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Tuesday, 11 Jun 2013

Written Answers Nos. 262-278

Schools Building Projects Status

Questions (263)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

263. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will further examine the case of a school (details supplied) in County Donegal, which has been taken off the schools' capital buildings programme in view of his previous commitments to do so; the outcome of this re-examination; if he considers that the construction of a new school on the site identified by the Department as a priority in view of the current health and safety concerns brought to his attention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26994/13]

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Written answers

A new school is proposed to meet the long term accommodation needs of the school in question. A site has been acquired for this purpose and a building project will be progressed through the various stages of the architectural planning process. As the Deputy however is aware, my Department's over-riding objective is to ensure that every child has access to a physical school place and that our school system is in a position to cope with increasing pupil numbers. To ensure that this is achieved, the delivery of major school projects to meet significant demographic demands nationally will be the main focus for capital investment in schools in the coming years. The Five Year Construction Plan that I announced in March 2012 is focused on meeting those demographic needs. School building projects such as the school referred to by the Deputy, that are not included in the 5 year construction programme, will be advanced to final planning stages in anticipation of further funds being available to my Department in future years. Information in respect of the current status of all assessed applications for major capital works is available on my Department's website which is updated regularly throughout the year.

Schools Building Projects Status

Questions (264)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

264. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide details of his Department’s assessment of the suitability of the site proposed for a school (details supplied) in County Wicklow. [27002/13]

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Written answers

As the Deputy will be aware, my Department has been seeking to acquire land for the delivery of school accommodation for the provision of both a Gaelscoil and Gaelcoláiste in Arklow for some time. My officials have worked with officials from Wicklow County Council in identifying suitable land in Arklow. Wicklow County Council identified a number of potentially suitable sites which were jointly assessed. A number of options were examined. However, due to unsuitability, lack of access, or the fact that the sites could not be acquired for market rates, various potential sites were ruled out. I can confirm that a suitable site, which meets my Department's requirements as set out in its Technical Guidance Documents, was identified. These guidelines set out a range of issues to be considered in assessing sites such as ground conditions, site size, access etc. The site identified is zoned for education provision under Arklow Town and Environs Development Plan 2011 – 2017. Negotiations were conducted with the landowner and agreement has been reached. The development of the school campus will include the delivery of two school buildings and the development of the required infrastructure. This will allow both schools to leave their current temporary locations and move to a permanent site.

Special Educational Needs Staffing

Questions (265)

Arthur Spring

Question:

265. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Education and Skills the special needs assistant/pupil ratio in the special schools in counties Limerick, Kerry and Cork. [26988/13]

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Written answers

I wish to advise the Deputy that the NCSE, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports, including the allocation of Special Needs Assistants to schools. The NCSE operates within my Department's established criteria for the allocation of Special Education supports and the staffing resources available to my Department. The NCSE allocates a quantum of SNA support for each school annually taking into account the care needs of all of the qualifying children enrolled in the school, and on the basis of the assessed care needs of the children, rather than solely by reference to the type of school, or the pupil's disability categorisation. Information regarding the number of SNAs approved in special schools for the current school year in each county, including counties Limerick, Kerry and Cork, is available on the NCSE website www.ncse.ie 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.

Special Educational Needs Services Provision

Questions (266)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

266. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 103 of 28 March 2013, the reason training and supervision in ABA is optional for the teachers of children with autism and is not obligatory, as recommended in the Special Education Support Service: Information on Autism document. [26989/13]

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Written answers

As I previously advised the Deputy, my Department provides for a comprehensive system of continuing professional development (CPD) for teachers in the area of special educational needs including teachers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Central to this is the Special Education Support Service (SESS). 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 the preferred policy is for a child centred approach based on the individual child's needs. This approach is supported by ongoing monitoring of educational objectives to determine whether a child is benefiting from a particular intervention or range of interventions and to allow for appropriate adjustment to objectives and strategies. Reflective of the important role of CPD, my Department, through SESS, has put in place a training programme for teachers in a number of autism-specific interventions including Treatment and Education of Autistic Communication Handicapped Children (TEACCH) and Picture Exchange Communications System (PECS). The document referred to by the Deputy relates to information compiled in 2004 by SESS at a time when teachers and schools were seeking information and greater clarity around Autism. The reference to supervised training was included in a section of the document which sought to explain Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) as one of two main approaches at that time.

