Written Answers Nos. 203 - 213
203. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo is not eligible for a non adjacent grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45644/12]
View answerThe decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter for the relevant grant awarding authority. The Deputy will appreciate that in the absence of all of the relevant details that would be contained in an individual's application form and supporting documentation, it would not be possible for me to say whether or not a student should qualify for a maintenance grant or which rate of grant he should be awarded.
I understand from officials in County Sligo VEC, the relevant grant awarding authority, that further documentation from the student referred to by the deputy is outstanding and a decision in relation to his grant application for 2012/13 has not been made. When the outstanding documentation is returned to the grant awarding authority the student will be notified directly of the outcome. If the applicant is unhappy with the decision in relation to his grant application he/she may appeal the decision of the grant awarding authority to its appeals officer. Where the appeals officer decides to reject the appeal, the applicant may appeal this decision to my Department or the independent appeals board, as appropriate.
204. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills the provisions, if any, he will make to accommodate students on a national school bus route (details supplied) in County Mayo [45683/12]
View answerBus Éireann operates the School Transport Scheme on behalf of my Department. Under the terms of my Department's Primary School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 3.2 kms from and are attending their nearest school as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language. Children who are not eligible for school transport, under the terms of the scheme, may apply to Bus Éireann for transport on a concessionary basis provided there are spare seats available on the service, and the appropriate annual charge is paid. Bus Éireann has advised that the family, in question, applied for transport on a concessionary basis but as the service was operating to capacity they could not be accommodated.
205. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of retired teachers working in primary schools broken down on a county basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45701/12]
View answer206. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of retired teachers working in post primary schools broken down on a county basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45702/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 205 and 206 together.
As already advised to the Deputy on 10th October the information requested is not available on a county basis. One hundred and forty retired teachers were employed in the primary sector to cover absences during the period 28th August to 10th October. Thirty one retired teachers were employed during the period 4th September to 1st October 2012 to cover absences in the secondary and community/comprehensive schools.
207. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a representation (details supplied) submitted to his office dated 13 September 2012 [45709/12]
View answerSchool transport services for eligible children generally operate during the 'Standard School Year' and facilitate a child's attendance during normal school opening and closing times only. Bus Éireann, which operates the School Transport Scheme on behalf of my Department, plan bus routes in such a way as to ensure that, as far as possible, eligible children have a reasonable level of service while at the same time, ensuring that school transport vehicles are fully utilised in an efficient and cost effective manner. For these reasons it is not feasible to organise additional school transport services to accommodate children who do not attend for the normal school day. Children, in the school in question, can avail of a school transport service in accordance with the Bus Éireann time-table for the journey in question. Parents of children who wish to avail of the afternoon school transport service should liaise with the school authorities. It is a matter for the Board of Management of primary schools to arrange adequate supervision for children while they are on the school premises.
208. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will detail in tabular form, the number of grant applications that have been received, processed and decided by the Student Universal Support Ireland; if he will provide a breakdown of each of these three categories by county and by educational institution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45716/12]
View answerThe attached tables detail the number of grant applications that have been received, processed and decided by Student Universal Support Ireland by county and by educational institution. The information contained in the table has been supplied to my Department by SUSI, the new centralised grant awarding authority.
