Wednesday, 17 Oct 2012

Third Level Staff Deployment

Questions (110)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

110. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider implementing a review of the type of research output by third level lecturers; if he will consider introducing changes to the existing legislation that would mean that university staff would teach a set number of hours, unless they have a full-time research schedule, which is signed off by a high level in-house committee. [44980/12]

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Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The management of staff and the allocation of their teaching hours is a matter for each university. The duties of academic staff include teaching; research; administration; engagement and scholarly activity. The balance of activities undertaken by each academic may vary as agreed by management in order to ensure fulfilment of their total work requirement. All universities have developed or are developing workload allocation models which are designed to ensure an equitable and transparent distribution of workloads while aiding better decision making on planning and resource allocation. In line with commitments under the Croke Park Agreement, a number of revisions have been made to the contracts for university academic staff which, among other things, deals with duties, flexibility and co-operation, performance management, attendance and hours of work. In addition, all academic staff are required to provide an additional hour per week to facilitate teaching and learning in the university. All universities have confirmed that these revised contractual terms now apply to all academic staff members.There are already a number of processes in place to monitor and review research output. Performance management systems in place in universities consider all activities of academic staff, including research outputs. In addition, research funding agencies monitor outputs and impact from research funding awards.

Fee Paying Schools

Questions (111)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

111. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the savings that would be accrued from ending State subsidies to Catholic fee paying schools. [44981/12]

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Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The expenditure for Catholic fee charging schools for the 2011/12 school year is outlined thus:

School No.	School Address			Total Gross Teachers	Total Gross Clerical Officers	Total Gross SNAs
60030V	Blackrock College	Blackrock	Co Dublin	3,734,426	46,028.92	55829.410
60040B	Willow Park School	Rock Road	Blackrock	756,830		28523.290
60100Q	Castleknock College	Castleknock	Dublin 15	2,027,419		90637.40
60120W	Mount Sackville Secondary School	Chapelizod	Dublin 20	2,136,738		82749.640
60130C	Loreto Abbey Secondary School	Dalkey	Co Dublin	2,371,962
60140F	Mount Anville Secondary School	Mount Anville Rd	Dublin 14	2,314,053		24603.450
60160L	Notre Dame Secondary School	Upper Churchtown Road	Dublin 14	923,422		25147.510
60180R	Christian Brothers College	Monkstown Park	Dun Laoghaire	1,936,503		53120.390
60240J	Loreto College Foxrock	Foxrock	Dublin 18	2,346,248	38,674.37	59244.670
60250M	Holy Child Secondary School	Military Road	Killiney	1,206,651
60260P	St Joseph Of Cluny	Bellevue Park	Ballinclea Rd	1,492,873		85650.950
60321J	Rockbrook Park School	Edmondstown Road	Rathfarnham	474,368		30221.840
60340N	Loreto High School	Beaufort	Grange Rd	2,295,090		34447.890
60520P	Belvedere College S.J	6 Great Denmark Street	Dublin 1	3,608,121	46,028.92	75754.530
60530S	Gonzaga College	Sandford Road	Ranelagh	2,253,549
60540V	Catholic University School	89 Lower Leeson Street	Dublin 2	1,612,135
60560E	St Marys College	Rathmines	Dublin 6	1,657,177
60561G	St Michaels College	Ailesbury Road	Dublin 4	2,104,597		28526.280
60570H	Terenure College	Templeogue Road	Terenure	2,715,310		34121.850
60590N	St Conleths College	28 Clyde Road	Ballsbridge	1,019,781
60820E	Loreto College	53 St Stephens Green	Dublin 2	2,141,803		29647.410
60892G	The Teresian School	12 Stillorgan Road	Donnybrook	794,526
60930L	Rosemont School	Temple Road	Blackrock	383,001
61680T	Newbridge College	Newbridge	Co. Kildare	3,050,863		67472.20
61720F	Clongowes Wood College	Naas	Co Kildare	1,720,782
61811I	St Gerard's School	Thornhill Road	Bray	1,796,359
62520C	Christian Brothers College	Sidney Hill	Wellington Road	2,972,163		8267.730
62570R	Presentation Brothers College	The Mardyke	Cork	2,629,206
62690E	Scoil Mhuire	2 Sidney Place	Wellington Road	1,602,517		11617.370
64150F	Glenstal Abbey School	Murroe	Co Limerick	724,418		92.380
64420I	Franciscan College	Gormanstown	Co Meath	1,414,411
65410K	Cistercian College	Roscrea	Co. Tipperary	1,012,965	40,072.48
			Total	59,230,268.74	170,804.69	825,676.19