My Department is conscious of the need to adapt existing policies and to develop new policies as new research or learning becomes available. The National Council for Special Education has a formal role under Section 20.1(j) of EPSEN to advise the Minister 'in relation to any matter relating to the education of children and others with disabilities'. I have now requested the NCSE to prepare Policy Advice on the Educational Provision for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. The NCSE have commissioned research which will not be finalised until mid to late 2014 and I expect that this research will inform much of the work in preparing the policy advice. Accordingly it is not expected that the report will be finalised until early 2015.

Schools Building Projects Expenditure

Questions (267)

Billy Timmins

Question:

267. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a school (details supplied) in County Wicklow. [27015/13]

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Written answers

As the Deputy will be aware a new 3 classroom school building was constructed in 2010 for the school to which he refers using public funds. At the time, payment of a local contribution of €63,000 was required for projects of this nature. My Department has been in discussion with the school authority regarding payment of this local contribution and finalisation of the relevant account. The options available to the school authority are to pay the local contribution of €63,000 or alternatively to transfer the ownership of the current school site and building to me. The school authority is currently considering these options and a response is awaited.

Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Questions (268)

Michael Lowry

Question:

268. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will confirm the number of student grant applications submitted to SUSI that have been deemed ineligible as they have not been completed within the time frame set out; if he will confirm the number of student grant applications in County Tipperary rejected for the same reasons; if he will concede that the delay in many of these cases was caused by SUSI rather than the applicant; his views on whether this rejection is fair; if he will immediately re-open these applications without forcing students to appeal in view of the delays in the SUSI system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26997/13]

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Written answers

Since December 2012, SUSI have engaged in a number of proactive campaigns by telephone, email and post encouraging applicants to provide the information necessary to finalise their applications. In addition, I am informed by Student Universal Support Ireland that a structured close out campaign of incomplete applications has been in place since January 2013. This close out campaign involved direct contact by SUSI with applicants by post, e-mail and telephone requesting the return of required supporting documentation for SUSI to complete their assessment. SUSI have confimed that some 9,730 applications have been refused as they failed to return the requested documentation within the specified timeframes. Of these, 361 applications are student grant applications from County Tipperary. The Deputy will appreciate that in order to prepare the system for 2013/14 applications it was necessary to engage in a close out strategy for the 2012/13 academic year. As part of the strategy SUSI contacted all applicants who had not completed their application by submitting the required documentation and provided these students with a final opportunity to submit the documentation so that applications for 2012/13 could be closed out. Support for students to complete their application was also put in place. If an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a student grant, or that the rate of grant awarded is not the correct one, 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 SUSI has not interpreted the scheme correctly in his/her case, an appeal form outlining the position may be submitted by the applicant to the Student Grant Appeals Board. The relevant appeal form will be available on request from SUSI.

Student Grant Scheme Administration

Questions (269)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

269. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the difficulties being experienced by students trying to access information on third level grants; the reason they are being re-directed from the Students Universal Support Ireland website to studentfinance.ie which has only general information and nothing about specific course applications and when will the SUSI website be fully operational. [27028/13]

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Written answers

I am informed by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that the online grant application system for the 2013/14 academic year went live via the www.studentfinance.ie website on 20th May, 2013.

Studentfinance.ie has operated as the gateway to the online grant application system administered by SUSI since 2012. The studentfinance site has been fully updated for the launch by SUSI of student grant application for the 2013/14 academic year, including providing a direct link to the online application system. The site has a 'Quick Guide' to student grants, together with more detailed, step-by-step information.

In line with the recommendations of the recent review of SUSI, a dedicated www.susi.ie website has now been developed and went live on 30 May, 2013. The www.susi.ie website is a comprehensive source of information specifically on student grants and provides a step-by-step guide to eligibility and the grants process. Information on the SUSI website is continuously reviewed and updated.

