Written Answers Nos. 297-316
297. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extra staffing supports available to two schools that amalgamate; if a favourable staffing ratio is still in place; and if he will outline other supports that are available. [3804/13]
View answerWhere schools are amalgamating there is a provision for the allocation of a concessionary mainstream teaching post in cases where the approved number of mainstream teachers serving in the schools at the time the amalgamation takes place exceeds the number of mainstream posts warranted by the total enrolment on the basis of the staffing schedule. The continued allocation of the concessionary post is dependent on the teachers concerned remaining on the staff of the school and the appropriate enrolment figures being maintained.
In regard to other supports, schools may require capital investment. However, as the number of these schools is relatively small, it is not necessarily the case that capital investment would be needed to support amalgamation. However, each case is assessed on an individual basis to determine the extent and type of accommodation required taking into account the condition of buildings, site capacity etc.. My Department discusses any accommodation issues arising with the boards of management of the schools and aims to provide an appropriate accommodation solution subject to available resources.
298. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline the progress being made on the white paper on patronage of schools; when it will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3815/13]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that as part of my response to the Patronage Forum Advisory Group Report, I indicated that I would issue a call for submissions on the findings and recommendations in the report on promoting greater inclusiveness in primary schools and that a leaflet for parents would be developed in consultation with the National Parents Council Primary. Work has been ongoing on developing the leaflet and a call for submissions document and they are expected to issue in Spring 2013. The Advisory Group recommendations in this area, and the submissions received, will inform the development of a White Paper in the coming months.
299. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide details of the method of surveying local communities on the issue of patronage of schools; the way the surveys were conducted; the persons eligible to participate; the way invitations were issued and the level of engagement to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3816/13]
View answer300. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the opinions expressed in the surveys on school patronage will conclusively direct his policy or if the results will be used to inform further discussions on patronage pending further engagement with local communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3817/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 299 and 300 together.
This survey initiative follows on from the recommendations of the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector. Pilot surveys on primary school patronage were conducted late last year in five areas: Arklow, Castlebar, Tramore, Trim and Whitehall (including Kilmore West & Beaumont). A report on the pilot surveys is available on my Department's website. The surveys are being conducted mainly through an on-line facility while paper survey forms are also available for parents in the areas concerned. The current surveys commenced on January 14th and will run to February 8th and during this time a free phone help line is available. The surveys are open to parents or guardians of all children aged 0 to 12 years old in those areas.
Information leaflets have been circulated to all primary schools in the relevant areas and also to pre-school organisations. A comprehensive information campaign is being undertaken in each of the areas including a leaflet drop to every household giving details of the surveys, and there is advertising on local radio and newspapers to raise parental awareness of the surveys. A detailed analysis of parental preferences submitted to the surveys will be conducted after the closing date. The survey process is being overseen by the independent New Schools Establishment Group (NSEG). The Department will publish detailed reports on the survey outcomes. These reports will be sent to Catholic patrons for their response in consultation with each local community.
301. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a town (details supplied) in County Cork was chosen as one of the locations in which parents of children aged 0 - 12 years are being asked to complete an online survey; if he will explain the general criteria used in selecting the locations; if he will state the number of locations that were chosen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3821/13]
View answerThe following criteria were applied in selecting locations for the parental surveys:
1. Areas with a population of greater than 5,000 persons and less than 20,000 persons, as per the 2011 Census.
2. Areas that did not experience greater than 20% growth in the inter-censal period 2006-2011 and where the establishment of new schools is unlikely to emerge until at least 2016.
3. Areas that have at least three primary schools within a 2km range of the CSO Town Boundary.
4. Areas where school provision is predominantly Catholic or where there is very limited diversity of provision at present.
A total of 44 areas met the criteria outlined above and surveys were undertaken in five of those areas on a pilot basis late last year. Surveys are currently being conducted in thirty eight remaining areas. One area that met the criteria is not being surveyed as diversity of school patronage is already being provided in that area.
302. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills the options available to a school (details supplied) in County Mayo in a poor physical condition and in a non population growth area that was previously sanctioned for a new school but that now cannot proceed with a new build owing to his policy of building in growth areas only; if consideration will be given to a prefab replacement scheme; if he will outline other avenues that may be available to it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3822/13]
View answerThe 5 Year Construction Plan that I announced on 9 March 2012 last, outlines the major school projects that will commence construction over the duration of the Plan. The primary aim at the core of the Five Year Plan is focussed on meeting demographic demands to ensure that every child will have access to a physical school place and that our school system is in a position to cope with increasing pupil numbers.
