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Tuesday, 26 Mar 2013

Written Answers Nos. 244-261

Multidenominational Schools

Questions (244)

Dominic Hannigan

Question:

244. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for an Educate Together school in Ratoath, County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14869/13]

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Written answers

As the Deputy will be aware, in June 2011, I announced that 20 new primary schools are to be established up to 2017 across a number of locations to meet significantly increasing demographics in those areas. This announcement did not include a proposal to establish a new primary school in Ratoath, County Meath. The Forward Planning Section of my Department will continue to analyse demographic trends to determine the level of additional school provision which will be required into the future. Overall school requirements in Ratoath, County Meath, will be fully considered in this context.

Student Grant Scheme Appeals

Questions (245)

John McGuinness

Question:

245. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an application to Student Universal Support Ireland now under appeal to the students grants appeals board in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow will be expedited and approved in view of the hardship of the case. [14876/13]

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Written answers

The independent Student Grants Appeal Board is in receipt of an appeal from the student in question. The appeal is due for consideration on the 27th March next. The student will be notified directly of the outcome by the Appeals Board.

Physical Education Facilities

Questions (246)

Michael McGrath

Question:

246. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department will consider providing part funding towards the development of a new physical education hall at a primary school (details supplied) in County Cork. [14880/13]

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Written answers

The school to which the Deputy refers to recently applied to my Department seeking funding for a PE hall. My Department has written to the school authority concerned to advise that in view of the need to prioritise available funding towards the provision of essential mainstream classroom accommodation, it is not possible to provide an indicative timeframe for the progression of the proposed project.

Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Questions (247)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

247. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if Student Universal Support Ireland will be permitted to accept Department of Social Protection means testing as income guidelines in future student grant applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14886/13]

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Written answers

Student grant applications are means tested on gross income from all sources earned inside and outside the State within a specified reference period.

The assessment of income from the same starting point is deemed to be fair and reasonable because this approach eliminates any distortion which might arise from different spending decisions in different households. I have no plans to change this arrangement.

Departmental Properties

Questions (248, 259)

Shane Ross

Question:

248. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total value of all properties owned by FÁS/Solas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14896/13]

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Shane Ross

Question:

259. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total value of all properties and land owned by FÁS/ Solas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15079/13]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 248 and 259 together.

The net book value of all properties and land owned by FAS at the end of 2012 amounts to €150.1m

Special Educational Needs Services Provision

Questions (249)

Joe McHugh

Question:

249. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on the availability of services for autism at a primary level in County Donegal, with reference to autism units that may be currently available in schools; the number of students with autism that are attending services for the 2012/2013 term; if he will project numbers for the 2013/2014 term; if he will outline any plans for future service expansion; if he will clarify catchment rules; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14918/13]

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Written answers

The Deputy will 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.

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.

SENOs are a valuable source of support to parents who are actively sourcing a placement for their children or on deciding the most appropriate placement for their child. SENO contact details are available on www.ncse.ie.

Officials in my Department have forwarded the questions raised by the Deputy to the NCSE for their attention and direct response.

Higher Education Grants Eligibility Criteria

Questions (250)

Dominic Hannigan

Question:

250. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has plans to subsidise students, who are studying a higher diploma in education trip to the Gaeltacht that they must undertake as part of their training; the level at which he is planning to subsidise them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14922/13]

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Written answers

As part of the Government's budgetary considerations and the Comprehensive Expenditure Review carried out in 2011, a decision was made to abolish the payments by this Department towards the cost of attendance at Gaeltacht courses by students commencing their programme of primary initial teacher education. The decision came into effect for the 2012/13 academic year. As the Deputy will be aware, priority is being given to protecting resources for front line services in the coming years.

To assist with the costs of the Gaeltacht placement, primary initial teacher education students who are in receipt of a student grant which includes a 100% fee grant, or who would have qualified for a full fee grant but for the Free Fees Schemes, can apply for funding towards travel and accommodation costs under the field trip element of a fee grant, subject to the normal terms and conditions of the student grant scheme.

Apart from the student grant system, in circumstances of particular need students may apply for support 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.

