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Tuesday, 5 Nov 2013

Written Answers Nos. 296-317

School Curriculum

Questions (296)

Seán Kyne

Question:

296. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to include the important topics of blood donation and organ donation as part of the curricula. [46258/13]

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Written answers

The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) is currently working on the Leaving Certificate Science syllabuses and is about to commence work on a new Junior Cycle Science specification. The question raised by the Deputy will be brought to the attention of the NCCA.

Relationships and Sexuality Education

Questions (297)

Seán Kyne

Question:

297. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the ShoutOut sex-education programme operating in counties Galway, Cork and Dublin; and his plans to extend this to other locations. [46269/13]

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Written answers

Shout Out is a volunteer organisation, consisting mainly of undergraduates or recent graduates, which offers free workshops to address homophobia and transphobia in schools. My Department is not sponsoring or supporting this work although any initiative by young people to support the development and maintenance of the well being of students is our schools deserves to be acknowledged and welcomed. There are a number of documents published by my Department which are relevant to the deputy's question. Circular 0023/2010 Best Practice Guidelines in SPHE/RSE, specifically refers to the role of visitors to the classroom. Circular letter 0027/08 refers to schools' responsibilities in providing RSE and identifies the topics to be covered (including - Sexual Orientation, Sexually Transmitted Infections and Family Planning (4.1)). In addition, in the context of homophobia and transphobia, I am confident that the recently published guidelines on Anti -bullying Procedures are a comprehensive and practical resource for schools as they work over time to addressing bullying. Together these documents provide guidance to schools on how RSE should be provided to support all students in developing attitudes, beliefs and values about sexuality, sexual identity, relationships and intimacy as a process of personal understanding, growth and social inclusion.

Schools Building Projects Status

Questions (298)

Seán Kyne

Question:

298. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a list of new schools due to be completed in 2014. [46272/13]

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Written answers

New school building projects scheduled for completion in 2014 are detailed in the list. Details in relation to all of these projects are available on my Departments web-site. Details of school refurbishments and extension projects are also available on the web-site. The details are updated on a monthly basis.

The Construction Programme specific to 2014 will be announced later this year. A number of projects which may be included in that announcement may also be scheduled for completion in 2014. Details in relation to these projects will be available on my Departments web-site following the announcement.

New School buildings due to be completed in 2014.

County

Roll No.

Name of School

Cork

04572S & 14463B

ST Joseph's  National School & St John National School , Kinsale 

Cork

17600S

SN an Scairthe Leithe, Midleton

Dublin

09932B

Stanhope Street Convent

Dublin

19474D & 19742C

St Colmcille's Junior & Senior Schools, Knocklyon

Dublin

19878E

Ballycragh National School

Dublin

20190T

Holy Trinity National School

Dublin

20274C

Esker Educate Together, Lucan

Dublin

20383H

Blanchardstown West Educate Together National School

Galway

20350P

Merlin Wood Primary School, Doughiska

Galway

76096S

Merlin College, Doughiska

Galway

17759J

SN Bhrighde, Menlo

Kilkenny

20255V

Bunscoil McAuley Rice

Leitrim

91519H

Ballinamore Community School

Limerick

68121S

Scoil na Trionóide Naofa, Doon

Limerick

20148U

Gaelscoil Chaladh an Treoigh

Meath

18762D & 18767N

SN Realt Na Mara Girls & Boys National Schools, Mornington

Offaly

20267F

Scoil Bhride , Edenderry

Offaly

20332N

Gaelscoil Eaden Doire

Waterford

91520P

Ardscoil na Mara, Tramore

Westmeath

71410T

Athlone Community College

Wexford

76127D

Creagh College, Gorey

Information and Communications Technology Issues

Questions (299)

Seán Kyne

Question:

299. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will report on the work of extending the use of ITC into the classroom; and if his Department is engaging with the private sector in developing e-learning tools such as educational apps. [46273/13]

