Written Answers Nos. 267-285
267. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider introducing a teacher exchange scheme for secondary school teachers to include those working within the vocational education committee system similar to that currently available to primary school teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18556/13]
View answer268. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the teacher exchange scheme which previously was available to secondary school teachers was discontinued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18563/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 267 and 268 together.
My Department currently operates a number of exchange or re-deployment schemes for teachers. At Primary level a teacher exchange scheme exists whereby a teacher may voluntarily exchange with a teacher in any other school. The minimum period for which an exchange may occur is one year and the maximum is five years.
Within the redeployment arrangements at primary level there is provision for the most junior surplus permanent/CID holding teacher due to be placed on the panel to seek to be replaced on the redeployment panel by an alternative permanent/CID holding teacher in the school interested in going on the redeployment panel. If more than one permanent/CID holding teacher applies to be placed on the redeployment panel in place of the most junior permanent/CID holding teacher, the Board of Management will consider all applications from permanent/CID holding teachers. Where a Board of Management decides that the most junior permanent/CID holding teacher can be replaced on the panel, it will determine which applicant senior permanent/CID holding teacher is to replace the most junior permanent/CID holding teacher. The final decision to admit a teacher to a panel rests with the Patron.
Redeployment arrangements for surplus post-primary teachers were introduced as part of the implementation of particular aspects of the Croke Park Agreement. The parties identified that voluntary movement, if provided for, could assist the operation of the main redeployment arrangements. A pilot voluntary redeployment scheme is currently in operation to assist in the redeployment of surplus permanent teachers in the Sligo area. This scheme is confined to schools in close proximity to the surplus schools in Sligo. This pilot scheme will operate only for redeployment in 2013.
The above schemes are agreed under the auspices of the Teachers' Conciliation Council, a body established in accordance with the terms of the Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme for Teachers. The Council is composed of representatives from Teachers, School Management, the Department of Education and Skills and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, chaired by an official of the Labour Relations Commission. Any proposals by any of the Education partners to expand the above schemes should, in the first instance, be raised at this Council.
269. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider altering the definition of a dependent student for the purposes of the student grant; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the definition in its current form leads to unfairness when those under the age of 23 years receive no financial support from their parents/legal guardians; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18564/13]
View answerFor student grants purposes, students are categorised according to their circumstances either as students dependent on parents or a legal guardian, or as independent mature students. A student may be assessed as an independent mature student if he/she has attained the age of 23 on the 1st of January of the year of first entry to an approved course or of re-entry following a break in studies of at least three years and is not ordinarily resident with his/her parents from the previous 1 October. Otherwise he/she would continue to be assessed on the basis of his/her parents' income.
In recognition of the fact that a student under 23 yeas of age can be estranged from his/her parents, it is possible under the student grant scheme, as an exceptional measure, for such a candidate to be assessed without reference to his/her parents/guardians income or address. However, compelling independent evidence of estrangement must be provided to the grant awarding authority to enable this. The type of independent evidence includes a letter from a social worker or other appropriate officer of the Health Service Executive explaining the circumstances of the estrangement. Confirmation that a candidate is living separately from his/her parents/guardians is not sufficient.
270. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of student grant applications to Student Universal Support Ireland that were refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18581/13]
View answerI understand from Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that, at close of business on 22nd April 2013, 19,462 applications had been refused. If an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a student grant, she/he may appeal, in the first instance, to their awarding body. Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down, in writing, by their awarding body, 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.
271. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of student grant applications that were appealed to Student Universal Support Ireland; the amount of those appeals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18582/13]
View answerI understand from Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that, at close of business on 22nd April 2013, 6,669 appeals had been received by SUSI and 164 of these are awaiting a decision from the appeals officer. SUSI aims to issue appeal determinations as promptly as possible and within the timeframe specified in the Student Support Act, 2011. Where an appeal is turned down in writing by SUSI, and the applicant 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 Grants Appeals Board.
272. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of student grant applications to Student Universal Support Ireland that are still awaiting payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18583/13]
View answerI understand from Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that, at close of business on 22nd April 2013, 1,099 students who have been awarded a grant have yet to receive payment as they have not yet entered their bank account details and/or the college has not yet confirmed their attendance. SUSI is continuing to make payments on a weekly basis to ensure students can get paid their grant as expeditiously as possible, once they have been awarded a grant.
273. Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Skills when funding will be made available for the development of the Gaelscoil in Clonmel, County Tipperary, now that planning permission has been granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18585/13]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that in 2011 my Department purchased a site, subject to the granting of planning permission, to construct a new school building for the school referred to by the Deputy. My officials consulted with the planning authority and planning permission has been recently granted for a 16 classroom school.
As the Deputy will be aware, in view of the need to ensure that every child has access to a school place, the delivery of major school projects to meet demographic demands nationally will be the main focus for capital investment in schools in the coming years. The five year programme is focused on meeting those demographic needs. The area in which the school, in question, is located has not been identified as an area of significant demographic growth. In that context, it has not been possible to advance all applications for capital funding concurrently.
All school building projects, including the project for the school in question, will continue to be advanced incrementally over time within the context of the funding available. However, in light of current competing demands on the Department's capital budget, it is not possible at this time to give an indicative timeframe for the construction of a new school building for the school.
274. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide details of any financial arrangement of either a capital or current spending nature, provided by the State to Kilkenny College as part of the move by that school from the fee charging to the non-fee charging school system. [18682/13]
View answerThe authorities of Kilkenny College indicated that they were considering that the long term future of the College might be better secured by entering the Free Scheme. The Government is committed to supporting access of minority denomination communities to schools that are of their tradition or ethos. The provision made by Kilkenny College caters for the needs of children from the Protestant community spread across several counties. Accordingly, I was happy to have officials of my Department work with the college authorities to work through a basis on which such a transfer would be feasible if that was their ultimate judgement.
The Deputy will appreciate that over the course of those detailed discussions the College authorities shared information in confidence with the Department and while I wish to respect that position at the same I do want to provide the Deputy with information on the arrangements made to assist and support the College through its transition.
Kilkenny College will cease to charge fees with effect from the start of school year in September next and as a result my Department will in future pay the salaries of a teacher for every 19 students attending the College. This compares with one teacher for every 21 students in fee charging schools at present and which will rise to one teacher for every 23 students in September 2013. My Department will also provide capitation and related funding to the College on the same basis as every other voluntary secondary school within the Free Education Scheme.
I approved specific transition arrangements in relation to the teaching staff employed by the College and also reviewed the level of exchequer funding approved by the Department for school building projects carried out by the College. The precise cost of additional exchequer expenditure in Kilkenny College will be a function later this year of the actual enrolment in the College as a school within the Free Scheme.
While the arrangements made in relation to Kilkenny College were specific to its circumstances and plans to enter the Free Scheme, I have made clear that my Department will engage constructively with any fee charging school that is considering how best to secure its future. On the basis of the analysis I published earlier this year on the income from fees available to fee charging schools I expect that a minority of the fee charging schools will wish to engage with my Department, as Kilkenny College did, in order to plan for the future.
275. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the new Politics and Society leaving certificate subject will be rolled out; if there are proposals for up-skilling existing teachers to teach the subject; the qualifications that will be required to teach the subject; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18688/13]
View answerA syllabus for Politics and Society as a new subject in the Leaving Certificate was submitted to my Department by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment in May 2011. The implementation issues are being examined at present in the context of overall system priorities and resources.
276. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the upcoming change in length from a one year to a two year course, of the Professional Diploma in Education; if he will indicate the way the new course will be structured; if he will detail fees for when the course changes from a one year to a two year cycle; if students will have to pay full fees in each year; the amount of those fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18689/13]
View answerThe Government is committed to improving the quality of education in Ireland. In relation to teaching, this agenda is being driven on a wide number of fronts, including through the work of the Teaching Council, the initial teacher education (ITE) providers, the national induction programme for newly qualified teachers and the provision of a range of continuing professional development services.
I support the changes to content and duration being made to initial teacher education programmes for post-primary teaching. These are in line with the aims of the National Literacy and Numeracy Strategy and aim to ensure that newly qualified teachers are better equipped for the needs of the modern day classroom. While the Teaching Council has set out guidelines and criteria for these programmes, provision in terms of structure and content will vary between providers as individual colleges have responsibility for implementing the changes in their own programmes. Generally, the setting of fees for postgraduate programmes of study, including post-primary teacher education programmes, is a matter for the institutes concerned.
277. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the delay with regard to a school building project in Edenderry, County Offaly; if he will ensure that every effort will be made to ensure that suitable accommodation is in place for the commencement of the school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18741/13]
View answerResponsibility for the delivery of the school referred to by the Deputy has been devolved to the Office of Public Works. The OPW have recently forwarded a tender report for this school project to the Department and the Department is currently, with the OPW, considering these documents. The school project is being progressed so that the accommodation required for the school will be provided at the earliest possible date within the Department's five year construction programme. My Department is in contact with the school to ensure that there is sufficient accommodation for September 2013.
278. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline the current status of the provision of foreign languages that exists across the Irish education system at primary, secondary and tertiary level; the efforts being made to improve language acquisition among Irish students, particularly in view of the strong demand among employers for multilingual graduates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18769/13]
View answerProvision for languages is spread out over the Irish education system. At primary level the focus is on acquisition of the two national languages, Irish and English. Beyond the primary level, the focus expands to include not only English and Irish but also other languages. Post-primary builds on the foundation established at primary level by offering not only English and Irish but also a range of foreign languages. French, German, Spanish, Italian at Junior Cycle with the addition of Russian, Japanese and Arabic at Leaving Cycle. Examinations are also offered in a number of other non-curricular EU languages for native language speakers from EU Member States. Candidates presented in some 16 EU languages for the Leaving Certificate in 2012.
The new Framework for Junior Cycle (2012) will support schools in fostering practical language-learning skills. It will give all students the opportunity to study at least one language in addition to Irish and English. Revised syllabuses of modern foreign languages are scheduled for implementation in 2016. Schools will also have the flexibility to offer short courses of 100 hours duration i.e. in a second language, including languages not currently offered in the junior cycle curriculum. The NCCA is currently developing a short course in Chinese, which will also be available to schools from 2014.
A Transition Year module in Chinese was launched last year, having already been piloted by over 20 schools across Ireland. For many years now, Japanese has been offered in a number of TY programmes, and has resulted in a follow-on uptake of Japanese to Leaving Certificate level, which in 2012 reached 239 students. In 2012, over 30,000 students sat a European language for the Leaving Certificate, including around 26,000 in French, 6,700 in German, 4,000 in Spanish and 700 in Polish, with smaller numbers taking other languages such as Italian, Japanese and Russian and Arabic. The Post-Primary Languages Initiative is broadening its remit to provide support for all teachers of modern foreign languages, through the provision of materials on its website. It was originally set up to offer support to schools who wished to introduce Spanish, Italian and Japanese and Russian.
Prospective students have access to a wide range of foreign language courses at third level that can be taken as core subjects or in combination with a range of other disciplines across business, the arts, the humanities and the sciences. A number of language programmes have also been selected for funding through the Springboard skills initiative which was launched in May 2011. Preliminary data from the HEA research on the provision of foreign languages indicates that some 9,000 third level students are studying a foreign language.
The EU's Erasmus initiative has played a key role in enhancing the language proficiency of Irish graduates. 28,000 Irish students have benefited from this programme over the past 25 years. Irish participation in Erasmus has risen significantly in recent years, including an 18% increase last year – the fourth highest growth in Europe. While the education system can make provision for language, it is for wider society, including enterprise and communities, to highlight the advantages that studying languages can bring.
279. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a decision on a home tuition grant will be made in repsect of a person (details supplied) [18772/13]
View answerAn incomplete application for home tuition for the pupil referred to by the Deputy was submitted to my Department. My officials have advised the parents in question on what is required to process the application further and await their reply.
280. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students who qualified for a student maintenance grant in each of the past five academic years, detailed by the level of award and the awarding authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18789/13]
View answerThe numbers of students (both new and renewal) who received student grants (which may include maintenance or fees) from the academic year 2007/08 to 2011/12 are as follows:
|
2007/08 = 54,666 |
|
2008/09 = 57,261 |
|
2009/10 = 69,486 |
|
2010/11 = 71,532 |
|
2011/12 = 76,644 |
These data are compiled from information supplied to my Department by the 66 grant awarding authorities. In addition, the information below details the breakdown of students in receipt of a grant for the 2011/12 academic year by level of award and grant awarding authority. The data for the earlier years are not available in the format requested by the Deputy.
