Written Answers Nos. 147-165
147. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the supports provided, financial or otherwise, by his Department to encourage the take up of Irish language courses by adults in the context of lifelong learning. [2316/14]
View answerIrish Language courses are provided locally by the Education and Training Boards (ETB) as part of the Adult Literacy and Community Education Scheme (ALCES) and the Back to Education Initiative (BTEI). ETBs decide on the nature, extent and location of courses provided. These courses are provided free of charge to learners in most cases. Breacadh is an adult education resource responsible for assisting ETBs in the provision of adult learning opportunities, through Irish in the Gaeltacht regions. Breacadh assists the ETBs by producing books and other adult learning materials through Irish, and by providing support with tutor training and the marketing of the ETBs' Irish language service. The Funding for these programmes, previously provided directly by the Department to the ETBs, will in future will be administered by SOLAS.
148. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools here that operate withdrawal or timeout rooms for children with autism; and his plans to regulate and monitor the use of them. [2339/14]
View answerSchools should supervise and support children who are distressed or out of control until they have recovered and are able to re-engage in the classroom. Schools withdraw pupils occasionally from the main classroom for short periods of time in order to provide such support. Such rooms may not be designated and it is therefore not possible to say how many such rooms are in schools.
The Board of Management of each school is responsible for the care and safety of all of the pupils in their school. Where a parent or any other person has concerns about the care or safety of a child they should report these concerns to the Board of Management of the school, or may report the matter as a child protection concern to the HSE or to my Department. I have asked the NCSE to advise on this issue as part of their policy advice on education for children with Autism.
149. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the actions his Department will take in 2014 to ensure a high quality early years education system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2351/14]
View answerWhile the Department of Children and Youth Affairs is responsible for early years education outside the formal education system, my Department has a key role in supporting quality within the sector and works closely with the D/CYA. Working with agencies funded by the D/CYA, the NCCA produced an Aistear-in-Action toolkit which is a resource for use in early years settings showing how the Aistear themes of Wellbeing, Identity and Belonging, Exploring and Thinking and Communication translate into practice. My Department has also directed the implementation of Síolta, the National Quality Framework, by working with these agencies. Minister Fitzgerald has secured funding for a national quality support service, a training fund and an improved inspection regime. During 2014, my Department will continue to work closely with the D/CYA on the development of these measures and will be drawing on the expertise it has acquired through the implementation of Aistear and Síolta.
150. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if any of the two primary and second level teachers on his Department's payroll who retired between 1 February 2009 and 29 February 2012 and who had the salary increase of 2.5% payable from 1 September 2008 withheld when their gratuity and pension entitlements were being calculated because they continued to be paid by payable order have now transferred to electronic payment; if so, has the 2.5% increase now been applied to their current pensions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2312/14]
View answerPension entitlements are based on the salary and allowances applying to the individual at the date of retirement. Where a person had the salary increase of 2.5% payable from 1 September 2008 withheld and who retired on the lower salary rate the 2.5% increase has not been applied to the pension entitlements regardless of whether they signed up to the EFT payment system after their date of retirement.
151. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he has taken to avoid the problems he noted his predecessor was facing in February 2008 with regard to institutional rigidities and being bullied by teachers' interests and Civil Service conservatism when it came to providing ABA interventions for children with autism. [2318/14]
View answerIn June last year I formally asked the NCSE to prepare evidence based policy advice on the education of children with autism which would be informed by research and consultation. I specifically asked the NCSE to consult widely with parents, professionals, other stakeholders and interested parties in the preparation of this policy advice. I understand that the work has already commenced, the research process is underway and the Council has heard presentations from a range of interested parties including academic and professional representatives regarding the provision of education for children with Autism including Applied Behavioural Analysis. I am confident that the NCSE will fully explore best practice both nationally and internationally and that the resulting policy advice will provide clarity on how future provision for educating children with Autism in Ireland should be designed.
152. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which his Department continues to interact with industry with a view to ensuring that the educational sector remains adequately focused to ensure that pupils and students emerging from primary, second and third level education are adequately equipped to meet the challenges at every level in the modern workplace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2314/14]
View answer271. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which his Department continues to liaise with the business sector with a view to ensuring that the educational system adequately meets the requirements of the workplace with particular reference to the development of the specific skills currently required and likely to be required in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2912/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 152 and 271 together.
