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Tuesday, 25 Feb 2014

Written Answers Nos. 262 - 286

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Questions (262)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

262. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills when schools will be informed of resource teaching allocations for low incidence special needs for the school year 2014-15. [9061/14]

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Written answers

Schools will shortly be requested by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) to submit their applications to the NCSE for Special Needs Assistant and Resource Teaching support for pupils with special educational needs, for the 2014/15 school year, by 26th March, 2014. The NCSE intend to advise schools of their resource teaching allocations for low incidence special needs for the school year 2014/2015, by the end of May 2014.

Teacher Redeployment

Questions (263)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

263. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary teachers that will be redeployed via the redeployment panels at the end of the school year. [9062/14]

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Written answers

The core function of the redeployment arrangements is to facilitate the redeployment of all surplus permanent teachers to other schools that have vacancies. The redeployment of all surplus permanent teachers is key to the Department's ability to manage within its payroll budget and ceiling on teacher numbers. The redeployment arrangements are published annually in the staffing circular which is placed on the Department website. The redeployment arrangements for the 2014/15 school year are set out in Circular 0007/2014 which is available on the website.

Redeployment panels are drawn up on a diocesan basis for Catholic panels, diocesan/united diocesan basis for Church of Ireland panels and on a national basis for other patron bodies. The detail relating to numbers on individual redeployment panels is placed on the Department website when the panels are published each year. My Department updates the progress of the panels on the website on a regular basis. The staffing and redeployment process for the 2014/15 school year is currently underway. My Department expects to be in a position to publish the redeployment panels in mid-March, 2014.

Asbestos Remediation Programme

Questions (264)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

264. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is satisfied that there is no risk to the health of pupils and teachers due to the presence of asbestos in school buildings at either primary or second level here. [9063/14]

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Written answers

In 1999, my Department formally requested the Office of Public Works to undertake a survey of all schools, primary and post-primary, to ascertain the position relating to asbestos and every school authority was issued with a written report of the results of this survey outlining the location of asbestos materials, if any, in their school buildings and the proposed action required. Schools that were identified by the Office of Public Works as having a level of asbestos that was deemed to be a Health and Safety issue have had the asbestos removed under my Department's Remediation Programme. If a school authority has a concern in relation to asbestos materials in their school building and wish to have it removed it is open to the school authority to submit an application for funding under my Department's Emergency Works Scheme.

Schools Refurbishment

Questions (265)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

265. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the additional funding that will be provided to repair school buildings damaged by recent weather events. [9064/14]

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Written answers

As the Deputy may be aware all school buildings that are not covered by state indemnity are required to adequately insure their school premises including insurance for storm damage. Accordingly, any damages caused during the recent bad weather would be a matter for schools' insurers. If works are required to school buildings that are not covered by insurance it is open to the school authority to submit an application for funding under my Department's Emergency Works Scheme.

Departmental Reports

Questions (266)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

266. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department intends to publish the value for money report on small schools. [9065/14]

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Written answers

The Government is currently considering the report of the value for money review of small primary schools. My intention is to publish the report on completion of this consideration process.

Special Educational Needs Staffing

Questions (267)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

267. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of resource teachers for Travellers currently employed in primary and in post-primary schools here. [9066/14]

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Written answers

I wish to advise the Deputy that a decision was taken by the previous Government as part of the December 2010 budgetary process that Traveller pupils who are eligible for learning support teaching should receive this tuition through the existing learning support provision in schools. The General Allocation Model, which provides additional learning support and resource teaching allocations for primary schools, was updated for all primary schools from the 2012/13 school year and now includes the traveller pupils who had previously been supported by Resource Teacher for Traveller (RTT) posts under the General Allocation Model.

Limited alleviation measures were put in place to assist schools who had high concentrations of Traveller pupils previously supported by Resource Teacher for Traveller posts/hours, in the context of the limited resources available. A total of 141 posts have been allocated to schools for this purpose. 81 posts were used to readjust Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS) allocations to include Traveller pupils previously supported by Resource Teacher for Traveller posts. 38 alleviation posts were provided for schools that had high numbers or concentrations of Traveller pupils who were previously supported by RTT posts and a further 22 alleviation posts were allocated to schools who had the highest percentage of traveller pupils previously supported by RTT posts, in comparison to other schools, taking into account their overall pupil populations, and who had not qualified for the first round of alleviation posts. Of these 60 alleviation posts, 40 were allocated to primary schools and 20 to post primary schools.

