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Wednesday, 15 Jan 2014

Written Answers Nos. 218-229

Further Education and Training Programmes Recognition

Questions (219, 220)

Michelle Mulherin

Question:

219. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the provisions that must be made for the welfare needs of a expectant mother who is participating on Youthreach at the location of the programme; the number of sick days they are entitled to take in a six month period; if they will be paid for time taken off to look after their medical and welfare needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1063/14]

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Michelle Mulherin

Question:

220. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the implications for accumulated credits where an expectant mother has to leave a Youthreach programme before completion to give birth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1064/14]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 219 and 220 together. Youthreach programmes are managed locally by Education and Training Boards(ETBs). The ETBs set the guidelines for sick leave entitlements for their programmes and these are notified to learners on enrolment.It is expected that Youthreach centres will respect the medical and welfare needs of expectant mothers attending the programme. The training allowance paid to Youthreach learners is based on attendance therefore learners are not entitled to a training allowance while on extended sick leave or while they are on maternity leave. Centres are expected to have a place available for learners who wish to return to the Youthreach programme following maternity leave. A learner leaving the Youthreach programme can check their eligibility for a Social Protection payment with their local Department of Social Protection Office. The QQI system is designed around a modular system of learning. When an expectant mother undertaking a QQI certified course leaves Youthreach during the programme the modules they have completed are noted in their file. They can complete the rest of the modules upon their return to Youthreach. Where modules have not been completed the learners work is retained and they can complete the module on return to the programme. The same process applies to the Leaving Certificate Applied Programme. This process does not apply to the Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate where final exams are held at the end of each academic year.

Teaching Qualifications

Questions (221)

Finian McGrath

Question:

221. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will support this matter in respect of a person (details supplied). [1070/14]

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Written answers

The Teaching Council Act 2001, as enacted by the Oireachtas, provides for the regulation of the teaching profession. The Teaching Council was established on 28th March 2006, under the terms of the 2001 Act. 22 of the 37 members of the Council are teachers.

A primary function of the Council is to maintain the register of teachers and to determine the requirements for entry onto the Register.

Section 30 of the Teaching Council Act provides that only registered teachers should be paid from Oireachtas-voted funds.

I signed the commencement order on 1 November 2013 for section 30 of the Teaching Council Act 2001 to become operational from 28 January. From that date, regulations will govern the limited conditions under which an unregistered person may be employed where a registered teacher is not available.

Decisions to renew registration as a teacher are a matter for the Council. Accordingly it would not be appropriate for me to intervene in individual cases.

Circular 52/2013 issued by my Department provides details of the procedures to be followed by school managerial authorities and Education and Training Boards on commencement of section 30 of the Teaching Council Act.

In relation to the case of staff in the Further Education sector, who, through a lack of qualifications, will be unable to gain registration before 28 January 2014, there are a number of options available to them.

Some posts have been identified that can be reclassified as tutor posts and there will also be the option of employing someone as an industry or sectoral expert to deliver programme content. These are outlined in Circular letter 52/2013.

In addition where staff cannot be reclassified they will have the option of availing of one of the following:(a) Teaching Council Non Registration (TCNR) leave, subject to a maximum duration of 6 years, or (b) Voluntary redundancy in accordance with the terms of the Collective Agreement Redundancy Payments to Public Servants (June 2012), or(c) Redeployment to non-teacher posts for such persons who are comprehended by the Haddington Road Agreement.

School Staffing

Questions (222)

Billy Timmins

Question:

222. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position in relation to staffing at a school (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1083/14]

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Written answers

The criteria used for the allocation of teaching posts to primary schools is published annually on the website of the Department of Education and Skills. 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 operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all similar types of schools equally irrespective of location. It currently operates on the basis of a general average of 1 classroom teacher for every 28 pupils with lower thresholds for DEIS Band 1 schools. As part of the Budget 2012 decisions, there is a phased increase in the number of pupils required to gain and retain a classroom teaching post in small primary schools with four teachers or less. The first phase of the budget measure took effect from September 2012. The final phase of the budget measure takes effect from September 2014. An appeals process is available to small schools which have had their staff number reduced as a result of the budget measure. A school with four classroom teachers or less which is losing a teacher or failed to gain an additional teacher as a result of the Budget 2012 measure can submit an appeal to the Primary Staffing Appeals Board. Preparation for the staffing and redeployment process for the 2014/15 school year is currently underway in my Department and will be published in due course.

School Textbooks Rental Scheme

Questions (223)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

223. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a fairer scheme for book rentals cannot be put in place; if he proposes to determine the details of rental schemes being operated in individual schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1102/14]

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Written answers

The Deputy will be aware from Budget 2014 that additional funding has been provided which will involve an investment of €15m to support the establishment of book rental schemes in primary schools that do not currently operate them. The Department will provide €5m in seed capital per annum over a three year period to such schools. The Department asked all primary schools in October last if they operated a book rental scheme. More than 80% indicated that they have a book rental scheme in operation. I do not propose to conduct any further surveys to establish the details of the rental schemes in operation in each of these schools. It is my aim to ensure that every primary school in the country has a book rental scheme. Therefore, I am targeting schools with no schemes initially as to include all primary schools would mean that the funding would be so diluted that it would have little impact. However, should more funds become available I would like to extend the grants to others. The Department will be contacting primary schools that do not currently operate a book rental scheme to advise them of the application process. Following receipt of applications from these schools it will be possible to determine whether any residual funding may be made available to other schools. I can confirm to the Deputy that the Department will continue to provide a book grant to all primary schools. This grant, which provided €7m to primary schools in 2013, can be utilised for the purposes of updating or expanding a school's existing book rental scheme.

