Written Answers Nos. 25-30
26. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the date on which his Department’s policy on educating children with autism will be available; the actions that are being taken to improve educational provision for children with autism, particularly in the area of early intervention services for children who have received a diagnosis of autism. [16337/14]
View answerMy Department's policy promotes a child centred approach to the education of children with special needs including autism. Children with autism can enrol in an early intervention class from the age of three and if a placement is not available home tuition is provided. Home tuition is also provided for children with autism from the age of two and a half.
The NCSE is currently preparing policy advice on the education of children with autism which will include a review of early intervention provision. I expect that the final report, which is to be delivered at an unspecified date in the spring of 2015, will consider the broadest possible range of views and provide recommendations which will assist the development of policy for future years.
27. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which the current school admissions policy is adequately geared to meeting the enrolment numbers presenting throughout the country with particular reference to areas of higher populations growth; the extent to which primary and second level schools are so affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16424/14]
View answerCurrent school admissions policy or indeed the changes to admission policy that I want to bring about can influence how individuals are treated fairly in any one school when seeking admission, but admission policy cannot in itself address the issue raised by the Deputy.
It is the work done by the Planning and Building Unit of my Department that can ensure that there are sufficient school places available overall in any area to meet population growth.
The Forward Planning Section of my Department utilises a Geographical Information System (GIS) to analyse demographic data in order to determine the areas where additional school accommodation may be required. A variety of sources are used in this analysis, including census data, school enrolment data, and child benefit data obtained from the Department of Social Protection.
In March 2012, I announced a five year school building programme to cater for increasing demographics across all areas of growing population.
28. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the action he is taking to increase primary and post-primary school accommodation in Midleton and Carrigtwohill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16336/14]
View answer31. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to build new primary and secondary schools in Midleton and Carrigtwohill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16335/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 31 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, the area referred to has been identified by my Department as one of the areas where, due to demographic changes, it is projected that there will be a requirement for significant additional school provision at both primary and post-primary levels over the coming years.
In that context, a total of 5 school projects, involving 4 primary school projects (one of which involves an amalgamation of 2 schools) and one post primary project, are proposed for the area to meet demographic growth and have been included in my Department's five year plan, subject to suitable sites being acquired.
I can advise the Deputy that my Department, working in conjunction with Cork County Council, has identified possible permanent sites to facilitate planned building projects for the schools in question. However, whilst negotiations towards the acquisition of such sites are ongoing, I am not in a position due to the commercially sensitive nature of these negotiations to give further details at this time.
29. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department's requirements in relation to child protection are being implemented and monitored by his Department at a school (details supplied) in County Limerick following the constructive dismissal of the school principal and the resignation of the school board of management; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16446/14]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that in February 2008 a Department Inspector reported a child protection concern in relation to an employee of the school referred to by the Deputy.
The concern related, in the context of the Children First Guidelines, to alleged emotional abuse arising from the manner in which the teacher was observed speaking to pupils and alleged neglect in relation to the teacher refusing a pupil access to the toilet. There was no allegation of child sexual or physical abuse.
In accordance with the Department's child protection procedures the matter was reported to the HSE. In May of 2008 the HSE advised that the information provided by the Department would not constitute a report of child abuse under the Children First Guidelines.
The Deputy will be aware that the Child and Family Agency has recently taken over the statutory remit previously with the HSE in relation to child protection. My Department has established from that agency that no other concern has been raised with it in relation to the school employee concerned.
If the Deputy, or any other person, has a child protection concern regarding this school it should be reported to the Child and Family Agency. If any allegation is referred to my Department, it will be reported to the Child and Family Agency in accordance with the requirements of Children First. At the same time, my Department makes the allegation known to the school authority concerned as employer of the subject of the allegation.
30. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of DEIS 1 and DEIS 2 schools in the country; if this number has increased in the past three years; if he review the eligibility criteria for this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16340/14]
View answerThere are currently 852 schools in DEIS. This figure is made up of 195 Urban Band 1, 141 Urban Band 2 schools, 322 rural and 194 post primary schools. The number of schools participating in DEIS has not increased in the past 3 years.
I have no immediate plans to review the eligibility criteria for DEIS.
DEIS is the subject of an ongoing evaluation to ensure successful implementation and that the best possible approaches to measuring progress and outcomes are used. Findings to date are very positive and show continuing improvements. However, they also show average results in DEIS schools still fall below the national average. It is important that the gains to date are built upon.
The current focus of my Department is on the ongoing evaluation of DEIS and on distilling the learning from this research to inform future policy on educational disadvantage, including the most appropriate eligibility criteria for schools.
