Written Answers Nos. 281-303
281. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that funding has not been as yet been secured for further education of students completing their education at scools (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22774/13]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that Special Schools funded by my Department are intended to cater for children and young persons with special educational needs from 4 years until the end of the school year in which they reach their 18th year. At that point, the Department of Health/Health Service Executive assumes direct responsibility for young adults with special educational needs who are over 18 years. My Department, at that stage, may allocate resources towards an education component of such provision.
Special Schools may make an application to my Department to retain pupils over the age of 18 who are pursuing courses leading to accreditation at level 3 or above of the National Qualifications Framework (Junior Certificate/Leaving Certificate Applied/FETAC 3); for one additional year, in order to complete these courses. Special schools have been invited to make any such applications to my Department in respect of any pupils fulfilling these criteria who they wish to retain for the coming school year.
282. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a decision will be made on a grant appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon; the reason for the delay; the reason for the failure of Student Universal Support Ireland to respond to correspondence on this appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22776/13]
View answerOfficials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that the student referred to by the Deputy has had his application reviewed and was issued with a decision that he was eligible for 50% fees on the 1st March 2013.
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.
283. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of personnel in whole-time equivalent terms in his Department and in bodies under the aegis of his Department in each of the following earnings brackets: less than €20,000, €20,001 to €30,000, €30,001 to €40,000, €40,001 to €50,000, €50,001 to €60,000, €60,001 to €70,000, €70,001 to €80,000, €80,001 to €90,000, €90,001 to €100,000, €100,000 to €125,000, €125,001 to €150,000, €150,001 to €175,000, €175,001 to €200,000, €200,001 to €250,000, €250,001 to €300,000, €300,001 to €350,000, €350,001 to €400,000, €400,001 to €450,000, €450,001 to €500,000, and more than €500,000. [22787/13]
View answerPublic sector numbers returns are made on a quarterly basis. As at 31 March 2013 (end Q1 2013) there were 93,624 whole-time equivalent staff employed in the Education sector. This figure includes civil servants and staff employed in NCSAs (Non commercial state agencies) that come under the aegis of the Department of Education and Skills. The table provides details requested by the Deputy of the whole-time equivalent earnings of staff in the Education sector.
|
Whole-time equivalent Salary Ranges € |
Number of whole-time equivalent staff |
|
Under €25,000 |
3,623 |
|
€25,001- €30,000 |
5,141 |
|
€30,001- €40,000 |
14,015 |
|
€40,001- €50,000 |
20,227 |
|
€50,001 - €60,000 |
19,488 |
|
€60,001 - €70,000 |
14,935 |
|
€70,001 - €80,000 |
8,022 |
|
€80,001 - €90,000 |
5,148 |
|
€90,001 - €100,000 |
1,500 |
|
€100,001 - €125,000 |
908 |
|
€125,001 - €150,000 |
486 |
|
€150,001 - €200,000 |
76 |
|
€200,001 - €250,000 |
54 |
|
€250,001 - €300,000 |
1 |
|
Over €300,000 |
0 |
|
Total |
93,624 |
284. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a determination will be made on a grant application in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22821/13]
View answerOfficials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland that requested documentation was not furnished within the timeframe set out in a communication with the applicant. The applicant referred to by the Deputy was issued with a decision on the 2/5/2013 advising her that she was ineligible to receive a grant and her application was cancelled. If an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a student grant, she/he may appeal, in the first instance, to the appeals officer in 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.
285. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if consideration has been given to an application for emergency works funding in respect of roof repairs for a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary; if funding will be granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22827/13]
View answerMy Department has no record of having received an application for funding for roof repairs under the Emergency Works Scheme from the school in question. Should an application be received it will be assessed and the school authorities will be notified of the outcome.
286. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will investigate allegations of malpractice as raised from a case (details supplied). [22829/13]
View answerMy Department does not accept the allegations made regarding redeployment panels. The core function of the redeployment panels at primary level is to enable the redeployment of teachers who are surplus in one school to another school that has a vacancy. Under the panel arrangements, the most junior eligible permanent teacher in a school with surplus teaching staff is placed on the panel for redeployment to another school. Responsibility for running schools on a day-to-day basis is devolved from the patron to the board of management and this was statutorily underpinned by Section 14 of the Education Act 1998.
Section 24 of the Education Act 1998 provides that the appointment, suspension and dismissal of teachers are the responsibility of boards of management.
Under Circulars 59/2009 (VEC schools) and 60/2009 (all other schools) procedures were agreed relating to both professional competence issues and procedures relating to work, conduct and matters other than professional competence. This agreement was made under the terms of Towards 2016 and the procedures were issued in September 2009.
The procedures serve a dual purpose in that they provide a framework which enables schools to maintain satisfactory standards, and for teachers and principals to have access to procedures whereby alleged failures to comply with these standards may be fairly and sensitively addressed.
Matters of professional competence are dealt with through a process which allows for informal counselling and the use of internal and external supports such as the Employee Assistance Service and relevant educational support services. Only when the informal procedures are unsuccessful in addressing professional competence issues are the formal stages invoked which may at the end of the process have recourse to disciplinary action (up to and including dismissal).
Matters of conduct follow a similarly staged procedure. However, in the cases of serious misconduct at work or a threat to health and safety to children or other personnel in the school the stages outlined above do not normally apply and a teacher may be dismissed without recourse to the previous stages. A teacher may also be placed on administrative leave on full pay pending an investigation and the conclusion of any appeal process.
287. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to any issues arising where an English company will not accept a FÁS safe pass card; if the FÁS safe pass card is recognised in Britain; if there is an agreement in place with Britain or other EU member states to allow for mutual recognition of FÁS safe pass cards in respect of health and safety awareness training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22836/13]
View answerI understand that FÁS have an agreement for mutual recognition of the FAS Safe Pass Health and Safety Awareness Training Programme with the CSR Health and Safety Awareness Training Programme in Northern Ireland. Following this agreement the CSR (NI) registration cards are recognised as equivalent to the FÁS Safe Pass registration card.
There was also an agreement in place between FÁS and Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) in the UK to recognise safety awareness registration cards. However, as of March 2013, the CITB UK have withdrawn this agreement, which they are entitled to do.
I am informed that safety awareness training is not regulated under UK legislation. Although a person is required to be competent and qualified it is not a requirement to hold a specified qualification or registration card. Each individual employer must ensure the competence of their workers and therefore they can accept the FÁS Safe Pass registration card as proof of safety awareness training provided they are satisfied that it is sufficient.
289. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills the individual amount of overtime paid in the case of each political/Ministerial appointee for the period 2007 to date in 2013 relative to his office and the office of the Minister of State; if such payments were made to the Secretary General and advisors, and if so, the amounts for the same period. [22873/13]
View answerDetails of overtime payments made by my Department in respect of political/Ministerial appointees for the period 2007 to date are set out as follows. Overtime is not paid to officials or staff at the Grade of Secretary General or Ministerial Adviser.
|
- |
Political/Ministerial Appointee |
2007 |
2008 |
Overtime 2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
|
Minister: |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Many Hanafin |
Paula Power Personal Assistant |
1611.58 |
2177.9 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Ruairi Quinn |
Neil Ward Personal Assistant |
- |
- |
- |
- |
4765.64 |
8206.05 |
3269.4 |
|
- |
Ian O Mara Personal Secretary |
- |
- |
- |
- |
3300.06 |
6879.16 |
3456 |
|
Ruairi Quinn |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Sean Haughey |
Catherine Ward Personal Assistant |
3626.62 |
3821.53 |
3981.3 |
4368.71 |
2495.58 |
- |
- |
|
- |
Claire Turvey Personal Secretary |
4993.09 |
1919.67 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
- |
Niall Haughey Personal Secretary |
- |
- |
3239.68 |
5593.1 |
2422.8 |
- |
- |
290. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the new school building for a school (details supplied) will be fully accessible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22999/13]
View answerIt is the standard design philosophy of my Department that all new facilities are laid out to cater for persons with varying degrees of physical ability and they must not be disadvantaged by design limitations. Accordingly, access for all must be provided in all new buildings and must be in accordance with current building regulations.
291. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the review of an application in respect of emergency funding for a school (details supplied) in County Galway will be decided in view of the urgent need for these works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23002/13]
View answerThe management authorities of the school referred to by the Deputy recently submitted an appeal in relation to an application for funding under my Department's Emergency Works Scheme to replace windows at their school. This application is currently being assessed and when completed the school authorities will be notified of the outcome.
292. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department has now completed the acquisition of land for a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23010/13]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware my Department sought the assistance of, and is working closely with, Kildare County Council in relation to the identification and acquisition of a site for the provision of permanent accommodation for the school to which he refers.
I can advise the Deputy that a suitable site has been identified. While negotiations are at an advanced stage with the relevant landowner, an acquisition has not yet been completed.
293. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will take immediate action to provide improved accommodation for a school (details supplied) in County Kildare or, if it is his intention to provide a new school at this location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23027/13]
View answerI am pleased to advise the Deputy that my Department recently approved funding to the school to which he refers to construct two mainstream classrooms and resource rooms.
Earlier this year, my officials met with the school's representatives in the context of the school's long term accommodation needs. The school undertook to consider the projected enrolment numbers for the area and revert to my Department. Following receipt and consideration of this data, my Department can then consider the optimum means of addressing the primary school accommodation needs for the area. The timing of when a building project can be advanced will be taken in the context of the prevailing financial situation and other priority projects as outlined in the Five Year Construction Plan.
295. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding issues with autism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23041/13]
View answerMy officials have been engaged over a prolonged period in dealing with extensive communication from the correspondent to whom the Deputy refers. This correspondence has outlined in detail my Department's policy on the education of children with autism.
My officials are currently in the process of preparing a comprehensive statement of existing policy on autism within the boundaries of one document. 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. This process is ongoing and the correspondent in question will be advised accordingly. Furthermore, no misleading information has been provided to the Public Accounts Committee.
296. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will ensure that no changes will occur to the way fee paying schools are funded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23042/13]
View answerThe salaries of teachers employed within the approved annual staffing allocation for fee charging schools by my Department are paid by the State; an arrangement that pre-dates the introduction of the Free Education scheme and which exists since the foundation of the State. The estimated cost of these posts is in the order of €100m. The Deputy will be aware that in the context of the Budget 2013, I made a further one point change to the staffing allocation of fee charging schools from September 2013. Given the extremely difficult economic circumstances that this country is facing and the fact that every Department has to find considerable cost-savings, all expenditure must be examined to see if cost-savings can be found. The Deputy will appreciate that I cannot at this stage anticipate any specific decisions the Government may take in respect of the next budget.
297. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of applicants for third level education grants from County Kerry; the number of students that have been paid grants and college fees to date; the number that were refused; the up to date position regarding the number of students who sought to appeal and were accepted as valid appeals; the number of students that have been requested to supply further information on their claim to proceed or to confirm that they are still seeking a grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23044/13]
View answerI understand from Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that, as at close of business on 13th May 2013, it had received 2,557 student grant applications for Co. Kerry, for attendance at both further and higher education.
The information in relation to the number of students that have been paid grants and college fees to date for Co. Kerry is not currently available, however, some 1,548 students have been awarded a grant. The information will be made available to the Deputy shortly.
Some 991 applications from Co. Kerry have been refused or cancelled. There are 8 applications currently with SUSI for processing. 10 applications are awaiting further documentation from the student. These students are being contacted by SUSI as part of their close out strategy for applications for the 2012/13 academic year to confirm that they are still seeking a grant. Some 255 appeals have been received by SUSI to date from Co. Kerry.
298. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he approves of the use of a restraint method Figure of Four and TMAV technique as an intervention for children with autism who have toileting or self-harming issues; if his attention has been drawn to any school that provides education for children with autism where this method is being employed; if there is documentation on the numbers of children, the duration of use and the outcomes for the children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23057/13]
View answerThe restraint method to which the Deputy has referred has not been brought the attention of my Department. The Special Education Support Service of my Department provides training in the use of certain methodologies in managing behaviours. The models which are utilised by the SESS are in line with the models identified by the British Institute of Learning Disabilities (BILD). If the Deputy has concerns or information about any practice in a school which, in his view, constitutes a risk or threat to the safety, health or wellbeing of any pupil, he should, in the first instance bring such information to the attention of the HSE. In addition, I would welcome any further information from the Deputy in relation to this model and any school in which it is being operated whether or not such concerns exist.
299. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will clarify his comments made regarding the cutting of child benefit; if he will make his intentions clear with regards to the future of child benefit; if child benefit will be cut in order to fund additional free pre-school care; if he will clarify the current status of these proposals and if costings have been undertaken; if his attention has been drawn to the distress, fear and upset being caused as a result of these reports; if his attention has been drawn to the importance of child benefit in assisting families in keeping their heads above water; if he will give an assurance that child benefit will not be cut any further; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23067/13]
View answerThe intention of my comments was to raise a debate on how, in the current fiscal climate, an extension of the universal free pre-school year might be financed. There are no decisions or proposals on the table regarding cuts in child benefit.
Research shows that high quality pre-school education delivers lasting benefits in terms of better academic attainment and socio-behavioural outcomes, particularly for children from minority groups and low-income families. The evidence is that it can help close the gap in social development and literacy and numeracy achievement between children from socially advantaged and disadvantaged backgrounds.
Based on this, I declared my support in principle for an extension of the universal free pre-school year. However, I also acknowledged that, given the current fiscal climate, it would be necessary to consider how such an expansion could be financed and called for a debate on how this might be done.
In the interim, I believe we could, at a much smaller cost, transform the quality of education being delivered under the free pre-school year. Research evidence shows that just attending pre-school predicts improved educational attainment by the age of 14. However, the research also indicates that the quality of that pre-school education is a further predictor of the levels of attainment children can reach by the same age.
I believe that, in a short period and with limited additional resources, we could put in place the frameworks and supports needed to up-skill our pre-school leaders and assistants, review and develop the mandatory system of inspections for all pre-school settings, and fully implement the Aistear curriculum framework in pre-schools.
In the meantime, it is worth noting that this Government has continued to fulfil the Programme for Government commitment to protect the existing year of free pre-school.
300. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding a submission from Beaufort Community Council, County Kerry, with regard to proposals that they have for the Garda station which is now closed in supporting their proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22208/13]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW) is assessing the management issues arising in respect of all the recently closed Garda Stations including Beaufort. The office is engaged in determining alternate state use, potential disposal and addressing temporary constraints relating to some individual properties.
Community involvement will be considered subject to the receipt of an appropriate social / community case which will be included in a Business Case. The relevant Business Case will also need to demonstrate the competence to insure, maintain and manage the State property for the duration of the licence.
The OPW will consider the proposal received from Beaufort Community Council in the context of the above and will contact the community group in the near future to discuss the matter.
301. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform following the rejection of Croke Park two if retirement grades will still apply to serving civil servants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22402/13]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, following public servants non-acceptance of the measures proposed by the Labour Relations Commission, the Government has requested the CEO of the LRC to make contact with the parties to establish whether or not there is a basis for a negotiated agreement to meet budgetary targets. The Government will reflect on the outcome of this process before coming to conclusions on how to secure the required level of savings from public service pay and pensions.
302. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason a more expensive contract was awarded to a company (details supplied); if he will detail the method by which the prices tendered by competing companies are aggregated for the purposes of scoring the price section of a tender. [22413/13]
View answerIn July 2012, the NPS advertised an open competition for the Supply of Custom Envelopes on the eTenders website, which detailed a range of envelopes that were the most commonly purchased by public bodies. This Request For Tender (RFT) also outlined the qualifying criteria for specific paper quality and sizes, nationwide delivery to hundreds of different public bodies, provision of a dedicated website and various environmental conditions.
In addition to the criteria above, any interested parties were invited to tender their bestprices for the full range of these contract envelopes. Following a full evaluation of all the tenders received, the contract was awarded to Koverto Envelopes Ireland Limited, and not the company named by the Deputy in this Parliamentary Question, as they offered the most economically advantageous tender which included the lowest prices. The prices offered by Koverto Envelopes Ireland Limited were significantly lower than those offered by Trimfold Envelopes.
The method by which the prices tendered were scored was fully explained in the Section 3.3.2.4 of the RFT:
“Tenderers must submit one cost for each item in all the Pricing Quantity Columns in the pricing schedules B1, B2 and B3; in addition to the Paper Specification spreadsheet contained in Appendix 2. Failure to complete all of these spreadsheets will be deemed a fail. All Pricing Quantity Columns in Schedules B1, B2 and B3 will be totalled to give the overall tendered cost for the items.
This methodology for evaluating the prices submitted has been used by the NPS many times in the past and is clearly laid out in the RFT. There were no questions raised about its use in this competition by any of the tenderers. It was only after Trimfold Envelopes failed to win the competition, and launched an unsuccessful High Court challenge to the result that any issue was raised about this method.
303. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of personnel in whole-time equivalent terms in his Department and in bodies under the aegis of his Department in each of the following earnings brackets: less than €20,000, €20,001 to €30,000, €30,001 to €40,000, €40,001 to €50,000, €50,001 to €60,000, €60,001 to €70,000, €70,001 to €80,000, €80,001 to €90,000, €90,001 to €100,000, €100,000 to €125,000, €125,001 to €150,000, €150,001 to €175,000, €175,001 to €200,000, €200,001 to €250,000, €250,001 to €300,000, €300,001 to €350,000, €350,001 to €400,000, €400,001 to €450,000, €450,001 to €500,000, and more than €500,000. [22794/13]
View answerIn response to the Deputy’s question there are seven organisations within the Public Expenditure Vote Group including the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Office of Public Works, Public Appointments Service, Ombudsman, Valuation Office, State Laboratory and the new Shared Services.
Because of the way the information is compiled the initial earning brackets can only begin from zero to €20,000 and then from €20,000 to €40,000. The following table outlines the number of Civil and Public Servants under the remit of my Department at end March 2013 and their respective earnings.
|
Earning Bracket |
Public Expenditure & Reform |
Office of Public Works |
Shared Services |
Public Appointments Service |
Ombudsman |
Valuation Office |
State Laboratory |
|
Less than €20,000 |
8 |
42 |
31 |
5 |
- |
- |
2 |
|
Less than €40,000 |
66 |
1,370 |
64 |
39 |
31 |
27 |
18 |
|
€40,000 - €60,000 |
119 |
406 |
27 |
30 |
23 |
71 |
30 |
|
€60,000 - €80,000 |
48 |
92 |
2 |
4 |
20 |
21 |
28 |
|
€80,000 - €100,000 |
61 |
63 |
1 |
5 |
13 |
10 |
6 |
|
€100,000 - €150,000 |
24 |
7 |
- |
3 |
4 |
2 |
- |
|
€150,000 - €200,000 |
2 |
2 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Total |
328 |
1,982 |
125 |
86 |
91 |
131 |
84 |
I have no staff earning more than €200,000.
