programmes; the total cost of these supports; and the estimated total moneys to be returned to the European Commission unspent under these programmes. [43116/12]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy is not available at this stage. It is being compiled as part of the reports which must be submitted to the European Commission by 9th December 2012.
95. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Education and Skills the start date for the introduction of changes to teachers' uncertified sick pay; and if he will provide an update on the precise arrangements for transferring from seven days per school year to seven days in a rolling twenty-four month period. [43103/12]
View answerThe Labour Court recommended that revised sick leave arrangements in Recommendation LCR20335 would be of general application to all categories of public servants. It is my intention to issue a circular in relation to the recommendation as it relates to self-certified sick leave as soon as practicable.
96. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has any concerns regarding the oversupply of teachers; the steps he has taken to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43058/12]
View answer105. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will instruct his Department to survey primary and post-primary schools to identify the vacancies they had trouble filling in recent months; and his views on the opinion that in a number of subject teaching areas insufficient applicants existed to have a robust selection process. [43101/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 96 and 105 together.
It is in the public interest that there be an adequate supply of qualified teachers and that supply matches the particular specialisms required. However, even with the best possible systems in place, securing equilibrium between demand and supply is not an exact science, and is subject to quite a number of variables. Recent developments, such as the EU rules on mutual recognition of qualifications, have also meant that supply is more difficult to control and predict.
The level of student intake to the state-funded primary Colleges of Education is determined annually by my Department and it takes account of the supply of, and demand for, primary teachers. The level of intake has decreased in recent years in light of available resources and factors impacting on demand. This situation is subject to review.
As education at post-primary level is on the basis of subjects, the situation is complex and therefore difficult to predict and plan for. Post-primary teachers are generally qualified to teach more than one subject but may not be deployed to teach these in equal measures at school level. School management authorities have the flexibility to deploy teachers to meet demands. Schools are also responsible for deciding what subjects and programmes to offer and this can vary from school to school in accordance with local need. This in turn, determines the type of teacher competencies/specialisms required. While the numbers of PDE (formerly the H.Dip) places have remained fairly constant over recent years, there can be particular subjects which, over time, become more or less in demand and this can lead to a surplus or deficit of teachers of that discipline. I understand that in the present climate, there are newly qualified teachers not yet holding teaching positions in schools. The selection processes required of schools, and the imminent commencement of Section 30 of the Teaching Council Act depend on there being a supply of suitable individuals within the marketplace.
Measures have been taken to alleviate difficulties for new teachers. My Department has introduced regulations which oblige schools to recruit unemployed teachers ahead of retired ones. In addition, the JobBridge National Internship Scheme has been extended to teachers.
I have no immediate plans to request a survey of the type the Deputy suggests. However, I intend to explore the matter of teacher supply further with the HEA, the Teaching Council, and the initial teacher education providers, as appropriate.
97. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the findings of a report published recently by the National Council for Special Education that the significant reduction in teaching posts in schools, including the 700 posts lost at second level due to changes to guidance counseling and the loss of more than 6,000 middle management positions as a result of the continuing embargo is damaging the promotion of positive behavior in classrooms. [43113/12]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) Report on the Education of Students with Challenging Behaviour arising from Severe Emotional Disturbance or Behavioural Disorder did not find that a reduction in guidance counselling posts in second level schools or the loss of middle management positions has damaged the promotion of positive behaviour in classrooms, nor does the report make reference to these specific issues.
The report makes a number of recommendations as to how education can in the future best be provided for children with emotional and behavioural disorders, while also ensuring minimal disruption for other pupils in schools.
My Department will consider the recommendations of this report, including any resource, policy, and staffing implications, and will prepare a plan for the appropriate implementation of these recommendations in the context of available resources.
In the interim, schools will continue to be supported through the provision of additional resource teaching and special needs assistant support.
Schools may also seek advice from their local National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) psychologist, from their NCSE Special Educational Needs Organiser, or from the National Behavioural Support Services, as to how children with behavioural needs can best be supported in schools.
My Department also published earlier this year new Guidelines for Schools on Supporting Students with Behavioural, Emotional, and Social difficulties, which are available on my Department's website at www.education.ie.
99. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for restructuring teachers' pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43086/12]
View answer109. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline his ideas for restructuring teachers' pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43049/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 99 and 109 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, the outcome of the allowances review has involved a restructuring of the pay scale for new entrant teachers. Henceforth, qualification allowances will not be payable to such teachers and they will commence on a new scale at a point equivalent to the fourth point of the existing scale.
100. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is paving the way for the introduction of student loans by introducing changes to the student contribution fee; and if this will act as a barrier for students from low and middle income families wishing to access higher education. [43093/12]
View answer104. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the impact of increases in the student contribution fee to be implemented from 2013-2015; and if they are sustainable for low income families who are marginally above the grant threshold. [43091/12]
View answer201. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to reduce or increase third level fees in Budget 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42767/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 100, 104 and 201 together.
As the Deputies will be aware the student contribution increased from €2,000 to €2,250 for the current academic year. The contribution is paid by the Exchequer in respect of students who qualify under my Department's student grant scheme.
Conscious of financial pressures on families, tax relief provisions have been put in place which provide for tax relief at the standard rate of tax for full-time fees in excess of €2,250. In addition, my Department, through the Higher Education Authority (HEA), has requested institutions to put arrangements in place whereby a student may pay the contribution in two instalments. I have been assured by the HEA that these arrangements are now in place.
It is intended that the contribution will increase to €3,000 by 2015. All areas of Government spending are currently being looked at and in this context, the Deputies will appreciate that in line with normal practice I am unable to comment on the budgetary process.
The question of introducing fees allied to an income contingent loan scheme has been identified previously, including in the Hunt report, as a means of addressing future funding issues in the sector while retaining free access at the point of entry. A technical report on options for the development of such a scheme was developed by my Department in 2009 and is published on my Department's website. The HEA, at my request, is also undertaking a study on the sustainability of the current funding system for higher education. An initial report was published last year, and the HEA is continuing its work in this area.
