Written Answers Nos. 202 - 223
202. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a breakdown by year since 2011 of the financial savings and the value for money in the decision to locate the vocational education committee headquarters in Mullingar rather than in Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26902/14]
View answer204. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a breakdown by year since 2011 of the financial savings and the value for money in the decision to locate the VEC headquarters in Mullingar, County Westmeath rather than in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26924/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 202 and 204 together.
In June 2011, the Government decided to reduce the overall number of vocational education committees (VECs) from 33 to 16, to merge particular VECs, including the VECs covering the counties of Longford and Westmeath, and to approve in principle the preparation of a new Bill to replace the existing VEC legislation. The VECs were dissolved on 1 July last and were replaced with Education and Training Boards (ETBs).
The new ETBs will strengthen locally managed education and enhance the scale of local education and training. This represents a major component of the public service transformation agenda. The new configuration has facilitated exciting new provisions including the establishment of SOLAS, the dissolution of FÁS and has paved the way for the transfer of training functions to the newly formed Education and Training Boards. On 1st January of this year, 7 training centres transferred to 4 ETBs and in July of this year a further 12 training centres will transfer to 7 ETBs, including Longford and Westmeath ETB. In October 2011, I decided on the headquarter locations for the new ETBs. In relation to the Longford and Westmeath Education and Training Board, I decided that the headquarters would be in Mullingar.
In arriving at this decision, I considered a range of factors including the need to ensure that the location of an ETB headquarters will, to the greatest extent possible, facilitate staff redeployment under a redeployment scheme within the context of the Croke Park Agreement and the need to operate at lowest cost having regard to the accommodation available in existing locations. In terms of these criteria, I was aware that redeployment of staff from Longford to Mullingar is possible under the Croke Park agreement. The offices in Longford have remained open and staff formerly employed in County Longford VEC headquarters have not yet been redeployed to Mullingar. I expect that the offices in Longford will remain open for some time and that the approach to redeployment will be measured and considered. I am satisfied that, properly managed, the move will positively impact on education services offered by the new ETB.
Since the offices in Longford have remained open and staff have not been redeployed to Mullingar following the establishment of the ETB in July last year, no savings have accrued from the decision to locate the VEC headquarters in Mullingar, County Westmeath.
203. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the removal of CSPE from State examinations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26921/14]
View answer211. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason civic, social and political education will be removed as a compulsory State examinable subject in the new junior cycle curriculum (details supplied) as it will result in the demise in the civic responsibility and involvement of young people in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27005/14]
View answer213. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the future of the CSPE course as part of the junior certificate cycle; his plans to remove the compulsory status of this subject; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27026/14]
View answer215. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Skills the measures his Department is taking to ensure that citizenship and human rights education is a priority under the new CSPE junior cycle curriculum at post-primary level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27144/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 203, 211, 213 and 215 together.
In the context of the implementation of the new Framework for Junior Cycle the only subjects that will be "compulsory" are English, Mathematics and Irish. This decision has been taken to give schools the flexibiilty to develop their Junior Cycle programme mindful of the educational needs of their own students and mindful of the principles, statements of learning and key skills as set out in the Framework.
Education about active citizenship and the promotion of human rights issues are an integral component of the new Framework for Junior Cycle. For example, one of the 24 'Statements of Learning', that encompass the key knowledge and skills that students will develop during their junior cycle, requires that all students will "value what it means to be an active citizen with rights and responsibilities in local and wider context". In addition, the 8 key skills which underpin the new Framework for Junior Cycle, include "working with others" whereby students should realise and experience how they can "contribute to making the world a better place". As junior cycle students will experience the statements of learning and key skills, it is expected that education for active citizenship and education about human rights and responsibilities will continue to be an important part of the new Junior Cycle.
I recently approved a new short course in CSPE that has been developed by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA). This short course will be available to schools to implement, from this September, should they wish to do so as part of their Junior Cycle programme or they may continue to offer the current syllabus. Schools will choose from one or the other for the up-coming academic year 2014/2015. This programme is in fact designed for 100 hours of teaching compared to less than 70 hours for the existing CSPE syllabus. The new short course aims to inform, inspire, empower and enable young people to participate as active citizens in contemporary society at local, national and global levels based on an understanding of human rights and social responsibilities.