The Deputy will appreciate that the figures are not yet available in respect of the 2012/13 academic year.
2011/12 Student Grants by Local Authority and Level of Grant
|
Local Authority |
A |
B |
C |
D |
E |
F |
G |
H |
I |
J |
K |
TOTAL |
|
Carlow Co. Co. |
267 |
11 |
17 |
11 |
93 |
3 |
5 |
0 |
39 |
21 |
8 |
475 |
|
Cavan Co. Co. |
506 |
22 |
23 |
21 |
8 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
41 |
0 |
7 |
628 |
|
Clare Co. Co. |
781 |
11 |
32 |
34 |
282 |
11 |
14 |
10 |
63 |
43 |
24 |
1,305 |
|
Cork City Co. |
128 |
2 |
5 |
2 |
653 |
20 |
41 |
32 |
125 |
39 |
13 |
1,060 |
|
Cork Co. Co. |
1,361 |
45 |
58 |
89 |
1,018 |
29 |
73 |
54 |
99 |
161 |
76 |
3,063 |
|
Donegal Co. Co. |
1,131 |
22 |
50 |
42 |
80 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
24 |
34 |
14 |
1,402 |
|
Dublin City Co. |
189 |
1 |
2 |
5 |
2,034 |
43 |
86 |
61 |
373 |
109 |
33 |
2,936 |
|
Dún Laoghaire Co. Co. |
63 |
3 |
4 |
2 |
705 |
16 |
36 |
35 |
92 |
46 |
9 |
1,011 |
|
South Dublin Co. Co. |
75 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
914 |
22 |
51 |
44 |
99 |
90 |
38 |
1,340 |
|
Fingal Co. Co. |
101 |
2 |
4 |
4 |
830 |
26 |
46 |
45 |
93 |
0 |
98 |
1,249 |
|
Galway Co. Co. |
1,209 |
32 |
48 |
42 |
1,201 |
29 |
47 |
36 |
285 |
108 |
51 |
3,088 |
|
Kerry Co. Co. |
1,136 |
22 |
60 |
33 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
114 |
1,372 |
|
Kildare Co. Co. |
502 |
10 |
18 |
10 |
626 |
19 |
29 |
31 |
150 |
66 |
27 |
1,488 |
|
Kilkenny Co. Co. |
825 |
21 |
34 |
16 |
40 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
11 |
6 |
6 |
961 |
|
Laois Co. Co. |
581 |
18 |
28 |
18 |
60 |
3 |
4 |
2 |
2 |
32 |
31 |
779 |
|
Leitrim Co. Co. |
332 |
14 |
11 |
15 |
10 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
14 |
17 |
3 |
417 |
|
Limerick Co. Co. |
476 |
9 |
17 |
30 |
385 |
15 |
21 |
21 |
118 |
2 |
40 |
1,134 |
|
Limerick City Co. |
71 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
306 |
4 |
12 |
10 |
70 |
12 |
18 |
505 |
|
Longford Co. Co. |
277 |
5 |
10 |
11 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
9 |
9 |
13 |
338 |
|
Louth Co. Co. |
716 |
16 |
30 |
25 |
182 |
6 |
9 |
5 |
130 |
5 |
11 |
1,135 |
|
Mayo Co. Co. |
1,238 |
28 |
68 |
47 |
53 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
38 |
50 |
47 |
1,571 |
|
Meath Co. Co. |
505 |
12 |
24 |
19 |
363 |
13 |
19 |
14 |
68 |
51 |
30 |
1,118 |
|
Monaghan Co. Co. |
487 |
10 |
16 |
8 |
12 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
11 |
28 |
10 |
586 |
|
Offaly Co. Co. |
393 |
14 |
28 |
24 |
14 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
25 |
2 |
7 |
508 |
|
Roscommon Co. Co. |
574 |
25 |
21 |
35 |
15 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
25 |
2 |
18 |
718 |
|
Sligo Co. Co. |
397 |
14 |
16 |
22 |
52 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
48 |
2 |
5 |
564 |
|
Tipperary NR Co. Co. |
372 |
8 |
10 |
19 |
105 |
1 |
1 |
5 |
21 |
37 |
