Written Answers Nos. 77-84
77. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he intends to take to develop a more targeted approach to the way self-esteem and confidence building can be promoted within the curriculum. [7622/13]
View answerI would like to inform the Deputy that in developing the new Framework for Junior Cycle which I published last October, I was very aware of the importance of meeting the needs and interests of the students and of enabling them to achieve their full potential and be properly challenged through improving their learning experiences and outcomes.
The new Framework has 8 Principles - one of which is Wellbeing, whereby the student experience in junior cycle will directly contribute to their physical, mental, emotional and social wellbeing and resilience. There are 24 Statements of Learning which describe the core of learning at junior cycle. It is through enjoyment, interest and being proactive that the young person will learn.
In addition, there are 8 key skills in the Framework. The obvious ones are literacy and numeracy but all 8 skills will be embedded in their learning through subjects, the new short courses and other learning experiences. With the skill of "staying well" it is expected that the young person will enhance their confidence, be enabled to be co-operative and respecting of difference.
The changes in assessment will also allow the student to gain evidence of learning as they progress through junior cycle. Positive feedback from teachers and, in fact, from parents will also ensure that the self-esteem, confidence and motivation of the young person is maintained throughout the three years. Through a commitment to the implementation of all aspects of the Framework, the educational system will be able to deliver a junior cycle that places the needs of the student at the core of learning and teaching and thereby improves the quality of the learning experiences and outcomes of all students.
78. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to any changes to patronage of a school (details supplied) in County Dublin. [7624/13]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that there are currently no plans for change of patronage to the school referred to in County Dublin. Consideration of change of patronage can only occur in partnership with the patrons and school communities concerned. Surveys of parental preferences regarding primary school patronage were conducted in 38 areas across the country within the last number of weeks, including the area in question. The surveys closed on Friday 8th February and the responses are currently being validated and analysed by my Department.
79. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Education and Skills when construction of a new school (details supplied) in County Cork will commence; the expected completion and opening dates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7629/13]
View answerThe major school building project referred to by the Deputy, is currently at an early stage of Architectural Planning.
The project is included on the five year Capital Investment programme, announced in March 2012, to progress to Construction in 2015/16.
80. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the funding available to students who are 19 years of age attending FETAC Level 5 courses in adult education centres where the family does not have the financial resources to support them and the income support is available in these situations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7652/13]
View answer90. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the funding available to students who are 19 years of age attending FETAC Level 5 courses in adult education centres where the family does not have the financial resources to support them and the income support is available in these situations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7762/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 80 and 90 together.
The decision on eligibility for new student grants is a matter for Student Universal Support Ireland or SUSI. Students, including those wishing to undertake Post Leaving Cert courses, are assessed by SUSI to determine whether or not they satisfy all of the conditions of the student grant scheme in relation to means, residency, nationality and previous academic attainment.
To determine eligibility, a student may submit a fully completed online grant application to SUSI, via studentfinance.ie, once the application process for the 2013/14 academic year opens.
81. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Education and Skills if participants on momentum courses will receive travel and meal allowances as they do with FÁS courses, depending on their circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7655/13]
View answerAs part of the Government's "Action Plan for Jobs" initiative, FÁS is administering the MOMENTUM Programme under which €20 million has been committed by the Department of Education & Skills through the National Training Fund. The aim of the programme is to provide a range of quality, relevant education & training interventions for up to 6,500 individuals who are long-term unemployed.
Under the eligibility criteria of MOMENTUM, all unemployed participants must be pre-approved by the Department of Social Protection before they can participate in the programme. Participants on the programme will not receive any travel or meal allowances. However, participants will maintain their current social welfare entitlement for as long as they are entitled to receive it under the Department of Social Protection eligibility criteria
82. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of relief teaching days allocated to teachers on a Departmental pension in the past school year at primary and post primary respectively; the corresponding figures for the last school term; the steps being taken to reduce this number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7663/13]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is being compiled and will be forwarded to him.
83. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline the payment arrangements in place in respect of yard supervision carried out by two teachers at a school (details supplied) in County Dublin; if he will explain the reason these teachers still have outstanding payment due for 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7665/13]
View answerThe outstanding payments due to the two people referred to by the Deputy will issue to them on 28th February 2013.
84. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a request for additional funding to address acute capacity concerns in respect of a school (details supplied) in Dublin 11; in view of increasing enrolment numbers and the fact that in the coming 2013-14 school year the school will not have a classroom to accommodate an additional allocated teacher, if he will outline the assistance available to address concerns regarding the overall infrastructural needs of the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7703/13]
View answerI can confirm for the Deputy that the school to which she refers was approved grant aid on 3rd August 2012 to build an additional classroom. A condition of the grant was that 70% was to have been drawn 6 months from the date of sanction and the remaining 30% grant is to drawn down within 12 months of approval. To date the school has not drawn down any of the grant aid approved.
On 24th January 2013, the school submitted a further application for funding to provide additional accommodation. This is currently being assessed and a decision will be conveyed to the school authority as soon as this process has been completed.