Student Grant Scheme Administration

Questions (270)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

270. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will have representatives from Student Universal Support Ireland contact school guidance counsellors to discuss the 2013-2014 grant application process; the reason a guidebook that was published last year has not been re-issued; and his views on whether it is acceptable that guidance counsellors who are tasked with providing advice to students are being curtailed from doing so by the lack of information being provided by the DES. [27029/13]

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Written answers

I am informed by Student Universal Support Ireland that it is in ongoing contact with the Institute of Guidance Counsellors in relation to the student grant process. In fact, the President of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors is a member of the SUSI Advisory Group and SUSI representatives were invited to attended the Institute of Guidance Counsellors conference and gave a presentation on the SUSI grant application process. I understand from SUSI that the guidance notes to which the Deputy refers will be available to download from the www.susi.ie website from 11th June, 2013. My Department has responsibility for producing the statutory Student Grant Scheme and Student Support Regulations. The scheme and regulations for the 2013/14 academic year were published by my Department on 16 May, 2013 and subsequently circulated to all major stakeholders including the Institute of Guidance Counsellors. Information on the Student Grant Scheme and access to the 2013/14 on line student grant application system are also made available through the Department's website at www.education.ie.

Special Educational Needs Staffing

Questions (271)

Michael McNamara

Question:

271. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Education and Skills the savings that were made in 2012/2013 as a result of no longer being able to combine learning support and resource allocation to create a full-time position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27039/13]

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Written answers

The General Allocation Model (GAM) was introduced in 2005 as a standardised method for the allocation of teaching resources to schools for the provision of learning support to pupils with high incidence special needs. The initial allocations of teaching resources to schools under the GAM was based on the enrolments in the schools as at 30 September 2003. Notwithstanding the changes in demographics, the GAM allocations for individual schools remained largely unchanged over the years until the process was reformed and streamlined for the 2012/13 school year. The changes that were made were not designed as a savings measure but instead to facilitate the updating of the GAM allocations for individual schools which had not being done, in many cases, for nearly a decade and also to facilitate the operation of the teacher allocation and redeployment process. Resource hours are allocated by the NCSE as support for pupils with low incidence special needs. This is typically done in June of each year with allocations also being made later in the year. In order to facilitate the operation of the teacher allocation and redeployment process a network of permanent resource posts were allocated to base primary schools. In the 2012/13 school year, 85% of all NCSE approved resource teaching hours were allocated to schools that had resource base posts. Primary schools that were allocated resource hours and did not have a base post could enter sharing arrangements with local schools that had such a post or, if none available, apply to the Department for part-time posts. When the allocation and redeployment process has transacted, schools have flexibility to operate, where possible, their own temporary local arrangements in relation to the day to day work arrangements of teachers in full-time shared posts. The detail on such matters is set out in the Department's Staffing Circular 0013/13. The Deputy will also be aware that the NCSE has recently published a policy advice paper that recommends some changes on how resources are allocated to schools to support pupils with special educational needs.

Special Educational Needs Services Provision

Questions (272)

Willie O'Dea

Question:

272. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 91 of 22 May 2013, if he will clarify his reply regarding the subject of the July provision scheme for families of autistic children as regards those with more than one child where he states the note accompanying the application forms provides this clarity, which it has been pointed out to this Deputy is not the case; if siblings grouped in line with school based provision will receive 25 hours tuition per week for July in line with school based provision; if he will outline the maximum number of siblings that will be required to share home based tuition, confirm the position as regards a family which is unable to find a tutor to commit to providing tuition to siblings before 12 June, advise what he considers to be a significant age or ability when allocating hours for siblings and define the way this will be determined and confirm the advice his Department sought on this change in policy; if the policy document will be made available and the way the policies will be applied by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26999/13]

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Written answers

I wish to advise the Deputy that the policy in relation to siblings has not changed. Rather the application process in previous years may have in some instances failed to identify adequately multiple applications for siblings. My Department's Information Note for Home Based July Provision notes that allocations to siblings are reflective of the school grouping principle. This is where one teacher is allocated to a class of six pupils at the appropriate educational level, primary or post primary. Accordingly it is considered appropriate, as in a school situation, that a tutor can provide tuition at the appropriate educational level to more than one sibling at that level simultaneously in the home. The Department's website and information material is being amended to further clarify the position. The school grouping principle does not purport to replicate or mirror all aspects of school based provision. There is no commitment under the July Provision scheme to provide 25 hours either to an individual child or to siblings. The age or ability of siblings is reflected in their education level as determined by education and health professionals. In general where a child is receiving their education in a class setting with other children of mixed age and ability, this should carry through to their July Provision. Parents who are experiencing difficulties in sourcing a fully qualified teacher are advised to contact the officials dealing with their allocation as tutors with alternative qualifications and experience may be accepted in some instances.

