Written Answers Nos 362 to 379
362. Deputy Ann Phelan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the opportunities for the vocational education committees to participate in the hospitality industry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35126/13]
View answerEducation and Training Boards (ETBs) formerly Vocational Education Committees are already involved in providing hospitality courses as part of their further education programmes. The Post-Leaving Certificate (PLC) programme and the Back to Education Initiative (BTEI) offer a number of hospitality courses on a full or part-time basis at levels 3 to 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). SOLAS, the new education and training authority, is being established as a funding and oversight body under the aegis of my Department to ensure the provision of 21st century high-quality further education and training programmes to learners. Section 9 of the Further Education and Training Bill 2013 provides that SOLAS, once established, will prepare and submit to the Minister, a strategy in respect of further education and training. SOLAS will promote Further Education and Training provision that is relevant to individual learner needs and national skills needs, this includes the needs of business and future skills needs.
363. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the findings of the report following the pilot study of school accommodation in five areas as announced by his Department in June 2012. [35142/13]
View answerThe purpose of the pilot study undertaken by my Department was to develop an inventory of education infrastructure and related community assets in five areas in the country. The geographic areas included for the pilot study were Tuam, Navan, Clonmel, Portlaoise and part of Limerick City. The research information gathered from this pilot study was in a format compatible with current Department information systems, such as the Geographic Information System (GIS). This allows my Department to overlay the new information such as site maps, floor plans and other data on to its current GIS mapping system. It is the intention that this expanded inventory data will now be developed on an incremental basis at a national level.
364. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a list of schools in County Limerick that have been approved for additional accommodation and emergency works from January 2012 to July 2013 and a value for each of these projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35182/13]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is available on my Department's website at www.education.gov.ie by clicking on "Schools and Colleges", then "Building Works" and selecting the relevant headings. The Deputy will appreciate that information on the levels of funding approved are commercially sensitive and cannot be released until the projects have been fully completed.
365. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the efforts being made by his Department to ensure that all resource material and relevant textbooks relating to the school curriculum at primary and post-primary level are made available to teachers and pupils. [35272/13]
View answerIt is a matter for the Board of Management of each individual school to decide on school policy in relation to the use and choice of textbooks. The Department's Inspectorate, in its work with schools, promotes active learning approaches rather than over-reliance on textbooks and workbooks. The Department has issued Guidelines for Developing Textbook Rental Schemes in Schools and these outline a number of strategies to avoid the need for workbooks or to allow workbooks to be reused from year to year. Scoilnet.ie is the Department's official education portal. It contains curriculum relevant digital resources and supports for use by teachers. The site is being redeveloped in 2013 and will support the inclusion and sharing of learning objects. The website will become a repository of Open Educational Resources (OER) where the assets and resources developed by teachers, former support services and others involved in education can be centrally collated and found. The site currently has approximately 13,000 existing resources. The Department provides funding towards the provision of ICT equipment for both Primary and Post-Primary schools where an extension/refurbishment project or a new school building is being provided. For Primary Schools the allocation is €5,000 per mainstream classroom. For Post-Primary Schools the amount of funding for ICT equipment is calculated based on the Schedule of Accommodation and the subjects being taught in the school.
366. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a person (details supplied) in County Laois will be considered for fees which were incurred as part of the approved course they attended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35302/13]
View answerAs part of the Government's budgetary considerations and the Comprehensive Expenditure Review carried out in 2011, a decision was made to abolish payments by this Department towards the cost of attendance at Gaeltacht courses by students commencing their programme of primary initial teacher education. The decision came into effect for the 2012-13 academic year. As the Deputy will be aware, priority is being given to protecting resources for front line services in the coming years. However, to assist with the costs of the Gaeltacht placement, primary initial education students who are in receipt of a student grant which includes a 100% fee grant, or who would have qualified for a full fee grant but for the Free Fees Schemes, can apply for funding towards travel and accommodation costs under the field trip element of a fee grant, subject to the normal terms and conditions of the student grant scheme. Students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. This Fund assists students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise, due to their financial circumstances, be unable to continue their third level studies. Information on the fund is available through the Access Officer in the third level institution attended. The fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis.
367. Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Education and Skills the funding his Department has granted in respect of capital building and refurbishment projects, as well as rental accommodation and to which schools, in Lismore, County Waterford, in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35331/13]
View answer368. Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Education and Skills the funding his Department has granted in respect of capital building and refurbishment projects, as well as rental accommodation and to which schools, in Waterford city, in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35332/13]
View answer369. Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Education and Skills the funding his Department has granted in respect of capital building and refurbishment projects, as well as rental accommodation and to which schools, in Dungarvan, County Waterford, in each of the past five years. [35333/13]
View answer370. Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Education and Skills the funding his Department has granted in respect of capital building and refurbishment projects, as well as rental accommodation and to which schools, in towns (details supplied) in County Waterford, in each of the past five years. [35334/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 367 to 370, inclusive, together.
The capital funding provided to primary and post-primary schools in County Waterford (includes Waterford City) in each of the years 2008 to 2012 was as follows: 2008 - €14.584 millin; 2009 - €10.887 million; 2010 - €13.609 million; 2011 - €13.502 million; and 2012 - €4.019 million. Expenditure on rented accommodation over the same five year period in County Waterford was as follows: 2008 - €1.661 million; 2009 - €1.106 million; 2010 - €0.879 million; 2011 - €0.679 million; and 2012 - €0.579 million. The Deputy will appreciate that without the specific school names and school roll numbers it is not possible to supply data in respect of any given geographical area due in particular to confusion that may arise with the identification of addresses. My Department in most instances is in a position to provide data in respect of schools that are clearly identified and will oblige if requested.
371. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide, in tabular form, the monetary value per school invested by his Department in primary and post-primary schools in Galway West since March 2011, including new school builds, emergency funding and extensions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35357/13]
View answerA total of €26,102,698 has been invested in the schools infrastructure in Galway between March 2011 to the end of June 2013, of which €17.103 million related to primary schools and the remainder related to post-primary schools. Full details of the Department's capital programme are published annually on the Department's website at www.education.gov.ie.
372. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will respond to concerns raised by the National Activity Planning Group that physical education will be downgraded from 180 hours to 100 hours over the three years of the junior certificate curriculum; and what are his plans for PE at post-primary level. [35372/13]
View answerThe new Junior Cycle is focused on helping students make a greater connection with learning, improving the quality of learning and teaching that takes place in schools and will ensure better literacy and numeracy outcomes for all our young people. The importance of physical activity in schools is reflected in the new Framework for Junior Cycle, which I launched in October 2012. A short course in PE is currently being designed by the NCCA. It will be available for consultation in the autumn and it will be available for schools to implement from September 2014. This short course will be designed for 100 hours duration. Schools may choose to incorporate this short course into their junior cycle programme, either for certification purposes or not for certification. Alternatively, they may choose not to opt for the new course and may instead continue to use existing courses or other approaches to meet the requirements in this area. Therefore, there is no basis for the concerns expressed by the National Activity Planning Group. Understandably, some concerns have been expressed that the proposed reforms will result in the downgrading of certain subjects taught in second level schools. I want to assure you that this is certainly not the intention of the reforms and I am satisfied this will not be an unintended consequence either. Overall, I am in favour of leaving the decision on what is offered at the discretion of the school, and of students having as broad a range of options to choose from that reflects their interests. Curriculum choice is important in motivating students to learn and to remain in school to completion of senior cycle. I have every confidence that the changes envisaged in the Framework for Junior Cycle will ensure that the place of physical education will be retained and given a new impetus across the junior cycle curriculum.
373. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of prefabs in primary and secondary schools here at the end of March 2011; the number that have been replaced since, providing a breakdown of the figures by 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; the number projected to be replaced by end of 2013; the spend on construction of replacement classrooms for prefabs in each of those years including to date in 2013 and projected spend to end of 2013; the saving on prefabs in each of those years and to the end of 2013; his long-term plans for this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35381/13]
View answerThere were 1,694 prefabricated units being rented at end of March 2011 at a cost of €23.2 million in primary and post-primary schools. This compares with 1,490 units being rented at end of March 2012 at a cost of €19.7 million and 1,273 units being rented at end of March 2013 at a cost of €17.5 million. Please note that one prefab unit may consist of one or more classrooms and/or ancillary accommodation. This reduction results from the delivery of projects from my 5 year Capital Plan and the 2012 Prefab Replacement Initiative.
The Deputy will be aware that under my Department's 2012 Prefab Replacement Initiative, approval was given to 170 schools nationally to replace 458 prefab units with permanent accommodation. In excess of €42 million was allocated for this initiative of which €27.2 million has been paid to date. Of these a total of 142 projects have gone to construction and 55 of these have been completed. The total rental savings achieved by the 55 completed projects are in the region of €1million. These figures will be subject to change as further projects are completed. The initiative will result in savings of approximately €5m per annum on the rental of prefabs in these schools in the coming years.
In June this year, I announced a further Prefab Replacement Initiative to replace in the region of 115 prefabs in 46 schools with permanent accommodation. A total of €15 million has been allocated in 2013-14 and this further initiative will result in additional rental savings of €2.5 million per annum. Replacing prefabs is part of the Government's €475 million education infrastructure plan for 2014. The Plan will provide modern, high quality accommodation for pupils and teachers and construction related jobs for workers around the country.
374. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount spent or invested by his Department over the past 20 years on capital infrastructure, summer or emergency works and other schemes for school buildings on educational buildings (details supplied) in Dublin 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35382/13]
View answerThe capital funding that issued to the school in question since 2000 amounts to almost €400,000. The funding was issued under the following programmes: 2000-2011 Minor works Grant (included a PE equipment grant on two occasions) - €87,054; 2011 Summer Works Scheme - €109,773; 2005 Summer Works Scheme - €125,770; 2004 Minor Capital Works - €17,961; 2003 Consultant Fees - €4,356; 2002 Furniture - €1,918; 2000 Windows - €51,917.
376. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of new primary or secondary classrooms that have been built or provided for, including the replacement of prefabs, since 1 March 2011 by his Department; the cost of same and the projected number of classrooms to be built by the end of 2013 and the cost of this building work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35384/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 376 and 377 together.
In the primary school sector new permanent mainstream classrooms are provided under the Large Scale Projects Programme, the Additional Accommodation Programme and the Prefab Replacement Initiative. In 2011 a total of 413 classrooms were delivered on the completion of 42 large-scale projects and 267 classrooms were provided under the Additional Accommodation Scheme. In 2012 a total of 421 classrooms were delivered on the completion of 39 large scale projects and 212 classrooms were provided under the Additional Accommodation Scheme. Data in respect of 2013 will not be available until the end of the year. The Deputy will be aware that under my Department's 2012 Prefab Replacement Initiative, approval was given to 170 schools nationally to replace 458 prefab units with permanent accommodation. In excess of €42 million was allocated for this initiative, of which €27.2 million has been paid to date. Of these a total of 142 projects have gone to construction and 55 of these have been completed. The total rental savings achieved by the 55 completed projects are in the region of €1million. These figures will be subject to change as further projects are completed. The initiative will result in savings of approximately €5 million per annum on the rental of prefabs in these schools in the coming years.
