Written Answers Nos. 111 - 127
111. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made to date in having a proposed building project for a school (details supplied) in County Cavan restored to his Department's school building programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57464/12]
View answerThe major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of architectural planning.The design team recently completed the revised Stage 2(a) (Developed Sketch Design). Once the stage 2(a) is approved, the project will progress to stage 2(b) which includes applications for planning permission, Fire Safety Certification, Disability Access Certification and the preparation of tender documents. Due to competing demands on my Department's capital budget, imposed by the need to prioritise the limited funding available for the provision of additional school accommodation to meet increasing demographic requirements, it was not possible to include the project referred to by the Deputy in the five year construction programme. School building projects currently in architectural planning, including the project referred to by the Deputy, will continue to be advanced incrementally over time within the context of the funding available.
112. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a teaching post (details supplied) in County Kerry will be retained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57478/12]
View answerThe criteria used for the allocation of teaching posts to schools, which is available on the Department website, includes the provision whereby schools experiencing rapid increases in enrolment can apply for additional permanent mainstream posts on developing grounds, using projected enrolment. The staffing schedule also includes an appeals mechanism for schools to submit an appeal under certain criteria, including developing grounds, to an independent Appeal Board. The school referred to by the Deputy submitted an appeal to the Primary Staffing Appeals Board to retain a post allocated on developing grounds which was suppressed in the light of the school's actual valid enrolments at 30 September, 2012.
The decision of the Primary Staffing Appeals Board was that the post could be retained until 31 December, 2012. The school was notified accordingly. The Appeal Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.
113. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding school accommodation (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57479/12]
View answerI wish to confirm that my Department has approved funding to the school referred to by the Deputy to facilitate the construction of the accommodation in question. The school authorities were notified of this decision on the 4th October last.
114. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a grant application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57566/12]
View answerOfficials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland that on the 5th December, 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.
Question No. 115 withdrawn.
116. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills the eligibility criteria and the circumstances in which a person who has made an application for a higher education grant may secure the top-up grant; if in this context, where the person's parent is in receipt of one-parent family payment and also works earning approximately €10,620 per annum and is in receipt of maintenance of cost to €10,000, if such a person may obtain the top-up grant; if maintenance is classified as income for the purpose of assessment of the top-up grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57603/12]
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 the special rate of maintenance grant. However, the qualifying criteria for the special rate of maintenance grant in the 2012/13 academic year as specified under the 2012 student grant scheme is as follows: 1. Student must qualify for the standard rate of grant 2. Total reckonable income net of income disregards and Child Dependant Increase must not exceed €22,703 3. As at the 31st December 2011, the reckonable income must include one of the eligible payments listed in Schedule 2 of the scheme.The one parent family payment is an eligible payment for the purpose of qualifying for the special rate of maintenance grant. Maintenance payments are included as reckonable income. The applicant in question should contact their grant awarding authority to confirm the position in relation to their eligibility for the special rate of grant.If the applicant is unhappy with the decision in relation to their 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.
117. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a qualified teacher (details supplied) in County Roscommon, registered with theTeaching Council is paid the unqualified rate for substitute teaching; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57627/12]
View answerThe person referred to by the Deputy attained her teaching qualifications outside the State. The Department had not been notified of this teacher's qualifications. This is necessary in order to permit a teacher access to the qualified rate of pay. Now that the Deputy has brought this to my attention, I have asked that steps be taken to do this.
118. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for the delay in publishing the value for money report into two teacher schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57635/12]
View answerA value for money review of small primary school provision is at an advanced stage of preparation. Among the issues the review examines is the location of small schools relative to each other and to other schools of a similar type; account is taken of isolation. I expect to publish the review shortly and I look forward to debating its findings in due course.
119. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if communities for whom reforms to school transport policy have proven particularly problematic will be afforded an opportunity to propose and implement localised solutions to the problem with the assistance of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57641/12]
View answerThe purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school. The terms of the scheme are applied equitably on a national basis. Bus Éireann operates the school transport services on behalf of my Department. This is a major logistical operation which involves the planning of over 6,000 bus routes annually 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. Safety of children travelling on the school transport services is of paramount importance to my Department and to Bus Éireann. Children are eligible for school transport if they meet the distance eligibility criterion and are attending their nearest school/education centre as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language. Children who are not eligible for transport may apply to avail of transport on a concessionary basis. Bus Éireann work closely with local communities and school authorities when introducing, organising and operating annual school transport services; it is not possible to facilitate localised arrangements outside the terms of the scheme.
120. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of the tardiness of payments by the new structure, Student Universal Support Ireland, in respect of determining a person's eligibility for higher education grants, if persons could be paid at least half of the sum due under the said grant, as these grants will not be paid until December/January in respect of moneys, to which they are entitled in November; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57686/12]
View answerWhen a students entitlement to a maintenance grant is established for the full academic year 2012/13 and an award has been made, he or she has been or will be paid the appropriate number of instalments, including any instalments due since the commencement of the academic year. SUSI made its first payment to students on the 19th October and is continuing to make payments on a weekly basis to ensure students can get paid their grant as expeditiously as possible, once they have been awarded a grant. This will continue over the holiday period, with payments on the 21st December and 28th December. Those awarded a grant must supply bank account details and confirmation of registration must be received from the institution in order for the grant to be paid.
121. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna cén dul chun cinn atá déanta maidir le cóiríocht bhuan a chur ar fáil do Ghaelscoil de hÍde ar an Órán Mór, Co. na Gaillimhe, cad é údar na moille leis an togra seo le bliain anuas; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [57708/12]
View answerCuireadh tionscadal mór caipitil don scoil dá dtagraíonn an Teachta san áireamh sa chlár 5 bliana infheistíochta caipitil a fógraíodh siar sa bhliain, le súil go dtosófaí ar an dtógáil in 2015/2016. Tá fáil an tsuímh don fhoirgneamh nua scoile ag ardchéim agus sa chomhthéacs sin, tá sé i gceist an tionscadal seo a chur ar aghaidh go dtí an pleanáil ailtireachta go gairid.
122. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna cé mhéad scoil a bhfuil céim 2B den phróiseas tógála críochnaithe acu, idir scoileanna céad leibhéil agus dara leibhéal, agus nach bhfuil san áireamh i bplean tógála cúig bliana na Roinne, cad iad ainmneacha agus cad í uimhir rolla gach scoile acu; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [57710/12]
View answerTá naoi dtionscadal ann faoi láthair a bhfuil céim den phleanáil ailtireachta críochnaithe acu agus nach bhfuil curtha san áireamh sa chlár tógála chúig bliana. Orthu seo tá 6 Bhunscoil agus 3 Iar-bhunscoil. Féach an tábla leis seo le do thoil. Mar gheall ar éilimh iomaíocha ar bhuiséad caipitil mo Roinne, de bharr an riachtanais le tús éilimh ar an mhaoiniú teoranta a thabhairt do chóiríocht bhreise a sholáthar chun freastal ar na héilimh mhéadaitheacha dhéimeagrafacha, níorbh fhéidir na tionscadail seo a chur san áireamh sa chlár tógála chúig bliana a fógraíodh siar sa bhliain. Cuirfear ar aghaidh scoileanna nach raibh san áireamh sa chlár tógála chúig bliana, ach a bhí fógartha ar dtús le bheith san áireamh sa chlár tógála, chuig na céimeanna deiridh pleanála le súil go mbeidh maoiniú breise ar fáil do mo Roinn sna blianta amach anseo. Tá na tionscadail dá dtagraíonn an Teachta ar fáil i gcónaí lena bhreithniú do chur ar aghaidh sa chomhthéacs sin.
