Written Answers Nos. 197-215
197. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will ensure that children who were previously in receipt of 20 hours per week home tuition and who are now in early intervention units receiving only ten hours tuition will receive the balance of the home tuition hours they are owed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41853/13]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the purpose of the Home Tuition Scheme is to provide a compensatory educational service for children who, for a number of reasons such as chronic illness, are unable to attend school or for children with a special educational need who are awaiting an educational placement and also to provide early educational intervention for pre-school children with autism. Pupils in early intervention classes for children with autism are therefore not eligible for home tuition. These classes whether part of mainstream or special schools operate under the rules for national schools and the associated circulars. Primary Circular 11/95 specifically addresses the length of a school day for infant classes.
If a parent, for whatever reason, arranges that their child will only attend school for a portion of the school day, the attendance will not be supplemented through the home tuition scheme. If however the Deputy is aware of any school which is in breach of the circular directive he should bring the details to the attention my officials.
198. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if, in order to enable persons to fill out a student grant application form properly, he will introduce a third category for mature students who live at home but are not financially dependent on their parents, who share bills equally but do not have any bills in their name; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41856/13]
View answerA student can complete his/her grant application online on the SUSI website, which will guide the student through the process. Before completing the application a student should read the Guidance Notes in relation to "Category of Applicant". This information will enable the student to determine which category applies to him/her.
For student grants purposes, students are categorised according to their circumstances either as students dependent on parents or a legal guardian, or as independent mature students. A student may be assessed as an independent mature student if he/she has attained the age of 23 on the 1st of January of the year of first entry to an approved course or of re-entry following a break in studies of at least three years and is not ordinarily resident with his/her parents from the previous 1 October. Otherwise he/she would continue to be assessed on the basis of his/her parents' income. There are no plans at present to change the current arrangements.
199. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress being made since the 2011 roll out of the new national literacy and numeracy strategy; if data is collected on the number of children leaving school with the necessary literacy and numeracy skills; the way success of the strategy is monitored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41862/13]
View answerOver the period since the launch of the National Literacy and Numeracy Strategy in July 2011, there has been significant progress under many of the 41 actions and almost 180 sub-actions.
I have increased the time spent on literacy and numeracy at primary level. Revision of the English and Irish curricula is being prioritised in Junior Cycle Reform. Major changes are being made to initial teacher training and literacy and numeracy units are now in place in the National Teacher Induction Programme. School self-evaluation is being rolled out and I have introduced new requirements on standardised testing including the return of aggregate data to my Department. A national programme of professional development for primary and second level teachers is underway.
The Strategy sets out a range of national improvement targets for literacy and numeracy. Implementation of the Strategy, including achievement of the targets, is being monitored by a high level implementation advisory group chaired by the Secretary General of my Department.
200. Deputy Dara Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24 has only been provided with five hours of home tuition per week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41867/13]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the purpose of the Home Tuition Scheme is to provide a compensatory educational service for children who, for a number of reasons such as chronic illness, are unable to attend school. The scheme was extended in recent years to facilitate tuition for children awaiting a suitable educational placement and also to provide early educational intervention for pre-school children with autism. The allocation of home tuition to the child in question has been appealed by his parents and the appeal is currently under consideration by my officials.
201. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the proposed spring 2014 standardised tests in literacy and numeracy for second level second year students are on schedule to be carried out; and if his Department is confident that these tests, which are an integral part of his strategy for literacy and numeracy, will be conducted for English literacy, litearthacht sa Ghaeilge, numeracy and Uimhearthacht. [41878/13]
View answerThe National Strategy to Improve Literacy and Numeracy among Children and Young People 2011 - 2020 envisaged that standardised tests for English Reading, Irish Reading and Mathematics would be developed. It is my intention that these tests will be rolled out to post-primary schools for use in the Spring of the school year commencing in September 2015 so as to be aligned with my proposals for Junior Cycle Reform.
203. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide in tabular form the disabilities that qualify for automatic low-incidence resource hours and the number of children currently receiving resource hours for each of these disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41893/13]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) recently published comprehensive policy advice on Supporting Students with Special Educational Needs in Schools. This policy advice is available at www.ncse.ie.
This publication provides details of the disabilities that qualify for low-incidence resource hours and also details the approximate number of number of students for whom low incidence resource teaching hours were allocated to schools for the academic year 2012-13.
This table, a copy of which is below, details the allocation by disability category, and shows that there were 31,202 pupils in receipt of low incidence resource hours, 21,421 at primary level, and 9,781 pupils at post primary level, during the 2012 - 2013 school year.
As the NCSE have not yet concluded the allocation of resource hours for the current school year the information requested by the Deputy for this year is not yet available.
