Written Answers Nos. 317-336
317. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide details of the new panel arrangements in respect of primary school teachers; the priority, if any, that will be given to those who had been previously placed on the subsidiary panel with five years service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3988/13]
View answerThe core function of the redeployment arrangements is to facilitate the redeployment of all surplus permanent teachers to other schools that have vacancies. The redeployment of all surplus permanent teachers is key to the Department's ability to manage within its payroll budget and ceiling on teacher numbers. Thereafter, schools are required under the panel arrangements to fill permanent vacancies from supplementary panels comprised of eligible fixed-term (temporary/substitute) and part-time teachers. Following a review of the operation of the subsidiary and supplementary panels in the 2012/13 school year and in order to enable the redeployment process to operate in a more efficient manner, with effect from the 2013/14 school year all eligible applicants who meet the relevant eligibility criteria will be placed on the supplementary panels and there will no longer be a separate subsidiary panel.
The arrangements for panel access for fixed term (temporary/substitute) and part-time teachers for the 2013/14 school year are set out in Department Circular 0038/2012 which is available on the Department website. The supplementary panel set up in accordance with the arrangements set out in this circular will be used for appointments to full-time permanent posts in primary schools but only where those posts are not otherwise required to facilitate the redeployment of surplus permanent and CID holding teachers. The closing date for application for access to the supplementary panel under the terms of the circular was Friday, 14 December, 2012.
318. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline the situation in relation to a post for a Permanent Resource Teacher at a school (details supplied) in County Galway which was advertised, offered to and accepted by a person; if this post can now be ratified in view of the fact that the school in question was not aware of the deadline for filling the post; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3989/13]
View answerUnder the staffing arrangements for the school year 2012/2013, which are set out in my Department's Circular 0007/2012 published in February, 2012, the latest date for filling a permanent post on a permanent basis through the subsidiary and supplementary panels or through open recruitment, if applicable, was the first working day of November, 2012. Thereafter, unless there is a surplus permanent teacher to be redeployed, posts are filled on a fixed term basis. If the post in question is sustained by the school for the 2013/14 school year, it can only be filled by a surplus permanent teacher from the relevant main redeployment panel. The staffing arrangements for the 2013/14 school year will be published shortly.
319. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department has plans to purchase prefabricated classrooms for a school (details supplied) in County Donegal; his views on whether this would provide appropriate accommodation for new entrants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3990/13]
View answer320. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 296 of 27 November 2012, if he has considered the baptismal records of the parish in question which suggest that the school's overall enrolment figures may increase by one hundred by 2016; the plans he has to facilitate such an increase in enrolment in view of the fact that the school is not currently on the Capital Building Programme and is struggling to cater for its present enrolment with 150 students being taught in prefabricated classrooms. [3991/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 319 and 320 together.
As the Deputy is aware, a new school is proposed to meet the long term accommodation needs of the school in question. A site has been acquired for this purpose and a building project will be progressed through the various stages of the architectural planning process in the context of the available funding. Pending the provision of a new school building, it is open to the school authorities to submit an application for additional accommodation should the current accommodation be insufficient to cater for increasing enrolments. An application form is available on my Department's website www.education.ie. My Department is currently liaising with the school authorities regarding the potential purchase of existing prefabricated classrooms.
321. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will confirm if a new site has been acquired for a school (details supplied) in County Wicklow; when work on the new school building is due to commence; and the projected timeframe for when work on the new school building will be completed. [4010/13]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is working closely with the relevant Local Authority in relation to identifying and acquiring a suitable site for the provision of permanent accommodation for the school to which he has referred. Given the sensitivities associated with land acquisitions generally, I am not in a position to comment further at this point in time in relation to the site acquisition. As the Deputy may be aware, the provision of a new school building for the school in question is included in the 5 Year School Building Programme 2012 - 2016.
322. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo is consistently being asked for information by Student Universal Support Ireland; if he will expedite their student grant application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4012/13]
View answerOfficials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland that, in the case of the student referred to by the Deputy, the documentation supplied was not adequate. The student declared an amount for rental income from land or property on the application form. Incomplete rental accounts were submitted and Student Universal Support Ireland wrote to the student on 19th December requesting the documentation. When the requested documentation is returned the student will be notified directly of the outcome.
323. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding aids for a school (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4020/13]
View answerThe State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations including organising the holding of examinations, determining procedures in places where examinations are conducted including the supervision of examinations and making arrangements for the marking of work presented for examination. In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
324. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a response will be issued to a parents committee (details supplied) in County Donegal with particular emphasis on the correspondence sent to him on 1 July 2012 and the follow on questions submitted to his Department following his response to their initial query; his response to the questions posed to him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4117/13]
View answerMy Department does not have a record of correspondence dated 1st July 2012 as referred to by the Deputy, however, a response to further representations from the Parents Committee of the school in question will issue from my Department shortly. My response to the questions raised may be summarised as follows:
My Department is fully committed to the implementation of the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language including its proposals relating to education in the Gaeltacht and Irish-medium education. We are liaising closely with our colleagues in the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to support the systematic implementation of the numerous educational measures in the Strategy. The issues concerning schooling in the Gaeltacht are complex and require further detailed analysis before any policy decisions or initiatives are considered. Plans are in place to carry out a thorough examination of the issues and policy options at the earliest opportunity.
With regard to participation in the DEIS programme, the post-primary school in question was not selected for inclusion in DEIS as it did not meet the relevant criteria. An appeal by the school to the independent review body in 2006 confirmed that the level of disadvantage did not warrant the school's inclusion.
As announced in the 2012 Budget, five scholarship schemes for higher education were replaced with a new single scheme of bursaries based solely on merit and financial need. There are no language requirements associated with the bursaries. This change has been made in order to make the best use of the limited funds we have available for bursaries so as to focus on the best performing students in the cohort of those who are most in need of financial help.
325. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Skills the policy in place regarding circumstances in which a school might consider it necessary to expel a student in the latter part of the Leaving Certificate year; if he will seek to have the student placed in an alternative school or might home tuition be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4139/13]
View answerUnder Section 15 of the Education Act, 1998, each school Board of Management shall publish, in such manner as the Board - with the agreement of the patron - considers appropriate, the policy of the school concerning admission to and participation in the school, including the policy of the school in relation to the expulsion and suspension of students. Under Section 24 of the Educational Welfare Act 2000, where the board of management of a school is of the opinion that a student should be expelled from a school, it shall - before expelling the student - notify the education welfare officer to whom functions under this Act have been assigned. On receipt of the notification concerned, the education welfare officer shall make all reasonable efforts to ensure that provision is made for the continued education of the student.
The National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) is the statutory agency which may be able to assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The NEWB may be able to offer assistance and advice on securing a school placement within the pupil's area. The contact details for the NEWB are NEWB 16-22 Green Street Dublin 7 01-8738700. Section 29 of the Education Act, 1998 provides for an appeal by a parent or guardian to the Secretary General of this Department, or - in the case of a Vocational Educational Committee (VEC) school - to the VEC in the first instance, where a Board of Management of a school, or a person acting on behalf of the Board, refuses to enrol a student in a school, expels a student or suspends a student for 20 or more days in any school year. My Department has no authority to compel a school to admit a pupil, except in the case of an appeal under section 29 of the Education Act, 1998 being upheld. Educational provision by means of Home Tuition can only be considered as a temporary educational arrangement, and all efforts must continue to find a school place. The roles of the NEWB and the roles of the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) are also relevant in this context.
326. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8 has been asked to withdraw their Student Universal Support Ireland registration grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4147/13]
View answerOfficials in my Department have been informed by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that the student in question has been unable to substantiate information supplied in her original application form. SUSI has, however, been in contact with the student to provide advice on how she might progress an application.
327. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of appeals received by the Independent Student Grant Appeals Board; the number of appeals that have been decided on; if he will provide a breakdown of the decisions in relation to whether the original decision was confirmed or amended; the total amount of grants approved to date; when all the appeals will be dealt with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4184/13]
View answerThe Deputy may be aware that prior to an appeal to the Student Grant Appeals Board, an initial appeal to the relevant grant awarding authority is provided for under the Student Support Act 2011. This provides for a review of the decision by an appeals officer, independently of the original assessment process. If the grant applicant is still not satisfied with the outcome of the initial appeal, a further appeal can be made to the Student Grants Appeals Board which is fully independent in the performance of its functions.