Under my Department's Prefab Replacement Initiative announced in March 2012, over 170 schools have been approved to replace their rented prefab accommodation with permanent accommodation. In excess of €42 million has been allocated for this initiative of which €15.6 million was paid in 2012. This funding is being provided to schools to replace rented prefabs that are currently providing mainstream classroom and resource rooms for an estimated 6,000 pupils. In total, 286 mainstream classrooms currently in rented prefabs will receive permanent buildings. My Department will consider applications by schools for funding for additional classrooms, where an immediate enrolment need is arising.
303. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills the options available to a school board of management when An Garda Siochána has advised that school traffic is a serious traffic hazard but when there is no room on the existing site to accommodate such traffic; if he will support the school in purchasing an adjoining piece of land to enable the school to facilitate school traffic. [3823/13]
View answerThe matter of road safety measures outside the vested site areas of schools on public roads, such as road signage, traffic calming measures etc., is a matter for the relevant Local Authority. Local Authorities have the power to decide on road safety measures outside schools to ensure that measures are in place to protect the safety of local school children. Due to competing demands on my Department's capital budget, imposed by the need to prioritise the limited funding available for the provision of essential additional classroom accommodation to meet increasing demographic requirements, my Department is not in a position to provide grant aid for the purposes proposed by the Deputy.
304. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the student grant application in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 who is due back to college on 14 February and is struggling to make ends meet. [3827/13]
View answerOfficials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland that the student referred to by the Deputy has been awarded a grant and an award letter issued on 22nd January, 2013.
305. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason his Department decided not to proceed with a survey of parents on the issue of school patronage at a location (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3829/13]
View answerThe location in County Kildare referred to by the Deputy was removed from the original list of areas to be surveyed following consultation with patrons. The location already has an Educate Together school that opened in September 2011 and a new Gaelscoil under the patronage of An Foras Patrunachta will commence there in September 2013.
306. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Skills the furnishings and equipment provided in or funded by his Department for the special needs units in each of the second bundle of public private partnership schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3830/13]
View answerFive of the schools built through Bundle 2 of the Public Private Partnership process were provided with Special Needs Units. One of those schools was equipped with furniture, fittings and equipment having regard to the specific needs of that school. The net cost of providing this equipment was €173,636.70 plus additional ancillary costs of €34,217.32 (exc. VAT). A second school has recently been allocated funding of €6,500 for one special class plus €7,000 for further equipment purchase. In this respect, I would refer the Deputy to my previous answer to PQ 1740/13 answered on 16th January, 2013 in which I also provided details as to how the scheme in question is applied.
307. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a person (details supplied) in County Offaly may expect a decision on an application for student grant. [3836/13]
View answerOfficials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland that the student referred to by the Deputy has been awarded a grant and an award letter issued on 23rd November 2012.
308. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a person (details supplied) in County Offaly may expect a decision on an application for student grant. [3837/13]
View answerOfficials in my Department have been informed by Student Universal Support Ireland that, based on the information supplied by the student in question in his application, additional supporting documentation is required. SUSI will be in contact with the student shortly in relation to this matter.
309. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a Student Universal Support Ireland grant will be awarded in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3846/13]
View answerOfficials in my Department have been informed by Student Universal Support Ireland that it has been in contact with the student in question in relation to his grant application, which will progressed as speedily as possible.
310. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a child in sixth class who cannot access a secondary school place in their locality; the advice he will give to parents of such a child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3874/13]
View answerThe question of enrolment in individual schools is the responsibility of the managerial authority of those schools. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking places. It is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of schools that are not in a position to admit all pupils seeking entry to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act 1998. In this regard a board of management may deem it necessary to restrict enrolment to children from a particular age group or to children living in a particular area or on the basis of some other criterion. The selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based is a matter for the individual school authority. In formulating an enrolment policy a school must, however, ensure it is lawful and applied fairly to all applicants.
Section 29 of the Education Act 1998, provides parents with an appeal process where a board of management of a school or a person acting on behalf of the Board refuses enrolment to a student. Where a school refuses to enrol a pupil, the school is obliged to inform parents of their right under Section 29 of the Education Act 1998 to appeal that decision to either the relevant Vocational Educational Committee or to the Secretary General of my Department. The National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) is the statutory agency which can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The Board can be contacted at National Educational Welfare Board, National Headquarters, 16-22 Green Street, Dublin 7 or by telephone at 01-8738700.
311. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the availability of places or plans for children with PDD-NOS or mild to moderate autism who are currently in ADS units with mainstream primary schools students progressing to mainstream secondary schools with supports in the Dublin 6, 8 and 12 areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3937/13]
View answerI have arranged for the matter raised by the Deputy to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply. The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of local special educational needs organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from primary and post primary schools for special educational needs supports, including the establishment of special classes in various geographical areas as required. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. The Deputy will also be aware that the establishment of a network of autism-specific special classes in schools across the country to cater for children with autism has been a key educational priority in recent years.
312. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update in relation to the development of a secondary school (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3950/13]
View answerThe project referred to by the Deputy is proposed to provide a new 1,000 pupil post-primary school. The Design Team appointment has now been completed and the project will commence Architectural Planning. The project was included in the 5 year construction programme announced in March 2012 and is scheduled to progress to construction in 2015/16.
313. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he plans an assessment of alcohol education in the school curriculum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3957/13]
View answerSubstance abuse prevention education is implemented as part of the Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) curricula. SPHE is mandatory in all primary and post-primary schools up to Junior Certificate level. A full time support service offers professional development to teachers and advice to schools. The second level support service is operated jointly with the Health Sector.
The "substance use" module of the SPHE curriculum focuses on the issues relating to the use and misuse of a range of substances. While most young people are aware of the implications and consequences of misusing substances, including alcohol, the SPHE curriculum actively seeks to promote healthy and responsible choices by students in relation to their lives. There is a commitment in the Programme for a National Government, 2011-2016, to "update the out-dated drugs awareness programmes in schools to reflect current attitudes and reality of recreational drug use amongst teens". To meet this commitment, I have established a Working Group to examine the resource materials being used in the SPHE curriculum, especially those materials that are most relevant to substance use education. The Group has representatives from the Department of Health and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs as well as from my own Department. It is anticipated that the Group's report will be finalised shortly. In drafting its report, the Group has had regard to current international experience of substance use prevention programmes in schools.
The Inspectorate is preparing a composite report on the delivery of SPHE at post-primary level, based on the subject inspections of SPHE carried out in schools during the academic year 2010/2011. It is anticipated that the report will be published shortly. A composite report on the delivery of SPHE at primary level was completed in 2009.
314. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has any plans to implement or introduce a drug and alcohol awareness study in secondary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3958/13]
View answerThe Department of Education and Skills, through Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) and its substance abuse prevention education, contributes to the overall aim of Government policy in relation to drugs and alcohol which is to provide an effective, integrated response to the problems posed by substance abuse. Substance abuse prevention education is implemented as part of the SPHE curricula. SPHE is mandatory in all primary and post-primary schools up to Junior Certificate level. A full time support service offers professional development to teachers and advice to schools. The second level support service is operated jointly with the Health Sector.
The substance use module of the SPHE curriculum focuses on the issues relating to the use and misuse of a range of substances. While most young people are aware of the implications and consequences of misusing substances, including alcohol, the SPHE curriculum actively seeks to promote healthy and responsible choices by students in relation to their lives. The Framework for Junior Cycle, published in October 2012, is underpinned by 8 principles one of which is "Wellbeing". Through Wellbeing "the student experience contributes directly to their physical, mental, emotional and social wellbeing and resilience. Learning takes place in a climate focused on collective wellbeing of school, community and society". In addition the Framework contains 24 Statements of Learning which students should experience. The Principles plus 24 statements will provide the basis for school planning and evaluation. One of these statements aims to ensure that the student "takes action to safeguard and promote his/her wellbeing and that of others".
In addition, there are six key skills required for successful learning by students across the curriculum and for learning beyond school. These key skills are linked to the skills required at senior cycle and those already developed for early childhood and primary education. One of the six key skills of Junior Cycle is "Staying Well". While education has a role to play in addressing the problem of alcohol misuse, behavioural change will not happen without the support and co-operation of parents, industry and society as a whole. Parents have a responsibility to help children and young people to adopt sensible and responsible attitudes and behaviours in relation to alcohol and drug abuse.
315. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the statutory fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3961/13]
View answerArrangements to establish the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board are being pursued and I intend to appoint the members to the Board shortly. The position of Chief Executive Officer (Designate) was recently advertised by the Public Appointments Service and I look forward to the early appointment of a suitably qualified individual, whose responsibilities will include driving the various elements of the establishment process.
316. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update in relation to the school building works which are outstanding at a primary school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3984/13]
View answerThe project is at an advanced stage of the tender process. The tender report was recently submitted to my Department for review. Subject to no issues arising, it is anticipated that work will commence on site later this year and will be completed in quarter 2.
