Written Answers Nos. 130-140
131. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether a special education grant should be given for third level education to cover costs for sufferers of the unique narcolepsy disorder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23537/13]
View answerI can confirm for the Deputy that the Fund for Students with Disabilities provides support for students with disabilities, including those with narcolepsy, so that students can participate fully in further and higher education.
The Fund for Students with Disabilities is managed by the HEA on behalf of my Department. Typical supports for which funding is approved include assistive technology, academic or learning support and personal assistants. Students do not apply directly to the Fund; rather, funding is allocated to the institution on the student's behalf based on an assessment of the particular needs of the student.
The Student Assistance Fund is also available to third-level institutions to assist students in exceptional financial need.
The Disability Access Route (D.A.R.E) to education is a college and university admissions scheme which offers places on a reduced points basis to school leavers with disabilities. The scheme is operated by a number of higher education institutions. Admissions to the institutions under this programme are regulated by the institutions themselves. Further details are available at www.accesscollege.ie.
Additional information on the student grant, the Student Assistance Fund and the Fund for Students with Disabilities can be found at www.studentfinance.ie.
132. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills when stage 2B of the process in relation to the building of a new school (details supplied) will be complete; the reason for the delay with this stage of the project; when it is intended to go to tender with this school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23563/13]
View answerThe major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning. The Department is in receipt of the Stage 2(b) submission from the Design Team.
Following a review of the submission the Design Team were requested to review significant cost overruns. This work included the carrying out of additional site surveys.
An addendum to the report was recently received from the Design Team and is under review by my Department. Once this review is complete my Department will be in contact with the Design Team and the school authority regarding the further progression of the project.
133. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if special needs teaching arrangements will be made available in the case the child of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23582/13]
View answerThe 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 and Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.
All schools were advised to apply to the NCSE for resource teaching and SNA support for the 2013/14 school year by 15th March 2013. The NCSE are currently processing these applications and schools will be notified by SENOs of their resource teaching and SNA allocation for 2013/14 in advance of the coming school year, based on the number of valid applications received.
All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.
134. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the refusal of application for higher education grant will be reviewed in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23583/13]
View answerOfficials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland that, in the case of the student referred to by the Deputy, a grant has been refused and a letter outlining the position issued on the 9th May, 2013.
If an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a student grant, she/he may appeal, in the first instance, to 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, an appeal form outlining the position may be submitted by the applicant to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board.
135. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on the future use of Whitehall Garda station, Dublin, and the details of timelines and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23384/13]
View answerIn line with the Office of Public Works policy relating to the issue of surplus State Property, the first stage is to determine if another State Body has use for the asset.
A feasibility study is currently underway to examine the potential for two State Agencies to utilise the property. It is anticipated that this property will be in effective State use by the end of the year.
136. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will outline recent developments regarding works to take place this year at Kilmacurragh House and Botanic Gardens in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23432/13]
View answerWork in relation to the provision of new tea rooms at Kilmacurragh is progressing satisfactorily and a planning application will be submitted to Wicklow County Council shortly. It is expected that, following a tender competition, work will commence on site later this year with completion early in 2014.
137. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department incurred additional costs in 2012 for a site (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23434/13]
View answerEach year, prior to the Visitor Season on Skellig Michael, the Office of Public Works (OPW) carries out routine maintenance tasks on the Island to ensure that any damage to the Monument is assessed, any debris of winter storms is cleared away, the Island is made safe for workers and visitors and that the OPW accommodation on the island is readied for season use. In certain years, more work is required than normal.
The accommodation on Skellig Michael is designed for use by OPW maintenance and works staff, Guides, visiting personnel from other Agencies and bodies and occasional parties visiting for research or other sanctioned purposes. The relevant apportionment of the cost of this accommodation between the various users is not feasible.
The cost of essential pre-season works in 2012 was €10,523.54. This was higher than normal as a number of equipment and infrastructure items were also replaced.
138. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason the guide season at an Office of Public Work site (details supplied) in County Kerry was extended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23435/13]
View answerThe season at the site in question, Gallarus Oratory, has not been extended. The site was open to guided visitors form 31st May to 29th August in 2012 and the 2013 season will run from 30th May to 28th August. The opening and closing dates of Skellig Michael for visitors in 2013 will be 17th May to 30th September. In relation to extending the season at Skellig Michael, attempts have been made in previous years to extend the season into October. This has not proven to be successful due to weather conditions while also incurring the considerable costs associated with having a substantially extended visitor season.
As is normal, the effective operational date for Skellig Michael is required to be approx 2 to 3 weeks in advance of the public opening with Office of Public Works staff travelling to the island early, weather permitting. This is so that the site can be prepared to receive visitors and significant Health and Safety preparations for the season carried out. In particular, the site is fully assessed after the winter, any hazards cleared from the steps and other public areas and any necessary minor repairs carried out. Given these requirements it is not possible to present the site to the public any earlier than 17th May.
139. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the level of expenditure budgeted for in 2013 in respect of an item (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23436/13]
View answerThe Office of Public Works has provided for a budget of €17,000 approx. in respect of guide services at Gallarus Oratory, Co. Kerry, in 2013.
140. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he plans to approve a community project proposal (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23437/13]
View answerI am delighted to inform you that I yesterday launched an initiative called 'Friends of Irish Heritage', inviting submissions from local and community groups and local authorities that have an interest in becoming involved in our built heritage. This is an ongoing development from last year’s Community Involvement Initiative and I am again asking communities to come forward with their ideas to the Commissioners of Public Works about how to present their local sites in this, the year of the Gathering. Proposals from groups that did not proceed last year, such as the proposal in question, are more than welcome and I anticipate that many groups will have worked to recast proposals and overcome obstacles to the progression of the projects. I believe that the group in question have not communicated with the Commissioners since September 2012 and I encourage them to renew contact with my officials as soon as possible.
