Written Answers Nos. 250-72
250. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will issue a student grant as a matter of urgency in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6585/13]
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 25 January, 2013.
251. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of posts cut from two, three and four teacher primary schools in the 2012/13 academic year due to the increase in pupil requirement thresholds as announced in Budget 2012; if he will state the total monetary savings achieved by this measure in 2012 and the anticipated savings for 2013; the number of posts that are anticipated to be cut in the 2013/14 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6593/13]
View answerSeventy-three small primary schools were originally due to lose a classroom teacher in September 2012 as a result of the budget measure to increase the relevant pupil thresholds. The affected schools were given the right of appeal to the Primary Staffing Appeal Board in the event that they could show that their projected enrolments for September 2012 were sufficient to allow them retain their classroom teacher over the longer term. 63 of these schools submitted an appeal. 20 were refused, 43 were provisionally upheld of which 14 subsequently lost their posts as projected enrolment did not materialise. The saving achieved in the current school year was of the order of €2.6m, including employer PRSI.
The allocation process for the 2013/14 school year is currently underway in my Department and the staffing arrangements, including the appeals process, for primary schools will be published on the Department website shortly. 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 Appeal Board will have been considered.
In these extremely challenging times, all public servants are being asked to deliver our public services on a reduced level of resources and teachers in small schools cannot be immune from this requirement.
252. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an appeal for a student grant in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6599/13]
View answerAn appeal from the student in question was considered by the independent Student Grants Appeals Board on 15 January 2013. I understand that the appeal was unsuccessful as the Appeals Board upheld the decision of the appeals officer and the awarding authority.
The student was notified of the outcome on 17 January 2013.
253. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a Student Universal Support Ireland grant application in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Cork in view of the fact that all relevant documentation has been submitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6610/13]
View answerOfficials in my Department have confirmed with SUSI that the students in question have been awarded grants. An award letter issued to the first named student on 11 January 2013 and to the second named student on 20 December 2012.
254. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a student (details supplied) in County Mayo may expect to have their higher education grant processed and paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6649/13]
View answerStudent Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) has confirmed that it received the necessary supporting information for the student's college on 11 February 2013 to enable payment of his grant.
My Officials understand from SUSI that payment will be made to the student within two weeks.
255. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will advise as to the reason a reader has been refused in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6W; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6668/13]
View answerThe State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations.
In view of the above, I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to the Deputy.
256. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills when he expects the amalgamation of FÁS, the Higher Education and Training Awards Council and the Further Education and Training Awards Council to create SOLAS to be finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6675/13]
View answerThe passing of the primary legislation is required for the establishment of SOLAS. The Further Education and Training Bill, 2013 was published in January this year. The Bill, among other things, provides for the establishment of SOLAS, the dissolution of FÁS and the transfer over time of the FÁS training division to the Education and Training Boards that will be established following the enactment of the Education and Training Boards Bill, 2012.
The timing for establishment of the new authority is dependent on the enactment and entry into force of this legislation. The Second Stage of the SOLAS Bill in the Dáil is scheduled to commence on 28 February 2013. As part of wider educational reform the Higher Education and Training Awards Council and the Further Education and Training Awards Council, together with the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland and the Irish Universities Quality Board, were amalgamated in November 2012 into Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI).
257. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will ensure that the Irish language will be recognised by all colleges for entry into courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6678/13]
View answerThe entry requirements for admission to courses in higher education institutions are determined by the institutions themselves which are legally autonomous and academically independent. I have no function therefore in setting admissions criteria.
I understand that the National University of Ireland generally requires applicants, who were born and who had all their education in the Republic of Ireland, to present a Grade D in Irish at Ordinary Level in the Leaving Certificate for entry to courses in its constituent universities (UCC, UCD, NUIG and NUIM) and its recognised colleges. The University of Limerick also has such a requirement. Applicants to Dublin City University and the Institutes of Technology generally require a Grade D at Ordinary Level in either English or Irish to meet minimum entry requirements.
The Colleges of Education, the teacher training colleges, require a Grade C at Higher Level in Irish.
258. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will confirm a date on which construction will begin on a permanent school building (details supplied) in Dublin 7. [6683/13]
View answerThe major school building project referred to by the Deputy, is currently at an early stage of Architectural Planning. The Design Team for this project was appointed in October 2012.
The project is included on the five year Capital Investment programme, announced in March 2012, to progress to Construction in 2014/15.
259. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills if it is his intention to proceed with a plan to build a memorial to the victims of child abuse in the Garden of Remembrance, Parnell Square, Dublin. [6684/13]
View answerTogether with the Minister of State for the Office of Public Works, Brian Hayes TD, I announced that the Journey of Light, by Studio Negri and Hennessy & Associates was the winner of the competition held to provide a Memorial to the victims of institutional abuse last July. This memorial was one of the recommendations in the Report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse, which were unanimously accepted and supported by Dáil Éireann.
The Office of Public Works who are managing the project, have lodged a planning application with Dublin City Council, to erect the Memorial at the Garden of Remembrance. I understand that further information on the proposal has been sought and that a number of objections have been received. I also understand that the City Council passed a resolution calling for the site to be included in the Record of Protected Structures in the Dublin City Development Plan.
I will await the decision of Dublin City Council in relation to the proposal.
260. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a school extension project in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6685/13]
View answerThe major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of architectural planning. My Department has received the Stage 1 report from the Board of Management and their Design Team and it is currently under review.
