Written Answers Nos. 85-92
85. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has received any representations from the board or management of a school (details supplied) in relation to disability access; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51790/12]
View answer86. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the agreed funding to build an extra classroom in a school (details supplied); if the funding is sufficient; when the development is expected to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51791/12]
View answer87. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he or is Department have received a request for extra funding for extra classrooms in a school (details suppled); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51792/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions 85 to 87, inclusive, together.
I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has already approved grant aid towards the provision of an additional classroom at the school to which he refers to facilitate an additional teacher appointment. The school subsequently sought to expand the project and in this regard, my officials have advised the principal that a member of the Department's technical staff will visit the school shortly.
88. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason eleven separate letters and emails to his Department have not been answered in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51809/12]
View answerI understand my Department has responded to certain queries raised by the teaching staff of the school referred to by the Deputy. In the case of one teacher arrangements are being made to pay arrears of salary.
89. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he intends to carry out the recommendation for the Higher Education Authority report on Initial Teacher Education to remove home economics initial teacher education from a campus (details supplied) in County Sligo and relocate to NUI Galway campus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51827/12]
View answerI 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.
90. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of the mounting difficulties students have in accessing their grants, if he will continue to fund the student assistance fund beyond 2013. [51835/12]
View answerThe Third Level Access Measure provides support for disadvantaged students through two sub-priorities: the Student Assistance Fund and the Fund for Students with Disabilities. The objective of the Student Assistance Fund, is to assist students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise, due to their financial circumstances, be unable to continue their third level studies. These funds are managed by the Higher Education Authority on behalf of my Department and are funded under the National Development Plan, with assistance from the European Social Fund. No decisions have yet been taken on the amount that will be allocated to Ireland or the programmes to be funded in the next round of EU Structural Funds for the period 2014-2020. Some €13.2m is available in the Third Level Access Measure Fund overall in the 2012/13 academic year.
I have no plans at present to discontinue the Student Assistance Fund.
91. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the student assistance fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51870/12]
View answerAn integral part of the overall plan for the reform of the administration of student grants is to move on an incremental basis to an earlier grant application process, with a view to ensuring earlier decisions on grant applications, and more timely payment of grants. Opening the application process early would enable the necessary information to be submitted, so that an application can then be assessed against the published scheme and regulations. This would assist with alleviating financial pressure on students, and consequently relieve pressure on the Student Assistance Fund. While the current priority for Student Universal Ireland (SUSI) is to deal with the current processing backlogs which have arising in the first year of operation of a single agency, my Department will be liaising closely with SUSI with regard to moving towards a situation of applications and earlier decisions and resulting earlier payments, over a transitional period.
My Department endeavours each year to the earliest possible publication of the Student Support Scheme and Regulations.
92. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding student maintenance grants (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51871/12]
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.