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Written answers

Since 1998, the national ICT in Schools programme has focused on building capacity across the schools system for integrating ICT into teaching and learning and developing pupils' digital literacy, The ICT in Schools programme must address new policy challenges and opportunities arising from major developments in curricular reform, digital publishing, digital content dissemination tools generally, cloud services, portable computing and student devices, and the deployment of high speed broadband at post-primary level. In relation to curricular reform the new junior cycle in post-primary schools outlines eight key skills required for successful learning by students across the curriculum and for learning beyond school. Among the key skills, one is literacy and numeracy, which includes digital literacy. In addition, the other 6 key skills in the Framework for Junior Cycle all include as elements the use of digital technology. As new specifications for the Junior Cycle are being prepared the use of ICT will become integrated across learning areas. In addition, a new short course in Digital Media literacy will be available to schools from September 2014. A draft of it will be available shortly from the NCCA for consultation. The first step in developing a new strategy for the use of ICT in teaching and learning is the completion of an ICT census in schools. The census results are currently being analysed and the results will provide a sound research base which will in turn inform key policy decisions relating to integrating ICT in teaching and learning over the next three to five years. In the past the ICT census of schools focussed on the level of infrastructure in schools. The current census addresses a broad range of themes including:- The impact of ICT in teaching and learning and assessment-School-wide planning for integration of ICT in teaching and learning-Continuing ICT related Professional Development (CPD) for teachers-Curriculum-relevant digital content and software resources-exploring views on the opportunities presented by integration of ICT in teaching, learning and assessment, -Obstacles to ICT integration and how they could be overcome.In addition there will be an extensive consultation process with stakeholders and the wider public. As part of this process, the ICT industry will be consulted in relation to technological developments. Feedback from this process and the results of the school census will provide a sound research base to inform policy decisions on the further integration of ICT in teaching and learning over the next five years.There are structures in place that facilitate engagement with the private sector on policy development generally and in particular, the use of ICT for teaching and learning. The use of education applications will also be considered in the context of the strategy development. However, it is not appropriate for my Department to engage with individual private sector companies in the development of e-learning tools or applications.

Schools Building Projects Status

Questions (300)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

300. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide assurances that funding is available for phase 2 of a school (details supplied) in County Meath; the expected commencement and completion dates for phase 2 ; the date on which the new gymnasium at a primary school will be signed off and ready for use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46323/13]

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Written answers

Phase 1 of a 1000 pupil second level school referred to by the Deputy proceeded to tender and construction in 2013. This phase of the project is currently on site and is nearing completion. Phase 2 of the project is currently at an early stage of Architectural Planning - Stage 1 which is the initial sketch Design Stage. At this early stage of architectural planning it is not possible to provide an expected commencement or completion date for the construction of Phase 2. However, the provision of the full 1000 pupil school is encompassed within the 5 year construction programme as announced in March 2012. The General Purpose room in the primary school to which the Deputy refers has reached substantial completion and was handed over to the school on 1 November 2013.

State Examinations Commission

Questions (301)

Seán Fleming

Question:

301. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of applicants and the number of approvals granted for reasonable accommodations at the leaving certificate examinations for each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46330/13]

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Written answers

The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations.In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.

State Examinations Commission

Questions (302)

Seán Fleming

Question:

302. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of applicants and the number of approvals granted for reasonable accommodations at the junior certificate examinations for each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46331/13]

View answer

Written answers

The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations.In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.

State Examinations Commission

Questions (303)

Seán Fleming

Question:

303. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of applicants and the number of approvals granted for a scribe or reader to assist students under the reasonable accommodations arrangements at the leaving certificate examinations for each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46332/13]

View answer

Written answers

The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations.In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.

State Examinations Commission

Questions (304)

Seán Fleming

Question:

304. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of applicants and the number of approvals granted for a scribe or reader to assist students under the reasonable accommodations arrangements at the junior certificate examinations for the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46333/13]

View answer

Written answers

The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations.In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.

