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Wednesday, 30 Apr 2014

Written Answers Nos. 127 - 145

VAT Rate Application

Questions (127)

Eric J. Byrne

Question:

127. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Finance if VAT on defibrillators (details supplied) will be removed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19723/14]

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Written answers

The VAT rating of goods and services is constrained by the requirements of EU VAT law with which Irish VAT law must comply. Defibrillators, other than implantable defibrillators, are liable to VAT at the standard rate of 23%. Parts or accessories and training are also liable to VAT at the standard rate.

There is no provision in the EU VAT Directive that would make it possible to exempt from VAT the supply of defibrillators. Under the VAT (Refund of Tax) (No.15) Order, 1981 it is possible for individuals to obtain repayment of VAT expended on certain goods and appliances which assist persons with a disability to overcome that disability.  In this context, a defibrillator purchased by or on behalf of an individual may qualify for a VAT refund.  However, a defibrillator purchased for general use by a sports body or charity would not qualify for such a refund.

Teacher Redeployment

Questions (128)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

128. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the circumstances under which a teacher who has had dismissal proceedings brought against them may be redeployed using the panel system. [18533/14]

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Written answers

Disciplinary matters are dealt with at school level in accordance with procedures under Section 24 of the Education Act 1998. If a teacher on a redeployment panel has dismissal proceedings being taken against him/her then an opportunity will be given for such proceedings to conclude before any decision is made in relation to redeployment.

School Enrolments Data

Questions (129)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

129. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide map based information regarding the location of primary schools nationwide; if the map will state the number of mainstream teachers and student enrolments per school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18539/14]

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Written answers

All of the information requested by the Deputy is already available on my Departments website at the following links.

Map:

http://www.education.ie/en/find-a-school. Data on Individual Schools: (Teacher information is available in the "Class Size Information at Individual Primary School Level: Previous Years" section.)

http://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Statistics/Data-on-Individual-Schools/.

Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Questions (130)

James Bannon

Question:

130. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an application for refund of field trip expenses for the academic year 2013-2014 will be reviewed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18726/14]

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Written answers

Under the terms of the Student Grant Scheme eligible students may receive funding towards compulsory field trips provided that the combined cost of the tuition fee, student contribution and the field trip does not exceed the maximum fee limit applicable at the time.

Officials in my Department contacted the awarding authority (Longford County Council) in this case and they confirmed that the tuition fee and the student contribution exceeded the maximum fee limit of €6,270 and the field trip expenses couldn't be approved.

State Examinations

Questions (131)

Dara Murphy

Question:

131. Deputy Dara Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the options available to a student (details supplied) in County Cork who does not have access to a reader for forthcoming State exams and a waiver from assessment of spelling, grammar and punctuation in language subjects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18755/14]

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Written answers

The 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.

In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.

Special Educational Needs Staffing

Questions (132)

Finian McGrath

Question:

132. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for promoting special needs assistant courses when persons cannot get on the panel which is the requirement to get a job; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18771/14]

View answer

Written answers

The detailed supplementary assignment arrangements for (Special Needs Assistants) SNAs for the 2013/2014 school year are set out in Departmental Circular 0037/2013 which issued on 1 July 2013 and which is available on the Department's website at the following address:

http://www.education.ie/en/Circulars-and-Forms/Active-Circulars/cl0037_2013.pdf.

With effect from 1 May 2013 once an SNA with a minimum of one year's service is notified by his/her employer that he/she is to be made redundant then he/she shall be deemed to be a member of a Supplementary Assignment Panel for SNAs. It should be noted that this does not prevent the person applying for SNA vacancies but employers are obliged to give precedence to applicants who are members of the SNA Supplementary Assignment Panel.In relation to training courses my Department does not promote any SNA training courses. The recruitment of Special Needs Assistants is a matter for the Board of Management of the school. It is a matter for the Board of Management to ensure that Special Needs Assistants are in a position to effectively meet the care needs of pupil/pupils for whom SNA support has been allocated in the school when appointing a SNA. Where specific training is required, the Board should liaise with the Health Service Executive in order to ensure that the HSE provides guidance and training that enables the SNA to meet the care needs of the pupil in an appropriate manner.

