Written Answers Nos. 247-267
247. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to remove home economics initial teacher education from a school (details supplied) in County Sligo, as recommended in the recent report from the Higher Education Authority. [51159/12]
View answer250. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on a report from the Higher Education Authority on initial teacher education, specifically the recommendation to remove home economics from a campus (details supplied) in County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51187/12]
View answer251. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on a report from the Higher Education Authority on initial teacher education, specifically the recommendation to remove home economics from a campus (details supplied) in County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51188/12]
View answer252. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on a report from the Higher Education Authority on initial teacher education, specifically the recommendation to remove home economics from a campus (details supplied) in County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51189/12]
View answer253. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a report from the Higher Education Authority on initial teacher training (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51198/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 247, 250, 251 and 252 together.
I have accepted the recommendations set out in a report commissioned by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) on the structures of initial teacher education. The purpose of the report, which I requested, was to identify new possible structures to improve initial teacher education in Ireland so that it is comparable with the best in the world.
The international panel of education experts recommended that teacher education be provided in six "centres for teacher education". Currently there are 19 state funded providers of ITE (and three non-state funded) offering more than 40 college programmes in primary and post-primary teaching. The new collaborations recommended by the international panel will mean that a smaller number of centres for ITE exist, but that they offer education across multiple sectors from early childhood to primary, to post primary to adult education. These centres for teacher education will also possess a critical mass in terms of research capacity which is not always possible in smaller institutions. The new configurations will mean strong research bases can be created in each centre.
The HEA has been requested to consult with the relevant parties and to prepare a detailed plan on how to implement the recommendations of the Panel. I understand that this process has started and a plan is expected by the end of the year. I will fully consider the implementation plan from the HEA when received.
248. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Education and Skills if consideration for children with special needs should be incorporated in the enrolment policy of primary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51170/12]
View answerIn accordance with the requirements of Section 15(d) of the Education Act, 1998 a board of management must publish the admission policy of the school, including the policy of the school relating to admission to or participation by students who have special educational needs.
The Deputy will also be aware that last year, I launched a discussion paper on school enrolment. The "Discussion Paper on a Regulatory Framework for School Enrolment" contains suggestions on how to make the process of enrolling in schools more open, equitable and consistent.
I invited education partners and interested parties to submit their views to my Department by the 28th of October last year. The feedback from this consultation will help inform the nature and scope of a new regulatory framework for school enrolment.
249. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application for a third level grant in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51186/12]
View answerOfficials in my Department have confirmed with SUSI, the new centralised grant awarding authority, that on the 2nd November, 2012 a request for further documentation was issued to the student referred to by the Deputy. When the requested documentation is returned the student will be notified directly of the outcome.
254. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will forward a copy of the memo V7 which refers to the requirements for the position of deputy principal which may also be referred to in circular letter 06/02 which may deal with this; and if he will outline the current position on this matter. [51225/12]
View answerCircular PPT 06/02 is the most recent Circular to have issued regarding eligibility for appointment to Deputy Principal posts in Vocational Schools and Community Colleges. Candidates for appointment are required to have a minimum of five years' whole-time teaching service or its equivalent.
I will arrange for a copy of Memo V.7 and Circular PPT 06/02 to be sent to the Deputy.
255. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a decision will be made on the higher education grant application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51229/12]
View answerOfficials in my Department have confirmed with SUSI, the new centralised grant awarding authority, that in the case of the student referred to by the Deputy a grant has been awarded and an award letter issued on 19th November, 2012.
256. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Skills when decision will be made on a higher education grant application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51235/12]
View answerOfficials in my Department have confirmed with SUSI, the new centralised grant awarding authority, that in the case of the student referred to by the Deputy a grant has been awarded and an award letter issued on 19th November, 2012.
257. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application for new classroom accommodation in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51271/12]
View answerI can confirm that the school referred to by the Deputy has made an application to my Department for capital funding for an additional Mainstream Classroom.
This application is currently being assessed and a decision will be communicated by my Department to the school authorities shortly.
258. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will give assurances to students in receipt of a maintenance and top up grant for the academic year 2012/2013 under the category NA1 - T, that second and subsequent instalments are guaranteed and will not be affected by Budget 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51274/12]
View answerThe Deputy will appreciate that as the preparation of the Estimates for any Budget including Budget 2013 is carried out on a strictly confidential basis, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on specific issues or proposals, including those relating to student grants, in advance of the Budget announcement.
259. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a mature student grant in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51374/12]
View answerOfficials in my Department have confirmed with SUSI, the new centralised grant awarding authority, that in the case of the student referred to by the Deputy a grant has been awarded and an award letter issued on 9th November, 2012.
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.
260. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application for a student grant in respect of a person (details supplied). [51391/12]
View answerThe 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 was received on 12th November, 2012. The documentation is currently awaiting review and the student will be notified directly of the outcome.
261. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application for a student grant in respect of a person (details supplied). [51392/12]
View answerOfficials in my Department have confirmed with SUSI, the new centralised grant awarding authority, that on 12th November, 2012 a request for further documentation was issued to the student referred to by the Deputy. When the requested documentation is returned the student will be notified directly of the outcome.
262. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Skills if insulation grants are available for primary schools to replace windows and doors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51459/12]
View answerMy Department introduced an energy efficiency scheme in 2009 to improve roof and cavity wall insulation levels in school buildings across the country. The scheme which was implemented with the help of Sustainable Energy Ireland, allowed schools to apply for funding on a once-off basis to upgrade the fabric insulation in attics and the external cavity walls of their buildings. The closing date for receipt of application under this scheme was November 2009.
In light of the financial constraints imposed by the need to prioritise the limited funding available for the provision of accommodation to meet the rising demographic requirements over the next few years results in there being limited resources available for improvement/health and safety works to the existing school stock. This is in line with Government stated aims to prioritise the delivery of additional accommodation in developing areas.
In light of the above, my Department is not in a position to provide funding to schools to specifically replace windows and doors.
263. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a circular will be prepared and sent to all schools outlining a detailed policy on tackling cyber bullying, in view of the recent cases of suicide caused by such; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51494/12]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that tackling the issue of bullying in schools is a key objective of this Government. It was for that reason that an Anti-Bullying Forum was held earlier this year.
As a follow on to that Forum, I invited the stakeholders and any other interested parties to submit their views on this important topic to my Department by 29th June 2012.
I have also established a working group to address the issue of tackling bullying in schools, including cyber-bullying. Over the last few months, the Group has been consulting with a range of stakeholders and with colleagues in Scotland and the UK. The Group is working on an action plan recommending further measures that can be taken to effectively tackle bullying, including cyber bullying, in schools. I expect the Group to submit the action plan to me by the end of November.
264. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of school building contracts that have been stopped due to the main contractor going out of business; the total value of each contract; the cost of the work to be completed on each site; the amount paid to the contractor in each case; the number of sub contractors affected on each site; the status of the work and plans to complete each project; if he intends to review the type of contract used; if the same contract was used in each case; if a school (details supplied) in County Kilkenny will be completed under the existing contract or if there will be a new tender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51531/12]
View answerIn the last five years a total of nine major school building projects have been terminated due to an insolvency event involving the main contractor. Two other major school building projects have been terminated due to a contractor's default for reasons other than insolvency. Five of these projects were subsequently completed and handed over to the school authorities, four are currently being completed by completion contractors and the remaining two projects are in the process of procuring a completion contractor to complete the works. Please see the attached document for details of the eleven projects.
The original value of the eleven projects was circa €44m. There is a bond in place for each of the eleven projects. The bond is used to cover costs that would otherwise accrue to the Employer (i.e. the Department, School, VEC etc.) on foot of a contractor's failure to complete the works. As such the Employer's financial exposure is generally minimal. Negotiations are ongoing with regard to a number of these projects and in some cases the full cost of re-tendering and completion of the works is not yet known. The Deputy will appreciate that it is not possible to release commercially sensitive cost information which is currently the subject of negotiations or tender competitions. To do so would undermine the Employer's position with regard to such negotiations.
The contract used for the construction of major school projects is the Public Works Contract. This contract was developed by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and is used across the State Sector for all capital works. With regard to the project in Kilkenny, the Deputy will be aware that the contractor's obligation to complete the works was recently terminated. Therefore it is not legally possible to complete the project under the existing contract.