Table 5: Approximate number of students for whom resource teaching hours (RTHs) were allocated to schools for low incidence disabilities for the academic year 2012-13
|
Category |
Primary (n) |
Post-primary (n) |
Total (n) |
|
Assessed syndrome |
217 |
63 |
280 |
|
Autism |
4487 |
2052 |
6539 |
|
EBD |
4143 |
2643 |
6786 |
|
Hearing impairment |
693 |
417 |
1110 |
|
Moderate GLD |
524 |
209 |
733 |
|
Multiple disabilities |
1890 |
675 |
2565 |
|
Physical disability |
3345 |
2190 |
5535 |
|
Severe EBD |
862 |
398 |
1260 |
|
Severe & profound GLD |
34 |
7 |
41 |
|
Specific speech and language disorder |
4932 |
912 |
5844 |
|
Visual impairment |
294 |
215 |
509 |
|
Total |
21,421 |
9,781 |
31,202 |
204. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the possible date in October when the funds from the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund will be made available for the use of survivors of abuse, many of whom are elderly and sick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41895/13]
View answer205. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the release of the funds for the survivors of abuse will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41896/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 204 and 205 together.
The Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board (RISF) was established in March to oversee the use of the cash contributions of up to €110 million, pledged by the religious congregations, to support the needs of survivors of institutional child abuse. Supports across a range of services, including mental health services, health and personal social services, education and housing services will be available.
The RISF has to determine and publish its approved services and the criteria by reference to which it will make decisions in respect of applications. I understand that the RISF is working on these issues while also progressing the practical arrangements of recruiting staff and establishing an office.
I am anxious that the Fund is operational as quickly as possible. However, the Deputy will appreciate that the Fund must determine its services and criteria at the outset. I am not therefore in a position today to specify a date on which the RISF will be operational.
206. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the contacts his Department has made with South Dublin County Council in respect of proposals for the development of two new schools on community lands at Firhouse, Dublin 24; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a campaign of opposition to the site chosen is gaining momentum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41919/13]
View answerI can confirm that my Department has been working with the relevant Local Authority for some time in relation to identifying and acquiring land suitable for the delivery of school accommodation for two new schools in the area to which the Deputy has referred. Following a joint assessment of a site, by my Department and the local authority, it was deemed suitable for educational development.
My Department has been made aware of local views on the location selected. The statutory planning process includes opportunities for all stakeholders to make their views on the proposed development known to the planning authority and my Department will respond to any queries from the planning authority in relation to the proposed development.
208. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5 will be provided with 20 hours per week home tuition grant with immediate effect rather than having to wait until 4 November. [41950/13]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the purpose of the Home Tuition Scheme is to provide a compensatory educational service for children who, for a number of reasons such as chronic illness, are unable to attend school. The scheme was extended in recent years to facilitate tuition for children awaiting a suitable educational placement and also to provide early educational intervention for pre-school children with autism.
The allocation of Home Tuition for children with autism aged between 2.5 and 3 years of age is 10 hours per week and it increases to a maximum of 20 hours per week on the child's 3rd birthday if a placement is not available in an early intervention class. The allocation to the child referred to by the Deputy will reflect this practice.
209. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills if funding will be provided for the provision of extra car parking spaces in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41954/13]
View answerThe school referred to by the Deputy have been approved devolved funding to replace prefabs at their school. In recent days the school have submitted a further request for capital funding to provide additional car parking spaces on their school site. I wish to advise the Deputy that, in general, individual school authorities are responsible, in the first instance, for ensuring the safety and welfare of children and others in their care.
Due to competing demands on my Department's capital budget, imposed by the need to prioritise the limited funding available for the provision of essential additional classroom accommodation to meet increasing demographic requirements, I am not in a position to give an indicative timeframe for progression of the school's request at this time.
210. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide details of any projects or programmes initiated by his Department which were ended or abandoned before completion; the costs and duration of each of these projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41959/13]
View answerOver recent years there have been a number of school building projects which have encountered delays due to insolvency of the main contractor. However, none of these projects were ended or abandoned and all were completed or are in the process of being completed. Details in respect of these projects are contained in the table.
As most of these projects have yet to close the final account, the final cost in respect of each project is not available at this time.