State Examinations

Questions (133)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

133. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cavan has not been assigned a reader for their exams; the way they can get one in view of their mild learning difficulties; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that failure to assign a reader to this student will impede their performance in their examinations. [18787/14]

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Written answers

The 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.

In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.

Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme Eligibility

Questions (134)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy

Question:

134. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there are upper age limits in place for acceptance on the VTOS home care course, if so, the age limits, and if these age limits must be clearly stated in any advertising of these courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18811/14]

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Written answers

The Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) provides individuals with the education and skills needed to gain employment or progress to further and/or higher education and training leading to employment. The primary target groups are the long-term unemployed, the low-skilled and disadvantaged. The only age limit specified for VTOS participants by my Department is that they must be aged 21 years and over and be in receipt of specified social protection payments for at least six months.

Information and Communications Technology

Questions (135)

Michael McGrath

Question:

135. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department is in a position to provide any assistance to a school (details supplied) in County Cork that must replace 12 classroom computers this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18828/14]

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Written answers

Integrating ICT into teaching and learning in schools remains a priority for this Government. My Department's ICT in Schools programme sets out a clear agenda to be pursued in this regard, focusing on four main priorities: ICT Infrastructure in schools, the Schools Broadband Programme, the development of teacher skills, and the provision of curriculum-relevant digital content.

On the infrastructure side, my Department distributed more than €90m in ICT infrastructure grants to schools nationwide in 2009 and 2010 including allocations of €11,973.23 and €12,195.80 to Togher Boys National School in November 2009 and 2010 respectively. These schemes prioritised the equipping of all classrooms with a digital projector, teaching computer and wireless keyboard and mouse. This ICT infrastructure grant scheme is now fully disbursed. Unfortunately, we are not in a position to provide any further funding for ICT equipment at present.

My Department is committed to the implementation of a new digital strategy for schools which will focus on enhancing teaching and learning through the use of ICT in the classroom. This strategy must address new policy challenges and opportunities arising from major developments in curricular reform, digital content and new technologies. The provision of equipment to schools will be considered in this context.

SOLAS Training and Education Programmes Administration

Questions (136)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

136. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the report on the evaluation of the skills development and work experience phases of the momentum programme has been published; if not, when he plans to publish this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18838/14]

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Written answers

This is a day to day operational matter for SOLAS who manage the Momentum programme. The evaluation report on the Momentum programme will be delivered in four elements. The first relates to the recruitment, the second relates to the delivery, the third relates to the outcomes and the fourth will be a final report amalgamating the first 3 elements.

To date, the first two parts (recruitment and delivery) have been submitted to SOLAS and are informing the design of the new round of Momentum. A longer period is required for the outcomes element as this requires data on the status of participants for a period after the completion of their programmes. The part reports are not being published separately as they are interlinked and need to be integrated for publication. The final report on the programme is expected to be available in the autumn.

School Uniforms

Questions (137)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

137. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on the survey of parents by school boards on uniforms; if his attention has been drawn to the number of schools that have undertaken a survey; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18839/14]

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Written answers

I wish to advise the Deputy that the school uniform policy is a matter for each individual school and not my Department. My initiative late last year was aimed at strengthening the role of parents in how schools decide their policies on uniforms. I intend to gather what feedback I can gather from schools and from the National Parents Councils.

Youthreach Programme Funding

Questions (138, 139)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

138. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the annual budget for the Youthreach programme in each of the years 2008 to 2013, inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18840/14]

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Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

139. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total number of participants who completed the Youthreach programme in each of the years 2008 to 2013, inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18841/14]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 138 and 139 together.