CAPITAL EXPENDITURE PAID TO CATHOLIC FEE CHARGING SCHOOLS 2011-2012

Roll Number	School Name	2012	2011 Sept - Dec	Total
60030V	BLACKROCK COLLEGE DUBLIN	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00
60040B	WILLOW PARK SCHOOL	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00
60100Q	CASTLEKNOCK COLLEGE	€0.00	€65.98	€65.98
60120W	MOUNT SACKVILLE SECONDARY SCHOOL	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00
60130C	LORETO ABBEY, DALKEY	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00
60140F	MOUNT ANVILLE SECONDARY SCHOOL	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00
60160L	NOTRE DAME DES MISSIONS, UPPER CHURCHTOWN ROAD	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00
60180R	CHRISTIAN BROTHERS COLLEGE, DUNLAOIGHAIRE	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00
60240J	LORETO SECONDARY SCHOOL, FOXROCK	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00
60250M	HOLY CHILD KILLINEY, MILITARY ROAD KILLINEY	€0.00	€67,571.25	€67,571.25
60260P	ST JOSEPHS OF CLUNY, BELLEVUE PARK, BALLINCLEA ROAD	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00
60321J	ROCKBROOK PARK SCHOOL	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00
60340N	LORETO HIGH SCHOOL	€16,454.29	€0.00	€16,454.29
60520P	BELVEDERE COLLEGE, GREAT DENMARK STREET	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00
60530S	GONZAGA COLLEGE	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00
60540V	CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY SCHOOL	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00
60560E	ST MARYS COLLEGE	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00
60561G	ST. MICHAELS COLLEGE, AILSBURY ROAD	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00
60570H	TERENURE COLLEGE	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00
60590N	ST CONLETHS COLLEGE	€0.00	€72,300.00	€72,300.00
60820E	LORETO COLLEGE, ST STEPHEN'S GREEN	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00
60892G	THE TERESIAN SCHOOL	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00
60930L	ROSEMONT PARK SCHOOL	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00
61680T	DOMINICAN COLLEGE NEWBRIDGE	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00
61720F	CLONGOWES WOOD COLLEGE	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00
61811I	ST GERARDS	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00
62520C	CHRISTIAN BROTHERS COLLEGE 62520C	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00
62570R	PRESENTATION BROTHERS COLLEGE, MARDYKE	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00
62690E	SCOIL MHUIRE, 2 SIDNEY PLACE, WELLINGTON RD, CORK	€488,285.66	€27,467.00	€515,752.66
64150F	GLENSTAL ABBEY SCHOOL	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00
64420I	FRANCISCAN COLLEGE MEATH	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00
65410K	CISTERCIAN COLLEGE	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00
	TOTAL	€504,739.95	€167,404.23	€672,144.18

Assistative Technology funding - Catholic Fee Charging Schools 2011-12 school year

