Wednesday, 9 Apr 2014

Written Answers Nos. 31 - 36

School Placement

Questions (32)

Clare Daly

Question:

32. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 373 of 25 March 2014, regarding the crisis in school places at junior infant level in Swords and his Department's decision not to sanction a seventh class in Holy Family Rivervalley, to note that many of the parents who were offered a place there have subsequently not been able to get places in the schools referred to in his response; and if he will therefore reconsider his decision. [16413/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

My Department is aware of the proposal submitted by the school referred to by the Deputy to enrol a 7th stream of junior infants from September 2014. It is important that school size is monitored and that a balance is preserved among all schools in catchment areas to ensure that one school is not expanding at the expense or the viability of another school. This may sometimes result in children not being offered a place in their school of first choice.

As I have previously advised, there are currently two schools in the area concerned that have either lost or are due to lose mainstream teaching posts. These schools therefore have spare capacity within their buildings and have expressed a willingness to accept an additional stream of Junior Infants each, to alleviate any pressure on places in the area. This undertaking was given by these schools on 19th March last after contact with my Department. Prior to that date, children may have been refused a school place in the two schools in question but this should no longer be the case. It is in that context that my Department's decision to refuse sanction for a 7th stream at the school referred to by the Deputy remains unchanged.

Special Educational Needs Staffing

Questions (33)

Colm Keaveney

Question:

33. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of special needs assistants at both primary and post-primary levels in WTE terms in 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14; the number of hours allocated in each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16463/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

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. A whole time equivalent (WTE) SNA post equates to 32 hours per week.

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. The total number of Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) SNA posts allocated by the NCSE in the current school year is 10,656 posts including 8,537 posts at primary level and 2,119 posts at post primary level.

School Placement

Questions (34)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

34. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the problems faced by some parents in getting their children into local schools, including that of the parent of a child (details supplied) who has visited all schools in the area and no place is available; his plans to address this matter. [16444/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The Educational Welfare Service of the Child and Family Agency (EWS) is the statutory agency which can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The EWS may be able to offer assistance and advice on securing a school placement within the pupil's area. My officials will provide the Deputy with the contact details for the EWS regarding the area in question. The parents also have the option of making an appeal under Section 29 of the Education Act, 1998 against the decision of any school not to admit a child.

School Curriculum

Questions (35)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

35. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way he will deal with concerns of teaching unions on the proposed plans for the junior certificate cycle reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16432/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I set up a National Working Group for Junior Cycle last January as a forum to proactively address identified challenges and opportunities as they arise over the phased implementation time schedule for the Junior Cycle from now until at least September 2019 when all the subjects will have been phased in. My officials, through this National Working Group, are currently engaged in intensive discussions with the education stakeholders. Three sub-groups have been established to consider the following issues - Workload and implementation issues for schools and teachers; Quality assurance and support for teacher assessment; and the Continuing professional development required to support teachers and school leaders to implement the Junior Cycle. I expect to receive a report on these issues from the National Working Group in May.

Departmental Bodies

Questions (36)

Seán Kyne

Question:

36. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there is a committee in operation to advise him on education matters; the membership of the committee; if such a committee has representatives from Gaeltacht schools alongside representatives of Gaelscoileanna, particularly in view of the different challenges that face Gaeltacht schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16452/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta & Gaelscolaíochta (COGG) has been established "to advise the Minister on policies relating to the provision and promotion of education through the medium of Irish in recognised schools generally and in schools located in a Gaeltacht area". (Section 31, (1) (a) (ii) of the Education Act, 1998). The Membership of the Board includes 3 appointees made by the Minister. In addition, there are representatives from other organisations. These include 4 Teachers Union representatives, 3 Gaelscoileanna Teoranta, 6 representatives from Gaeltacht Schools and Irish Medium Schools along with a representative each from NCCA, CCEA, Foras na Gaeilge and Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge. Thus, the Committee includes representatives from Gaeltacht schools alongside representatives from Irish medium schools at both primary and post-primary.