Transition Year Programme

Questions (251)

John Paul Phelan

Question:

251. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if and when funding will be released to the Irish Second Level Students Union to complete a review of the transition year programme as detailed by him at their AGM in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14952/13]

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Written answers

I believe that it is very important that we hear the student voice when we are developing policy. To that end I have encouraged ISSU to engage with my Department with a view to outlining its proposals for research on Transition Year and I understand that a meeting has already taken place. ISSU are scheduled to meet officials from my Department after Easter to discuss the further development of their proposal.

Irish Second-Level Students' Union

Questions (252)

John Paul Phelan

Question:

252. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress that has been made in the past 12 months with regard to granting official partner in education status to the Irish Second Level Students Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14953/13]

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Written answers

My officials met with the ISSU to discuss the matter in question. They advised the ISSU representatives they must first resolve issues regarding their legal status and requested a strategic plan demonstrating how they can achieve self sufficiency. I clarified this at subsequent meetings with them.

Special Educational Needs Services Provision

Questions (253)

Simon Harris

Question:

253. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason resource hour applications for children with special educational needs that were received after 5 October 2012 will not be sanctioned until the 2013/2014 school year; the way schools are expected to provide for the needs of these children from within their existing resources; if such a delay is now to be viewed as the norm; the rationale behind same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14961/13]

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Written answers

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 Resource Teaching support for children with more complex special needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such supports.

In order to ensure that my Departments Employment Control Framework obligations can be maintained while also ensuring that all schools are treated equally, an annual allocation process is in place for the allocation of NCSE resource teaching allocations.

The NCSE allocated the majority of its Resource Teaching supports to schools for the 2012/13 school year, prior to the beginning of the school year. Schools were then asked to forward any outstanding applications for Resource Teaching support to the NCSE by 5th October, 2012.

The NCSE subsequently provided a second round of Resource Teaching allocations to qualifying schools in November 2012. Details of all of the resource teaching allocations which have been made by the NCSE are available on their website at www.ncse.ie.

The NCSE has now asked all schools to forward applications for Resource teaching Support for the 2013/14 school year to the NCSE by 15th March, 2013.

In the interim, schools, other than schools which have no resource teaching allocations, have been asked to provide for qualifying children from within their existing allocations and schools will be advised of their revised allocations in advance of the new school year.

School Enrolments

Questions (254)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Question:

254. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will ensure that a school (details supplied) in County Donegal is not closed due to temporary difficulties with enrolment numbers and further to grant the school an extension to address their enrolment numbers challenge in view of the fact that there are over 300 children attending three Gaelscoileanna in the schools catchment area. [14962/13]

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Written answers

As the Deputy may be aware, provisional recognition was granted for the establishment of the Gaelcholáiste referred to with effect from September 2007, for a trial 3 year period.

It was noted that the enrolment figures achieved in the three-year period of provisional recognition fell very significantly short of the targets identified by the organising committee for the establishment of the school.

Following a review of the matter in 2010, a further three-year period of provisional recognition was granted to the Gaelcholáiste and identified targets were set to establish the viability of the Gaelcholáiste. The school authority was advised that the matter would be reviewed again after the extended 3 year period of provisional recognition had expired.

It is noted that the Gaelcholáiste's total enrolment in September 2012 was 34 pupils. One of the targets set on foot of the review carried out in 2010 included that a minimum enrolment of 25 first year pupils each year would be achieved from September 2011. This target is not being met.

The matter of the Gaelcholáiste's viability is again being reviewed by my Department's Inspectorate, and my Department will engage with the school authority in respect of the outcome.

School Amalgamations

Questions (255)

Dara Calleary

Question:

255. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide the rules regarding a list of primary school amalgamations. [14991/13]

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Written answers

I understand that the Deputy's office has clarified that the question relates to the schools in County Mayo that are scheduled to amalgamate.

I wish to advise the Deputy that Eskeragh National School and Keenagh National School are due to amalgamate during the current school year and my Department has conveyed approval for the amalgamation to the Patron concerned.

Question No. 256 answered with Question No. 237.

Schools Building Projects Status

Questions (257)

Paschal Donohoe

Question:

257. Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a new school building (details supplied) in Dublin 7 will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15017/13]

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Written answers

The 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.