Pupil Data Collection

Questions (268)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

268. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to introduce a primary pupil database. [9067/14]

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Written answers

The Primary Online Database (POD) will replace the current annual census of primary schools, and will involve schools maintaining and returning data on pupils to the Department at individual pupil level on a live web-based system which is currently being developed by a project team in the Department. The database will allow the Department to more closely monitor and evaluate progress and outcomes of pupils at primary level, to validate school enrolment returns for grant payment and teacher allocation purposes, and to follow up on pupils who do not make the transfer from primary to post primary level. The system is currently in development. A pilot is scheduled to take place in the second quarter of 2014, involving a small number of volunteer schools. The main population of the database with existing pupil data will take place during the 2014-2015 academic year, and the database is scheduled to come fully into operation in the 2015-2016 academic year.

Student Grant Scheme Applications

Questions (269)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

269. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a decision on an independent application for a student grant did not issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry ; if a full review of the way Student Universal Support Ireland assessed this application will be carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9085/14]

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Written answers

In the case of the student referred to by the Deputy, I understand that Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) is reviewing his grant application and will be in contact with him shortly.

Educational Disadvantage

Questions (270)

John Halligan

Question:

270. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the circular or policy document that prompted his Department to subsume concessionary legacy posts where the schools in question showed that their enrolment had risen to a level to warrant an additional teacher; his views that this move only penalises these schools; his views that not to directly notify the DEIS 2 schools which still held their CLP that they were in danger of losing same were their enrolment to exceed a certain level shows a serious lack of transparency; his further views that this move will undoubtedly result in the unnecessary displacement of many children within these schools; that the decision to remove these posts is in direct contradiction of the DEIS report which recently praised the scheme and outlined how well DEIS as a model is working; if he will review the situation with a view to reversing the decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9102/14]

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Written answers

Budget 2012 provided for the phased withdrawal of approximately 428 posts allocated to some schools under disadvantage programmes prior to the introduction of DEIS in 2005. These posts were in 173 DEIS Band 1 and Band 2 Schools, 163 post primary schools, 16 rural DEIS schools and 17 non DEIS schools. Due to conflicting reports of posts being lost in these schools, my Department produced a report on the impact of the withdrawal of these legacy posts from Band 1 and Band 2 Schools. Following the Government's decision of 21 February 2012 in the matter a number of schools continued to retain disadvantaged legacy posts from previous disadvantage schemes on a year to year basis and only where warranted, based on the enrolment of the previous 30th September.

As the Deputy may be aware, a range of factors contribute to determining the staffing requirement for individual schools including changes to enrolment and the reforms to the teacher allocation process in 2012. The overall objective of the reforms is to enable the teacher allocation and redeployment process to operate more smoothly and efficiently, to give a more equitable distribution of existing posts between schools, give earlier certainty to schools about their staffing allocations and, where possible, simplify and streamline existing processes and give greater autonomy to schools. This also removed the need to directly notify every DEIS school of its staffing levels each year.

As the teaching allocation to schools, including disadvantage legacy posts, are enrolment-based, this determines whether schools gain or lose teaching posts from year to year. Some schools seemed to be under the impression that the Government decision of February 2012 in relation to legacy posts, implied that they would retain legacy posts, regardless of changes in enrolment. I wish to clarify that legacy posts are retained in schools from year to year, only where warranted, based on the enrolment of the previous 30th September. It is not my intention to review this decision.

Student Grant Scheme Applications

Questions (271)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

271. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9118/14]

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Written answers

Calculation of reckonable income is set out in Article 22(3) of the Student Grant Scheme 2013. The income considered by a grant awarding authority is income from all sources, whether it arises in the State or not, including:

- Income from employment (including benefit in kind and directorships)

- Social welfare payments (with certain exclusions - see below)

- Payments from other government departments or state agencies

- Self-employment or farming

- Rental and other income from land and property

- Income from pensions other than the social welfare state pension

- Income from savings, deposit accounts and investments

- Income from maintenance arrangements

- Lump sum payments from retirement and redundancy

- Income from the disposal of assets or rights

- Gifts and inheritances

- Income from other sources In the case of a student whose parents are divorced, legally separated or it is established to the satisfaction of the awarding authority that they are separated, the reckonable income shall be that of the applicant and the parent with whom the applicant resides.

