Written Answers Nos. 283-301
285. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students known to have dropped out of third level education in each of the past four years to date for whatever reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3126/13]
View answerThe HEA which is responsible for the collection of data on student progression does not have the information requested. The most recent report by the HEA entitled 'A study of Progression in Higher Education' is available on the HEA website. The attached table from the report illustrates the non-presence rates of new entrants in their second year of study by sector, NFQ level and course duration. New entrants are classified as 'not present' if they do not appear in the statistical returns of that institution in the following academic year. The proportion of new entrants in 2007/08 who were not present one year later was 15% on average across all sectors and NFQ Levels. Prior educational attainment is a very significant factor. The HEA is currently in the process of working on an analysis of retention rates in the universities and institutes of technology. This has only recently become possible due to a full population of SRS (Student Record System) data becoming available for a period spanning five years.
Non-Presence Rates for New Entrants by Sector and NFQ Level (2008/09).
|
Sector |
Level |
Most Common Points Attained |
% Not Present |
|
Institutes of Technology |
Level 6 |
250–300 |
25% |
|
- |
Level 7 |
250–300 |
26% |
|
- |
Level 8 |
300–350 |
16% |
|
- |
L8 3 yr duration |
300–350 |
16% |
|
- |
L8 4 yr duration |
300–350 |
16% |
|
- |
L8 4+ yr duration |
450–500 |
10% |
|
- |
All New Entrants |
300–350 |
22% |
|
Universities |
Level 8 |
400–450 |
9% |
|
- |
L8 3 yr duration |
350–400 |
10% |
|
- |
L8 4 yr duration |
450–500 |
9% |
|
- |
L8 4+ yr duration |
550–600 |
3% |
|
Other Colleges |
Level 8 |
450–500 |
4% |
|
- |
L8 3 yr duration |
450–500 |
2% |
|
- |
L8 4 yr duration |
400–450 |
7% |
|
All Institutions |
Level 8 |
350–400 |
11% |
|
All Institutions |
All New Entrants |
350–400 |
15% |
286. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total number of incidents of school bullying including cyber bullying reported to his Department through the primary and/or post-primary sectors in each of the past three years to date; the extent to which it has been found possible to address the issue to date; his plans for the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3127/13]
View answerIndividual school management authorities are not required to report incidents of bullying to my Department. Accordingly, the information requested by the Deputy is not available in my Department. I am fully aware of the seriousness of the issue of bullying and it was for that reason that an Anti-Bullying Forum was held in May this year. The Deputy will be aware that 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. As part of this consultation, interested parties were requested to indicate their views and proposals on any changes to existing practices and policies in schools that could improve how bullying can be tackled in schools. I have also established a working group to address the issue of tackling bullying in schools, including cyber-bullying. During the course of its work, the working group has been considering the outcomes from the Anti-Bullying Forum together with the submissions received. Over the last few months, the working group has been consulting with a range of stakeholders and with counterparts 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 am pleased to say that I will be publishing the Working Group's report shortly along with my response to the proposals in the report.
289. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which discussion has taken place with the various school authorities likely to be affected by the loss of one or more teachers in September next; the extent if any to which it has been possible to identify or achieve a satisfactory resolution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3130/13]
View answer290. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent, if any, to which he has identified the possibility of the loss of teachers throughout the primary sector in the current year; if he expects to be in a position to address any such issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3131/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 289 and 290 together.
The Government has protected frontline services in schools to the greatest extent possible in the recent budget and there will no reduction in teacher numbers in primary schools and in free second level schools for the 2013/14 school year as a result of the budget. The DEIS scheme for disadvantaged schools is also fully protected with no overall changes to staffing levels or funding as a result of the budget. When account is taken of additional posts for demographics at primary and second level there is an estimated net increase of up to 900 posts on overall teacher numbers for the 2013/14 school year compared to the current 2012/13 school year. The criteria used for the allocation of teachers to schools is published annually on my Department's website. The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September. The staffing arrangements for the 2013/14 school year at post primary level have just recently been published and the arrangements at primary level will be published shortly. The staffing process for the 2013/14 school year at individual school level is currently underway. The allocation processes at both primary and post primary level also include an appeals mechanism under which schools can appeal against the allocation due to them under the staffing schedules. The appeal procedures are set out in the annual staffing arrangements.The final staffing position for all schools will not be known until later in the year when the allocation process will be fully completed and all appeals to the Staffing Appeals Board will have been considered.
292. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he and or his Department has studied variations in class sizes throughout the country; if particular regions are likely to be more negatively affected than others in the current year by measures arising from Budgetary constraints in the wake of agreements entered into by his predecessor; if he proposes any particular ameliorating measures in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3133/13]
View answerThe staffing schedule is the mechanism used for the allocation of classroom teachers to all primary schools. It operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all similar types of schools equally irrespective of location. The configuration of classes and the deployment of classroom teachers are done at local school level. My Department publishes annual statistics on class size data for each school. The most recent statistics are for the 2011/12 school year. The national average class size is 24.4 pupils. However, with over 20,600 classes in over 3,100 primary schools throughout the country there will always be variations in class sizes at individual school level. My Department's guidance to local school management is that such variations should be kept to the minimum. Classroom teachers are allocated under the staffing schedule based on the pupil enrolments for the previous 30th September. However, the staffing schedule includes provision for schools that have significant increases in their enrolment in rapidly developing areas to be allocated classroom teachers based on their projected enrolments for September 2013. The criteria for this will be set out in the staffing schedule to be published shortly. Given the constraints on teacher numbers my Department has no capacity to put any other ameliorating measures in place. The Deputy will be aware that the Government has protected frontline services in schools to the greatest extent possible in the recent budget and there will no reduction in teacher numbers in primary schools and in free second level schools for the 2013/14 school year as a result of the budget. The DEIS scheme for disadvantaged schools is also fully protected with no overall changes to staffing levels or funding as a result of the budget.
294. Deputy John Perry asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a Student Universal Support Ireland third level grant application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Sligo will be processed and granted as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3137/13]
View answerOfficials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland, that on 17th January, 2013 a request for further documentation was issued to the student referred to by the Deputy. As soon as the requested documentation is returned the student will be notified directly of the outcome.
295. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a copy of the draft vocational education committee agreement on Greendale School, Dublin 5, with St Michael's House services and a copy of lease. [3140/13]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that the property to which he refers has been leased to the City of Dublin VEC. I understand that the VEC is working closely with the school authority in question in relation to finalising a user agreement and lease for the ongoing use of part of the property.
296. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will report on the new procedures the Government have introduced for appointments to State boards. [3573/13]
View answerIn accordance with the new procedures introduced for appointments to State boards, expressions of interest have been sought through the Public Appointments Service (PAS) from suitably qualified and experienced persons for consideration for appointment to the following boards of Bodies operating under the aegis of my Department. Leárgas Ltd – The Exchange Bureau The Higher Education Authority Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI)The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA)The State Examinations Commission (SEC) The Teaching Council Grangegorman Development Agency (GDA)National Council for Special Education (NCSE)Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board (RISF) (to be newly established) In accordance with Government decision (S/180/20/1424 of 12/04/2011) persons being proposed for appointment as Chairpersons of State Bodies/Agencies are required to make themselves available to the appropriate Oireachtas committee. Vacancies on other boards of Bodies under the aegis of my Department that arise will be advertised on my Department's website. The Deputy should note that in making any direct Ministerial appointments, I am not necessarily confined to those who make such expressions of interest but will ensure that all of those appointed have the relevant skills and competencies for the positions.
297. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will estimate the revenue that will be generated from the sale of Garda stations being closed this year. [2846/13]
View answerThe Office of Public Works is responsible for managing the sale of surplus properties in state ownership, including Garda stations.
The OPW is currently assessing the property options arising in respect of Garda stations, which are no longer required by An Garda Síochána. This assessment will include other potential State uses for the properties. If and when properties are considered surplus to requirements, the OPW will consider options including other State uses, disposal on the open market and consideration of any viable local proposals. Approximately 70% of these stations have ‘married quarters’ many of which are occupied by serving members of An Garda Síochána. In addition, a number of the stations have masts being used by mobile phone operators. These matters need to be regularised before disposal.
A total of 139 Garda stations have been identified for closure and this office will continue its engagement with An Garda Síochána on the effective transfer of the properties.
A valuation exercise has commenced on this stock of Garda stations and a number of surplus properties will be placed on the market in 2013.
Dealing with property of any nature is complex but the OPW is confident that it will have several properties on the market in 2013 and as the value of each property can only be ascertained when it is placed on the market, I am not in a position, at this time, to identify the likely revenue from the disposals in 2013.
298. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will set out, in tabular form, the net job losses anticipated in Budget 2013 across all Departments in 2013. [2776/13]
View answerThe data requested by the Deputy in relation to reductions in public service numbers is set out in Expenditure Report 2013, Table 6 Public Service Staff Numbers (Whole Time Equivalents) page 132. A copy of this publication was given to all Deputies on Budget day.
It is also available on my Department’s website http://budget.gov.ie/Budgets/2013/2013.aspx as is the historical data public service number (http://databank.per.gov.ie/ ) from 1994 to Quarter 3 2012. This data is regularly updated and I would urge all Deputies to utilise this resource.
299. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will confirm the capital expenditure reported across Departments for December 2012; and if he will confirm that expenditure is cash expenditure only and contains no accrual or prepayment or contingency retention by Departments. [2777/13]
View answerReports provided by Departments for the end 2012 Exchequer Statement showed that net voted capital expenditure across all Departments amounted to €936m for the month of December and €3,382m over the course of the year. A further €113m in capital carryover from 2011 was also spent in 2012. A breakdown of expenditure by Vote is attached in tabular format. The figures contained in the table relate to cash expenditure only; they do not include the €107 m in unspent capital which is being carried over into 2013 under the capital carryover arrangements.