In the years 2008 to 2013 my Department provided the following funding to the former Vocational Educational Committees (VEC) to fund their Youthreach programmes –

2008 - €66.9m

2009 - €67.6m

2010 - €69.9m

2011 - €73m

2012 - €70m

2013 - €68.5m

The annual survey of Youthreach learners indicated that the following numbers of learners completed their Youthreach programme in each of the years 2008 to 2012, figures for 2013 are not yet available –

2008 - 832

2009 - 790

2010 - 924

2011 - 1,068

2012 - 1,117

There were some 3,700 places on Youthreach at any one time over the period in question.

Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme Expenditure

Questions (140, 141)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

140. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the annual budget for the VTOS programme in each of the years 2008 to 2013, inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18842/14]

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Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

141. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total number of participants who completed the VTOS programme in each of years 2008 to 2013, inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18843/14]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 140 and 141 together.

In the years 2008 to 2013 my Department provided the following funding to the former Vocational Educational Committees (VEC) to fund their VTOS programmes –

2008 - €71.2m

2009 - €77.4m

2010 - €78.9m

2011 - €78.9m

2012 - €79.7m

2013 - €79.7mThe annual survey of VTOS learners indicated that the following numbers of learners completed their VTOS programme in each of the years 2008 to 2012, figures for 2013 are not yet available –

2008 - 2,847

2009 - 2,948

2010 - 3,131

2011 - 3,076

2012 - 3,164 There were almost 6,000 VTOS places at any one time over the period in question.

Youthreach Programme Funding

Questions (142, 143)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

142. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the training, travel, accommodation and meal allowance payable to Youthreach participants for those aged under 18 years and above 18 years in 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18844/14]

View answer

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

143. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the training, travel, accommodation and meal allowance payable to Youthreach participants for those aged under 18 years and above 18 years in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18845/14]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 142 and 143 together.

The rates for travel, accommodation and meal allowance payable to Youthreach learners are the same in 2008 and 2014. Meal Allowance: €4.00 per week or €0.80 per day;

Accommodation: €68.90 per week or €13.98 per day;

Travel: 3-5 miles - €6.60

5-10 miles - €11.90

10-20 miles - €17.60

20-30 miles - €21.60

30-40 miles - €27.70

40-50 miles - €32.60The training allowance payable per week to Youthreach learners is as follows:

-

2008

-

2014

Ages 15 and 16

€80.60

Age 16 and 17

€40

Age 17

€100.70

-

-

Age 18 and over

€198.70

Age 18 and over

€160

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Questions (144)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor

Question:

144. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Education and Skills if special needs assistants will be trained up in the PEC and ABA learning system for children with autism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18888/14]

View answer

Written answers

I wish to advise the Deputy that the role of Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) is set out in my Departments Circular 0030/2014.

Under the terms of this Circular, the primary role of the SNA is to cater for the care needs of pupils with disabilities in an educational context, where the nature of these care needs have been outlined in professional reports as being so significant that a pupil will require adult assistance, beyond that which can normally be provided by the class teacher, in order to be able to attend school and participate in education. The Circular sets out what would normally be considered to be significant care needs under the terms of the scheme. The Circular also distinguishes between the roles of Classroom Teachers and Resource/Learning Support Teachers and the role of the SNA. Students with special educational needs can have very complex learning needs and should be taught by qualified teachers who are equipped with the skills to meet the needs of these students. SNA's are specifically recruited to assist in the care needs of those pupils and do not have a teaching/pedagogical role.

There are therefore no plans at this time to extend the role of an SNA to provide for additional learning or teaching activities.

Autism Support Services

Questions (145)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor

Question:

145. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Education and Skills if consideration will be given to introducing teaching assistants into the classroom in addition to special needs assistants, who could possibly be trained in the PEC and ABA programmes under the new jobs pathways scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18889/14]

View answer

Written answers

I presume that the Deputy's question relates primarily to classes in which children with autism are enrolled.

As the Deputy is aware 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 my Department 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.

It is open to all interested parties to contribute to the consultation process and in that context I have arranged for the Deputy's suggestion to be forwarded to NCSE for consideration. 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.

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