As with Junior Cycle, education about active citizenship and human rights issues is also reflected at Senior Cycle. As part of transition year, students are afforded the opportunity to further interrogate some of the themes encountered in CSPE at Junior Cycle. This is facilitated by the availability of resources and materials that have been developed by as number of NGOs, including Amnesty International, for use by transition year pupils. I have also indicated my intention to introduce 'Politics and Society' as a new optional Leaving Certificate subject. One of the objectives of the draft syllabus, which has been developed by the NCCA, is to develop 'a sense of care for others and a respect for and a valuing of diversity in all areas of human life within the parameters of human rights principles'. In addition, the draft syllabus is structured around four key areas. One of these areas is 'Active Citizenship'. The Politics and Society subject will be made available to schools once the NCCA has advised my Department on a number of outstanding issues.
205. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding college lecturers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26945/14]
View answerIndividual higher education institutions have autonomous responsibility for the management of their staff resources. While teaching hour norms are specified under standard agreed contracts for academic staff in the institute of technology sector, in the case of the university sector there would be a variation of individual teaching loads as part of overall academic duties. I have made enquiries however on the query raised by the Deputy and my officials are unaware of the existence of eleven month contracts in any third level institution.
206. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if student grant applications for 2013/2014 will be accepted as late applicants in respect of two students (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26951/14]
View answerIt is the responsiblity of the student to ensure that their application for a student grant is submitted before the deadline. Officials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that the closing date for the 2013/14 academic year of 5th August 2013 was further extended to 20th November, 2013.
However, late applications are accepted by SUSI for the academic year 2013/14 where a student has had an exceptional change of circumstances as outlined in Article 32 of the Student Grant Scheme 2013. All requests for late applications are examined and considered on a case-by-case basis. In accepting a late application SUSI will have established that exceptional change of circumstances have occurred before the end of the academic year and have considered why the request was not made before the end of the academic year. The students referred to by the Deputy may contact SUSI support desk at 076 - 108 7874 to enquire about making a late application for the 2013/14 academic year.
207. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Education and Skills in the case of a primary school which in 2013 increased its number of teachers to three, two mainstream and one base school resource, if the deputy principal will in the event of the school losing the resource post retain the deputy principal allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26955/14]
View answerA permanent teacher, who holds a post of responsibility allowance, retains the allowance on a personal basis even if the post is subsequently not warranted by reference to the schedule of posts. However, the post holder must continue to perform duties while he/she continues to teach in the school. There will be no changes to the location of resource base posts for the 2014/15 school year. However, it is open to the management of a school with a base post to opt out of being a base school, particularly if the NCSE resource hour allocation for that school is low.
208. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding speech and language therapy in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26979/14]
View answerMy Department provides an extensive range of supports for pupils with Specific Speech and Language Disorder (SSLD). This includes provision for the establishment of special classes for pupils with SSLD in primary schools. Applications to establish such classes are considered by the school's assigned Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO) and those meeting the criteria for establishment are approved by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE). Special classes may also be discontinued by the NCSE where the need no longer exists.
The criteria for enrolment in a Special Class for pupils with SSLD is set out in my Department's Circular 0038/2007. A full-time teacher is assigned to each class, and classes operate with a reduced pupil-teacher ratio of 7:1. In addition, an enhanced capitation grant is provided to schools operating special classes for pupils with SSLD. Speech and Language Therapy services are provided to these classes by the Health Service Executive (HSE). A minimum number of five eligible pupils is required for a school to retain a SSLD class. Eligible pupils may spend up to two years in such classes.
All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. The school to which the Deputy refers should contact their local SENO to discuss further. The provision of health supports, including Speech and Language Therapy services, is the responsibility of the Health Service executive and requests in relation to this particular issue should be directed to that body.
209. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a special needs assistant in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26980/14]
View answerThe National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for allocating a quantum of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support for each school annually taking into account the assessed care needs of children qualifying for SNA support. Where children have significant care needs whereby they may need additional support to be able to attend school, the NCSE may make an allocation of SNA support to the school to assist that child. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. The criteria by which SNA support is allocated to pupils is set out in my Department's Circular 0030/2014.
The deployment of SNAs within schools is then a matter for the individual Principal/Board of Management. SNAs should be deployed by the school in a manner which best meets the care support requirements of the children enrolled in the school for whom SNA support has been allocated. It is a matter for schools to allocate support as required, and on the basis of individual need, which allows schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised.
The NCSE invited schools to make applications for SNA support for children who have assessed care needs for the coming 2014/15 school year by 26th March 2014, for their consideration. Details of the NCSE application criteria are available at www.ncse.ie. The NCSE will shortly advise all schools of their SNA allocations for the coming school year. All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.
212. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the family of a person (details supplied) in County Galway has been advised that their child is ineligible for school transport in view of the fact that the school in question is the most suitable school as it is multi-denominational, and the family is non-Christian and the student has attended a non-denominational national school that was in line with the family's ethos; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27019/14]
View answerUnder the terms of my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for school transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest education centre as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language. In relation to school transport provision, ethos relates to religious ethos and is in the context of provision for minority religions. Bus Éireann has advised that the child is question is not attending his nearest education centre and is therefore not eligible for school transport. Children who are not eligible for school transport, may apply for school transport on a concessionary basis only subject to a number of conditions which are detailed in the scheme. In this regard the family should liaise with their local Bus Éireann office regarding the availability of such transport for the 2014/15 school year.
214. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether the reduction in hours of class contact time for science in the proposed new junior cycle from 240-270 hours to 200 hours is a step backwards for our second level students; and if not, the reason he believes this is not the case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27131/14]
View answerThe new specifications for all subjects in the new Junior Cycle will state a minimum time for the delivery of the subject. This will be 200 hours for science and other subjects apart from English, Irish and Maths. This is not a maximum or target time and is intended to give schools flexibility to plan a Junior Cycle Programme that will meet the educational needs of their students. Schools will decide what mix of subjects, short courses and other learning experiences will enable their students to meet the requirements of the 24 Statements of Learning, including those related to science education.
This approach provides an opportunity to enhance provision for Science Education at Junior Cycle. The specification for Science will give schools the freedom to provide more time for Science if they deem it appropriate, or to provide short courses or learning experiences such as involvement in the Young Scientist and Technology competition or SciFest. A greater focus in other subjects on key skills such as managing information and thinking will also support the development of science-related skills and aptitudes. All second year students will also take standardised tests in scientific literacy from spring 2018.
216. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of retired teachers who were rehired this year as examination supervisors; the number of retired teachers who were given work in the past year as substitute teachers; and his views on whether preference should be given to graduate teachers who are unemployed. [27152/14]
View answerThe State Examinations Commission (SEC) has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations. In view of this, material has been provided by the SEC for the first two parts of this question.
Of the total of 4,861 superintendents appointed to the 2013 examinations, 1,016 were either substitute or unemployed teachers; some 1,049 superintendents were retired teachers and the remainder were serving permanent or temporary full-time and part-time teachers.
The SEC has a long-standing policy of prioritising applications from unemployed and substitute teachers. While statistical data in relation to superintendent appointments in relation to this year's examinations is not yet complete, I can confirm that for the 2013 examinations the SEC received 1,084 applications for superintending positions from either unemployed or substitute teachers. Of these, a total of 54 subsequently withdrew their application and 14 were not appointed as they either did not meet the criteria for appointment or their application was received late in which case they could only be included on the reserve panel. Hence 99.5% of applicants for superintending positions who were either unemployed or substitute teachers were appointed to superintend examinations by the SEC.
The policy of my Department is to ensure, as far as possible, that the Managerial Authorities of schools give priority to unemployed registered teachers who are fully qualified when filling vacant teaching posts. It is important to note that schools themselves employ teachers and not the Department of Education and Skills. Circular 31/2011 details a cascade of measures for the recruitment of teachers, prioritising registered teachers over retired registered teachers and unregistered people. School Principals must maintain a list of unemployed registered teachers who are available for substitute work at short notice and report to the Board of Management on any exceptional occasion where they have to engage a registered teacher who is retired.
217. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is satisfied with the level of training provided to teachers in relation to project mathematics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27162/14]
View answerA substantial programme of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in Mathematics is funded by my Department. The Mathematics CPD programme is provided through a combination of learning opportunities. Since 2008, 10 workshops have been provided for post-primary mathematics teachers and a series of modular evening courses, hundreds of school visits and a national conference have taken place. A wide range of supporting teaching resources are also available. These supports have been made available by the Project Maths Development Team (PMDT). The PMDT collects feedback from teachers attending CPD on an ongoing basis and it uses this feedback, along with advice from others such as the Inspectorate and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, to inform future CPD development. The PMDT is currently planning its programme of teacher CPD support for the coming school year.
In addition the Postgraduate Diploma in Mathematics for out of field teachers led by the University of Limerick will continue to be provided next year. I am satisfied that the provision of continuing professional development is sufficient.
218. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider approving school transport for a person (details supplied) on medical grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27169/14]
View answerUnder the terms of my Department's School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, children are eligible for school transport where they are attending the nearest recognised: mainstream school, special class/special school or a unit, that is or can be resourced, to meet their special educational needs. The School Transport Section of my Department has no record of an application for school transport for the child referred to by the Deputy, in the details supplied. The family in question should liaise with the Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO) and the school authorities should they wish to apply for school transport for the 2014/15 school year.
219. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the mechanism to ensure the best expertise will be available to the teacher education section, junior cycle for teachers and national induction programme for teachers, considering that his Department is imposing a limit on the number of years a teacher can spend on secondment. [27174/14]
View answerMy Department has recently advertised for posts in both the Junior Cycle for Teachers (JCT) and National Induction Programme for Teachers (NIPT). Applicants are required to have a broad range of knowledge, experience and skills therefore ensuring that a high level of expertise will be in place for these positions. The competencies necessary for these posts are commensurate with the importance of the different roles in these Support Services and therefore I am satisfied that best practice is in place to ensure delivery of high quality continuous professional development to teachers and newly qualified teachers. There was a large volume of applicants for the competition held for the JCT. The recruitment competition for the NIPT is still ongoing with the closing date later in the month. A limit of five years is imposed on all new secondments to my Departments programmes. This approach allows for turnover of personnel which is in line with good practice in terms of refreshing skills and expertise and also allows for benefits to accrue to the releasing school on the person's return.
220. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the current status of all extension applications in schools (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27180/14]
View answer221. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the new schools at primary and secondary level that are due to open in September 2014 or September 2015 in areas (details supplied); the reasons for delays from previously announced schedules; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27181/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 220 and 221 together.
I wish to advise the Deputy that a new post-primary school, Kishogue Community College, Clonburris, Lucan will open in temporary accommodation in September 2014. The construction of a permanent building for Kishogue Community College, a 1,000 pupil school, commenced on site last March. There are no new primary or post-primary schools announced to open in the other areas referred to by the Deputy. The current status of all projects on the school building programme, including those in the areas to which the Deputy refers, may be viewed on my Department's website at www.education.ie which is updated regularly throughout the year.
The Deputy will be aware that the 5 Year Construction Plan, that I announced in March 2012, lists the individual school projects that are planned to proceed to construction over the duration of the Plan. The Plan priorities new school building projects as well as major extensions in areas where significant demographic need has been established so that our school system is in a position to cater for increasing pupil numbers.
Further to the Five Year Plan, my Department is committed to publishing a detailed annual programme in relation to individual major school projects commencing construction. In December 2011, details of 56 major school building projects to commence construction in 2012, the first year of the Plan, were published. In December 2012, details of 50 major school building projects were announced to commence construction in 2013, the second year of the Plan. In November 2013, details of the 70 building projects to commence construction in 2014 were announced, the third year of the Plan. The 5 Year Plan, together with the annual programme, may also be viewed on my Department's website.
222. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has considered undertaking a cost-benefit analysis of the decision to increase the pupil-teacher ratio for private schools from 19:1 to 23:1, which is resulting in some schools moving from fee-paying to a free scheme at a substantial cost to the taxpayer; his views on whether his actions are fair to the minority Protestant faith in that the previous funding model helped the continuity of these schools to achieve parity and maintain this service for the minority population within this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27198/14]
View answerMy Department has no plans to undertake a cost benefit analysis of the type suggested by the Deputy. The Constitution does not allow either the positive or negative discrimination of schools based on their religious ethos. Second level schools such as Kilkenny College, and previously Wilson's Hospital, have demonstrated that they believe they can maintain and promote their Church of Ireland ethos through the Free Second Level scheme and there are five protestant comprehensive schools that do not charge fees.
Protestant fee charging schools have been treated in Budgetary terms in exactly the same way as all other religious ethos schools in a manner consistent with the Constitution. The Department is open to having discussions with any other fee charging school of Protestant ethos on transitioning to the free scheme and will look at each case sympathetically and in detail.
223. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills the process for obtaining external nominations to education and training boards; if this process has commenced in each of the boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27224/14]
View answerIn accordance with Section 30(1) of the Education and Training Boards Act 2013 (the Act), each education and training board will consist of 21 members as follows: 12 members elected by the relevant local authority; 2 members elected by ETB staff; 2 members appointed by the ETB from nominees of the National Parents Council; 5 members appointed by the ETB from bodies specified by the Minister for Education and Skills which have a special interest in, or knowledge of education.
With regard to the bodies specified by the Minister, at least one person from each the following categories must be appointed: bodies representative of business, industry and commerce; bodies representative of learners; bodies representative of persons engaged in the management of, or leadership in, recognised schools. All such appointees must reside within the functional area of the board and at least 2 must be women and at least 2 must be men. In accordance with section 31 of the Act, these 5 persons will be appointed by an ETB board at its second meeting, which cannot be held before 23 July 2014. I have provisionally specified a number of bodies and have asked them to confirm that they will be in a position to nominate in accordance with the requirements of the Act.