Tionscadail Tógála Scoile a bhfuil Céim 2(b) den Phleanáil Ailtireachta críochnaithe acu agus nach bhfuil san áireamh sa Chlár Tógála Chúig Bliana (19/12/2012)
|
School Name |
Address |
County |
Roll Number |
|
Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh |
Knocknacarra |
Galway |
19994G |
|
Sn Sailearna |
Indreabhán |
Galway |
12706J |
|
Holy Family NS |
Ballyshannon |
Donegal |
20150H |
|
Sn Cill Criodain |
Ladysbridge |
Cork |
19351K |
|
St Johns & St Pauls NS |
Rathmullan |
Louth |
19479N & 19678T |
|
Scoil Iosagain |
Farranree |
Cork |
18786R |
|
St Patricks Cathedral Grammar School |
St Patrick’s Close |
Dublin |
60660I |
|
Holy Rosary College |
Mountbellew |
Galway |
63090I |
|
St Raphael’s College |
Loughrea |
Galway |
60370C |
123. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna cé mhéad scoil atá ar chéim 2B den phróiseas tógála, idir scoileanna céad leibhéil agus dara leibhéal, agus nach bhfuil san áireamh i bplean tógála na Roinne, cad iad ainmneacha agus cad í uimhir rolla gach scoile acu; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [57711/12]
View answerTá 29 tionscadal atá ar céim 2(b) den phleanáil ailtireachta faoi láthair nach bhfuil san áireamh sa chlár tógála chúig bliana. Tá 21 Bunscoil agus 8 Iar-bhunscoil ina measc seo. Tá sonraí faoi na tionscadail seo san áireamh sa tábla leis seo.
Mar gheall ar éilimh iomaíocha ar bhuiséad caipitil mo Roinne, de bharr an riachtanais le tús éilimh ar an mhaoiniú teoranta a thabhairt do chóiríocht bhreise a sholáthar chun freastal ar na héilimh mhéadaitheacha dhéimeagrafacha, níorbh fhéidir na tionscadail seo a chur san áireamh sa chlár tógála chúig bliana a fógraíodh siar sa bhliain. Cuirfear scoileanna nach raibh san áireamh sa chlár tógála chúig bliana, ach a bhí fógartha le bheith san áireamh ar dtús sa chlár tógála, ar aghaidh chuig na céimeanna deiridh pleanála le súil go bhféadfadh maoiniú breise a bheith ar fáil do mo Roinn sna blianta amach anseo. Tá na tionscadail ar fáil i gcónaí lena mbreithniú do chur ar aghaidh sa chomhthéacs sin.
Tionscadail Tógála Scoileanna atá faoi láthair ag Céim 2(b) den Phleanáil Ailtireachta agus nach bhfuil san áireamh sa Chlár Tógála Chúig Bliana (19/12/2012)
|
County |
School Name |
Address |
Roll Number |
|
Carlow |
St Mary’s NS |
Bagenalstown |
11135K |
|
Cavan |
Virginia Mixed NS |
Virginia |
16083T |
|
Cork County |
Sn Mhuire, |
Glenville |
17848I |
|
Cork County |
Scoil An Athar Tadhg |
Carrignavar |
19415K |
|
Dublin |
Howth Road NS, |
Clontarf |
13815T |
|
Dublin Belgard |
Scoil Mhuire |
Lucan |
13447Q |
|
Dublin Belgard |
Sancta Maria College |
Rathfarnham |
60341P |
|
Dublin City |
St Marys Central NS. |
Donnybrook |
19727G |
|
Dublin City |
St Laurence O’ Tooles Special School |
Seville Place |
19819L |
|
Dublin Fingal |
St Oliver Plunkett |
Malahide |
17914S |
|
Dublin Fingal |
Castleknock Community College |
Castleknock |
76062B |
|
Galway |
Scoil Naomh Mhuire |
Maree |
18089S |
|
Galway County |
Scoil an Chroí Naofa |
Ballinasloe |
20042E |
|
Galway County |
Scoil Phobail Clifden |
Clifden |
91412M |
|
Kildare |
St Laurences NS |
Crookstown |
09414C |
|
Limerick County |
Scoil Mocheallóg |
Killmallock |
20193C |
|
Louth |
S N Tigh an Uibhir |
Tenure |
18635T |
|
Mayo |
SN Muine Chonallain |
Ballina |
13667H |
|
Meath |
S N Naomh Pádraig |
Baconstown |
02905J |
|
Meath |
Boyne Community School |
Trim |
91508C |
|
Monaghan |
Ardscoil Lorgan |
Castleblayney |
72190N |
|
Roscommon |
Cloonakilla NS |
Bealnamulla |
18395C |
|
Tipperary |
Sacred Heart Primary School, |
Roscrea |
18435L |
|
Tipperary |
Our Lady's Secondary School |
Templemore |
65440T |
|
Westmeath |
Odhran Naofa NS |
Mullingar |
17932U |
|
Wexford |
SN Mhuire |
Barnstown |
17913Q |
|
Wexford |
St Aidans Parish School |
Enniscorthy |
20003R |
|
Wexford |
Cólaiste Abbain |
Enniscorthy |
71600B |
|
Wicklow |
St Brendan's College |
Bray |
61790D |
124. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna cad é an staid reatha maidir leis an iarratas ó Scoil Shailearna ar airgead le síneadh a chur leis an scoil; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [57712/12]