My Department does not hold details of sub-contractors engaged on major school building projects. A school building project is a complex arrangement of contractual relationships between the client, the main contractor, specialist sub-contractors, domestic sub-contractors, suppliers of materials, suppliers of plant etc. In general all sub-contractors employed on school building projects are employed directly by the Main Contractor or indirectly by the Main Contractor through other sub-contractors.
Details of Major School Building Projects where the Contractor’s obligation to complete the works was terminated (2008 to 2012)
|
County |
Roll Number |
School Name |
Reason for Re-tender |
Current Status |
Year of Termination |
|
Dublin City |
20139T |
Inchicore NS, Sarsfield Road, Dublin 10 |
Insolvency Event |
Under Construction |
2011 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown |
70030E |
Senior College, Dún Laoghaire, Eblana Avenue, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin |
Insolvency Event |
Under Construction |
2011 |
|
Galway City |
62970K |
Coláiste Iognáid SJ Bothar na Mara |
Insolvency Event |
Under Construction |
2011 |
|
Kildare |
17662R |
Scoil Bhride NS, Kill |
Insolvency Event |
Project Completed |
2009 |
|
Kildare |
17674B |
SN Aine Naofa, Ard Cloc, Straffan |
Termination due to Contractor Default |
At tender stage |
2012 |
|
Kilkenny |
61580P |
Loreto Secondary School, Granges Road |
Termination due to Contractor Default |
At tender stage |
2012 |
|
Limerick |
13026P |
Kilfinane National School |
Insolvency Event |
Project Completed |
2011 |
|
Limerick City |
64201T |
Ardscoil Ris, North Circular Rd, Limerick |
Insolvency Event |
Under Construction |
2011 |
|
Meath |
18016O |
S N Columbain, Ballivor |
Insolvency Event |
Project Completed |
2008 |
|
Offaly |
17523D |
SN Cronain Naofa, Dromakeenan |
Insolvency Event |
Project Completed |
2010 |
|
Roscommon |
65100S |
Scoil Mhuire, Strokestown, Co Roscommon |
Insolvency Event |
Project Completed |
2011 |
265. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a decision will be made on a Student Universal Support Ireland application in respect of a person (details supplied); when first payment will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51541/12]
View answerOfficials in my Department have confirmed with SUSI, the new centralised grant awarding authority, that further supporting documentation was received from the student referred to by the Deputy on 17th November 2012 and his application is currently awaiting review. SUSI will contact the student directly in relation to the outcome.
266. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of student grant applications that have been received by Student Universal Support Ireland on a county basis; the number that have been processed, awarded, refused or awaiting decision to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51574/12]
View answerThe accompanying table provides a breakdown on a county basis of the status of the student grant applications received by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI), the new centralised grant awarding authority. The data has been supplied to my Department by SUSI.
A number of measures have been put in place to speed up the process of awarding student grants. This includes the provision of additional staffing in both the assessment unit and the outsourced document management unit.
|
County |
Awarded |
Appealed to SUSI |
Cancelled/ Refused |
Final Review/ Awaiting Course Acceptance |
Awaiting Provisional Assessment (New Applications after closing date) |
Reviewed and Supporting Documentation Requested |
Total Applications |
|
Carlow |
162 |
16 |
125 |
149 |
51 |
448 |
951 |
|
Cavan |
209 |
25 |
198 |
212 |
46 |
615 |
1305 |
|
Clare |
300 |
34 |
232 |
284 |
55 |
833 |
1738 |
|
Cork |
963 |
101 |
1072 |
926 |
355 |
3328 |
6745 |
|
Donegal |
548 |
45 |
355 |
515 |
107 |
1268 |
2838 |
|
Dublin |
1726 |
185 |
2428 |
1803 |
761 |
6768 |
13671 |
|
Galway |
685 |
86 |
596 |
638 |
212 |
2115 |
4332 |
|
Kerry |
380 |
44 |
354 |
390 |
110 |
1167 |
2445 |
|
Kildare |
404 |
45 |
505 |
387 |
93 |
1232 |
2666 |
|
Kilkenny |
211 |
16 |
197 |
242 |
60 |
649 |
1375 |
|
Laois |
183 |
20 |
145 |
175 |
42 |
469 |
1034 |
|
Leitrim |
98 |
9 |
85 |
110 |
19 |
311 |
632 |
|
Limerick |
436 |
39 |
417 |
410 |
134 |
1365 |
2801 |
|
Longford |
120 |
6 |
101 |
122 |
29 |
371 |
749 |
|
Louth |
344 |
55 |
282 |
301 |
131 |
985 |
2098 |
|
Mayo |
381 |
28 |
330 |
423 |
116 |
1156 |
2434 |
|
Meath |
355 |
36 |
381 |
399 |
98 |
1114 |
2383 |
|
Monaghan |
191 |
16 |
157 |
211 |
40 |
479 |
1094 |
|
Offaly |
232 |
24 |
190 |
205 |
30 |
533 |
1214 |
|
Roscommon |
202 |
22 |
162 |
184 |
43 |
540 |
1153 |
|