Teachers' Remuneration

Questions (258)

Jim Daly

Question:

258. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason he is seeking repayment of an allowance paid to a staff member given that his Department approved in writing the person's entitlement to the subject allowance on 25 September 2012. [15019/13]

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Written answers

The introduction of this new salary scale has been a complex task which has required a detailed implementation process. My Department, in consultation with VECs, is working through the operational aspects of these changes as they affect existing teachers and their pay.

The case of the person referred to by the Deputy is being examined. The person will be advised of the position in the near future.

Question No. 259 answered with Question No. 248.

Special Educational Needs Services Provision

Questions (260)

Finian McGrath

Question:

260. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills when his policy document on educating children with autism will be published in view of the time that has elapsed since the Ombudsman for Children made the recommendations. [15083/13]

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Written answers

The Deputy will be aware that policy can be expressed and manifested through a variety of forms. Explicitly, it is communicated via legislation, regulations, rulings, orders, plans, strategies, policy statements, and other forms – or through a combination of these. Therefore the Deputy will appreciate that specific policies and objectives are not always articulated in just one document.

However my Department is mindful that greater clarity would be useful for schools and parents and accordingly my Department is currently in the process of preparing a comprehensive statement of existing policy within the boundaries of one document. Naturally the new policy statement will not be exclusive. Policies are subject of necessity to change from time to time. Also, the new statement will neither alter nor add to existing policy. It will reflect the current policy in a coherent and articulate manner for the benefit of schools and parents.

My Department strives to ensure that a continuum of special education provision is available as required for children with special educational needs. In line with this approach the policy is to promote a child-centred approach to education of all children with special educational needs including those with autism. As each child with autism is unique they should have access to a range of different approaches to meet their individual needs.

Children with autism present with a wide range of needs. Some children are capable of being fully integrated into mainstream schools without additional teaching or care supports. Others are able to attend mainstream schools but need additional teaching and/or care assistance. Many are best enrolled in autism-specific classes where more intensive and supportive interventions are required. Some may move from one setting to another as they get older and differing needs/strengths/abilities emerge.

The preferred policy of my Department is that children with autism are educated in school settings where children may have access to individualised education programmes (IEPs), fully-qualified professional teachers, special needs assistants, the appropriate school curriculum with the option, where possible and appropriate, of full or partial integration and interaction with other pupils.

Autism classes are established with a staffing ratio of 1 teacher and a minimum of 2 Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) for every 6 children. Other SNAs may be allocated if required to meet the care needs of the children. Start-up grants are provided to the schools to enable special equipment to be purchased. Enhanced capitation is paid in respect of each child and assistive technology is funded where this is recommended.

This approach promotes the maximum level of inclusion which accords with the intent of the EPSEN Act. While some children may be able to attend a mainstream class, for others the most appropriate provision may be in a special class or unit in the school or in a special school.

My Department supports provision in mainstream schools, some 540 special classes for autism attached to mainstream and special schools and 18 special schools for children with autism throughout the State which cater for the educational needs of some 5,000 children with autism, all of which operate within the policy parameters.

This policy is based on advice received from international experts on autism, NEPS, the Inspectorate and the report of the Irish Task Force on Autism. My Department has satisfied itself that research does not support the exclusive usage of any one approach as a basis for national educational provision for children with autism. It is for this reason that my Department's preferred policy is for a child centred approach where the approach to be taken is based on the individual child's needs.

My Department continues to develop policy and programmes for children with special educational needs, including those with autism, and will continue to take relevant professional advice into account in this regard.

Teachers' Remuneration

Questions (261)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

261. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills in spite of written confirmation that a person (details supplied) will be paid on the old scale and will not be considered a new entrant, the person was told by his Department on a 25 January 2013, 0008/2013, circular that they will be paid as a new entrant; if he will confirm that the person is in fact to be paid on the old scale; the action he will take regarding newly qualified teachers in equally ambiguous situations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15087/13]

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Written answers

The introduction of this new salary scale has been a complex task which has required a detailed implementation process. My Department, in consultation with VECs, is working through the operational aspects of these changes as they affect existing teachers and their pay.

The case of the person referred to by the Deputy is being examined. The person will be advised of the position in the near future.

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