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 this project in the five year construction programme announced earlier this year.
Schools which have not been included in the five year construction programme, but which were announced for initial inclusion in the building programme will continue to be progressed to final planning stages in anticipation of the possibility of further funds being available to my Department in future years. The project referred to by the Deputy remains available to be considered for progression in this context.
261. 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. [6749/13]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, arrangements to establish the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund are being pursued and I intend to appoint the members to the Board shortly. The process to recruit a Chief Executive Officer (Designate) is underway 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.
262. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the value for money report on small schools will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6750/13]
View answerThe value for money review of small primary school provision is at an advanced stage of preparation. I expect to publish the review and I look forward to debating its findings at that stage.
263. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on the status of a school (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6808/13]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, a process is underway in relation to the request for permanent recognition from the school referred to by the Deputy. This process is based on nine undertakings committed to by the school's Patron in 2007 in accordance with the requirements of the Education Act 1998 and the Rules for National Schools. Officials from my Department met with the school concerned in September last to discuss the school's current position in relation to the undertakings and with a view to enabling the school to meet the permanent recognition criteria as soon as possible. In that regard, my Department has since confirmed to the school that its provisional recognition has been extended for three years to 31 August 2015. This extension will allow the school the time necessary to progress the implementation of the changes in practice required to comply with the undertakings committed to by the school. This extension of the school's provisional recognition will also not impede the school being granted permanent recognition within that period if the criteria for recognition are satisfactorily met.
264. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a person (details supplied) in County Clare may be facilitated with a third level grant. [6810/13]
View answerThe Deputy will appreciate that in the absence of all of the relevant details that would be contained in an individual's application it would not be possible for me to say whether or not a student would qualify for a grant.
I understand that the student in question appealed the decision of Student Universal Support Ireland in relation to this matter and the appeals officer upheld the original decision.
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.
265. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a person (details supplied) in County Offaly may expect a decision on their application for student grant. [6819/13]
View answerOfficials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland, that on 7 February 2013, 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.
266. Deputy John Perry asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the circumstances outlined by a person in relation to their student grant appeal (details supplied) in County Sligo; if he will have it processed as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6846/13]
View answerThe Deputy will appreciate that in the absence of all of the relevant details that would be contained in an individual's application it would not be possible for me to say whether or not a student would qualify for a grant.
If an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a student grant, he/she may appeal, in the first instance, to the appeals officer in Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). I understand that, to date, no appeal from the applicant has been received.
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.
267. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he is taking to address the growing demand for primary school start places in County Meath in view of the fact that recent reports that the demand outstrips availability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6847/13]
View answerThree new primary schools have opened in the last few years in County Meath to meet increased pupil numbers in the area and many existing schools in the County have had their intake capacity expanded. The Forward Planning Section of my Department will continue to monitor enrolments in County Meath to ensure that there is sufficient school accommodation to meet any projected future demands.
268. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a Catholic school is allowed to refuse a non-Catholic child who lives in the parish a place in their school; and, if so, his views on whether this contravenes enrolment policies, which must be non-discriminatory, and the principles of equality. [6852/13]
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 to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998. In this regard a Board of Management may find it necessary to restrict enrolment to children from a particular area or a particular age group or, occasionally, on the basis of some other criterion. The criteria to be applied by schools in such circumstances are a matter for the schools themselves. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants.
Under section 15 (2) (d) of the Education Act 1998, each school is legally obliged to disclose its enrolment policy and to ensure that as regards that policy that principles of equality and the rights of parents to send their children to a school of the parents choice are respected.
Equality legislation, which also outlaws discrimination in relation to the admission of a student, makes provision for exemptions to apply in the case of single sex schools and in the case of schools where the objective is to provide education in an environment that promotes certain religious values. The legislation provides that any school that has this objective may admit a student of a particular religious denomination in preference to other students.
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.
The Deputy will be aware that in 2011, I launched a discussion paper on school enrolment. The "Discussion Paper on a Regulatory Framework for School Enrolment" contains suggestions on how to make the process of enrolling in schools more open, equitable and consistent and is available on the Department website.
I invited education partners and interested parties to submit their views to my Department by 28 October 2011. The feedback from this consultation will help inform the nature and scope of a new regulatory framework for school enrolment. I intend to bring these proposals to Government in due course.
269. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made to date in the provision of a new school facility at Ardclough, County Kildare; the developmental procedures concluded or pending; when it is expected that all procedures will be finalised with a view to conclusion of the project in readiness for occupation; the projected date in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6881/13]
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.
270. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the site purchase for a school (details supplied) in County Galway is expected to go through; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6890/13]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that my Department has been advised, by the CSSO, that the proposed site acquisition for the school to which he has referred is expected to be completed during the first quarter of 2013. Due to commercial sensitivities attaching to site acquisitions generally, it is not possible to comment further on the site acquisition at this time.
271. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the level of grant awarded by Student Universal Support Ireland to a person (details supplied) in County Galway following an appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6896/13]
View answerOfficials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland that the student referred to by the Deputy has, on appeal, been awarded a grant at the 100% standard non-adjacent rate of maintenance and fees. The award letter issued to the student on 7 February 2013.
272. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a decision on a Student Universal Support Ireland appeal will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6900/13]
View answerOfficials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that the application from the student referred to by the Deputy is currently under appeal. SUSI aims to issue determinations on appeals as promptly as possible and within the 30 day timeframe defined in the Student Support Act, 2011.
