Written Answers Nos. 1 - 57
53. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which studies have been carried out to determine the educational skills and requirements needed to meet demands in the modern workplace; the extent to which such skills are adequately available in this jurisdiction; his plans, if any, to address any shortcomings in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25455/13]
View answerThe policy basis which informs my Department's education and training provision includes the National Skills Strategy, the Strategy for Science Technology and Innovation, the Report of the Task Force on Innovation, the National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030, the Action Plan for Jobs and Pathways to Work. In addition to the wide range of cross-cutting policy structures and forums for engagement on enterprise skills needs, such as the National Competitiveness Council and the Innovation Task Force, direct advice from enterprise informs the development of education and training policy on an ongoing basis. The FÁS Strategic Labour Market Unit and Expert Group on Future Skills Needs inform the selection of new targeted programmes designed to tackle the skills shortages in particular elements of the economy, e.g. Springboard, Momentum and the ICT skills conversion initiative, which was introduced as part of the ICT Action Plan.
54. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on the status of proposed higher education reforms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25475/13]
View answerFollowing completion of the Landscape process initiated by the HEA in 2012, I recently received the formal advice from the Authority on the re-configuration of the higher education system, including proposals for inter-institutional collaboration and system governance. I have discussed the advice with my colleagues in Government this morning and I will be publishing this advice and formally responding to the Authority in the coming days.
55. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of requests his Department has had from secondary schools for additional career guidance allocations; the number of such requests granted by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25507/13]
View answerMy Department has no budgetary provision for dealing with requests from schools for additional career guidance allocations nor are such requests generally made by schools. As part of existing arrangements short-term support is provided to schools that are dealing with particularly acute incidents that arise due to tragic accidents, bereavements etc. Short term support has been allocated to 5 schools in such circumstances in the current school year. It is important to note that the provision of guidance in schools is a whole school activity. Since the start of the current school year guidance provision is delivered from within each school's standard staffing allocation. I have already acknowledged to the House that bringing guidance within quota is challenging for schools. However the alternative was to adjust the PTR staffing allocations. The budget decision sheltered the impact for all DEIS post-primary schools by improving their standard staffing allocations.
56. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to include capital assets in assessing maintenance grant eligibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25486/13]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that, following agreement in principle by the Government to broaden the current means testing arrangements for student grants by way of inclusion of the value of capital assets, I set up a dedicated implementation group to bring forward detailed proposals. I have received a draft report from the implementation group. This is currently under consideration and I will be consulting further with my cabinet colleagues.
57. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on his efforts on changing the patronage of some primary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25495/13]
View answerI know that the Deputy is aware that I recently wrote to the Catholic Patrons in 23 areas where parental demand for change has been confirmed through parental survey outcomes. The Deputy will also be aware that the purpose of my letter was to ask the Patrons to consider options for reconfiguring their schools to allow the transfer of a school to a new patron. I requested an interim response to my request within three months and a final response with detailed proposals on divesting schools within six months. The Deputy will also know that earlier surveys had been conducted in five pilot areas and, as a result, options for change are also being considered by the Patrons in respect of these.
