Written Answers Nos. 19-24
19. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on the ability of primary schools to use Internet-based teaching devices in delivering the curriculum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16442/14]
View answerThere are a number of internet-based teaching devices in use in classrooms, including Interactive Whiteboards, laptops, desktop computers and tablet computers. All schools in the country have been offered a broadband internet connection to enable them access the internet with a dedicated Broadband support desk to support them. There have been continual improvements in the speeds being made available to primary schools on the schools broadband network. As part of its evaluative role, the Inspectorate monitors the use of ICT in teaching and learning in schools. The findings of incidental inspections carried out in primary schools in the period September 2010 to September 2012 indicate that there has been a significant increase in the number of classrooms that are permanently equipped with a laptop/PC and a data projector for teaching purposes. There is also evidence of greater incorporation of ICT into classroom activities. For example, ICT was used in 30% of the mathematics lessons evaluated in 2009-2010 compared with 46% of the mathematics lessons evaluated in 2010-2012.
20. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the level of demand for a new Gaelcholáiste in north-eastern County Kildare over the past five years is such that immediate consideration should be given to establishing such a school; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the numbers of new students seeking such a place will exceed 200 in the next academic cycle; the level of representation he has received on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16450/14]
View answerI have received many representations on this general matter. The Deputy will be aware that a new post primary school is opening in Maynooth in September 2014. This new school will have an all-Irish Aonad for which circa 40 pupils are currently enrolled for 1st year. In addition to an existing Gaelchóláiste serving the general area, this development will help to service all-Irish post-primary demand in the north east of Kildare.
My Department has confirmed that if sufficient demand for education through the medium of Irish in the Aonad is demonstrated over a four year cycle, consideration will be given to the establishment of an independent Gaelchóláiste.
21. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider the case of a small school (details supplied) in County Wexford which is due to lose one of its teachers despite having 87 children on roll; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16445/14]
View answerThe school referred to by the Deputy is seeking to remain as a 4-teacher school on the basis of its enrolments of 84 pupils at 30 September 2013 and 3 additional pupil enrolments in March 2014. The school submitted an appeal to the Staffing Appeals Board on this basis. While there is provision for recognising enrolments in October 2013 there is no provision in the appeals process for recognising enrolments that occur as late as March in any school year. Notwithstanding this, the school can submit a new appeal if its projected enrolment for 30 September 2014 is at least 86 pupils. This would enable the school to remain as a 4-teacher school pending confirmation of its actual enrolments in September.
22. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which continued assessment takes place of the need to ensure that children or students exiting from the education system are adequately prepared to meet the challenges of the workplace with particular reference to the degree to which their educational accomplishments are in line with the requirements of industry and-or administration in the public-private sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16425/14]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that there is a wide ranging programme of reform underway across the education and training sector and one of the key aims is to ensure the continued development of skills appropriate to enterprise, particularly through the implementation of the National Literacy and Numeracy Strategy, reform of the Junior Cycle, the establishment of the local Education and Training Boards and SOLAS, reform of Higher Education and the Review of Apprenticeships.
Targeted funding is also being allocated for training opportunities in areas where there are skills shortages identified by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs.
In addition, the first Higher Education System Performance Report is currently being prepared and will set out the level of performance of the system in relation to Ireland's human capital needs. Officials in my Department regularly meet business and industry leaders through the Enterprise Engagement Forum which provides an opportunity for regular direct engagement on key education policy issues with enterprise partners.
23. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is satisfied with the recourse available to creditors of boards of management of schools who are not receiving payment for services rendered, noting that his Department has issued payment to the board for the specific service; the checks and balances in place to ensure devolved funding is issued by the boards of management to the appropriate creditor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16338/14]
View answerGenerally, the Board of Management is responsible for contracts which exist between a school and a supplying contractor. The remedy for any breach in a contract is governed by Contract Law.
Where schools receive devolved funding from my Department for the provision of additional accommodation, the Board of Management is responsible for acquiring this accommodation in accordance with the Department's guidance documents. It is a matter for school authorities to ensure that suppliers are paid in a timely manner.
I understand that the Deputy is referring to a devolved grant of €100,000 provided to a school authority for the provision of additional accommodation. If the Deputy wishes to provide more information in relation to the project, officials in my Department's Planning and Building Unit will investigate the matter further.
24. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether the ability of the economy to create and sustain jobs is being hampered by the issues highlighted in the OECD programme for the international assessment of adult competencies which indicated worrying trends in relation to skill levels in the Irish workforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12161/14]
View answerIreland's performance in the programme for the international assessment of adult competencies (PIAAC) survey was mixed. While I am encouraged that progress is being made on the adult literacy front, with a four percentage point drop in the proportion of Irish adults scoring at or below level one, the results of the PIAAC survey has reinforced my view that we need to work hard on core skills.
There is a need for a distinction to be drawn between the core skills being measured in the PIAAC survey and some of the specialist skills that drive Ireland's well-performing international sectors. Nonetheless, I am intensifying efforts on core skills development through the implementation of the National Literacy and Numeracy Strategy and the Further Education and Training Strategy developed by SOLAS.