School Staffing

Questions (273)

Dan Neville

Question:

273. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will give consideration to the staffing levels at a school (details supplied) in County Limerick. [27010/13]

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Written answers

The criteria used for the allocation of teachers to schools is published annually on the Department's website. The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September. The staffing schedule also includes an appeals mechanism for schools to submit an appeal under certain criteria to an independent Appeals Board. Details of the criteria for appeal are contained in the staffing schedule, Circular 0013/2013.

The Appeals Board meets three times per year. The next meeting of the Appeals Board will be held on 18 June 2013. An appeal application has been received from the school referred to by the Deputy and this will be considered by the Appeals Board at the June meeting. The school will be notified of the decision of the Appeal Board after that date. The Appeal Board operates independently of the Minister and the Department and its decision is final.

Student Grant Scheme Appeals

Questions (274)

John O'Mahony

Question:

274. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision on their Student Universal Support Ireland grant appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27347/13]

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Written answers

Officials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that the student referred to by the Deputy appealed their decision. SUSI reviewed her application and she was issued with a decision on the 13th May 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.

School Transport Eligibility

Questions (275)

Jack Wall

Question:

275. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reasons a person (details supplied) in County Kildare has not received free student travel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27363/13]

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Written answers

Under the terms of my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest education centre as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language. Bus Éireann has advised that the child in question is not attending her nearest post primary school and is therefore not eligible for school transport. Children who are not eligible for school transport, under the terms of the scheme, may avail of transport on a concessionary basis subject to a number of a conditions including the availability of spare seats on an existing service and the payment of the annual charge.

Special Educational Needs Staffing

Questions (276)

Finian McGrath

Question:

276. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the allocation of a special needs assistant in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; when an assessment will be carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27372/13]

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Written answers

I wish to advise the Deputy that the NCSE, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports, including the allocation of Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to schools. The NCSE operates within my Department's established criteria for the allocation of Special Education supports and the staffing resources available to my Department. SNAs are allocated to schools to enable them to support pupils with disabilities who also have significant care needs. The NCSE allocates a quantum of SNA support for each school annually taking into account the care needs of all of the qualifying children enrolled in the school, and on the basis of the assessed care needs of the children. In cases of applications for SNA support, where the professional report has identified the care needs as being related specifically to behaviour, including such applications for junior infants, in general it will not be possible to consider access to SNA support until the school has set out the specific strategies that have been employed and that have been implemented to minimise the pupil's difficulties and to promote more adaptive behaviours. Where SNA support was not initially allocated to a school for a child in a junior infant class, but where it can be demonstrated that the child requires SNA assistance in the classroom environment, the school may apply to the NCSE for additional SNA support or for a review of their SNA allocation. All schools were advised to apply to the NCSE for 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.

Student Grant Scheme Appeals

Questions (277)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

277. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a decision has been made on a student grant application appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27397/13]

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Written answers

Officials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland that in the case of the student referred to by the Deputy, her student grant application was appealed to the appeals officer in SUSI on the 24th of May 2013. On that basis, the application is currently being reassessed and the student will be notified directly by SUSI of the outcome. 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 or her case, an appeal form outlining the position may be submitted by the applicant to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board.

Student Grant Scheme Appeals

Questions (278)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

278. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a decision has been made on a student grant application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27399/13]

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Written answers

Officials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland that in the case of the student referred to by the Deputy, her student grant application was appealed to the appeals officer in SUSI and also to the Independent Appeals Board. SUSI was advised by the Appeals Board to review the application of the applicant referred to by the Deputy as the original decision was overturned by the Appeals Board. The student's application was reassessed and on the 6th June 2013, a revised award letter issued to the student.

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