It should be noted that figures provided for the Exchequer Statement are provisional; confirmed figures will be available when the monthly Capital Expenditure Returns are received from all Departments.
|
Vote |
Expenditure in 2012 €000 |
Expenditure in December €000 |
|
V7 - Finance |
150 |
150 |
|
V9 - Revenue |
4,848 |
1,813 |
|
V11 - Public Expenditure and Reform |
452 |
436 |
|
V13 - Office of Public Works |
110,867 |
30,638 |
|
V20 - Garda Síochána |
21,817 |
2,997 |
|
V21 - Prisons |
24,080 |
3,342 |
|
V22 - Courts Service |
7,460 |
2,325 |
|
V23 - Property Registration Authority |
161 |
10 |
|
V24 - Justice and Equality |
370 |
358 |
|
V25 - Environment, Community and Local Government |
721,154 |
308,784 |
|
V26 - Education and Skills |
408,420 |
50,849 |
|
V27 - International Co-operation |
230 |
130 |
|
V28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade |
1,324 |
226 |
|
V29 - Communications, Energy and Natural Resources |
91,128 |
17,790 |
|
V30 - Agriculture, Food and Marine |
158,130 |
24,133 |
|
V31 - Transport, Tourism & Sport |
932,853 |
285,733 |
|
V32 - Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation |
482,158 |
125,566 |
|
V33 - Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht |
41,593 |
11,228 |
|
V34 - National Gallery |
99 |
6 |
|
V36 - Defence |
7,850 |
2,930 |
|
V37 - Social Protection |
9,393 |
4,488 |
|
V38 - Health |
8,716 |
5,475 |
|
V39 - Health Service Executive |
340,525 |
56,108 |
|
V40 - Children and Youth Affairs |
8,350 |
216 |
|
Total Vote |
3,382,128 |
935,731 |
300. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the top five projects to benefit from capital expenditure in December 2012, ranked according to the capital spend reported across all Departments for December 2012 [2778/13]
View answerMy Department is responsible for setting the overall capital allocations across Departments and for monitoring monthly capital expenditure at departmental level. Information in relation to expenditure at project level is not collected by my Department.
It is a matter for individual line Departments to monitor and control the roll out of their own capital programmes within the ceilings and sanction arrangements set down by my Department. Queries in relation to expenditure by Departments at project level should be directed to the relevant Minister and his/her Department.
301. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 113 of 10 October 2012, if it remains his position that employment and job creation will not be a consideration in the profiling of the capital expenditure budget in 2013. [2779/13]
View answerThe capital allocations for 2013 have been decided by the Government as part of its Budgetary decisions. Following a Government-wide review of the public capital programme, a five year multi-annual envelope for 2012 to 2016 was set in November 2011; this was slightly adjusted in Budget 2013 to address pressures relating to contractual commitments, drawdown of EU funding, replacement of Garda vehicles and to allow for the progression of a new children's detention facility at Oberstown. In deciding on the capital allocations, the Government gave strong consideration to the employment impact of the investment and on the economic and social infrastructure needs.
There will, of course, be direct employment benefits in the delivery of the infrastructure proposed in the Investment Framework and most importantly from the contribution that this capital investment makes to providing the capacity for the economy to grow. In this context, supports to the enterprise sector through agencies such as Enterprise Ireland and the IDA were protected in the review of the Public Capital Programme. The unprecedented level of investment over the past few years delivered through the Enterprise Development Agencies helps to foster sustainable and valuable employment in the exporting sectors of the economy which will be critical to recovery. My Department had a central role in conducting the Capital Review and in developing the multi-annual investment framework.
The Government decides on annual allocations taking account of the overall budgetary position, strategic investment needs and the benefits that will flow from investment, including employment. Each spending Department then considers the expected cash requirements for each of its projects and constructs its profile of how much cash it will need to draw down each month from its allocation for the year. These monthly profiles are published for each Department.
As the Deputy will be aware, capital spending has general characteristics which influence the drawdown pattern. Expenditure on capital projects typically occurs in large tranches at fixed milestones, unlike current expenditure which is generally continuous throughout the year. Obviously, this affects the phasing and profiling of capital expenditure. In addition, public financial rules require that payments are only made on foot of matured liabilities, so payments are made on foot of work that has already been satisfactorily completed. The trend is therefore that the bulk of capital expenditure takes place in the final quarter of the year. For these reasons it is not appropriate for employment and job creation to be factored into the administrative exercise of profiling monthly cash drawdown requirements from annual capital allocations, although these factors are, of course, critical in formulating Government decisions on the capital budgetary allocations in the first place.