R.N.	Name of School	Total
60030V	Blackrock College, Blackrock, Co Dublin,	€4,864.40
60040B	Willow Park School, Rock Road, Blackrock, Co Dublin,	€981.54
60100Q	Castleknock College, Castleknock, Dublin 15,	€469.60
60120W	Mount Sackville Secondary School, Chapelizod, Dublin 20,	€1,344.96
60130C	Loreto Abbey Secondary School, Dalkey, Co Dublin,
60140F	Mount Anville Secondary School, Mount Anville Rd, Dublin 14,	€1,008.00
60160L	Notre Dame Secondary School, Upper Churchtown Road, Dublin 14,
60180R	Christian Brothers College, Monkstown Park, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin,	€1,101.31
60240J	Loreto College Foxrock, Foxrock, Dublin 18,,	€788.71
60250M	Holy Child Secondary School, Military Road, Killiney,Co. Dublin,
60260P	St Joseph Of Cluny Secondary School, Bellevue Park, Ballinclea Rd, Killiney, Co Dublin	€500.00
60321J	Rockbrook Park School, Edmondstown Road,Rathfarnham, Dublin 16,	€1,094.98
60340N	Loreto High School, Beaufort, Grange Rd, Rathfarnham,Dublin 14
60520P	Belvedere College S.J,6 Great Denmark Street, Dublin 1,	€1,972.77
60530S	Gonzaga College,Sandford Road,Ranelagh, Dublin 6,
60540V	Catholic University School,89 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin 2,	€1,186.49
60560E	St Marys College,Rathmines, Dublin 6,	€490.05
60561G	St Michaels College, Ailesbury Road, Dublin 4,
60570H	Terenure College,Templeogue Road,Terenure, Dublin 6,	€550.00
60590N	St Conleths College, 28 Clyde Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4,
60820E	Loreto College, 53 St Stephens Green, Dublin 2,	€500.00
60892G	The Teresian School,12 Stillorgan Road, Donnybrook, Dublin 4,
60930L	Rosemont School, Temple Road, Blackrock, Co Dublin,	€1,458.00
61680T	Newbridge College, Newbridge, Co. Kildare,
61720F	Clongowes Wood College, Naas, Co Kildare,
61811I	St Gerard's School,Thornhill Road,Bray,	€819.18
62520C	Christian Brothers College,Sidney Hill,Wellington Road, Cork,
62570R	Presentation Brothers College,The Mardyke, Cork,,
62690E	Scoil Mhuire,2 Sidney Place,Wellington Road, Cork,	€897.20
64150F	Glenstal Abbey School,Murroe, Co Limerick,
64420I	Franciscan College,Gormanstown, Co Meath,
65410K	Cistercian College,Roscrea, Co. Tipperary

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (112)

Michael McGrath

Question:

112. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide in tabular form, in respect of 2011, the number of payments issued by his Department and each agency within the remit of his Department to suppliers in respect of the supply of goods and services; splitting the payments between those issued within 30 days of receipt of the invoice; between 30 and 60 days of receipt of the invoice; between 60 and 90 days of receipt of the invoice; between 90 and 120 days of receipt of the invoice; and in excess of 120 days of receipt of the invoice. [45016/12]

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Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

Information on the number of payments issued by my Department to suppliers in respect of goods and services is not maintained in the precise format requested by the Deputy. However, pursuant to Government Decision S 29296 of 19 May 2009 to reduce the payment period for commercial suppliers to 15 days, my Department publishes quarterly returns in respect of payments issued within 0-15 days, 16-30 days and in excess of 30 days following receipt of invoices. Similarly, from October 2011, my Department also publishes an amalgamated return for bodies and agencies under the aegis of the Department. These returns are available on my Department's website under the following link: http://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Corporate-Reports/Prompt-Payment-Returns/Prompt-Payment-Returns-List/

For further reference, attached is a summary table of returns made in respect of payments issued from my Department for the year 2011

Dates	No. of Invoices 0-15 Days	Value €	%	AVG No of Processing Days
1st January 2011 to 31st March 2011	2,875	58,866,148.98	76.67%	9
1st April 2011 to 30th June 2011	4,219	94,742,856.56	83.48%	8
1st July 2011 to 30th September 2011	2,695	86,593,469.81	74.70%	9
1st October 2011 to 31st December 2011	2,736	78,275,909.53	79.28%	10
	16-30 Days	Value €	%
1st January 2011 to 31st March 2011	788	3,169,857.39	21.01%	21
1st April 2011 to 30th June 2011	734	3,578,159.08	14.52%	20
1st July 2011 to 30th September 2011	747	5,579,215.63	20.70%	21
1st October 2011 to 31st December 2011	588	1,518,776.94	17.04%	20
	30 Days +	Value €	%
1st January 2011 to 31st March 2011	87	70,938.47	2.32%	51
1st April 2011 to 30th June 2011	101	573,813.73	2.00%	44
1st July 2011 to 30th September 2011	166	307,118.81	4.60%	44
1st October 2011 to 31st December 2011	127	336,826.15	3.68%	71
Totals	Total	Value €	%
1st January 2011 to 31st March 2011	3,750	62,106,944.84	100%
1st April 2011 to 30th June 2011	5,054	98,894,829.37	100%
1st July 2011 to 30th September 2011	3,608	92,479,804.25	100%
1st October 2011 to 31st December 2011	3,451	80,131,512.62	100%

