Dan Neville
Question:172. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an overpayment of a home tuition in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [54314/12]
View answerHome Tuition Scheme Funding
Questions (172)
Written answers
The Home Tuition scheme provides funding to parents to provide education at home for children who, for a number of reasons such as chronic illness, are unable to attend school. The scheme was extended in recent years to facilitate tuition for children awaiting a suitable educational placement. Parents engage tutors directly and the grant is paid to the parent either on a monthly basis in arrears or where possible in advance to assist parents cover the cost of engaging a tutor. The matter referred to by the Deputy is being considered, and I expect that it will be resolved speedily.
Skills Development
Questions (173)
Dan Neville
Question:173. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will expedite the issuing of a CS card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54342/12]
View answerWritten answers
This is a day-to-day operational matter for FÁS. I am informed by FÁS that the individual in question's employment in the UK hinges on him being issued with a UK Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) skills card. Having confirmed the applicant's competencies in this regard, his application was forwarded by FÁS in the normal way, by registered post, to the CITB on 29th November, 2011. I understand that the matter is now in the hands of the CITB and that FÁS is hopeful that the issue will be resolved imminently.
Education and Training Provision
Questions (174)
Patrick Nulty
Question:174. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps that are in place to provide education or training places for taxi drivers looking to leave the industry. [54568/12]
View answerWritten answers
The National Transport Authority is responsible for the licensing and regulation of Taxis in Ireland. I understand that The Board of the Authority decides on key taxi regulation matters.
In relation to the provision of education and training places for taxi drivers, from my own Departments point of view, FÁS provides a range of training courses for all jobseekers including those considering a different career direction. There are a number of course delivery options available including day courses (full-time or part-time), evening courses, on-line courses and blended learning courses designed to cater for individual circumstances. Owing to the current high levels of unemployment and the budgetary constraints my Department is faced with, the focus of the funding, for training provided by FÁS, is aimed at unemployed people. The eligibility criteria for participation in FÁS training courses by unemployed persons are a matter for the Department of Social Protection. A small number of fee paying individuals may also undertake evening courses. These individuals may approach the FÁS Training Centres directly to enquire about availability of such courses.
Residential Institutions Redress Scheme
Questions (175)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:175. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the Government will suspend the Fund Bill immediately and let the survivors of residential abuse finally take charge of their own lives and futures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54587/12]
View answerWritten answers
I am aware of the position adopted by the Munster Survivors Support Services Ltd that the contributions from the congregations should be given directly to the survivors and that the congregations should only deal directly with survivors on the issue of reparation whether offered in cash or via property.
While I am aware that some survivors advocated a simple distribution of the available money rather than the establishment of the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund, the Government believes that the Fund should target resources at services to support former residents' needs. The Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act 2012 was enacted in July of this year and work is now underway to establish the Board which will operate the Fund. The legislation followed a comprehensive consultation process which included a Freefone Service operated by Barnardos on behalf of my Department.
I would also point out that it was envisaged from the outset that the contributions sought from the congregations would be used towards the costs of the response to residential institutional abuse which have been mainly borne by the taxpayer. I am satisfied that the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund will help meet the range of needs of former residents and I am pursuing its establishment at the earliest opportunity.
Student Grant Scheme Applications
Questions (176)
Billy Kelleher
Question:176. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the Student Universal Support Ireland application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53708/12]
View answerWritten answers
Officials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland that, in the case of the student referred to by the Deputy, a grant has already been awarded and an award letter issued on 29th November 2012.
Redundancy Payments
Questions (177)
Tom Hayes
Question:177. Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a redundancy payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53724/12]
View answerWritten answers
A redundancy application from the person referred to by the Deputy was received by my Department on 5th September 2012. Applications are processed in date order of receipt and every effort is being made to process these applications as quickly as possible. It is expected that the person referred to will receive payment in January 2013.
Special Educational Needs Services Provision
Questions (178)
Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:178. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the implications that the lack of special educational needs resources are having on a school (details supplied) in Dublin 1; the reason there was a change in policy resulting in excluding the special school under the DES from SEN resource supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53754/12]
View answerWritten answers
The facility to which the Deputy refers to in her question provides a two-year pre-school programme which caters for 3-5 year old children. The Pre-School project referred to is not a designated Special School, but a stand-alone project in receipt of an individual resourcing mechanism which is separate to the resourcing arrangements which apply to mainstream and Special schools, including supports which are provided to mainstream and Special schools to support pupils with special educational needs.
I wish to advise the Deputy that the Pre-School referred to in her question is in receipt of significant supports from my Department. In 2012 my Department has provided support to the value of approximately €740,000 to this School. The provision includes staffing of an Administrative Principal, 6 teachers and 5 child care workers catering for 95 children, a pupil to adult ratio of approximately 8:1. In addition to the teaching and child care provision, the project receives an annual grant from my Department to fund non-teaching pay costs which provides for the employment of a cook, cleaner and a caretaker. My Department also provides funding towards the non-pay or running costs of the project. Finally, I wish to clarify that the funding awarded to the Project is based on budget proposals submitted by the project each year. The funding awarded by my Department for 2012 matches the proposals submitted.
Student Grant Scheme Applications
Questions (179)
Tom Fleming
Question:179. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a decision will issue in relation to a student grant application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53756/12]
View answerWritten answers
Officials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland that the student referred to by the Deputy has already been awarded a student grant and that an award letter issued on 22nd November 2012.
Student Grant Scheme Applications
Questions (180)
Tom Fleming
Question:180. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a decision will issue in relation to a student grant application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53781/12]
View answerWritten answers
Officials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland that on the 9th 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.
Student Grant Scheme Applications
Questions (181)
Tom Fleming
Question:181. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a decision will issue in relation to a student grant application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53782/12]
View answerWritten answers
Officials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that further documentation was received from the student referred to by the Deputy on 23rd November 2012 and this documentation is currently awaiting review. The student will be notified directly of the outcome.
Student Grant Scheme Applications
Questions (182)
Tom Fleming
Question:182. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a decision will issue in relation to a student grant application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53783/12]
View answerWritten answers
Officials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland that on the 20th 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.