In June this year, I announced a further Prefab Replacement Initiative to replace in the region of 115 prefabs in 46 schools with permanent accommodation. A total of €15 million has been allocated in 2013-2014 and this further initiative will result in additional rental savings of €2.5 million per annum. In the post-primary school sector the provision of permanent school places is measured in terms of the Long Term Projected Enrolment (LTPE). In 2011 a total of 8,640 permanent school places were delivered in the post-primary sector with the completion of 9 large-scale projects and 42 additional accommodation projects. In 2012 a total of 5,541 additional permanent school places were delivered in the post-primary sector with the completion of 9 large-scale projects and 29 additional accommodation projects. Data in respect of 2013 will not be available until the end of the year. In 2011 the total expenditure on large scale projects amounted to €205 million and on additional accommodation amounted to €56 million. In 2012 the total expenditure on large scale projects amounted to €224 million and on additional accommodation amounted to just over €56 million. It is not possible to predict accurately the number of classrooms that will be completed in 2013 due to the many variables that can arise on the school building programme. Capital funding available for the delivery of classrooms is on a par with last year but actual expenditure and the level of drawdown of such funding varies from month to month and the 2013 outturn will only be available at year end. Data on a county basis are not readily available.
378. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total number of higher education maintenance grants awarded in the last academic year; the number awarded to students with a parent working in agriculture or the farming sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35386/13]
View answerThe statistical breakdown requested by the Deputy will not be made available to my Department by the grant awarding authorities until the end of the academic year.
379. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will change Special Education Circular 02/05 to include Down's syndrome as a low incidence disability; if he will ensure that children with Down's syndrome are given access to maximum resource hours; if he will commit to making a decision on this matter prior to the summer recess; if he will provide an update on the progress that has been made since meeting representatives of Down Syndrome Ireland on 25 June; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35437/13]
View answer382. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason Down's syndrome is not on the list of 11 low incidence disabilities that qualify for resource teaching hours in view of the fact that it occurs in 0.2% of the population; the action that is being taken to deliver a more appropriate model than GAM to meet the complex learning needs of children with Down's syndrome following the critical report of the Children’s Ombudsman. [35502/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 379 and 382 together.
I wish to explain to the Deputies that pupils with Down's syndrome attending mainstream schools may receive additional teaching support in primary schools, either under the terms of the General Allocation Model (GAM) of teaching supports, if the pupil's educational psychological assessment places the pupil in the mild general learning disability/high incidence disability category, or through an allocation of individual additional resource teaching hours which are allocated by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), if the child is assessed as being within the low incidence category of special need, as defined by my Department's Circular Sp Ed 02/05. Pupils with Down's syndrome may be allocated resources under the category of mild general learning disability, or under the categories of moderate general learning difficulty or Assessed Syndrome, in conjunction with another Low Incidence disability. I wish to advise the Deputies also that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has a formal role under the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act, 2004 in advising me in relation to any matter relating to the education of children and others with disabilities. My Department requested that the NCSE consider the issue of whether Down's syndrome should be reclassified as a low incidence disability in all instances, regardless of assessed cognitive ability, in the context of its preparation of comprehensive advice on how the educational system supports children with special educational needs in schools. The NCSE report on Supporting Children with Special Educational Needs in Schools has now been published and is available on the NCSE website www.ncse.ie. The report recommends that under the new resource allocation model proposed by the NCSE in its report, children should be allocated additional resources in line with their level of need, rather than by disability category. The NCSE has recommended that in the short-term, pupils with Down's syndrome who are in the Mild General Learning Difficulty (Mild GLD) category should continue to be supported by schools' Learning Support allocation in the same way as other pupils with a Mild GLD. The NCSE policy advice did not recommend that an exception should be made for children with Down's syndrome who are in the mild general learning difficulty range, over other children who are in the mild range and who also may have other co-morbid conditions. However, the NCSE report states that it is confident that the introduction of a new allocation model will overcome the difficulty posed by all children with mild general learning disabilities, including children with Down's Syndrome, who have additional difficulties and who can be supported according to their level of need and in line with their learning plan process. In the meantime, schools are reminded that they can differentiate the level of learning support granted to ensure that available resources are used to support children in line with their needs. I have requested the NCSE to immediately proceed to establish a Working Group in order to develop a proposal for consideration for a new Tailored Allocation Model, which is set out as one of the principal recommendations of the report. In the course of my recent meeting with Down Syndrome Ireland a number of issues were raised which I consider merit further examination. Accordingly I have asked my officials to consider these issues further and to provide a full response to Down Syndrome Ireland on the issues raised as soon as possible.