20 |
599 |
|
Tipperary SR Co. Co. |
542 |
11 |
24 |
22 |
70 |
2 |
3 |
0 |
63 |
15 |
0 |
752 |
|
Waterford Co. Co. |
422 |
20 |
14 |
19 |
124 |
5 |
1 |
2 |
26 |
19 |
12 |
664 |
|
Waterford City Co. |
133 |
2 |
10 |
7 |
47 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
33 |
4 |
243 |
|
Westmeath Co. Co. |
647 |
17 |
25 |
20 |
22 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
45 |
3 |
9 |
789 |
|
Wexford Co. Co. |
841 |
21 |
47 |
29 |
19 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
83 |
20 |
1,063 |
|
Wicklow Co. Co. |
452 |
12 |
20 |
19 |
402 |
4 |
20 |
28 |
59 |
45 |
25 |
1,086 |
|
Totals |
17,730 |
461 |
778 |
704 |
10,729 |
279 |
531 |
449 |
2,268 |
1,177 |
841 |
35,947 |
|
Key |
|
|
NON-ADJACENT MAINTENANCE 100% |
A |
|
NON-ADJACENT MAINTENANCE 75% |
B |
|
NON-ADJACENT MAINTENANCE 50% |
C |
|
NON-ADJACENT MAINTENANCE 25% |
D |
|
ADJACENT MAINTENANCE 100% |
E |
|
ADJACENT MAINTENANCE 75% |
F |
|
ADJACENT MAINTENANCE 50% |
G |
|
ADJACENT MAINTENANCE 25% |
H |
|
100% Tuition Fees / 100% Student Contribution |
I |
|
50% Tuition Fees / 100% Student Contribution |
J |
|
50% Student Contribution |
K |
2011/12 Student Grants by VEC and Level of Grant
|
VEC |
A |
B |
C |
D |
E |
F |
G |
H |
I |
J |
K |
TOTAL |
|
Carlow VEC |
188 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
321 |
7 |
9 |
8 |
68 |
52 |
5 |
679 |
|
Cavan VEC |
669 |
21 |
22 |
18 |
258 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
16 |
64 |
11 |
1,086 |
|
Clare VEC |
524 |
7 |
14 |
18 |
459 |
10 |
15 |
13 |
67 |
91 |
15 |
1,233 |
|
Cork City VEC |
37 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
659 |
10 |
22 |
18 |
61 |
64 |
10 |
883 |
|
Cork Co VEC |
1,033 |
21 |
55 |
42 |
1,235 |
20 |
58 |
46 |
149 |
163 |
18 |
2,840 |
|
Donegal VEC |
993 |
15 |
27 |
16 |
789 |
11 |
18 |
6 |
102 |
295 |
16 |
2,288 |
|
Dublin City VEC |
111 |
0 |
5 |
1 |
1,685 |
32 |
53 |
46 |
257 |
220 |
34 |
2,444 |
|
Dublin Co VEC |
235 |
8 |
6 |
15 |
2,236 |
47 |
87 |
77 |
264 |
274 |
67 |
3,316 |
|
Dun Laoghaire VEC |
15 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
265 |
5 |
9 |
8 |
0 |
30 |
0 |
336 |
|
Galway City VEC |
118 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
364 |
3 |
5 |
5 |
57 |
90 |
4 |
652 |
|
Galway Co VEC |
667 |
14 |
22 |
32 |
383 |
15 |
14 |
18 |
3 |
135 |
62 |
1,365 |
|
Kerry VEC |
713 |
12 |
29 |
20 |
868 |
13 |
24 |
23 |
98 |
229 |
14 |
2,043 |
|
Kildare VEC |
450 |
7 |
18 |
19 |
635 |
8 |
20 |
19 |
0 |
102 |
118 |
1,396 |
|
Kilkenny VEC |
267 |
8 |
8 |
11 |
367 |
6 |
11 |
7 |
78 |
61 |
13 |
837 |
|
Laois VEC |
262 |
2 |
6 |
13 |
202 |
2 |
7 |
3 |
43 |
53 |
10 |
603 |
|
Leitrim VEC |
306 |
3 |
4 |
10 |
92 |
0 |
5 |
2 |
11 |
52 |
10 |
495 |
|
Limerick City VEC |
44 |
0 |
3 |
2 |
412 |
5 |
10 |
12 |
0 |
77 |
62 |
627 |
|
Limerick Co VEC |
349 |
7 |
14 |
14 |
491 |
10 |
33 |
15 |
74 |
60 |
18 |
1,085 |
|
Longford VEC |
281 |
10 |
13 |
5 |