School Funding

Questions (305)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

305. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide the sufficient funding to meet the day-to-day operational costs of a school (details supplied) in order that the costs do not need to be borne by parents who already have significant costs associated with raising young children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46342/13]

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Written answers

The finances of recognised primary schools, including the schools referred to by the Deputy, are a matter for the Boards of Management of these schools. Boards should budget in such a way as to enable them to meet their commitments and their expenditure should not exceed their income.The running costs of recognised primary schools are not budgeted for individually by the Department. It would not be feasible to grant aid over 3,300 schools in this way. The running costs of these schools are met by the Departments schemes of capitation and ancillary services grants. I have no plans to amend the present capitation funding arrangements.

School Transport Availability

Questions (306)

Damien English

Question:

306. Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a decision will be made in relation to a school bus route extension (details supplied); the reason for the delay in this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46346/13]

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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 km from and are attending their nearest education centre as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.Bus Éireann which operates the School Transport Scheme on behalf of my Department is responsible for the planning and time-tabling of school transport routes. Bus Éireann endeavours, within available resources, to ensure that each eligible child has a reasonable level of school transport service in the context of the Scheme nationally. As a rule, post primary school transport routes are planned so that, as far as possible, no eligible child will have more than 3.2 km to travel to a pick-up point. Bus Éireann is currently assessing the services operating into the school in question with a view to ensuring that all eligible children can avail of a service within these guidelines.

Schools Building Projects Status

Questions (307)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

307. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the funding available for phase two of a school (details supplied) in County Meath; when this phase of the school will be completed and ready for use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46358/13]

View answer

Written answers

Phase 1 of a 1000 pupil second level school referred to by the Deputy proceeded to tender and construction in 2013. This phase of the project is currently on site and is nearing completion. Phase 2 of the project is currently at an early stage of Architectural Planning - Stage 1 which is the initial sketch Design Stage. At this early stage of architectural planning it is not possible to provide an expected commencement or completion date for the construction of Phase 2. However, the provision of the full 1000 pupil school is encompassed within the 5 year construction programme as announced in March 2012.

Schools Building Projects Status

Questions (308)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

308. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the date on which the gym in a school (details supplied) in County Meath will be signed off on by the Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46359/13]

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Written answers

The General Purpose room in the school to which the Deputy refers has reached substantial completion and was handed over to the school on 1 November 2013.

Student Grant Scheme Administration

Questions (309)

Niall Collins

Question:

309. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if payment of the student contribution charge of €2,500 for the academic year 2013-14 for third level colleges, which may be paid in two instalments, can also be paid by monthly instalments. [46361/13]

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Written answers

As the Deputy will be aware the Student Contribution, which currently stands at €2,500, is payable by students who qualify under my Departments Free Fees Schemes. Students who qualify under my Department's student grant scheme have the contribution paid on their behalf by the Exchequer (some 40%). Conscious of financial pressures on families tax relief provisions have been put in place so that second and subsequent siblings do not have to bear the full cost. An additional category of "50% Student Contribution" is also available under the student grants scheme to assist in meeting the cost. Higher Education Institutions, at my request, have provisions in place to allow students to pay the contribution in two moieties. I previously asked the Authority to request that higher education institutions show flexibility and consideration to students awaiting a decision on their grant application and/or payment of a grant. I am aware that institutions work with students who present with financial difficulties and deal with such situations on a case by case basis, however as the Deputy can appreciate, this is ultimately a matter for individual institutions as autonomous bodies.

Schools Building Projects Status

Questions (310)

Derek Nolan

Question:

310. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of a school (details supplied) agreeing in principle to a schedule of accommodation, if he will confirm that it will be able to make changes to the internal design of the new accommodation at design stage; if not, if he will send out a team of officials to visit the site as a proper internal design is imperative to the functioning of the school and this has not been agreed to in full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46377/13]

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Written answers

I wish to confirm that the accommodation brief for the school, referred to by the Deputy, has been finalised and agreement in principle for this brief was received from the school authority concerned in October last. I also wish to advise the Deputy that the school will have an opportunity at the Design Stage of the architectural planning process to input to the internal design layout of the proposed development, within the overall extent of the accommodation brief approved for the school in question.My Department's officials will be in further contact with the school in relation to the next stage of the architectural planning process.

