Wednesday, 2 Apr 2014

Written Answers Nos. 100-107

Autism Support Services

Questions (100)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

100. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 358 to 362, inclusive, of 25 March 2014, in view of the fact the research by Howard et al in 2005 stated the ABA group had significantly higher mean standard scores in almost all skill domains measured and assessed by independent examiners than the other two groups assessed, if he will now answer the question previously asked; and if he now accepts the two separate pieces of research clearly demonstrate that, fully accepting it only relates to some children and not all children with autism, the sole use of an ABA approach to educate some children with autism was clearly shown to be more effective than the alternative approaches used in the studies. [15599/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The Deputy is aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is currently preparing Policy Advice on the Educational Provision for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. The NCSE has advised that the policy advice will be delivered in the spring of 2015 and will draw upon findings gathered from an extensive consultation process which has already commenced.

As I previously advised the Deputy my officials brought the two pieces of research, to which he again refers, to the attention of the NCSE, in the context of their preparation of this policy advice. I expect that the NCSE final report will reflect the broadest possible range of views and provide recommendations which will assist the development of policy for future years. As outlined previously I have not personally read the research in question. The research, its merits and issues arising will be considered in the context of the NCSE policy advice report.

Autism Support Services

Questions (101)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

101. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 358 to 362, inclusive, of 25 March 2014, noting the specific comments in the reply that it was he who requested the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, to prepare policy advice on educational provision for children with autism, if he will explain the reason nothing appears to have been done by his Department over the past ten years regarding the complete absence of policy advice from the NCSE in view of the NCSE's formal role under section 20 of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act to advise him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15600/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

My Department's policy on the education of children with autism resides within the overall policies on the education of children with special educational needs. In the main these policies are non-condition specific. However my Department is conscious of the on-going need to adapt policies and to develop new policies as new research or learning becomes available.

As the Deputy is aware a key function of the National Council for Special Education, as set out under Section 20 of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act 2004, is to provide expert, independent, evidence-informed policy advice on special education for children and adults.

In recent years the NCSE has provided policy advice to my Department on a range of issues including the Future Role of Special Schools and Classes in Ireland, the Education of Children who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing and the Education of Students with Challenging Behaviour Arising from an Emotional /Behavioural Disorder. In 2013 the NCSE published its policy advice on Supporting Students with Special Educational needs in Schools.

I previously advised the Deputy that I have now requested the NCSE to prepare Policy Advice on the Educational Provision for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. The NCSE has advised that the policy advice will be delivered in the spring of 2015 and will draw upon findings gathered from an extensive consultation process which has already commenced. I expect that the NCSE final report will reflect the broadest possible range of views and provide recommendations which will assist the development of policy for future years.

Schools Building Projects Status

Questions (102)

Seán Fleming

Question:

102. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the application for a new capital works project for a school (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15603/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The school to which the Deputy refers has submitted an application to my Department for large scale capital funding for a new school.

In that regard, in view of the financial constraints imposed by the need, as outlined in the Five Year Plan, to prioritise available funding for the provision of essential additional school places to meet demographic demand, my Department is not in a position to provide an indicative timeframe for progression of a major capital project at this time.

However, it is open to the school, should additional teaching posts be allocated, to apply to my Department for additional accommodation to meet its immediate accommodation needs.

School Patronage

Questions (103)

Ciaran Lynch

Question:

103. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to facilitate a second level Educate Together school (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15608/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

In June 2011, I announced that some 20 new post primary schools are to be established up to 2017 to cater for increasing demographics across a number of locations. While new post-primary schools are planned for the Cork South Suburbs/Carrigaline and Middleton/Carrigtwohill feeder areas, that announcement did not include a proposal to establish a new school for Cork city.

My Department continues to analyse demographic data to identify where further new primary and post-primary schools may be required from 2017 onwards. It will be open to all patron bodies, including the one mentioned in the details supplied, to apply for patronage of any such schools in line with the established patronage determination process for such schools.

School Patronage

Questions (104)

Kevin Humphreys

Question:

104. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress, if any, that has been made towards the establishment of an Educate Together secondary school in the north or south Dublin city areas; if he or his officials have held any meetings on this issue with interested parties; if he is concerned at the lack of such a follow-on school for the many multidenominational primary schools established or planned within the Dublin city area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15622/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

In June 2011, I announced that some 20 new post primary schools are to be established up to 2017 to cater for increasing demographics across a number of locations. That announcement did not include a proposal to establish a new school for the city of Dublin. I recently met with an advocacy group for a new multi-denominational school for the north side of the city in this regard.

My Department continues to analyse demographic data to identify where further new primary and post-primary schools may be required from 2017 onwards. It will be open to all patron bodies, including those with proposing a multi-denominational ethos, to apply for patronage of any such schools in line with the established patronage determination process for new schools.