Section 21(6) of the Student Support Act 2011 provides that:

"(6) A person (including an awarding authority) aggrieved by a determination of the Appeals Board, may appeal, with the leave of the Appeals Board, or where the Appeals Board refuses such leave, with the leave of the High Court, to the High Court against the determination on a specified point of law."

School Evaluations

Questions (272)

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

272. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department's inspectors are enabled to comment on the physical infrastructural constraints and limitations within schools as part of the whole-school evaluation process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9121/14]

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Written answers

Inspectors are enabled to comment on physical infrastructure, facilities and deployment of resources during whole school evaluations. While the primary focus of whole-school evaluation is on the quality of teaching, learning, school leadership and management, where serious shortcomings in relation to school facilities are found these are raised with the school authorities and recommendations are included in the inspection report. The matter is also brought to the attention of my Department's planning and building unit. In addition, the planning and building unit may request the Inspectorate to conduct specific visits to schools on matters relating to planning and school facilities. In the period January 2012 to December 2013 inspectors conducted 91 such visits to primary and post-primary schools.

Schools Health and Safety

Questions (273)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

273. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will carry out a review of the impact that vending machines are having on the health of secondary school children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9122/14]

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Written answers

The results of the 2012 Lifeskills survey, which were published by my Department recently, indicated that approximately 30% of post primary schools have vending machines or school shops which sell fizzy drinks, sweets and crisps. In response to this finding, officials in my Department are currently developing guidance for schools on promoting healthy eating, including through the appropriate use of vending machines. In issuing such guidance my intention is not to prohibit the sale of particular foods but to suggest that a range of foods and drinks be available. I do not have the authority to dictate to schools in this manner. Vending machines are an important revenue stream for some schools and it is not my intention to displace this.

It is important that we do not dictate to students about what they can and cannot eat. My objective is to ensure instead that our students are given the opportunity to choose from a range of foods, including healthy options, when using vending machines in schools.

School Curriculum

Questions (274)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

274. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will respect the outcome of the 27,000 second-level teachers who will be balloted on non-co-operation with new junior cycle proposals this March; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9123/14]

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Written answers

I regret the announcement by the ASTI and TUI of the fact that they are balloting their members on industrial action on the new Junior Cycle Student Award (JCSA). I have considered the concerns expressed by the unions and others in relation to the new JCSA. In that context, I have responded to their concerns in relation to the implementation of the Framework on Junior Cycle. I have slowed down the pace of implementation and provided additional professional development opportunities for teachers and school leaders. I hope that the teachers, through their unions, will use the National Working Group for Junior Cycle, which I set up, as the forum to proactively address identified challenges as they arise over the phased implementation time schedule that is the Junior Cycle. I am expecting a report from this Group in May.

Schools Building Projects Applications

Questions (275)

Dara Calleary

Question:

275. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a capital funding building project application from a secondary school (details supplied) in County Mayo; his views that the current condition of the school renders it a health and safety hazard; if he will outline a possible timeframe for the delivery of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9128/14]

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Written answers

The school building project referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning. All Statutory Approvals have been received and the Design Team are working on the completion of stage 2(b) of Architectural Planning. 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. In the meantime, for works that are of a very urgent nature, it is open to the school authorities to consider if the works in question qualify for funding under my Department's Emergency Works Scheme. An emergency is deemed to be a situation which poses an immediate risk to health, life, property or the environment which is sudden, unforeseen and requires immediate action and, in the case of a school, if not corrected would prevent the school or part thereof from opening. Details of the Scheme, together with an application form for grant assistance, can be accessed on my Department's website.

Gaelscoileanna Issues

Questions (276, 278)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

276. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for increasing the number of places at the Gaelsoileanna in Clondalkin to meet the growing demand for these places from local families. [9129/14]

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Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

278. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for improving the facilities at the Gaelscoileanna in Clondalkin specifically by providing funding for schools to provide classrooms for their pupils in place of the existing prefabs. [9131/14]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 276 and 278 together.