Special Educational Needs Staffing

Questions (113)

John Browne

Question:

113. Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills when an application for a special needs assistant will be approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford. [45036/12]

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Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I wish to advise the Deputy that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports, including Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support. The NCSE operates within my Department's established criteria for the allocation of such supports and the staffing resources available to my Department. All schools were advised to apply to the NCSE for resource teaching and SNA support for the 2012/13 school year by 16th March, 2012. All schools, including the school referred to by the Deputy, have now been advised by the NCSE of their SNA staffing allocation for the current school year. Details of the allocations which have been made to each school are available at www.ncse.ie. In making allocations for SNA support for schools, the NCSE considers all of the applications made by schools for children who have been identified in medical reports as having care needs. The NCSE also reviews any existing SNA provision. In cases where children have diminishing care needs, the NCSE may reduce SNA support for those children. Where schools have enrolled new pupils with special educational needs who were not considered at the time that the allocations for the 2012/13 school year were made, or where schools are in a position to demonstrate that they cannot cater for the care needs of qualifying children from the level of SNA support which has been assigned to them, they may apply to the NCSE for additional SNA support or for a review of their SNA allocation. All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.

Special Educational Needs Services Provision

Questions (114)

John Browne

Question:

114. Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills when an application for an iPad will be approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford [45043/12]

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Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I wish to advise the Deputy that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) is responsible for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports. SENOs also make recommendations to my Department where assistive technology is required. In order to qualify for equipment under the assistive technology scheme, a child must have been diagnosed with a physical or communicative disability and must also have a recommendation in a professional assessment that the equipment is essential in order to allow the child to access the curriculum. It must also be clear that the existing I.T. equipment in the school is insufficient to meet the child's needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. I understand that the NCSE will be in a position shortly to forward a completed application to my Department in respect of the pupil in question. The application, when received, will be processed and a decision will issue to the school as quickly as possible thereafter.

Schools Amalgamation

Questions (115)

Timmy Dooley

Question:

115. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application to amalgamate three post primary schools in Ennistymon, County Clare; the time frame for implementation of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45044/12]

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Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

As the Deputy may be aware, the three post primary schools in the area, that he refers to, have agreed to amalgamate to form a new Community School. The amalgamation can proceed when a new school building has been provided. In this regard, my Department has identified land suitable for the proposed new school building and is currently working to acquire the land in question. In view of the need to ensure that every child has access to a school place, the delivery of major school projects to meet demographic demands nationally will be the main focus for capital investment in schools in the coming years. It is not possible, therefore, to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project at this time.

Student Grant Scheme Applications

Questions (116)

John O'Mahony

Question:

116. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision on their application for a student grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45047/12]

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Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

Officials in my Department have confirmed with SUSI, the new centralised grant awarding authority, that the student referred to by the Deputy submitted a grant application after the closing date. It is a matter for SUSI to determine at its own absolute discretion whether or not to accept a late application. The Deputy will appreciate that priority will be given to applications that were received before the closing date.

Student Grant Scheme Appeals

Questions (117)

John O'Mahony

Question:

117. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision on the appeal for a student grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45050/12]

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Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

Officials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI), the new centralised awarding authority, that the grant application of the student referred to by the Deputy for the 2012/13 academic year was refused. SUSI has confirmed that the applicant appealed their decision and a determination will issue shortly. 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.

