Written Answers Nos. 86-93
86. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of retired teachers who were employed in schools (details supplied) in County Louth from September 2013 to June 2014, inclusive; the amount that was paid to those employed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25037/14]
View answerO Fiaich Institute of Further Education is an Education and Training Board school and the information is respect of that school should be sought from Louth and Meath ETB. The information sought by the Deputy in relation to the other schools referenced is not readily available from my Department.
87. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the necessary qualifications in special needs teaching required for teachers to be employed in special needs schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25038/14]
View answerSection 30 of the Teaching Council Act which became operational on 28 January this year requires teachers to be registered with the Teaching Council in order to be paid from State funds, except as I have provided for by regulation. The Teaching Council is the body with statutory responsibility for the regulation of the teaching profession including the registration of teachers. Under Section 38 of the Teaching Council Act the Council reviews and accredits programmes of Initial Teacher Education (ITE) in accordance its published Criteria and Guidelines for programme providers. All ITE Programmes are subject to ongoing review by the Council in accordance with the Criteria. It is the aim of the Council that teachers are competent to teach in the different teaching environments and are prepared to be lifelong learners continually adapting to enable them to support their students in achieving their full potential. Graduates from primary ITE Bachelor of Education courses are recognised to teach in all primary schools.In addition my Department funds the Postgraduate Diplomas in Special Education Needs provided by seven universities/colleges of education around the country. Substitution is provided by my Department to facilitate teachers' absence from school to participate in the programmes. Section 39 of the Teaching Council Act provides authority for the Council to review and accredit programmes of Continuing Professional Development for teachers. It is intended that Section 39 will be commenced after Part 5 (Fitness to Teach) has been commenced. In addition the Special Education Support Service provides continuing professional development for teachers to enhance the quality of learning and teaching of students with special educational needs.
88. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the exact qualification and standard in professional counselling required for guidance counsellors in second level schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25039/14]
View answerA Guidance Counsellor is a registered second level teacher and in addition should hold a qualification in guidance in accordance with my Department's Circular 12/05. My Department currently considers applications for recognition of equivalent qualifications on a case by case basis.As a number of higher education institutions are reviewing and updating their programmes my Department is considering same with a view to publishing an updated list of recognised courses.
89. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to allow special needs assistants with one year's service who previously received redundancy to be deemed to be a member of a supplementary assignment panel for special needs assistants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25040/14]
View answerThe detailed supplementary assignment arrangements for Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) for the 2014/2015 school year are set out in Departmental Circular 0044/2014 which issued on 12 May 2014 and which is available on the Department's website at the following address: http://www.education.ie/en/Circulars-and-Forms/Active-Circulars/cl0044_2014.pdfThe purpose of these arrangements is to facilitate eligible SNAs who are being made redundant by one employer in filling SNA vacancies that may become available in another school / ETB.With effect from 1 May 2013 once an SNA with a minimum of one year's service (Service in a substitute capacity i.e. covering for maternity leave, sick leave, career breaks, job-sharing etc. does not count) is notified by his/her employer that s/he is to be made redundant then s/he shall be deemed to be a member of a supplementary assignment panel for SNAs. With the exception of SNAs who have been re-employed on permanent contracts or have chosen to opt out of the panel in accordance with the terms of Paragraph 6 of the circular, all SNAs who have been made redundant since 1 May 2013 are members of the SNA Supplementary Assignment Panel.It should be noted that this does not prevent any person, including SNAs who were made redundant prior to 1 May 2013, from applying for SNA vacancies but employers are obliged to give precedence to applicants who are members of the SNA Supplementary Assignment Panel.When an employer has a vacancy to fill, they must undertake the recruitment process in accordance with the provisions outlined in paragraphs 12-18 of Circular 44/2014.The Department has set up a dedicated e-mail address to deal with all queries in relation to the SNA Supplementary Assignment Panel and any queries in respect of the operation of the Panel can be directed to this dedicated e-mail address: snasupplementpanel@education.gov.ie.
91. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to alter the eligibility for the post-primary school transport scheme to reconsider schools which have been deemed outside the catchment area from 2012-13 where traditionally the majority of the students attended schools in another education centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25069/14]
View answer92. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to alter the eligibility for the post-primary school transport scheme to review schools which have been deemed outside the catchment area from 2012-13 where traditionally students have attended schools in another education centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25101/14]
View answer93. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to alter the eligibility for the post-primary school transport scheme to review schools which have been deemed outside the catchment area from 2012-13 where traditionally students have attended schools in another education centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25102/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 91 to 93, inclusive, together.Changes to the Post Primary School Transport Scheme mean that from the 2012/13 school year, eligibility for all children newly entering a post primary school is determined by reference to the distance they reside from their nearest Post-Primary Education Centre having regard, as heretofore, to ethos and language. In general, children who were eligible for school transport prior to the introduction of the above change, will retain their transport eligibility for the duration of their post primary education cycle provided there is no change to their current circumstances. Siblings of these children and other children who are not eligible for school transport, may apply for school transport on a concessionary basis only subject to a number of conditions including the availability of spare seats and payment of the annual charge. Tickets for these children will be allocated during the week commencing 11th August 2014 after tickets for children who are eligible for school transport have been assigned. The terms of the Post Primary School Transport Scheme are being applied equitably on a national basis.