As the Deputy is aware, my Department's over-riding objective is to ensure that every child has access to a physical school place and that our school system is in a position to cope with increasing pupil numbers. To ensure that this is achieved, the delivery of major school projects to meet significant demographic demands nationally will be the main focus for capital investment in schools in the coming years. The 5 Year Construction Plan that I announced in March 2012 is focused on meeting this demand.

I can confirm that the two gaelscoileanna in Clondalkin have submitted applications for capital funding for new schools. The current status of all projects on the school building programme, including the schools referred to by the Deputy, may be viewed on my Department's website at www.education.ie and this is updated regularly throughout the year. I am pleased to advise the Deputy that my Department recently approved funding to one of the gaelscoileanna to build 2 mainstream classrooms. Pending the provision of improved accommodation, it is open to the school authorities to submit an application for additional mainstream accommodation should the current accommodation be insufficient to cater for any increasing enrolments.

Gaelscoileanna Issues

Questions (277)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

277. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total number of Gaelscoil places available in the Dublin 22 area in 2011 to 2013, inclusive, and to date in 2014; and if he will provide an estimate of the current level of demand for places in these schools. [9130/14]

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Written answers

Dublin 22 is in the Clondalkin feeder area. There are two Gaelscoileanna in this area. The schools' total enrolment details are: 2011/12 = 517; 2012/13 = 515.

The number of pupils enrolled in individual schools is provided in the National School Annual Census. Results from the Census for the current school year (2013/2014) are being finalised at present. Publication of all data at primary level and a final list of schools and their enrolments will be on my Department's website by the end of the school year. The Deputy should be aware that enrolment is not tantamount to capacity in a school as the capacity of a school is contingent on a number of issues such as the current pupil/teacher ratio, whether or not a school has DEIS status and whether or not a school has temporary accommodation to increase its capacity. Primary schools also generally have a range of other rooms which they may, from time to time, use as general classroom space to cater for increasing enrolment demands.

My Department is currently analysing demographic data across the country, including that for the Clondalkin feeder area, to ensure that any additional demand for places can be met in a timely manner. In the meantime, my Department recently approved funding to build 2 mainstream classrooms in one of the Gaelscoileanna in question to meet immediate demand for additional places.

Question No. 278 answered with Question No. 276.

Gaelscoileanna Issues

Questions (279)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

279. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of prefabs being used by Gaelscoileanna in Dublin 22. [9132/14]

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Written answers

A list of Gaelscoileanna that have rented prefabricated buildings is attached for the Deputy's attention. My Department does not hold information in the sub-county format as requested. Schools that are included on my Department's 5 Year Capital Programme and Prefab Replacement Initiatives are highlighted, as these will have their temporary accommodation replaced with permanent buildings. Please note that a prefab unit may consist of one or more classrooms and/or ancillary accommodation.

Roll No

School Name

County

Desc. of rental

19907I*

Gaelscoil Mologa

Dublin

Pre-fab

20043G

Gaelscoil Chnoc liamhna

Dublin

Pre-fab

20047O**

Gaelscoil Bharra

Dublin

Pre-fab

Gaelscoil Bharra

Dublin

Pre-fab

20334R**

Gaelscoil Ros Eo

Dublin

Pre-fab

Gaelscoil Ros Eo

Dublin

Pre-fab

Gaelscoil Ros Eo

Dublin

Pre-fab

*Included in Prefab Replacement Programme.

**Included in 5 Year Programme.

School Patronage

Questions (280)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

280. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for new secondary education in Maynooth, County Kildare including patronage, denomination and the way it will link with other secondary education in the area. [9196/14]

View answer

Written answers

My Department is providing a new 1,000 pupil post-primary school for Maynooth. The school, which will be a non-designated Community College, will commence operation in September 2014 under the patronage of the Education and Training Board. Maynooth has one existing post-primary school, which also operates under the patronage of the Education and Training Board. My Department is co-locating both schools in purpose built accommodation on the same campus.

The patron has appointed a single Governing Authority to guarantee to Parents/Guardians and Students a fair and equitable enrolment policy for both schools and to ensure that the overall management of the campus will be as cohesive and effective as possible. Each school will have, as usual, a Board of Management that will carry out the normal functions of such Boards, including those relating to the delivery of a quality education for Students.