Student Grant Scheme Appeals

Questions (118)

Dara Calleary

Question:

118. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a third level student (details supplied) in County Mayo may expect SUSI to make a decision on their higher education grant appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45056/12]

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Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Ruairí Quinn)

Officials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI), the new centralised awarding authority, that the grant application of the student referred to by the Deputy for the 2012/13 academic year was refused. SUSI has confirmed that the applicant appealed its decision and a determination will issue shortly. 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.

School Closures

Questions (119)

Willie O'Dea

Question:

119. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the circumstances of the closure of a school (details supplied) in County Limerick; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this is the only post primary school on the southside of Limerick city and is located in an area of economic and social deprivation; that this area is part of the Southside Regeneration Project where the Government has already spent many millions trying to enhance the area; his views that the removal of a vital plank of the local infrastructure would undo much of the good work done by regeneration; if he will contact the local vocational education committee to prevail on them to change their minds; his plans to ensure that pupils of the school, who would be displaced as a result of the proposed closure are accepted by other schools in the immediate area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45069/12]

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Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I am aware of the decision by the Trustees of the school, referred to by the Deputy, to phase out post-primary provision in the school concerned and their intention to redesignate the school to other educational activities such as adult, community and youth education. This decision to phase out post-primary education was taken by the Trustees in the context of demographic changes in the area and because the school has experienced a steady decline in student numbers in recent years. Current enrolments in feeder primary schools indicate that this decline will not be reversed. With such a decline in numbers, the Trustees considered that it would be difficult for the school to offer a broad and balanced post primary curriculum. My Department has concurred with the Trustee's decision . In communicating the decision to phase out post-primary provision, commencing in September 2013 and concluding in June 2015, in the school concerned, the Trustees have indicated that the school will assist parents in exploring alternative school places, where appropriate, for their children over that period. The National Educational Welfare Board can also assist parents in securing school places for their children. The Trustees have acknowledged the contribution that this school has made to the local community. The Trustees have also indicated their strong commitment to ensuring that the future use of the school will bring additional educational benefits to the local community. In that regard, the Trustees have advised my Department that it is their intention to consult with all relevant stakeholders and local interests to ensure maximum use of the campus for local community and educational needs. My Department is committed to considering the Trustee's proposals regarding the school's future use for educational purposes.

Student Grant Scheme Application Numbers

Questions (120, 121, 122)

John O'Mahony

Question:

120. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of applications received to date by Student Universal Support Ireland for student grant scheme 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45074/12]

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John O'Mahony

Question:

121. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of applicants that have received approval for their students grants from Student Universal Support Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45075/12]

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John O'Mahony

Question:

122. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of applications waiting to be approved by Student Universal Support Ireland for student grant scheme 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45076/12]

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Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 120 to 122, inclusive, together. Some 56,604 on-line student grant applications were submitted to Student Universal Ireland (SUSI) by the official closing date which was 31st August 2012. SUSI is currently accepting applications after the official closing date in line with the discretion given to them under the Student Grant Scheme 2012. An additional 8,575 late applications have been received since the closing date. Priority is being given to applications received before the official closing date. SUSI has completed initial assessments on a total of 60,005 of applications which have been approved to move to the documentary evidence stage of the process. 5,174 applications submitted after the official closing date are awaiting initial assessment. The Deputy will appreciate that all of the required documentary evidence must be submitted to enable a final decision to be made on an application. Decisions have issued in respect of 12,670 applications, 3,104 of which have already been awarded a grant and 9,566 of which have either been refused or cancelled. In 15,459 cases no documentation has yet been furnished by the applicants in response to SUSI's request. In addition, in a very significant number of cases an incomplete set of documentation was received and SUSI has had to make further requests to these students to submit the outstanding information. Where the applicant has not yet returned the outstanding documentation, SUSI is continuing to contact the applicants by email and text message to enable the applications to proceed to final decision stage.20,844 document packs are currently in the process of being validated by SUSI – some 83% of these are cases where the initial pack submitted by the applicant was incomplete. Of the packs already validated, 4,283 are awaiting final decision, and a further 3,791 are at the final award stage. Every effort is being made to ensure that students get decisions on their grant applications and are paid as soon as possible.