View answerTá an tionscadal tógála don scoil dá dtagraíonn an Teachta ag ardchéim phleanáil ailtireachta faoi láthair. Thug mo Roinnse faomhadh d'aighneacht Chéim 2b (Dearadh Mionsonraithe) le déanaí. Mar gheall ar éilimh iomaíocha ar bhuiséad caipitil mo Roinne, de bharr an riachtanais le tús éilimh ar an mhaoiniú teoranta a thabhairt do chóiríocht bhreise a sholáthar chun freastal ar na héilimh mhéadaitheacha dhéimeagrafacha, níorbh fhéidir an tionscadal seo a chur san áireamh sa chlár tógála chúig bliana a fógraíodh siar sa bhliain. Cuirfear ar aghaidh scoileanna nach raibh san áireamh sa chlár tógála chúig bliana, ach a bhí fógartha ar dtús le bheith san áireamh sa chlár tógála, chuig na céimeanna deiridh pleanála le súil go mbeidh maoiniú breise ar fáil do mo Roinn sna blianta amach anseo. Tá an tionscadal dá dtagraíonn an Teachta ar fáil i gcónaí lena bhreithniú do chur ar aghaidh sa chomhthéacs sin.
125. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has any concerns regarding the effect on local small indigenous businesses as a result of circulars issuing from his Department in relation to the purchase of consumables such as stationary which state that from April 2013 it will be mandatory to purchase these from one named supplier thus depriving local businesses of a very important source of business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57726/12]
View answerThe Government's Public Service Reform Plan recognises the key strategic importance of public procurement and provides for the development of a new policy framework for procurement. The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform notified Departments and public bodies of the mandatory requirement to use central contracts, put in place by the National Procurement Service (NPS), when procuring a range of commonly acquired goods and services. The current arrangements are set out in circular 6/12 Public Procurement (Framework Agreements). These national contracts are targeted at securing best value for money and facilitating Departments and agencies to deliver services within their budgetary constraints. Within the Education Sector, the mandatory arrangement relating to stationery currently applies to the Higher Education and VEC Sectors. I understand that the NPS are working on a new contract for stationery which will be in place from April 2013. My Department is currently working on a procurement circular for schools and the content of this will be the subject of discussion with the NPS and the school management bodies early in the school year. The NPS is supporting Small and Medium Business Enterprises (SMEs) through its education and guidance strategies and many Irish SMEs have been successful in winning NPS frameworks in areas such as stationery, managed print services and ICT consumables. These SMEs may, in turn, source many of their services and products from local manufacturers and agents.
126. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the new payment scale for new primary school teachers agreed with the social partners of €30,702 will come into effect; the reason for the delay in implementing this arrangement; whether arrears are now owing to teachers who will benefit from this pay scale and if so when will these arrears be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57748/12]
View answerThe most significant adjustment to teacher pay arising from the recent Government decision on allowances is that new entrant teachers will not receive qualification allowances but will start on a new salary scale, the first point of which is equivalent to the fourth point of the existing scale. This new salary scale will apply in the case of all teachers who are new appointees to teaching on or after 1 February 2012. The introduction of this new salary scale has been a complex task which has required a detailed implementation process. A circular, setting out the new salary scale is due to issue shortly from my Department. It is intended that the process of migrating all teachers who were appointed on or after 1 February 2012 over to the new salary scale will commence following publication of the circular and any arrears of salary due to these teachers will be paid to them as soon as possible.
127. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress made to date in relation to the establishment of a successor programme to the Peace III Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57599/12]
View answerDiscussions on new EU programmes and funding are ongoing in the context of the negotiation of the Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020. Proposals for a new Peace IV Programme are being actively considered as part of this process. However the outcome will not be know until the Multiannual Financial Framework 2014 -2020 has been finalised by the European Council.