Schools Building Projects Status

Questions (311, 312)

Seán Fleming

Question:

311. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application for capital improvement works to a school (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46383/13]

View answer

Seán Fleming

Question:

312. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the funding provided for capital improvement works and a brief description of the works carried out in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Laois in each of the last ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46384/13]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 311 and 312 together.I can confirm that my Department has received an application from the school, referred to by the Deputy, for funding to provide alternative permanent accommodation to meet its long-term requirements. Officials from my Department will be in contact shortly with the school authorities to work through the details of their proposal and how best to meet the school's needs. In the interim, my Department has recently approved funding for classroom accommodation to meet the school's immediate needs. I can also confirm to the Deputy that funding amounting to €30,612.68 was allocated to the school under the 2005 Summer Works Scheme for roof works. In addition, my Department has also allocated funding to the school in question for furniture and equipment on an ongoing basis in response to requirements.

Schools Building Projects Status

Questions (313)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

313. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that as of 9 October 2013 a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary has been granted full planning permission for the refurbishment, demolition and erection of new classrooms; that the design team is now working towards its completion of stage 2b; the date on which funding will be allocated for this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46389/13]

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Written answers

The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning - Stage 2b - Detailed Design. This stage includes the applications for Fire Safety Certificate and Disability Access Certificate and the preparation of tender documents. In accordance with Design Team Procedures, the design team recently informed my Department that Planning Permission has been granted.Due to competing demands on the Department's capital budget imposed by the need to prioritise the limited funding available for the provision of additional school accommodation to meet increasing demographic requirements it was not possible to include this project in the 5 year construction programme announced in March 2012.School building projects, including the project referred to by the Deputy, which were previously initiated but not included in the current five year construction programme will continue to be progressed to final planning stages in anticipation of the possibility of further funds being available to the Department in the future.

Question No. 314 withdrawn.

Special Educational Needs Expenditure

Questions (315)

Noel Grealish

Question:

315. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Education and Skills if funding will be granted to the Brothers of Charity for the provision of five therapy-changing beds for children with profound general learning disabilities and physical disabilities who attend the Brothers of Charity school in Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46402/13]

View answer

Written answers

Grant aid is available to primary and post primary schools to fund the purchase of furniture/equipment for educational purposes for special needs pupils. Changing Benches are included in that category.On the basis of the information submitted by the school authority the equipment that they requested grant aid for is outside the scope of aid provided by my Department.The school principal has been advised that an application for funding for additional changing benches would be considered. To date no such application has been received.

Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Questions (316, 317)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

316. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount of funding his Department would need if an allowance was given for the second and subsequent child in third level education for those seeking the special rate of maintenance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46404/13]

View answer

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

317. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason an allowance is not given for the second and subsequent child in third level education in the assessment for the special rate of maintenance grant; like it is with the other levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46406/13]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 316 and 317 together.

The Report of the Action Group on Access to Third Level Education made detailed recommendations concerning the introduction of special rates of maintenance grants for disadvantaged students.

The target group of "those most in need" was defined in terms of the dependants of people receiving long-term welfare payments, where the necessary conditions are fulfilled.

The qualifying criteria for the special rate of maintenance grant in the 2013/14 academic year as specified under the 2013 student grant scheme is as follows:

1. Student must qualify for the standard rate of grant

2. Total reckonable income net of income disregards and Child Dependant Increase must not exceed €22,703

3. As at 31st December, 2012, the reckonable income must include one of the eligible long-term social welfare payments prescribed in the Student Grant Scheme.

When calculating reckonable income for the standard rate of grant, payments made by the Department of Social Protection in respect of child dependants are included in the income calculation. However, where additional dependants are attending an approved full-time course, an allowance is given for each additional dependant.

When calculating the reckonable income for the special rate of maintenance grant, any payments made by the Department of Social Protection in respect of child dependants are excluded in the calculation of reckonable income. Therefore, no allowance can be given for the second and subsequent child in third level education.

It is not proposed, at present, to change the current terms and conditions in respect of the special rates of maintenance grant.

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