158 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
24 |
79 |
4 |
578 |
|
Louth VEC |
260 |
8 |
9 |
2 |
799 |
13 |
26 |
18 |
33 |
135 |
13 |
1,316 |
|
Mayo VEC |
1,470 |
38 |
66 |
48 |
251 |
2 |
7 |
9 |
34 |
309 |
22 |
2,256 |
|
Meath VEC |
698 |
21 |
33 |
31 |
483 |
9 |
15 |
18 |
97 |
93 |
23 |
1,521 |
|
Monaghan VEC |
429 |
9 |
15 |
9 |
303 |
4 |
12 |
6 |
0 |
98 |
8 |
893 |
|
Offaly VEC |
476 |
5 |
20 |
14 |
264 |
3 |
5 |
8 |
35 |
106 |
13 |
949 |
|
Roscommon VEC |
512 |
9 |
23 |
18 |
117 |
2 |
5 |
4 |
38 |
69 |
11 |
808 |
|
Sligo VEC |
407 |
12 |
13 |
9 |
470 |
11 |
19 |
8 |
54 |
124 |
23 |
1,150 |
|
Tipp (NR) VEC |
378 |
6 |
18 |
11 |
275 |
5 |
11 |
7 |
54 |
68 |
12 |
845 |
|
Tipp (SR) VEC |
471 |
11 |
8 |
18 |
269 |
9 |
1 |
8 |
35 |
46 |
14 |
890 |
|
Waterford City VEC |
59 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
374 |
7 |
13 |
12 |
104 |
66 |
12 |
649 |
|
Waterford County VEC |
216 |
4 |
9 |
8 |
294 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
54 |
58 |
10 |
680 |
|
Westmeath VEC |
537 |
9 |
29 |
18 |
377 |
3 |
12 |
6 |
35 |
147 |
13 |
1,186 |
|
Wexford VEC |
803 |
17 |
31 |
30 |
537 |
7 |
12 |
10 |
134 |
91 |
29 |
1,701 |
|
Wicklow VEC |
352 |
7 |
16 |
5 |
525 |
5 |
19 |
18 |
49 |
52 |
19 |
1,067 |
|
VEC TOTALS |
14,330 |
301 |
548 |
470 |
17,217 |
297 |
569 |
471 |
2,128 |
3,653 |
713 |
40,697 |
|
Key |
|
|
NON-ADJACENT MAINTENANCE 100% |
A |
|
NON-ADJACENT MAINTENANCE 75% |
B |
|
NON-ADJACENT MAINTENANCE 50% |
C |
|
NON-ADJACENT MAINTENANCE 25% |
D |
|
ADJACENT MAINTENANCE 100% |
E |
|
ADJACENT MAINTENANCE 75% |
F |
|
ADJACENT MAINTENANCE 50% |
G |
|
ADJACENT MAINTENANCE 25% |
H |
|
100% Tuition Fees / 100% Student Contribution |
I |
|
50% Tuition Fees / 100% Student Contribution |
J |
|
50% Student Contribution |
K |
Total Number of Students in receipt of the Special Rate of Grant 2011/12 - 20,274*.
* The numbers of students in receipt of the special rate amount are included in the overall total of 76,644
281. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students enrolled in higher education; the number of grant applications received for the current academic year from students living in County Wicklow (details supplied); the number of successful applicants; the number of grants remaining to be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18790/13]
View answerThe number of students enrolled in higher education full-time undergraduate and postgraduate courses in HEA designated institutions in the 2011/12 academic year is some 162,786 students. Finalised data in relation to the 2012/13 academic year will not be available until late summer 2013 but provisional data as at the 1st November 2012 suggests that some 161,443 students were enrolled in higher education full-time undergraduate and postgraduate courses in HEA designated institutions at that point. This data has been provided to my Department by the Higher Education Authority (HEA).