School Patronage

Questions (281)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

281. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for primary education in Ballyfermot and the possible transfer of patronage from the De La Salle Brothers to Educate Together. [9197/14]

View answer

Written answers

My Department understands that the Patron is in ongoing discussions with the relevant stakeholders in the Ballyfermot area as part of its assessment of future school accommodation needs in the area. While my Department is aware of the Patron's discussions locally, it has not received a proposal from the Patron in this regard.

Question No. 282 answered with Question No. 112.

Educational Disadvantage

Questions (283)

Finian McGrath

Question:

283. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will support all disadvantaged schools on the northside of Dublin in 2014. [9240/14]

View answer

Written answers

A key priority for my Department is to prioritise and target resources in schools with the most concentrated levels of educational disadvantage. To this end resources in DEIS schools have been protected under Budget 2014, with no overall changes to DEIS-related staffing levels or DEIS funding in 2014.

Summer Works Scheme Applications

Questions (284)

Finian McGrath

Question:

284. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application under the summer works scheme in 2014 in respect of a school (details supplied) in Dublin 9. [9241/14]

View answer

Written answers

I wish to advise the Deputy that commensurate with the level of funding available for the Summer Works Scheme, applications are currently being assessed on a top down basis in accordance with the prioritisation criteria outlined in the governing Circular Letter for the Scheme. This Circular Letter (59/2013) is available on my Department's website www.education.ie. It is my intention to publish a list of successful applicants in early 2014.

Teacher Data

Questions (285)

Finian McGrath

Question:

285. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary and secondary teachers retiring in 2014; and the way he will respond to this. [9242/14]

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Written answers

Teaching resources are allocated to schools on a school year basis. Unlike most other areas of the public service teaching vacancies are being filled in accordance with published Department criteria. The Government has prioritised, as best as possible, the filling of front-line posts in the Education sector within the constraints of the Employment Control Framework. For example, schools are permitted to fill teaching vacancies that arise within their approved staffing allocations. The redeployment of surplus permanent teachers is the first mechanism to fill teaching posts in schools. This is key to the ability of my Department to manage within its payroll budget and ceiling on teacher numbers. Thereafter, teaching posts are filled in the normal manner through the recruitment process at individual school level.

Teacher retirements occur each month throughout the year, however, the vast majority retire at the end of August. It is not possible at this early stage to predict the overall retirement levels in 2014. Apart from some 75 teachers who must retire at the end of August on reaching mandatory retirement age, any teacher who satisfies the age and service requirement may opt to retire at any time throughout the year. However the timing of their application is entirely a matter for the individual teacher. My Department requested that teachers who intend to retire in 2014, and who satisfy the age and service thresholds for pension, would make application for pension to the Pension Unit of the Department by 31 March 2014. This is to facilitate the timely payment of their pension benefits.

Early School Leavers

Questions (286)

Finian McGrath

Question:

286. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of pupils leaving our educational system at 13 years; and the responses that are in place for early drop-outs. [9243/14]

View answer

Written answers

There is currently no national data available on retention of pupils at primary level or on the numbers leaving by age.

Enhancing attendance, progression, retention and attainment are central elements of DEIS, the Action Plan for Educational Inclusion. DEIS is part of a continuum of interventions delivered by my Department to address educational disadvantage including early school leaving from pre-school through second-level education. This includes second-chance education and training and access measures to increase participation in further and higher education for the minority of our young people who, for various reasons, leave education early without the knowledge and skills they need to support them in later life. A further element of this continuum is the ongoing development of provision for pupils with special educational needs.

It is particularly encouraging to see the retention rate in DEIS schools increase substantially, from 68.2% for the 2001 cohort to 80.4% for the 2007 cohort. The retention rates of pupils, who entered the first year of the junior cycle in 2007, represents a full cohort of students to have DEIS resources available to them throughout their second level education.

The Educational Welfare Services of the Child and Family Agency has developed a new Integrated Model of Service Delivery which involves the Educational Welfare Service, the Home School Community Liaison Scheme, the School Completion Programme as well as schools in order to improve service delivery to schools, children and their families. This new service model is designed to facilitate a standardisation of service delivery across the country whilst also taking into consideration the need for flexibility given the unique nature of difficulties presenting in individual children's lives. I understand that pilot testing of the model is currently underway with full service roll-out anticipated in 2014.

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