Written Answers Nos. 193-215
193. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide details of the number of children by county currently waiting for places in Redhill House, Patrickswell, County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16234/14]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the establishment of a network of autism-specific special classes in schools across the country to cater for children with autism has been a key educational priority in recent years. The National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from primary and post primary schools for special educational needs supports, including the establishment of special classes in various geographical areas as required. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. I have arranged for the matter raised by the Deputy to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.
194. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide the locations and numbers of special classes for children with ASD in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16235/14]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from primary and post primary schools for special educational needs supports including resource teaching and Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support as well as the establishment of special classes in various geographical areas as required. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. Details of special classes for for children with autism attached to mainstream schools at primary and post primary level are available on the NCSE website www.ncse.ie and can be viewed on a per county basis. Details of any new special classes which will be opened for the coming school year will also be detailed on the NCSE website once this has been finalised.
195. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide, in tabular form, information on the following for each year, 2011, 2012, and 2013, the total number of whole time equivalent special needs assistants, the total number of hours allocated to that national complement of whole time equivalent positions, the total number of children allocated a special needs assistant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16253/14]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table. The previous Government capped the number of SNA posts at 10,575 in December 2010. That cap remained in place until December 2013. In December 2013, this Government agreed to increase the cap on the number of SNA posts by 390 posts to 10,965 at the end of 2014. Over 23,000 children access SNA services.
The total number of Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) SNA posts currently allocated by the NCSE is 10,656 posts including 8,537 posts at primary level and 2,119 posts at post primary level.
The total number of WTE SNA posts at the end of the 2011/12 was 10,320 including 8,315 at primary level and 2,005 at post primary level. The total number of WTE SNA posts at the end of the 2012/13 was 10,487 including 8,435 at primary level and 2,052 at post primary level. A whole time equivalent SNA post equates to 32 hours per week.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports, including the allocation of Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to schools. The NCSE operates within my Department's established criteria for the allocation of Special Education supports and the staffing resources available to my Department.
The NCSE allocates a quantum of SNA support for each school annually taking into account the assessed care needs of children qualifying for SNA support. The deployment of SNAs within schools is then a matter for the individual Principal/Board of Management. SNAs should be deployed by the school in a manner which best meets the care support requirements of the children enrolled in the school for whom SNA support has been allocated. It is a matter for schools to allocate support as required, and on the basis of individual need, which allows schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised.
|
SNA Resources |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
|
Number of Special Needs Assistants |
10,117 (10,320)* |
10,390 (10,487)* |
10,585 (end-Dec 2013) |
10,656 (end-April 2014) |
|
Pupils supported by SNAs |
Over 22,000 |
Over22,000/ Over 23,000 |
Over 23,000 |
Allocation process in train |
*The SNA figures for 2011 and 2012 show the allocation at the end of the calendar year as well as the figures for the respective school years (in brackets).
The figures for 2013 and 2014 show the number of SNA posts allocated to date in the 2013/14 school year. Figures provided for the 2011/12 and 2012/13 school years, with the overlap occurring and indicated in 2012.
196. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is satisfied with the current tendering process for school bus contracts in County Cork; if there is open and transparent competition; the companies and-or individuals that have lost and won contracts in County Cork in the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16254/14]
View answerBus Éireann, which operates the school transport scheme on behalf of my Department, is responsible for the procurement of contractors to provide transport services under the School Transport Scheme.I am satisfied with the current tendering process given that Bus Éireann is obliged to tender all works, goods and services in line with the European Directives on public procurement. Since 2011, the names of those individuals and companies who were successful in obtaining contracts under this process are published on the e-Tenders website. It is not Bus Éireann policy to publish the identity of unsuccessful tenderers.
197. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Education and Skills if consideration will be given to make funding available for works in a school (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16287/14]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that on 20th March last, I announced that 386 schools have been approved funding under the Summer Works Scheme to undertake school improvement works. This first round of funding will allow schools to carry out small and medium scale building works across three categories of projects - Gas, Electrical and Mechanical. A second round of the scheme is expected to be announced in the coming weeks within the context of available funding and 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. This round will cover applications for improvement works yet to be assessed, including the application from the school to which the Deputy refers.
198. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a child (details supplied) in County Dublin who has been unable to attend Foxfield SNS, due to behavioural issues, and whose parents were advised by the school that they believes the child requires a separate building with extra staff, and have met with the NCSE, National Council for Special Education, and with representatives from the National Educational Welfare Board about what they believe will work for him, but as yet have had no response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16331/14]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the establishment of a network of autism-specific special classes in schools across the country to cater for children with autism has been a key educational priority in recent years. The National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from primary and post primary schools for special educational needs supports, including the establishment of special classes in various geographical areas as required. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. I have therefore arranged for the Deputy's question relating to this child to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.
199. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to assist parents who are now left with the task of obtaining a new school place for their children due to the sudden announcement on 12 March 2014 of the closure of CBC Monkstown Junior School; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16364/14]
View answerIt is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998. The selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. Under section 15 (2) (d) of the Education Act 1998, each school is legally obliged to publish its enrolment policy. Section 29 of the Education Act 1998, provides parents with an appeal process where a board of management of a school or a person acting on behalf of the Board refuses enrolment to a student. Where a school refuses to enrol a pupil, the school is obliged to inform parents of their right under Section 29 of the Education Act 1998 to appeal that decision to either the relevant Educational Training Board or to the Secretary General of my Department. The Educational Welfare Service (EWS) of the Child and Family Agency is the statutory agency which can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The contact details for the EWS is Educational Welfare Service of the Child and Family Agency, 16-22 Green Street, Dublin 7, phone number 01-8738700.
200. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of apprenticeships at levels 5 and 6 that are available here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16365/14]
View answer201. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Education and Skills if research or consideration has been given towards establishing a guild system of apprenticeships similar to that of the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16366/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 200 and 201 together. I am informed by SOLAS that the Standard Based Apprenticeship Programme currently has 25 craft trades in the Construction, Electrical, Engineering, Motor and Print Media. The 25 craft trades are placed on the National Framework of Qualifications at Level 6, and participants who successfully complete the programme receive an Advanced Certificate - Craft. A Review of Apprenticeship Training in Ireland was published in January. The review proposed a framework which provides scope for an expanded range of apprenticeships operating at any level of the National Framework of Qualifications, from Level 5 upwards. The Review includes recommendations for change in the existing model as well as a number of detailed recommendations regarding the expansion of apprenticeship into other sectors. My Department is currently undertaking a consultation process with stakeholders with regard to the implementation of the review group's recommendations. An implementation plan is expected to be finalised by the middle of the year.
202. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to open a multidenominational primary school in the Dublin 6 area; the results of the previous consultation of parents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16367/14]
View answerI assume that the Deputy is referring to a survey of parents in the Dublin 6 area under the patronage divesting process. The outcome of the parental survey for that particular area was that a sufficient number of parents said they would avail of an Educate Together multi-denominational school if that choice of patronage was available to them. The Deputy may be aware that on 12 March 2014, I announced that four primary schools are expected to open this September as part of the process of primary school divestment. The opening of these schools, all of which will be under the patronage of Educate Together, is as result of progress to date in discussions with existing patrons in the areas concerned following the divesting surveys. Discussions are continuing to take place with the patrons in the remaining areas surveyed, including the Dublin 6 area, so that further progress can be made over time.
203. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount of funding his Department provided to the Dublin Dental Hospital in 2013; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a direction was issued to all staff in the Dublin Dental Hospital by their human resources Department requesting all staff to stop taking work experience placement students; if he is concerned that a teaching hospital such as this is now refusing work experience, and if the dental hospital will reverse this policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16372/14]
View answerThe amount of recurrent funding provided by my Department to the Dublin Dental Hospital (DDH) in 2013 was €11.051m. The allocation is provided to meet the pay costs of the teaching staff and towards the running costs of the DDH. The Deputy will be aware that funding is also provied by the Department of Health and Children. DDH is governed by the Dublin Dental Hospital Board which is a Statutory Body appointed by the Minister of Health and Children. DDH is responsible for its own academic affairs and issues involving work placements is a matter for the management and Board.
204. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is responsible for appointing any members to the board of the Dublin Dental Hospital in 2013; if so, if they report to him and if they signed on to the policy of the hospital of no longer taking work experience placements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16373/14]
View answerThe Dublin Dental Hospital Board was established by Statutory Instrument (S.I.129 of 1963) under the Health (Corporate Bodies) Act 1961 and is governed by a board appointed by the Minister for Health. The Minister for Health appointed the current Board in January 2011. The appointments are for a 4 year period ending 31st December 2014.
205. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of persons affected by the abolition of the additional training allowance of €20 per week under budget 2014 for those participating in SOLAS and Youthreach training programmes and VTOS training and education courses. [16374/14]
View answer206. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department has assessed the impact of the abolition of the additional training allowance of €20 per week under budget 2014 for those participating in SOLAS and Youthreach training programmes and VTOS training and education courses on those affected by this measure, particularly on their ability to continue to participate in these training programmes and courses. [16375/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 205 and 206 together. The payment of an additional training allowance of €20 per week for the long term unemployed was introduced during a period of high employment levels as an incentive for the long term unemployed to participate in FÁS (now SOLAS), Youthreach and VTOS training and education courses. In the present economic situation this incentive is no longer considered appropriate and as part of Budget 2014 it was decided to cease this payment for participants commencing courses after 1st January 2014. This change does not apply to persons who commenced a course prior to January 2014 who will continue to receive the long term bonus payment for the duration of their course. The cessation of the long term bonus payment brings the training allowances paid to participants on SOLAS, Youthreach and VTOS courses into line with participants on other education courses who are in receipt of a Back to Education Allowance from the Department of Social Protection. Participants on SOLAS, Youthreach and VTOS courses will continue to receive meal and travel allowances. It is estimated that 6,500 participants per annum will be affected by this change when it comes into full effect. This is a decision taken in the context of the overall savings this Department had to find for 2014 and future years.
207. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 82 of 4 March 2014, the reason a person (details supplied) in County Clare has not been facilitated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16404/14]
View answerThe State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations. The State Examinations Commission operates a scheme of Reasonable Accommodations in the Certificate examinations. Applications for such accommodations are submitted by schools on behalf of their students. Full details of the scheme are available for downloading from their website: www.examinations.ie/candidates/reasonableaccommodations. The State Examinations Commission has assured me that a direct reply will issue shortly.
208. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills in relation to 44 court actions currently being defended by the State Claims Agency the subject matter of which is serious allegations of abuse perpetrated against school children by teachers, if his Department in conjunction with the office of the Attorney General and the State Claims Agency has reviewed such cases against the background of the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of a person (details supplied). [16422/14]
View answerThe State Claims Agency is reviewing its day school abuse cases to identify those that come within the parameters of the judgment of the ECHR in this case. I expect to receive this review very shortly following which I will be reporting back to Government on the matter
209. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a Master's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16428/14]
View answerIn 2012 a public service-wide review of allowances was carried out by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. As a result of the review, qualification allowances were abolished with effect from 1st February 2012. Department of Education and Skills Circular 0008/2013 outlines the effect of this decision on teachers. The Circular was agreed under the auspices of the Teachers' Conciliation Council, a body established in accordance with the terms of the Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme for Teachers. The Council is composed of representatives of the teacher representative bodies, school management, the Department of Education and Skills and Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, chaired by an official of the Labour Relations Commission. In Paragraph 12 of Circular 0008/2013 an exception is made in the case 'where as at 5 December 2011, a teacher in employment on that date and eligible for receipt of a qualification allowance in respect of the post they held on that date, was actively undertaking a course of further study leading to an additional qualification, provided that the teacher does not cease to be a registered student on that course before its completion. Such individuals may apply to the Department/VEC as appropriate for a derogation from the general position within 3 months of the date of receipt of the award'. As the person concerned was not a teacher in employment on 5 December 2011 and not eligible for receipt of a qualification allowance in respect of any teaching post on that date they do not qualify for payment of an allowance in respect of the qualification related to the course being undertaken at that time.
210. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is satisfied with the scope of authority available to the children's Ombudsman and the role to investigate complaints made to the Ombudsman for Children under sections 8 and 9 of the Children Act 2002 by parents who feel the administrative action of a school board of management has negatively affected the children attending the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13998/14]
View answer211. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is satisfied with the recourse available to parents of children who have been left disadvantaged by the administrative decision of a school board of management to obtain an independent impartial opinion on the management decision; the reason for the board making the particular decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13999/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 210 and 211 together.Section 28 of the Education Act 1998 provides for grievance and appeal procedures in schools. It expresses a desirability of determining appeals and resolving grievances in the school concerned. Section 29 of the Act sets out a limited set of circumstances a parent can appeal administrative decisions of a school. These are confined to expulsions, suspensions or refusal to enroll. The Government has approved the drafting of the Admissions to School Bill 2014 in which the extent to which refusal to enroll will or will not be subject to a Section 29 appeal will be addressed. I am not satisfied with the current provisions of Section 28. I plan to revise it in order to provide in law for a Parent and Student Charter. I plan to consult with the Ombudsman for Children's Office on this matter. Changing how schools engage with, listen and respond to parent concerns will be an important part of a Charter. Providing parents with the rationale for any decision is important. If schools help parents to understand the basis for a decision parents are more likely to accept the fairness of decisions.
212. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he sees any conflict in teachers marking their own students in the junior cycle student award; if he will reconsider this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16480/14]
View answerTeachers are professionals, I have confidence in their professionalism and integrity.Junior Cycle is different to Senior Cycle. We are fortunate that over 90% of our young people stay on to Senior cycle and complete the Leaving Certificate. The Junior Cycle is no longer a high stakes examination. I want the JCSA to be a support for learning. I know that teachers are capable of assessing their own students at this level, it happens in other jurisdictions. Irish teachers are a particularly well qualified and professional cohort and can bring this expertise to bear on assessment which is a key part of the learning process. To support teachers, it is important to realise that the State Examinations Commission (SEC) will continue to externally mark the terminal written examinations for English, Irish and Maths in a transitional period, while the system becomes familiar with the challenges presented by changed assessment approaches. For all other subjects, the SEC will provide a timetable, the final paper and a detailed marking scheme. The school-based assessment of these subjects will include a process of internal moderation. Discussions are currently ongoing regarding the possibility of providing external supports for such moderation. Extensive quality assurance measures are being built into the new Junior Cycle. These include, for example, the Assessment and Moderation Toolkit (which will include exemplars of student work outlining standards) and CPD to enable the teachers to understand and implement the standards being sought with confidence.
213. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to address the gap in ICT education as shown in the recent programme for international student assessment study on 15 year old students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16481/14]
View answerThe latest PISA report from the OECD's Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) shows that 15 year old students in Ireland performed at the average level of participating countries on computer based assessment of problem solving. Ireland only ranked 17th of the 28 OECD countries who took part in the study, and 22nd out of all 44 participating countries. Ireland performed less well than expected in computer based problem solving. The findings suggest a lack of familiarity with using computers, at home and school, for school-related tasks, and this may have contributed to a lower performance. The integration of ICT into teaching and learning and assessment in schools remains a major priority for the Government. The new Digital Strategy for Schools will address the new policy challenges and opportunities arising from major developments in curricular reform, digital publishing, digital content, cloud services, portable computing and student devices and broadband for schools. It will address future proofing, making specific recommendations and detail an implementation plan. Analysis is currently underway of a comprehensive survey of teachers and principals on the use of ICT for teaching and learning and will be completed shortly. Themes include the impact of ICT in teaching, learning and assessment, school-wide planning for integration of ICT in teaching and learning, access to ICT equipment and curriculum-relevant digital content, integration of student devices for learning and understanding pupils' access to ICT for learning outside the school context. I expect to publish the Strategy later this year.
214. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has reviewed the discussion paper by the Nevin Economic Research Institute regarding the funding of the higher education system and it's call to reverse cuts to third-level education and eventually reduce student registration fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16482/14]
View answerI am aware of the paper referred to by the Deputy and the recommendations contained in it which are relevant to the work which is ongoing between my Department and the Higher Education Authority (HEA) in relation to the future funding policy for higher education. This builds upon the substantial amount of work already undertaken by the HEA. The objective is to identify a range of approaches that, combined, will achieve a sustainable funding base to address the continual expansion of the sector while protecting the quality of education. I have asked that this report be considered in that context.
215. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Education and Skills the provisions that have been put in place for children with Down syndrome starting school this September; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16521/14]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department allocates significant resources to ensure that pupils with special educational needs, including pupils with Down syndrome, can participate fully in education.The policy of my Department is that children with special educational needs, including children with Down Syndrome, should be included in mainstream placements with additional supports provided. All schools and all school places are therefore available for children with special educational needs. In circumstances where children with special educational need require more specialised interventions, special school or special class places are also available. Pupils with Down syndrome may receive additional teaching support in schools, either from a school's general allocation of Learning Support/ Resource Teaching, or from an allocation of additional Resource Teacher hours to the schools from the National Council for Special Education (NCSE). Pupils who have care needs may receive access to Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support in schools. Many children with Down syndrome have access to such SNA support. Other supports include provision for Assistive Technology which can ensure that educational materials can be provided in accessible formats and provision for special transport arrangements. Supports will continue to be allocated to schools to support pupils with special educational needs, including children with Down Syndrome starting school next September. Finally, the Deputy may also be aware that the recent NCSE report on Supporting Children with Special Educational Needs recommended that under a proposed new allocation model, all children, including those with Down syndrome, should be allocated additional resources in line with their level of need, rather than by disability category. An NCSE Working Group has been charged with developing proposals for a new allocation model. Any changes to the current allocation model will therefore be considered in the light of the recommendations of the report of this Group.
