Written Answers Nos. 97 - 107
97. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he proposes to expand the MOMENTUM training initiative in order to facilitate accessibility of additional courses specific to the availability of employment and thereby allowing many persons to re-train for employment specific to the local employment market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47500/13]
View answerThe aim of MOMENTUM is to provide a range of quality, relevant education & training interventions in 2013 for up to 6,500 individuals who are long-term unemployed. Training is being provided within the context of four themes. Three of the themes support occupational clusters where demand and vacancies exist within certain Labour Market sectors. A fourth theme focuses on the specific needs of people under 25.A design feature of Momentum provides for continuous evaluation of the programme so we can ensure that the training provided is effective, efficient and value for money. I expect to have the outcome of evaluations in respect of the procurement and provision of the programme by year end. Recommendations from this evaluation process will be incorporated into the new programme and I would expect that a new round of Momentum will be announced in early 2014. Ongoing evaluation of the outcomes of the programme in respect of progression into employment will also inform future iterations of the programme.My Department will continue to work closely with all relevant Government Departments and Agencies to ensure that the Government is putting the right measures in place to ensure people can upskill and reskill in the areas where skills are in demand. In this context a new purpose built clean room training facility adjacent to the current SOLAS Training Centre in Galway has been developed and it is planned that this centre will train individuals for work in the medical devices cluster in Galway.
98. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the online Springboard application gateway. [47622/13]
View answerThe Springboard programme strategically targets funding of free part-time flexible higher education courses for unemployed and previously self-employed people in areas where there are identified labour market skills shortages or employment opportunities. Courses are selected for funding following a competitive tender process that is open to public, private and not for profit higher education providers.
To be eligible for a place on a Springboard course a person must be unemployed, actively seeking employment, and be in receipt of one of the qualifying Department of Social Protection payments or be signing for credits or be previously self-employed. Provided an applicant meets the Springboard 2013 eligibility criteria, decisions around the award of places on an approved programme are a matter for individual course providers.
If a person does not meet the entry requirements for a particular course it is open to them to apply for another course funded through the programme. Further information is available at the dedication information and applications website www.springboardcourses.ie.
99. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will reconsider the decision to withdraw a teacher from a new primary school (details supplied) in County Cork in view of the fact that new pupils are expected to enrol in the school shortly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47416/13]
View answerThe criteria used for the allocation of teaching posts to schools which is available on the Department website, includes the provision whereby schools experiencing rapid increases in enrolment can apply for additional permanent mainstream posts on developing grounds, using projected enrolment. The staffing schedule also includes an appeals mechanism for schools to submit an appeal under certain criteria, including developing grounds, to an independent Appeals Board.The criteria for the allocation of a developing school post for the 2013/14 school year are set out in the staffing schedule, Circular 0013/2013. The school referred to by the Deputy submitted an appeal in October to the Appeals Board for the retention of a mainstream post on developing school grounds. The decision of the board was that the post may be retained on a provisional basis and is subject to confirmation of the required enrolment being achieved by 31 December 2013. The school has been notified accordingly.The Appeal Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.
100. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide all the various grants and approvals given for schools at primary and secondary level in County Westmeath from 1 April 2011 to date in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47432/13]
View answerThe capital allocations issued by my Department since 1 April 2011 to primary and post-primary schools in County Westmeath are as follows:PRIMARY SCHOOLS
2011 (April - December) - €4.038m
2012 - €1.542m 2013 to date - €1.700m
TOTAL April 2011 to date - €7.280m POST-PRIMARY SCHOOLS
2011 (April - December) - €3.263m
2012 - €4.235m2013 to date - €1.776m
TOTAL April 2011 to date - €9.274m
101. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way the new registration fee for aircraft apprentices will be charged as they spend longer in college; if this fee will be on top of the current registration fees that some institutes of technology charge; if apprentices will be able to apply for waiver of the registration fee under the maintenance grant scheme as applies for third level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47448/13]
View answerThe Annual Student Contribution is levied on students attending Institutes of Technology. The amount due by apprentices is calculated on a pro rata basis of the time which they spend in Institutes of Technology during the academic year. Aircraft mechanic apprentices spend longer than most trades in an Institute of Technology due to the nature of their studies and their payment will be calculated accordingly.Since 2004, FÁS/SOLAS has paid a part of the Annual Student Contribution due in respect of apprentices, with apprentices themselves paying the part of the contribution relating to examination fees. As part of Budget 2014, SOLAS will cease making payments to Institutes of Technology and apprentices will pay the full pro rata Annual Student Contribution.Apprentices are paid a training allowances by SOLAS for phases of their training spent in Institutes of Technology. This allowance is equivalent to the wages they receive from their employers for on the job phases and is unaffected by the budgetary changes. The amount of the SOLAS training allowance paid aircraft mechanics while they attend IOTs ranges from €363 to €647 per week. Apprentices do not meet the funding conditions of the Student Grant Scheme as they are not participating in an approved full-time course in an approved institution.
102. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will expedite a Student Universal Support Ireland application in respect of a person (details supplied). [47449/13]
View answerOfficials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that in the case of the student referred to by the Deputy his application has been assessed and a letter informing him of the outcome will issue shortly.
103. Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) in County Meath was refused a higher education grant on the grounds of their residency status even though they are in posession of a stamp 4 GNIB card; the reason this person was not granted a full review of their original application in view of information provided; the reason for refusal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47481/13]
View answerOfficials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that, following an appeal to SUSI from the student referred to by the Deputy, a letter issued on 22nd October 2013 upholding the original decision of the awarding authority. The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform adjudicates on a person's entitlement to remain in the State and on the stamp that is awarded where permission to remain is sanctioned. A 'stamp 4' does not of itself convey any entitlement to public services. The nationality requirements for the student grant scheme are set out in section 14 of the Student Support Act 2011 and regulation 5 of the Student Support Regulations 2013. In all cases, to qualify for a student grant, it is the grant applicant and not his/her parents that must meet the nationality or prescribed immigration status requirements in their own right. The onus is on the grant applicant to provide the necessary documentary evidence as proof of their nationality or immigration status to the relevant grant awarding authority.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. The relevant appeal form is available to download from http://www.studentfinance.ie/downloads/1375344221/2013_SGAB_appeal_form.pdf.
104. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Education and Skills when construction of the extension to Castleknock Community College will commence. [47506/13]
View answerMy Department has authorised Dublin Dun Laoghaire Education and Training Board to proceed to tender on the project for Castleknock Community College. The tender specification is currently being finalised by the ETB and its design team and is expected to issue to the prequalified contractors later this month. Following completion of the tender process the start on site date will then be agreed with the successful contractor.
105. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide necessary funding for facilities at a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47531/13]
View answerThe school referred to by the Deputy have been approved devolved funding to replace prefabs at their school. 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.
106. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the new reduced sick leave arrangements will take effect for staff in schools; the date from which they will commence to calculate this leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47565/13]
View answerFollowing a review of sick leave arrangements and the binding Labour Court Recommendation No. LCR20335, a new Public Service wide Sick Leave Scheme will be introduced across the public service. In recognition of the differences in the education sector, the Labour Court Recommendation stated that while the revised sick leave arrangements should be of general application to all categories of public servants the application of the new scheme should be the subject of further consultative meetings under the auspices of the Department of Education and Skills.
These consultative meetings have taken place and my Department will notify the partners and schools shortly the agreed position for the Education sector.
107. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a proposed building project for a school (details supplied) in County Cavan; when this project will proceed to the next stage; the likely timescale for construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47566/13]
View answerThe school building project referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning. An appeal to an Bord Pleanála has recently been concluded and the Design Team are working on the completion of stage 2(b) of Architectural Planning.When the Stage 2b Report has been submitted and reviewed, my Department will contact the Board of Management with regard to the potential, at that time, for further progression of the project.It is not possible to progress all projects within the Department's building programme to construction concurrently due to competing demands on the Department's capital budget. However, school building projects, including the project referred to by the Deputy, which have not been included in the five year construction programme, but which were previously initiated 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.