|
Educational Institution |
Numbers Awarded |
|
Aberystwyth, University Wales |
1 |
|
Athlone Institute of Technology |
149 |
|
University of Bedfordshire |
1 |
|
Institute of Technology Blanchardstown |
44 |
|
Colaiste Eoin, Hacketstown, Co. Carlow |
1 |
|
Vocational School, Carlow |
18 |
|
Cavan College of Further Education (CFE) |
61 |
|
Crawford College of Art & Design |
5 |
|
Pearse CFE |
3 |
|
Plunkett College |
3 |
|
Whitehall CFE |
6 |
|
Coláiste Dhúlaigh CFE |
13 |
|
Liberties College |
19 |
|
Ballyfermot CFE |
26 |
|
St. Kevin's College |
3 |
|
Crumlin CFE |
14 |
|
Inchicore CFE |
14 |
|
Killester CFE |
9 |
|
Kylemore College |
1 |
|
Marino College |
11 |
|
Rathmines CFE |
11 |
|
Coláiste Íde CFE |
11 |
|
Ballsbridge CFE |
2 |
|
City University London |
1 |
|
Community College, Cobh |
1 |
|
Davis College, Annabella, Mallow |
5 |
|
Cork College of Commerce |
37 |
|
Rossa College, Skibbereen, Co. Cork |
2 |
|
St Johns Central College |
23 |
|
Coláiste Stiofáin Naofa |
9 |
|
St Brogan's College, Bandon |
1 |
|
Ennis Community College |
3 |
|
Deansrath Community College |
1 |
|
Dundrum College of Further Education |
3 |
|
Stillorgan CFE |
6 |
|
Greenhills College |
3 |
|
Institute of Technology Cork |
121 |
|
Institute of Technology Carlow |
115 |
|
Dublin City University |
132 |
|
Dundalk Institute of Technology |
88 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design & Technology |
22 |
|
Senior College Dun Laoghaire |
20 |
|
Dun Laoghaire CFE |
10 |
|
Sallynoggin CFE |
16 |
|
Errigal College, Letterkenny |
5 |
|
Vocational School, Stranorlar |
1 |
|
St. Patricks College, Drumcondra |
40 |
|
DIT Bolton Street |
40 |
|
DIT Kevin Street |
47 |
|
DIT Aungier Street |
31 |
|
DIT Cathal Brugha Street |
29 |
|
DIT Mountjoy Square |
20 |
|
DIT Rathmines (Arts) |
10 |
|
University of East London |
1 |
|
Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology |
107 |
|
Vocational School, Athenry |
1 |
|
Galway Technical Institute |
36 |
|
Community College, Moneenageis |
2 |
|
Killarney Community College, Killarney |
1 |
|
Tralee Community College, Clash, Tralee, Co. Kerry |
5 |
|
St. Brigid's Post Primary School, Carlow Rd, Athy, |
2 |
|
Kilkenny City Vocational School, New Street, Kilkenny |
2 |
|
Ormonde College, Ormonde Road, Kilkenny |
1 |
|
Scoil Aireagail, Ballyhale, Co. Kilkenny |
1 |
|
Duiske College, Graighnamanagh, Co. Kilkenny |
2 |
|
Portlaoise Vocational School & Senior College, Portlaoise |
11 |
|
Law Society of Ireland |
22 |
|
Limerick Institute of Technology |
117 |
|
Drumshanbo Vocational School, Co. Leitrim |
1 |
|
Presentation Secondary School, Convent of Mercy, |
16 |
|
Limerick College of Further Education, Mulgrave St |
40 |
|
Desmond College, Vocational School, Newcastlewest |
1 |
|
Liverpool John Moore University |
1 |
|
University of Limerick |
180 |
|
Temple Michael College, Templemichael, Longford |
2 |
|
Drogheda CFE |
13 |
|
O'Fiaich College, Dublin Rd, Dundalk |
21 |
|
Letterkenny Institute of Technology |
94 |
|
Castlebar College of Further Studies, Newtown, Castlebar |
3 |
|
St Louis Comm School, Kiltimagh, Co Mayo |
3 |
|
Moyne College, Ballina, Co. Mayo |
1 |
|
Vocational School, Westport, Co. Mayo |
1 |
|
Beaufort College, Trim Road, Navan, Co Meath |
1 |
|
Dunboyne CFE |
3 |
|
Monaghan Institute of Further Education & Training |
13 |
|
Northumbria University |
2 |
|
National College of Art & Design |
14 |
|
National College of Ireland |
40 |
|
Edinburgh Napier University |
3 |
|
National University of Ireland, Galway |
217 |
|
National University of Ireland, Maynooth |
173 |
|
North West College, Derry |
1 |
|
Oaklands Community College, St. Senan Ave., Edenderry |
1 |
|
University of Plymouth |
1 |
|
Queen's University Belfast |
4 |
|
Queen Margaret University College, Edinburgh |
1 |
|
Queens University Belfast |
2 |
|
Abbey Community College, Boyle, Co. Roscommon |
1 |
|
Institute of Technology, Sligo |
82 |
|
Mercy College, Chapel Hill, Sligo |
7 |
|
North Connaught College, Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo |
3 |
|
Ballinode College, Ballinode, Sligo |
10 |
|
Swansea Institute of Higher Education |
1 |
|
Institute of Technology, Tallaght |
52 |
|
Trinity College |
112 |
|
Scoil Ruain, Killenuale, Co. Tipperary |
1 |
|
Vocational School, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary |
1 |
|
Coláiste Phobail Roscrea, Corville Road, Roscrea |
2 |
|
St. Sheelan's College, Templemore, Co. Tipperary |
3 |
|