School Transport Provision

Questions (224, 225)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

224. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will indicate the circular which states that fees for school transport may be paid in two instalments. [1136/14]

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Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

225. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department has examined the costs involved in amending the payments system for school transport fees to allow a monthly payment system for parents. [1137/14]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 224 and 225 together.

The school transport scheme, which is operated by Bus Éireann on behalf of my Department, facilitates the transportation of some 114,000 children to primary and post-primary schools each day. Bus Éireann is responsible for the planning and routing of each dedicated school transport service which is determined by the number and location of children who are eligible for school transport each year. Annual charging, as opposed to term charging, was introduced in the 2009/10 school year with provision for the family payment to be made in two instalments in July and December. The current annual charges for school transport are €100 per child at primary level and €350 per child at post primary level; these charges are subject to an annual family maximum of €220 for families with children attending primary schools only or an overall family maximum of €650. Families with children who are eligible for school transport and who hold valid medical cards (GMS Scheme) are exempt from the annual charge. Eligible children with special educational needs also travel free of charge. Invoices are issued by Bus Éireann in July of each year and each child who travels is allocated a seat for the school year. The change to the charging was communicated through this invoicing system. Annual charging has enabled Bus Éireann to streamline the payments system and plan the allocation of tickets on an annual rather than term basis thus ensuring that route planning and seating arrangements were managed in a more efficient and cost effective manner. Given the complexity of the system and the necessity to plan for and provide seats for each eligible child availing of school transport services on vehicles for the full school year, it would not be practical to issue invoices, collect monies and allocate seating on a monthly basis.

Further Education and Training Programmes Provision

Questions (226, 227)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

226. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding city and guilds exams. [1171/14]

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Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

227. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the costs of sitting tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1185/14]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 226 and 227 together.

The Deputy should be aware that it is a breach of Health and Safety Regulations for an individual to work with a CSCS card that has expired and no 'grace period' applies. I am informed that an advanced scaffolding CSCS card is valid for 5 years. If a person renews their card within 5 years of its expiry, there is no requirement to re-sit an assessment. However, the applicant is required to declare that they had the minimum scaffolding experience (300 hours) before the expiry of their card. If the is not renewed within the specified timeframe, an applicant is required to re-sit their assessments. The Approved Provider who is administering the assessment will charge the participants. This fee is set by the Provider and SOLAS are not involved in setting the price. The duration of assessments can vary and this will also dictate the price. It is a requirement that skills and experience of working safely are kept up to date and this can only be assured through the renewal of cards and the associated declaration process.

School Enrolments

Questions (228)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

228. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of parents in Greystones, County Wicklow, regarding the enrolment policy of the new school (details supplied) in County Wicklow; the proposed enrolment policy for the school when the patron sought patronage; the current enrolment policy being used; and his views on the changes and plans to address this matter. [1189/14]

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Written answers

The new post-primary school opening in Greystones in 2014 will operate under the patronage of the Church of Ireland. In applying for the patronage of a new post-primary school, the Church of Ireland confirmed willingness to enrol children in the area for whom the Department has identified the need for a school. My Department is aware that concerns have been raised. It is the responsibility of the school's managerial authority to implement its enrolment policy in accordance with the terms of the Education Act, 1998. The pupil selection process and the enrolment policy on which this is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants.

Home Tuition Scheme Eligibility

Questions (229)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

229. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 102 of 18 December 2013, if he will ensure that persons (details supplied) in County Cork both have separate home tutors on the basis that their needs, behavioural profiles and attention spans are very different and a single pooled home tutor will be unable to meet either of their needs adequately; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1202/14]

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Written answers

The 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 also provides a compensatory educational service for children awaiting a suitable educational placement and for early intervention for children with autism.

As always, the preferred approach is that, where possible, children with special educational needs are educated in school settings where they may have access to individualised education programmes, fully-qualified professional teachers, special needs assistants, the appropriate school curriculum with the option, where possible and appropriate, of full or partial integration and interaction with other pupils. The purpose of the home tuition scheme is not to provide individual education to pupils. This may occur as a by-product of the fact that many pupils qualifying for home tuition are individual pupils who require tuition, while awaiting a school placement, or who are out of school for a number of reasons. However the purpose of the scheme is to provide a compensatory education, until such time as the child can attend school. In such circumstances it is appropriate that the school grouping principle should be applied. Under the terms of the Home Tuition scheme, allocations to siblings are reflective of the school grouping principle. The pupil teacher ratio in school settings can result in one teacher being allocated to a class of six pupils with children of mixed age and ability 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. However, in recognition of the differing needs of some siblings, separate allocations can be considered on a case by case basis. Applications in this regard will require supporting documentation including professional reports from a psychologist or a letter from the principal of the school detailing the existing arrangements currently in place for the respective children and providing sound reasons why they cannot be tutored together in the home. In relation to the case referred to by the Deputy, a combined allocation has been made for the children in question, in accordance with the policy set out above. The children's parents have been advised of the allocation decision in relation to this application.

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