Sligo |
144 |
13 |
177 |
181 |
53 |
613 |
1181 |
|
Tipperary |
414 |
49 |
402 |
418 |
83 |
1252 |
2618 |
|
Waterford |
306 |
32 |
331 |
299 |
67 |
855 |
1890 |
|
Westmeath |
298 |
30 |
272 |
272 |
39 |
735 |
1646 |
|
Wexford |
458 |
39 |
362 |
374 |
67 |
1014 |
2314 |
|
Wicklow |
305 |
38 |
342 |
279 |
74 |
877 |
1915 |
|
Outside of Ireland |
39 |
12 |
119 |
60 |
33 |
253 |
516 |
|
Sub Total |
*10094 |
1065 |
10317 |
**9969 |
2948 |
***31345 |
65738 |
|
Submitted Online not yet downloaded |
662 |
||||||
|
Total |
66400 |
* This figure does not include some 2,334 applications which have been awarded pending submission of final course details by the student
** This figure includes some 2,334 applications which have been awarded pending submission of final course details by the student
*** This figure includes some 22,000 applications for which SUSI is awaiting documentation and some 9,000 on hand with SUSI which are being checked to ensure all documentation submitted is complete
267. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the degree to which his Department in conjunction with the Department of Social Protection has identified up-skilling or reskilling requirements throughout the educational and training sectors with a view to meeting the needs of industry to a greater extent that heretofore; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51580/12]
View answer278. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent of re-education, reskilling or up-skilling requirements arising from modern economic trends; the degree to which he expects to be in a position to meet such requirements in full over the next three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51591/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 267 and 278 together.
The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs, funded by my Department, plays a key role in advising on future skills needs. Its research provides a valuable input to the development of training course curricula for national training providers and has also informed the development of new competitive funding models of provision to address emerging skills needs.
The Government's activation policy, 'Pathways to Work', provides for engagement by the Department of Social Protection's INTREO Employment and Support Service with unemployed people, particularly the long-term unemployed, with a view to assisting them in finding jobs or referrals to appropriate education and training.
To complement this policy, and despite reducing resources, my Department will fund over 450,000 education and training places across the range of provision in the higher education, further education and training sectors in 2012. My Department and its agencies are prioritising places, including in the further education and training sector, specifically for those on the Live Register for 12 months or more.
In 2012 FÁS aim to facilitate over 81,000 unemployed individuals through a range of training programmes, that provide industry/occupational specific skills as well as preparatory type training, to enable a diverse range of unemployed individuals referred to FÁS by the Department of Social Protection, to gain a recognised qualification, access job opportunities or progression opportunities to further/higher education/training. The Department of Social Protection provides appropriate guidance and advice, as required, to unemployed individuals relating to FÁS courses. The re-alignment of FÁS training programmes with evolving labour market needs is evidence-based. This is facilitated by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) and other relevant international and national sources including employers.
More than 10,000 higher education places are being provided in areas of identified skills need under the Springboard programme and 6,500 places are being rolled out under the new Labour Market Education and Training Fund which will be managed by FAS.
In addition, the joint Government-Industry ICT Action Plan, which has been developed as a direct response to identified ICT skills shortages, contains a comprehensive range of measures to build the domestic supply of ICT graduates, including through the roll out of over 800 places on graduate skills conversion courses from March 2012. A roll-out of a second phase of the conversion courses is scheduled for early 2013.
The Irish Further Education and Training sector is undergoing major structural reform. The creation of a new further education and training authority, SOLAS, will facilitate a coherent integrated strategic national response across the further education and training sectors and will ensure a greater focus on the evolving requirements of the unemployed and of industry.