School Building Projects involving delays related to insolvency events or termination of contracts
2010 - 2013.
|
County |
Roll Number |
School Name |
Year in which issue arose |
Current Status (Oct 2013) |
|
Kilkenny |
61580P |
Loreto Secondary School, Granges Road* |
2012 |
Under Construction by replacement Contractor |
|
Kildare |
17674B |
SN Aine Naofa, Ard Cloc, Straffan |
2012 |
Contract Terminated. Construction completed by replacement Contractor |
|
Dublin City |
20139T |
Inchicore NS, Sarsfield Road, Dublin 10 |
2011 |
Under Construction by replacement Contractor |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown |
70030E |
Senior College, Dún Laoghaire, Eblana Avenue, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin |
2011 |
Under Construction by replacement Contractor |
|
Galway City |
62970K |
Coláiste Iognáid SJ Bothar na Mara |
2011 |
Under Construction by replacement Contractor |
|
Limerick |
13026P |
Kilfinane National School |
2011 |
Construction completed by replacement Contractor |
|
Limerick City |
64201T |
Ardscoil Ris, North Circular Rd, Limerick |
2011 |
Under Construction by replacement Contractor |
|
Roscommon |
65100S |
Scoil Mhuire, Strokestown, Co Roscommon |
2011 |
Construction completed by replacement Contractor |
|
Wicklow |
76099B |
Wicklow Town |
2011 |
***Construction Completed (Schools PPP Bundle 2) |
|
Limerick |
76093M |
Scoil Ide agus Iosef Abbeyfeale |
2011 |
***Construction Completed (Schools PPP Bundle 2) |
|
Cork |
76090G |
Bantry CC |
2011 |
***Construction Completed (Schools PPP Bundle 2) |
|
Cork |
20001N |
Gaelscoil Beanntraí |
2011 |
***Construction Completed (Schools PPP Bundle 2) |
|
Kildare |
91530S |
Kildare Community School |
2011 |
***Construction Completed (Schools PPP Bundle 2) |
|
Meath |
91517D |
Athboy Community School |
2011 |
***Construction Completed (Schools PPP Bundle 2) |
|
Dublin Fingal |
761040 |
Donabate Community College, Donabate, Co Dublin |
2011 |
**Construction completed by second party of joint venture |
|
Meath |
76103M |
Coláiste na hInse, Laytown |
2011 |
**Construction completed by second party of joint venture |
|
Offaly |
17523D |
SN Cronain Naofa, Dromakeenan |
2010 |
Construction completed by replacement Contractor |
212. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on the building programme for a school (details supplied); the progress that has been made on the planning and design process; when is it expected that building will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41977/13]
View answerResponsibility for the delivery of a new 16 classroom school referred to by the Deputy has been devolved to the Office of Public Works.
The project is at the early stages of architectural planning and I understand that the OPW is currently liaising with the school authorities to progress the sketch scheme for the school. A site survey has been completed and a building survey on the existing historical building is being planned.
The school project is included in the 5 Year Construction Programme announced in March 2012 and is scheduled to commence construction in 2014/2015. Final decisions as to when construction will commence will be dependent on the progress of the project through the various stages of design and the local authority planning process.
213. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of extra classrooms that will be provided for a school (details supplied) in County Dublin; when the project go to tender and build; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41978/13]
View answerOn 27th June 2013 the school referred to by the Deputy was approved a devolved grant under the Department's Additional Accommodation Scheme for the provision of 3 x 80m2 Mainstream Classrooms. I understand that the school authority has also decided to funding the provision of further additional accommodation as part of the project.
A devolved project allows individual school authorities the means to address their accommodation and building priorities with a guaranteed amount of funding and gives them day to day control of their building project. It is a central tenet of the devolved schemes that responsibility for the management of a project, including cost control, the timing of tendering and construction rests with the school authority.
214. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on the school building programme for schools (details supplied); the progress that has been made to date; when the extra accommodation be ready; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41979/13]
View answerThe project referred to by the Deputy has reached an advanced stage of Architectural Planning, Stage 2(b), which includes securing Planning Permission, Fire certificate, Disability Access Certificate and the preparation of tender documents. The detailed design stages of the project have been completed.
The application for planning permission is expected to be submitted in the coming weeks. Once the statutory approvals are secured, the project will then proceed to tender and construction stages. However, as planning permission has yet to be secured it is not possible at this time to provide a definitive timeframe for the completion of the construction phase of the project.
215. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will ensure that any decisions made in relation to third level education in budget 2014 will protect equality of opportunity; that financially vulnerable students will be adequately supported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41980/13]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the reality of our economic situation presents significant challenges that have to be reconciled with limitations on public resources. This is a very stark reality, which, unfortunately, means that changes to any public service, including the student grant scheme, cannot be ruled out.
I empathise with students and I am very conscious of the fundamental role played by the student grant scheme in supporting families who are putting their children through further and higher education. However, the state of the public finances is such that tough decisions had to be made to control public expenditure and to ensure sustainability in the long run.
For this reason it is the responsibility of Government to take into consideration all areas of public services when formulating Budget 2014. Ultimately, our budgetary decisions now will play a major part in creating a sustainable economy and in regaining our economic independence. As the Deputy will be aware all proposals made in relation to education expenditure including changes to student grants will be considered in the context of the Budget 2014.