Up to 15 January 2013, the Student Grants Appeals Board received and considered 89 appeals for the 2012/13 academic year. The appeals were in respect of decisions made by 18 grant awarding authorities. Of the 89 appeals heard, 10 were overturned. The statistical data sought by the Deputy in relation to these appeals is contained in the accompanying table. As at the close of business on 25 January 2013, a further 34 appeals have been received and these are scheduled for consideration by the Appeals Board on 13 February 2013. The number scheduled for hearing may increase if further appeals are received in time. Appeals are received on an on-going basis throughout the academic year. They are considered by the Appeals Board as quickly as possible and within the maximum 60 days prescribed by the Student Support Act, 2011.
Breakdown of results of appeals to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board for the 2012/13 academic year as at 15 January, 2013
|
Total no. of appeals received and considered |
Decision upheld |
Decision overturned |
*Referred back to GAA for further action |
Referred back to student for further action |
|
89 |
54 |
10 |
23 |
2 |
*Generally referred back to a grant awarding authority (GAA) to consider a change in a student’s circumstances.
328. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will address the new procurement rules which can result in schools being required to purchase their stationary supplies from one national supplier notwithstanding the possibility of purchasing from local suppliers for a similar or better price; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4197/13]
View answerThe National Procurement Service is focused on developing centralised arrangements for the procurement of goods and services used commonly across the public service nationwide. The benefits arising from these central arrangements include: cash savings; administrative savings from reduced duplication of tendering; greater purchasing expertise; improved consistency; and enhanced service levels. Within the Education Sector, the mandatory arrangement relating to stationery currently applies to the Higher Education and VEC Sectors. I understand that the National Procurement Service is working on a new contract for stationery which will be in place from April 2013. I appreciate the Deputy's concerns on this matter. My Department is currently working on a procurement circular for schools and the content of this will be the subject of discussion with the National Procurement Service and the school management bodies.
329. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo, may expect their higher education grant application to be processed; if he will expedite the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4226/13]
View answerOfficials 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 been refused and a letter outlining the position issued on the 21st January, 2013. If an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a student grant, she/he may appeal, in the first instance, to SUSI. Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down, in writing, by SUSI, and remains of the view that the scheme has not been interpreted correctly in his/her case, an appeal form outlining the position may be submitted by the applicant to the independent Student Grant Appeals Board.
330. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Education and Skills the criteria his Department will be setting out regarding teacher appointments under developing school status for the 2013/ 2014 school year; if the same criteria will be used for the 2013/ 2014 school year or when the circular will be issued to schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4227/13]
View answerThe staffing arrangements for primary schools will be published on the Department website shortly. 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 criteria includes the provision whereby schools experiencing rapid increases in enrolment can apply for additional mainstream posts on developing grounds, using projected enrolment. The retention of such posts is subject to schools' having achieved their projected enrolment on 30 September. If the enrolment is not achieved the post allocated on developing grounds is suppressed.
331. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) was not awarded the tuition fee grant when in this case the applicant had satisfied all of the conditions for such award; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4228/13]
View answerOfficials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland that the grant application of the student referred to by the Deputy for the 2012/13 academic year was awarded a postgraduate fee contribution based on the terms and conditions of the scheme. Maintenance support is not available for students entering postgraduate courses in the academic year 2012/13. Students entering approved postgraduates courses who meet the qualifying conditions for the special rate of grant will be eligible to have their post-graduate tuition fees paid up to the maximum fee limit under the Student Grant Scheme.
If an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a student grant, she/he may appeal, in the first instance, to SUSI. Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down in writing by SUSI and remains of the view that the scheme has not been interpreted correctly in his/her case, an appeal form outlining the position may be submitted by the applicant to the independent Student Grant Appeals Board. The relevant appeal form will be available on request from SUSI. In addition to the student grant support is also available to students under the Student Assistance Fund which assists students in third-level institutions in exceptional financial need. Information on the fund is available through the Access Officer in the third level institution attended. The Access Officers themselves will also continue to provide support and advice to students.
332. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills the supports and or options available to private colleges who are now seeking to avail of Government funding and supports; if he will explain the process of attaining FETEC and or FÁS accreditation for such colleges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4230/13]
View answerI understand that in order to provide programmes leading to FETAC awards, providers must become registered with FETAC, which involves establishing policies and procedures for quality assurance of provision and agreeing those policies and procedures with FETAC. Once they are agreed, providers can then submit programmes of education and training for validation. Information on these processes can be found on FETAC's website, www.fetac.ie. It should be noted that FETAC was amalgamated with HETAC and the NQAI in November 2012 to form a new body called Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI). QQI is currently in the process of establishing its own revised procedures and, once adopted, they will appear on their website, www.qqi.ie.
FÁS do not accredit Colleges or Contractors. I am informed, however, that when FÁS Training Services procure training, contractors must become pre-qualified on the FAS Contract Training Tender List (CTTL). To become pre-qualified it is not currently necessary to be a registered FETAC provider. Once on the FÁS Contract Training Tender List, the contractor is invited on a rotational basis to partake in mini regional tenders for provision of training courses. In addition, when FÁS competitively funds training programmes, such as the Momentum Programme, contractors have to become pre-qualified, as outlined above, but with one key difference in that they have to be accredited by either an awarding body on the Framework of Qualifications or by an awarding body aligned to the Framework. Again there is a second stage tendering competition in this scenario. Education and Training providers should liaise directly with FAS with regard to their eligibility for tendering for training in this regard.
333. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 256 of 13 November 2012, the position regarding an application for gratuity payment on retirement in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4255/13]
View answerThe person referred to by the Deputy was an employee of the Board of Management of the Limerick Model School. The Board of Management applied under the terms of the Superannuation Act, 1887, seeking to award the individual concerned a gratuity payment on retirement. My officials are currently concluding this matter with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. A response is expected to issue to the Board of Management within the next two weeks.
334. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on the requirement for a new school building (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4275/13]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that my Department is currently considering the position relating to the accommodation needs of the school to which he refers and my officials will be in further contact with the school authority shortly.
335. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Education and Skills with reference to the public service reform document published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on 17 November 2011, Appendix IIa, Bodies to be rationalised, Amalgamated or Abolished in 2012, the progress that has been made on those bodies; the changes that require legislation; the expected timeframe for conclusion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4285/13]
View answerUnder the Public Service Reform plan the following were identified for rationalisation:
- The merger of the Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology & Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Science into consolidated single council under HEA.
- The amalgamation of Further Education and Training Awards (FETAC), Higher Education and Training Award Council (HETAC) and National Qualifications Authority of Ireland (NQAI) into one body the QQI.
- The reduction of the number of VECs from 33 to 16.The following actions have been taken to date:
The Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology and Irish Research Council for Humanities and Social Sciences were merged in March 2012 to form the Irish Research Council (IRC). The IRC has been established as a sub-board of the HEA.
Under the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012, the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland (NQAI), the Higher Education Training Awards Council (HETAC) and the Further Education Training Awards Council (FETAC) were amalgamated into a new agency, the Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) on the 6th November, 2012.
In June of 2011, I announced that the Government had approved a revised reconfiguration of the Vocational Education Committees system. The Government decision confirmed that the number of VECs would be reduced to 16.
The Education and Training Boards Bill was published on 5th October 2012 and completed second stage in the Dáil on October 17th 2012. The Committee Stage was completed on 17 January 2013 and the Report and Final Stages are scheduled to take place on 12th and 14th February 2013. It is expect that the Education and Training Boards will be established in early 2013.
In section 8.1.iv of the Public Service Reform plan in addition to the rationalisation of the VECs there is a commitment to legislate for the establishment of SOLAS, as the Education and Training Boards would acquire training functions previously under the auspices of FÁS. As part of the reorganisation of FÁS and the creation of the National Employment and Entitlements Service (Intreo) by the Department of Social Protection, FÁS Employment and Community Services (over 700 staff) was transferred to the Department of Social Protection in January 2012.
The passing of primary legislation is required for the establishment of SOLAS. The Further Education and Training Bill 2013 has recently been published. The Bill will, among other things, provide for the establishment of SOLAS, the dissolution of FÁS and the transfer of the FÁS training division to the newly formed Education and Training Boards.
336. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a decision will issue on an application for an additional classroom in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4308/13]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that the school to which he refers has submitted an application for additional classroom accommodation. The application is currently being considered and a decision will be conveyed to the school authorities as soon as this process has been completed.