The Enterprise Engagement Forum, which is chaired by the Secretary General of my Department, provides for bi-annual dialogue between the Department and enterprise on education policy issues. Input from enterprise is also provided for through representation on boards and agencies across the education and training sector. The development and delivery of targeted skills initiatives such as the ICT Skills Action Plan and Springboard involve close interaction with enterprise. In addition, the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs, which is funded by my Department, plays a pivotal role in advising on the skills needs of enterprise and its research and reports inform programme development by education and training providers. Meeting the requirements of industry is a high priority for the education system and a wide ranging programme of reform is currently being rolled out across all levels of the system to ensure the continued development of skills appropriate to enterprise, particularly through the implementation of the National Literacy and Numeracy Strategy and the reform of the Junior Cycle. One of the core objectives under the new Performance Framework for the higher education system is meeting Ireland's human capital needs across the spectrum of skills areas through both core funding and specifically targeted initiatives. The creation of the new further education and training authority, SOLAS, will also ensure an increased focus on the evolving skills requirements of industry.
155. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the funding that is ring fenced to ensure schools have the capacity to deliver the new junior certificate reforms. [2341/14]
View answerFunding has been ring-fenced for the implementation of the new Junior Cycle. The combined costs of curriculum and CPD support in a full year will be of the order of €10 million. The NCCA has prioritised the Junior Cycle in its workplan and is currently working on the subjects and short courses that will be phased in over the next number of years. A Junior Cycle for Teachers' Support Service has been established under the directorship of Dr. Pádraig Kirk and is currently working with school leaders and with English teachers. Last Friday the National Working Group on Junior Cycle Reform met to progress the Junior Cycle reform. The capacity of schools to deliver on Junior Cycle reform will be a part of their deliberations. A sub group will be established to further the deliberations on CPD. Its first meeting will be held on 30th Jan. It will report back to Working Group on 7th February
156. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which his Department has become alert to a shortage of skills in certain areas with particular reference to those sectors previously provided for by way of apprenticeships; if any dialogue has taken place with industry with a view to identifying how best to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2315/14]
View answerSOLAS has had a number of meetings with representatives of the Construction Industry who highlighted specific areas and skillsets where additional training could be provided. In the context of their course calendar planning for 2014, SOLAS will review and where possible amend programmes to facilitate the Construction Industry's needs. Under the Action Plan for Jobs initiative, a review of the Apprenticeship System was commenced in 2013 to determine whether the current model of apprenticeship should be retained, adapted or replaced, taking into account the needs of learners, employers, the economy and the need for cost effectiveness into the future. The review, which received over 60 submissions, was completed and presented to my Department in December 2013. The implementation of the report's recommendations will now be considered by relevant stakeholders in the context of establishing a framework for a future expanded apprenticeship system.
157. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the National Council for Special Education literature review will not be published until 2015 in view of the fact that those tendering for the project were informed that it should be completed by January 2014; the reason he is not requesting a systematic review; the reason, given professional criticisms of the 2001 task force report, tendering parties were told they would not be allowed to re-evaluate evidence presented in that review. [2320/14]
View answerThe NCSE is currently undertaking two separate pieces of work around Autism. One is a systematic literature and country review of evidence relating to Educating Persons with Autism. The second is the preparation of policy advice on the educational provision for children with Autism which is being prepared at my request. The NCSE has advised that it expects the literature review to be published this Autumn. The first draft was expected by January 2014. This was set out in the tender and has not changed. I am advised by the NCSE that their tender did in fact request a systematic review of the evidence and further that the purpose of the current NCSE review is to provide up to date evidence since their last literature review which was published in 2009. I also understand that the deadline of 2015 relates to the publication of the policy advice paper and not to the literature review.
158. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Taoiseach when accurate figures reflecting actual jobless figures can be expected, including those persons on training, back to work schemes and other jobs initiatives; the percentage of the labour force available for work; and the percentage that is working more than 15 hours a week. [2655/14]
View answerA. The Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS), the official source of estimates of unemployment in the State, is available on a quarterly basis. The next results, Q4 2013, will be published towards the end of February 2014. The latest available results, Q3 2013, are already available on the CSO website.
Information regarding Activation Programmes, sourced directly from administrative files in the Department of Social Protection, are published on a monthly basis in the Annex of the Live Register release. The next results, covering December 2013, will be published in early February 2014. The latest available results, covering November 2013, are already available on the CSO website.