The table below details the number of grant applications received in the 2012/13 academic year from students living in Wicklow by Student Universal Support Ireland, Wicklow VEC and Wicklow County Council, the number of awards and the number of students yet to be paid by the each of these awarding authorities. This data has been supplied to my Department by SUSI, Wicklow VEC and Wicklow County Council. The data supplied by SUSI is at point in time on the 16th April, 2013. The data supplied by Wicklow VEC and Wicklow County Council is as at close of business on the 5th April, 2013. SUSI is continuing to make payments on a weekly basis to ensure students can get paid their grant as expeditiously as possible, once they have been awarded a grant.
SUSI Applications - Processing position 16/04/13
|
Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) |
Number of New Applications |
Awarded |
Yet to Receive any Payment |
|
Co. Wicklow |
2,020 |
1080 |
62 |
Wicklow County Council - Processing Position as at week ending 5/4/2013
|
Wicklow Co. Co. |
Number of Renewals |
Awarded |
Yet to Receive any Payment |
|
|
689 |
634 |
7 |
Wicklow VEC - Processing Position as at week ending 5/4/2013
|
Wicklow VEC |
Number of Renewals |
Awarded |
Yet to Receive any Payment |
|
483 |
444 |
0# |
# This figure does not include payments to renewal students on level 6 and level 7 courses in the Institutes of Technology who are paid directly by the relevant institution.
282. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a breakdown of the total number of participants who have successfully completed a springboard programme; the success rate of programme participations in subsequently finding employment; the process in place to track the success of the initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18793/13]
View answerSpringboard, which was first launched in May 2011, strategically targets funding of free part-time higher education courses for unemployed people in areas where there are identified labour market skills shortages or employment opportunities. Springboard 2011 provided part-time higher education places for 4,956 unemployed people on 204 courses at certificate, degree and post graduate level. To date 2,460 participants have graduated from Springboard 2011 courses and 649 are continuing to a further year of study. 5,335 unemployed people have enrolled on 211 different higher education courses under the second phase of Springboard in 2012. Graduation data from Springboard 2012 will be available in the summer.
The evaluation framework for Springboard provides for ongoing monitoring and evaluation of outputs. A first stage evaluation report, which was published by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) in February 2012 and is available at www.hea.ie/en/node/1463, showed that Springboard has been very successful in reaching its target cohorts: 77% of participants were aged between 25 and 49, 60% had been out of work for more than 1 year and 20% had previously been employed in construction. A second stage evaluation report was published in February 2013 and is available at www.hea.ie/en/node/1514. It shows that 30% of Springboard participants were back in work within 6 weeks of completing a Springboard course and that 40% were back in work within 6 months of completion. Outcomes varied across programme areas and levels and by age and duration unemployed.
283. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will deal with a matter concerning a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18854/13]
View answerThe criteria used for the allocation of teaching posts to schools for the coming school year 2013/14 is set out in Circular 0013/2013, which is available on the Department website. These arrangements include the provision whereby schools experiencing rapid increases in enrolment can apply for additional permanent mainstream posts on developing grounds, using projected enrolment. Under the terms of Circular 0013/2013, Section 3, where a school is expanding the number of intake classes which would generate a new stream of pupils, the school must have received prior approval for such expansion from both the school patron and from the Planning and Building Unit of my Department.
The Forward Planning Section of my Department carried out an analysis on the catchment area in which the school referred to by the Deputy is included and concluded that there are sufficient primary school places in the catchment area to meet demand. As a result the school has been advised by the Planning and Building Unit that the staffing of the school should remain at Principal + 8 mainstream teachers and 2 special classes (ASD). The application for a post on developing grounds was refused on this basis.
284. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will investigate a student grant application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18860/13]
View answerMy officials understand from Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that the student referred to by the Deputy appealed the original decision to its Appeals Officer on 18th April , 2013. SUSI aims to issue appeal determinations as promptly as possible and within the specified timeframe specified in the Student Support Act, 2011.
285. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide in tabular form the number of civil/public servants under the remit of his Department who earn more than €500,000, between €400,000-€500,00, €300,000 - €250,000, €250,000 - €200,000, €200,000 - €150,000, €150,000 - €100,000, €100,000 - €80,000, €80,000 - €60,000, €60,000 - €40,000 and less than €30,000. [18867/13]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is not readily available on an up to date basis and I have asked my officials to compile the data and will provide it as soon as possible.