Central Technical Institute, Clonmel. Co. Tipperary |
3 |
|
Institute of Technology, Tralee |
73 |
|
University College Cork (NUI) |
201 |
|
University College Dublin(NUI) |
179 |
|
University of Ulster |
11 |
|
University of Wales Institute of Cardiff |
2 |
|
Waterford College of Further Education, Parnell St |
30 |
|
Colaiste Chathail Naofa, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford |
8 |
|
Waterford Institute of Technology |
194 |
|
Community College, Retreat Rd, Athlone, Co. Westmeath |
1 |
|
Mullingar Community College |
2 |
|
Moate Business College, Moate, Co. Westmeath |
15 |
|
Arklow Community College, Arklow, Co. Wicklow |
2 |
|
Bray Institute of Further Education, Novara Ave, B |
28 |
|
Coláiste Bhride , Carnew, Arklow, Co. Wicklow |
1 |
|
St. Kevin's Community College, Dunlavin, Co. Wickl |
1 |
|
Vocational College, Bridgetown, Co. Wexford |
3 |
|
Bunclody Vocational College, Irish Street, Co. Wex |
2 |
|
Enniscorthy Vocational College, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford |
15 |
|
Vocational College, New Ross, Co. Wexford |
3 |
|
Wexford Vocational School, Westgate, Wexford |
5 |
|
Further Education Centre, Bandon Rd., Kinsale, Co.Cork |
2 |
|
St. Ailbe's School, Tipperary Town |
1 |
|
University of Abertay Dundee |
3 |
|
All Hallows College |
9 |
|
Mater Dei Institute of Education |
2 |
|
Pontifical University, St Patrick's College |
6 |
|
St. Patricks College, Thurles |
4 |
|
Shannon College of Hotel Management |
2 |
|
Royal College of Surgeons Ireland |
3 |
|
Carlow College |
22 |
|
Marino Institute of Education |
6 |
|
St Angela's College |
12 |
|
Mary Immaculate College |
42 |
|
St Nicholas Montessori College Ireland |
3 |
|
Szent Istvan University |
1 |
|
Gairm Scoil Mhuire |
2 |
|
Mary Immaculate Secondary School |
1 |
|
St Patricks Comprehensive School |
1 |
|
Communtiy College, Clonakilty |
1 |
|
Middlesex University |
1 |
|
St. Peter's College |
5 |
|
Columba College, Killucan |
1 |
|
St Paul's Community College |
1 |
|
Scoil Phobail Mhic Dara |
1 |
|
Colaiste an Chreagain |
1 |
|
St. Conleth's Community College |
3 |
|
Community School, Castlecomer |
1 |
|
Colaiste Chiarain |
1 |
|
Aberdeen University |
1 |
|
Comenius Univeristy |
1 |
|
University of Southampton |
1 |
|
Central Saint Martins |
1 |
|
South West College |
1 |
|
University of Stirling |
1 |
|
Buckinghamshire New University |
1 |
|
Cardiff Metropolitian University |
1 |
|
University of Essex |
1 |
|
County |
Received |
In Process |
Decided |
|
Carlow |
923 |
865 |
166 |
|
Cavan |
1,270 |
1,215 |
255 |
|
Clare |
1,698 |
1,622 |
340 |
|
Cork |
6,461 |
6,047 |
1,284 |
|
Donegal |
2,760 |
2,666 |
521 |
|
Dublin |
13,114 |
12,258 |
2,754 |
|
Galway |
4,177 |
3,940 |
747 |
|
Kerry |
2,375 |
2,225 |
457 |
|
Kildare |
2,597 |
2,465 |
599 |
|
Kilkenny |
1,332 |
1,268 |
251 |
|
Laois |
997 |
957 |
197 |
|
Leitrim |
614 |
594 |
111 |
|
Limerick |
2,707 |
2,547 |
517 |
|
Longford |
732 |
691 |
125 |
|
Louth |
2,001 |
1,870 |
391 |
|
Mayo |
2,354 |
2,233 |
414 |
|
Meath |
2,308 |
2,186 |
469 |
|
Monaghan |
1,066 |
1,027 |
202 |
|
Offaly |
1,192 |
1,149 |
266 |
|
Roscommon |
1,116 |
1,081 |
206 |
|
Sligo |
1,143 |
1,073 |
194 |
|
Tipperary |
2,544 |
2,448 |
533 |
|
Waterford |
1,840 |
1,768 |
422 |
|
Westmeath |
1,621 |
1,560 |
361 |
|
Wexford |
2,256 |
2,177 |
506 |
|
Wicklow |
1,861 |
1,780 |
442 |
|
Applications fully submitted online not yet downloaded to assessment system |
1,739 |
||
|
Address outside Ireland - no county input on application |
490 |
490 |
128 |
209. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a child (details supplied) in County Carlow with special needs both physically and educationally will be entitled to school transport to another County Carlow School [45725/12]
View answerUnder the terms of my Department's School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs children are eligible for transport where they are attending the nearest recognised: mainstream school, special class/special school or a unit, that is or can be resourced, to meet their special educational needs. In this case, the child in question is not attending his nearest school and is therefore not eligible for school transport. Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis subject to a number of terms and conditions including the payment of the annual charge. In this regard, Bus Éireann has advised that there is an existing service on which this child can be accommodated.
210. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education and Skills the funding available to students for part-time courses or if there are any plans to introduce funding for part-time courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45773/12]
View answerUnder the Student Grant Scheme, an approved course is defined as a full-time undergraduate course of at least two years duration or a full-time postgraduate course of not less than one year duration pursued in an approved institution. The Student Support Act 2011 contains an enabling provision for the purpose of including part-time courses in the student grant schemes when resources permit. This has not been commenced and given the level of demand on the funding available for student grants, there are no plans at present to extend the scope of the student grant schemes to part-time courses.
Tax relief is available for fees for part-time courses. Full details of this relief are available from the Revenue Commissioners. Springboard, which was first launched in May 2011, is a specific initiative that strategically targets funding of free part-time higher education courses for unemployed people in areas where there are identified labour market skills shortages or employment opportunities. To be eligible for a place on a Springboard course a person must be unemployed, actively seeking employment, and be in receipt of one of the qualifying payments from the Department of Social Protection or be signing for credits or be previously self employed. Full details can be accessed on the dedicated Springboard website www.springboardcourses.ie.
211. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of the fact that there are currently 500 children in County Galway attending Educate Together primary schools and these numbers are set to increase significantly in the coming years, his plans to provide a post-primary Educate Together school in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45785/12]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, in June of 2011, I announced that 20 new post-primary schools would be established over the next 6 years. This included a new post primary school to open in Claregalway in 2013. Following on from that announcement, the different patron bodies, including Educate Together, were invited to apply to become patrons of the new schools in each area. Educate Together did not apply to become patron of the Galway school, and patronage was awarded to County Galway VEC. The Forward Planning Section of my Department will continue to analyse demographic data to identify where new schools will be required over the coming years. Should the need for any new post primary schools emerge in Galway county it will be open to Educate Together to apply for patronage as per the established process.
212. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide in tabular form all appointments to State boards under his ambit since the Government took office; when the person was appointed; if the position entitles the holder to remuneration and if so the amount in each case; if the appointment was made in accordance with new procedures whereby Departments has to invite expressions of interest from the public in vacancies on the boards under their aegis. [45802/12]
View answer213. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of chairs of State boards that have been appointed since the Government came into office; if there is a remuneration for the position and if so the amount of same; if the appointee was required to go before Oireachtas Committees to discuss what they have to offer to the particular Board or Committee to which they are being appointed. [45818/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 212 and 213 together.
Details of Membership of Boards and appointment dates and remuneration can be downloaded from the Department's website, this information is updated when any relevant changes occur - http://www.education.ie/. In accordance with Government policy, expressions of interest have been sought through the Public Appointments Service (PAS) from suitably qualified and experienced persons for consideration for appointment to the following boards of Bodies operating under the aegis of my Department: Leárgas Ltd – The Exchange Bureau; The Higher Education Authority; The Qualifications and Quality Assurance Authority of Ireland (to be newly established); The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA); The State Examinations Commission (SEC); The Teaching Council; Grangegorman Development Agency (GDA); National Council for Special Education (NCSE); Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board (RISF) (to be newly established).
To date, appointments have yet to be made to: The Qualifications and Quality Assurance Authority of Ireland, Grangegorman Development Agency, National Council for Special Education and Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board. In accordance with Government decision (S/180/20/1424 of 12/04/2011) persons being proposed for appointment as Chairpersons of State Bodies/Agencies are required to make themselves available to the appropriate Oireachtas committee. Vacancies on other boards of Bodies under the aegis of my Department that arise will continue to be advertised on my Department's website. The Deputy should note that in making any direct Ministerial appointments, I am not necessarily confined to those who make such expressions of interest but will ensure that all of those appointed have the relevant skills and competencies for the positions.