Table 1 Activation Programmes
|
- |
November 2012 |
November 2013 |
|
Back to Work Schemes |
||
|
Back to Work allowance scheme - Employee strand1 |
21 |
11 |
|
Back to Work Enterprise allowance scheme -self employed strand |
10,884 |
10,152 |
|
Short-term Enterprise Allowance2 |
1,138 |
640 |
|
Total Back to Work payments |
12,043 |
10,803 |
|
Other Activation Programmes |
||
|
DSP Part-time Job Incentive |
215 |
313 |
|
Tús - Community Work Placement Initiative (2011) |
4,522 |
6,849 |
|
JobBridge (2011) |
5,503 |
6,174 |
|
Total Other Activation Programmes |
10,240 |
13,336 |
|
Community Employment Schemes (excluding Supervisors) |
21,102 |
22,238 |
|
FÁS Full Time Training for Unemployed People3 |
9,857 |
9,199 |
|
Back to Education Courses |
||
|
Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS)4 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Back to Education Allowance (BTEA)5 |
25,819 |
25,162 |
|
Total Back to Education Courses |
30,819 |
30,162 |
|
Total Activation Programmes |
84,061 |
85,738 |
1 This scheme was closed to new applications from 1st May 2009.
2 This scheme was introduced from 1st May 2009. It provides immediate support for someone in receipt of Jobseekers Benefit who wants to start a business.
3 Specific Skills Training/Local Training initiative/Traineeship/Return to Work.
Breakdown became available for April 2012 Live Register release.
4 VTOS figures are estimated at 5,000 each year.
5 BTEA figures include all schemes but participants from JA & JB are not entitled to BTEA during the summer holidays.
Includes MOMENTUM participants from February 2013.
Source: Department of Social Protection
B. The Labour Force comprises those persons who are classified as either Employed or Unemployed. Persons classified as Unemployed are those persons in any given reference week who were without work and who were available for work within the next two weeks, and who had taken specific steps in the preceding four weeks to find work. Therefore, the percentage of the labour force available for work will equate to the unemployment rate, as the unemployment rate is calculated as the percentage of the labour force that are unemployed and this data is shown Table 2 below.
Table 2 Unemployment rates (ILO) of persons aged 15 years and over Q3 2012 and 2013
|
% |
% |
|
|
Jul- |
Jul- |
|
|
Sept 12 |
Sept 13 |
|
|
All persons |
15.0 |
13.0 |
Source: Quarterly National Household Survey, Central Statistics Office
In addition, persons who were without work who have indicated that they were available for work within the next two weeks but had not sought work in the preceding four weeks are not classified as being unemployed and are therefore not classified as being part of the labour force. Table 3 below, however, includes an additional indicator which shows the number of persons who are classified as part of this potential additional labour force as they are available for work but not seeking. The indicator is also presented as a percentage of the actual labour force.
Table 3 Persons aged 15 years and over in the labour force and persons not in the labour force available for work, Q3 2012 and 2013
|
ILO Economic Status |
Jul- |
Jul- |
|
Sept 12 |
Sept 13 |
|
|
In labour force ('000) |
2,165.8 |
2,182.1 |
|
Persons not in the labour force who are available but not seeking work ('000) |
43.9 |
37.9 |
|
Persons not in the labour force who are available but not seeking work as a percentage of the total labour force (%) |
2.0 |
1.7 |
Data may be subject to future revision;
Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change;
Reference period: q3=Jul-Sept;
Source: Quarterly National Household Survey, Central Statistics Office.
C. The percentage of persons aged 15 years and over in employment (ILO) whose usual hours of work are more than 15 hours in the week is shown in table 4 below.
Table 4 Persons aged 15 years and over in employment (ILO) classified by usual hours worked, Q3 2012 and 2013
|
- |
% |
|
|
Usual hours worked |
Jul- |
Jul- |
|
Sept 12 |
Sept 13 |
|
|
1-14 hours |
4.0 |
3.7 |
|
15 hours and over |
83.7 |
83.1 |
|
Variable |
12.3 |
13.1 |
Note: Persons for whom no usual hours of work are available are included in the 'variable' hours category.
Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change;
Reference period: q3=Jul-Sept;
Source: Quarterly National Household Survey, Central Statistics Office.
159. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Taoiseach the dates of meetings held to date by the Cabinet sub Committee on Mortgage Arrears since its establishment in March 2012. [54553/13]
View answerThe Cabinet Committee on Mortgage Arrears and Credit Availability has met on seventeen occasions since March 2012.
14th March 2012
3rd April 2012
24th April 2012
15th May 2012
5th June 2012
25th June 2012
19th July 2012
5th November 2012
14th January 2013
22nd February 2013
15th April 2013
13 May 2013
22nd July 2013
30th September 2013
21st October 2013
25th November 2013
20th January 2014
160. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Taoiseach when he expects the Household Finance and Consumption Survey to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1559/14]
View answerThe Household Finance and Consumption Survey (HFCS) - which collects information on the assets and liabilities of households; as well as employment, income and pension data etc. on individuals - is currently being processed by the Central Statistics Office (CSO). Although no firm date for the release has been set yet, it is envisaged that publication will be in early autumn 2014.
161. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach the numbers of persons who have emigrated from Ireland since he took office in 2011. [55218/13]
View answerAnnual information on migration is published in the Population and Migration Estimates release which issues in August each year.
The table below provides the most recent estimates of the number of immigrants and emigrants, by nationality, for the period ending mid April for the years 2012 and 2013. The figures are preliminary and are subject to revision.
Estimated Migration classified by nationality, 2012 and 2013
|
Immigrants (000) |
2012 |
2013 |
|
Nationality |
||
|
Irish |
20.6 |
15.7 |
|
Non-Irish |
32.1 |
40.2 |
|
Total |
52.7 |
55.9 |
|
Emigrants (000) |
2012 |
2013 |
|
Nationality |
||
|
Irish |
46.5 |
50.9 |
|
Non-Irish |
40.6 |
38.1 |
|
Total |
87.1 |
89.0 |
|
Net Migration (000) |
2012 |
2013 |
|
Nationality |
||
|
Irish |
-25.9 |
-35.2 |
|
Non-Irish |
-8.5 |
2.1 |
|
Total |
-34.4 |
-33.1 |
162. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach if he will provide in tabular form year on year the number of JobBridge interns taken on in his Department in 2013. [2244/14]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy is in the Table beneath.
JobBridge internships in the Department of the Taoiseach
|
Year |
Number |
Title |
|
2013 |
2 |
Policy Researcher, Policy Analyst |
|
2012 |
4 |
Policy Researcher, International Communications intern, Policy Analyst, Policy Analyst and Researcher |
163. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach if he will provide in tabular form year on year the number of commercial and non-commercial State agency board positions, under the aegis of his Department, that have been filled since March 2011 to December 2013; the number of these positions that were publically advertised; and the number of female appointments. [2245/14]
View answerThe National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) is the only State Agency under the aegis of my Department. The NESDO was established under the NESDO Act 2006 and is the body corporate for the National Economic and Social Council (NESC).
Since coming into office on 9 March 2011, there have been two appointments to the National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO), as set out in the table beneath. The appointments were made in accordance with Section 13 (1) of the National Economic and Social Development Office Act 2006 - "The Office shall consist of the chairpersons and deputy chairpersons of the Council, Forum, Centre and any other body established under section 7. "
Details of appointments made to the NESDO since 9 March 2011 are set out in the table beneath.
|
Year |
Board Positions Filled |
Positions Publicly Advertised |
Number of Female Appointments |
|
2011 (9 March 2011 - 31 December 2011) |
1 |
None |
None |
|
2012 |
1 |
None |
None |
|
2013 |
None |
Not Applicable |
Not Applicable |
Although the National Statistics Board (NSB) is not classified as an agency under my aegis, I am providing the following for the information of the Deputy. Appointments to the NSB are made in line with the provisions of Section 18 of the Statistics Act 1993.
The Act provides that two of the positions on the Board are filled at Assistant Secretary level or higher from the Departments of the Taoiseach and Finance, these positions are not advertised.
The existing Chairperson was also reappointed.
Details of appointments made to the National Statistics Board (NSB)
|
Year |
Board Positions Filled |
Number of these Positions Publicly Advertised |
Number of Female Appointments |
|
2011 (9 March 2011 - 31 December 2011) |
None |
None |
None |
|
2012 |
1 |
None* |
None |
|
2013 |
3 |
None*(expressions of interest have been sought for four unfilled vacancies on the board) |
1 |
*Section 18 of the Statistics Act 1993 provides that two positions on the board are filled by (1) an Assistant Secretary or equivalent or higher grade in the Department of the Taoiseach; (2) an Assistant Secretary or equivalent or higher grade in the Department of Finance. The Director General of the CSO is a member of the NSB, ex officio.
164. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach to provide in tabular form year on year the occasions on which he has signed off on the awarding of added years to public sector workers between March 2011 and December 2013; the grade of the persons awarded; the added years; and the number of added years awarded in each instance. [2246/14]
View answerNo added years have been awarded to staff in my Department between March 2011 and December 2013.
165. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach if he will provide in tabular form the use of external public relations firms employed by his Department since coming to office; the list of uses of the external public relations firms; his internal Department policy with regard to employing external groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2249/14]
View answerThe table below provides details of external public relations firms employed by my Department since 9 March 2011.
|
Name of Consultant |
Purpose of consultancy |
|
Caroline Erskine, Media and Public Affairs Consultant |
To assist in the implementation of the communications plan for Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union and associated projects. |
