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Thursday, 15 Nov 2012

Written Answers Nos. 119-123

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (119)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

119. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost to produce and post the fortnightly payslips to all primary and post primary teaching school staff and to all those retired teachers in receipt of pensions from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50728/12]

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Written answers

The cost of producing and posting the fortnightly payslips to the approximate 94,000 school employees and pensioners now amounts to approximately €1.17 million per annum.

The printing and packing of payslips for serving and retired school employees was transferred from my Department, to the Revenue Commissioner's Print and Mail Centre with effect from mid-February 2012. This transfer has resulted in a significant saving of around €300,000 per annum to the Exchequer. The savings are principally due to the postal discounts achieved, due to the high quality of the print. The use of less expensive stationery and elimination of the need to maintain pressure seal equipment, have also contributed to the savings.

Student Grant Scheme Applications

Questions (120)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

120. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Skills if payment of a third level grant will be expedited in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50729/12]

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Written answers

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 documentation requested from the student referred to by the Deputy has been received and that his application is currently awaiting review. The student will be notified directly of the outcome.

Departmental Consultations

Questions (121)

Arthur Spring

Question:

121. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a list of all public consultations his Department has carried out since the start of 2012. [50749/12]

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Written answers

Information relevant to the Deputy's question is currently being compiled. A further reply will issue to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Question No. 122 answered with Question No. 108.

School Enrolments

Questions (123)

Finian McGrath

Question:

123. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason families living in Clontarf, Dublin 3, are not automatically entitled to a boys' secondary school in their catchment area; if he will outline the options available to families that cannot access these schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50790/12]

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Written answers

My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in an area. However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.

As the Deputy will be aware, in June 2011, I announced that 20 new post-primary schools are to be established in the coming years across a number of locations to meet significantly increasing demographics in those areas. This announcement did not include a proposal to establish a new post-primary school in Clontarf, Dublin 3. The Forward Planning Section of my Department will continue to analyse demographic trends to determine the level of additional school provision which will be required into the future. Overall school requirements in Clontarf, Dublin 3 will be fully considered in this context.

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