School Enrolments Data

Questions (105, 107)

Kevin Humphreys

Question:

105. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of the demographic increases that have led to the need for a large number of new schools and classrooms in the Dublin city area, if there has been any demographic analysis of the potential need for new secondary schools in this area, particularly in the Dublin 2, 4, 6 and 8 areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15623/14]

Kevin Humphreys

Question:

107. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of secondary school places available in schools in the Dublin 2, 4, 6, 6W and 8 areas for intake for the next academic year 2014-15; if he will provide a breakdown by secondary school; the way his Department ensures there are enough places for children in the area and the way it takes account of the large number of fee-paying schools in its analysis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15625/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos.105 and 107 together.

Following a detailed nationwide demographic analysis, I announced that some 20 new post primary schools are to be established up to 2017 to cater for increasing demographics across a number of locations. That announcement did not include a proposal to establish a new post-primary school for the Dublin 2, 4, 6 and 8 areas.

My Department is currently examining the most up-to-date demographic data available for the country to determine further needs and to ensure these are met in a timely manner. In this regard, my Department's Five Year Plan prioritises major school projects in areas where future significant demographic changes have been identified. There are currently 28 post-primary schools in the areas in question. Half of the schools are fee-charging.

The total first year intake for the 2012/13 school year was 1,908 pupils. While enrolment figures for the 2013/14 school year are currently being verified, it appears that the first year intake for the current year has decreased by 64 pupils. The breakdown is a decrease of 16 pupils in the fee-charging sector and 48 pupils in the Free Education Scheme schools.

A breakdown of enrolments by year for each school is provided in the following table.

The Department takes fee-charging schools into consideration when assessing the level of accommodation both in place and needed to meet specific demographic demand in any particular area relative to the profile of the enrolment in the fee-charging schools at a particular time.

-	-	Post Primary Schools - Dublin 2, 4, 6, 6W & 8	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Detailed Enrolment 2012/2013
Roll No.	School Name	Fee Charging	1st Yr	2nd Yr	3rd Yr	TY	5th Yr	6th Yr	Total M'stream	PLC
60892G	The Teresian School	Y	42	39	44	37	27	28	217	0
60860Q	Our Lady's School	N	120	120	120	120	137	127	744	0
60490J	C.B.S. Westland Row	N	17	28	20	0	35	33	133	0
60500J	Marian College	N	77	79	74	62	69	91	452	0
60540V	Catholic University School	Y	77	71	79	66	75	58	426	0
60561G	St Michael's College	Y	88	103	106	111	96	96	600	0
60590N	St Conleth's College	Y	41	37	46	36	56	50	266	0
60820E	Loreto College	Y	96	98	97	101	94	83	569	0
68071G	John Scottus Secondary School	Y	18	26	24	17	27	21	133	0
70200D	Ringsend College	N	22	19	12	0	19	57	129	43
60530S	Gonzaga College	Y	92	93	92	92	86	85	540	0
60560E	St Mary's College	Y	81	78	75	65	69	67	435	0
60640C	Sandford Park School Ltd	Y	27	33	38	41	34	37	210	0
60670L	The High School	Y	133	137	142	130	130	125	797	0
60710U	Muckross Park College	N	119	119	120	119	120	106	703	0
60890C	St Louis High School	N	117	119	130	89	110	76	641	0
60910F	Alexandra College	Y	69	87	73	79	89	74	471	0
61020A	Stratford College	Y	13	10	18	16	22	16	95	0
60562I	Templeogue College	N	120	119	120	110	112	98	679	0
60570H	Terenure College	Y	113	115	117	128	101	119	693	0
70260V	St Mac Dara's Community College	N	166	166	167	30	166	131	826	0
76092K	PRESENTATION COLLEGE	N	77	65	51	41	28	50	312	0
60410I	C.B.S. James Street	N	47	47	35	0	41	50	220	0
60470D	Christian Brothers, Synge St.	N	38	60	55	0	47	54	254	0
60660I	St Patrick's Cathedral G.S	Y	21	17	25	25	15	25	128	0
60792C	Presentation College	N	51	52	56	34	56	42	291	0
60872A	Mercy Secondary School	N	26	31	26	27	30	30	170	0
70280E	Rathmines College	N	0	0	0	0	0	132	132	542
-	-	Totals	1908	1968	1962	1576	1891	1961	11266	585

Questions (106)

Kevin Humphreys

Question:

106. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of children who will graduate from primary schools in the Dublin 2, 4, 6, 6W and 8 areas at the end of this school year; if he will provide a breakdown by school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15624/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

This information for school year 2013/2014 will not be available until June 2014. Here is a link to the provisional figures we have available on our website at the moment: http://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Statistics/Data-on-Individual-Schools/

Question No. 107 answered with Question No. 105.