Written Answers Nos 61-80
61. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the current schedule of sale; the cost/estimated total cost of the current €25 billion borrowing used to fund the bond issue, broken down on a yearly basis up to and including 2032; when the final bonds are scheduled to be sold; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28951/14]
View answerI have been advised by the Central Bank that subsequent to the liquidation of IBRC, the Bank acquired €25bn of Floating Rate Notes (FRNs) and €3.46bn of Government Fixed Coupon 2025 bonds. The Central Bank's Annual Report for 2013 indicates that it intends to sell the combined portfolio of the FRNs and the fixed rate bond as soon as possible, provided conditions of financial stability permit. The Bank also indicates that, as a minimum, it will sell securities in accordance with the following schedule: to end 2014 (€0.5 billion), 2015-2018 (€0.5 billion per annum), 2019-2023 (€1 billion per annum), and 2024 on (€2 billion per annum until all bonds are sold).
The Annual Report also notes that, as part of this strategy, the Bank sold €350 million of its holdings of the Government 2025 Fixed Rate Bond in 2013.
I have been advised by the NTMA that total cash interest payable on the floating rate bonds in 2013 was €638 million. Following last month's rate reset in respect of the December 2014 interest payment, total cash interest payable in 2014 is presently expected to be just over €750 million. The increase in interest payable in 2014 compared to 2013 largely reflects the fact that a full year's interest is payable this year. Interest payable on the floating rate bonds is currently projected to increase in the coming years, consistent with the projected increase in the six-month Euribor interest rate as the interest margins on the floating rate bonds are fixed. The interest margin averages 2.63% across the eight issues. The Central Bank may, as initial holder of the bonds, exchange the bonds for fixed rate bonds issued by the NTMA subject to the terms of the Exchange Option Deed dated March 2013 (which can be accessed at http://www.ntma.ie/download/government_bonds/ExchangeOptionDeed.pdf).
62. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an updated figure on the amount of tax raised by the sale of cigarettes in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28953/14]
View answerI am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the total tax raised on cigarettes for the period to end June 2014 is €465m, inclusive of VAT (receipts for 2014 are provisional and may be subject to revision)
Please note that the VAT receipts are estimated, as the VAT returns do not require the yield from a particular sector or sub-sector of trade to be identified and the actual VAT yield for each category cannot therefore be determined with complete precision.
63. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the schedule of sale for the bonds that originated from the Anglo Irish bank promissory notes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28954/14]
View answer64. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if any, or part of any, of the €25 billion in sovereign bonds issued by the National Treasury Management Agency to buy out the remaining €25 billion promissory note debt have been sold; if so, if any of the money raised from that sale has been destroyed; if any or all of the money raised has been kept for the purposes of repaying the interests amounts that will accrue from those bonds; if the sale of the sovereign bonds has not yet taken place, if he will undertake to inform Dáil Éireann and the Irish public when any, or part of any, of those bonds have been sold; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28956/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 63 and 64 together.
I have been advised by the Central Bank that subsequent to the liquidation of IBRC, the Bank acquired €25bn of Floating Rate Notes (FRNs) and €3.46bn of Government Fixed Coupon 2025 bonds. The Central Bank's Annual Report for 2013 indicates that it intends to sell the combined portfolio of the FRNs and the fixed rate bond as soon as possible, provided conditions of financial stability permit. The Bank also indicates that, as a minimum, it will sell securities in accordance with the following schedule: to end 2014 (€0.5 billion), 2015-2018 (€0.5 billion per annum), 2019-2023 (€1 billion per annum), and 2024 on (€2 billion per annum until all bonds are sold).
The Report also notes that, as part of this strategy, the Bank sold €350 million of its holdings of the Government 2025 Fixed Rate Bond in 2013.
The Central Bank is independent in the exercise of its functions and the management of its investment holdings is a matter for the bank itself. Neither I nor the Department of Finance have any role in those matters.
65. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding VAT in respect of an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28964/14]
View answerCertain persons engaged in water rescue can apply for a VAT refund on the purchase of vessels and ancillary related equipment for the purposes of search and rescue at sea, inshore or on inland waterways. A similar provision is not available for persons providing mountain rescue services.
VAT law is governed by the EU VAT Directive, with which Irish VAT law must comply. The EU VAT Directive makes specific provision under Articles 148 and 169, for a zero rate of VAT to apply to the supply of vessels for rescue or assistance at sea. Irish VAT law transposed this provision in 1978 by providing that the zero rate of VAT apply to the supply of large vessels used for sea rescue. In addition, a VAT Refund Order for the purchase of smaller sea rescue vessels was introduced from 1985, and extended in 2013 to apply to vessels for inland water rescue. Irish VAT law does not provide for an exemption from VAT on supplies or purchases of mountain rescue equipment as this is not provided for under the EU VAT Directive.
66. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will grant a person (details supplied) in County Longford free transport to a school (details supplied) which is their secondary school of choice. [28773/14]
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 kilometres from and are attending their nearest education centre as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language. The child referred to by the Deputy is not attending her nearest school and is therefore not eligible for school transport.
While it is the prerogative of parents to send their children to the school of their choice, eligibility for school transport is to the nearest school. Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only subject to a number of terms and conditions including the payment of the annual charge. This charge, which may be paid in two instalments in July and December, is a contribution towards the overall cost and does not reflect the true cost of providing these services. Only children who are eligible for school transport and who hold valid medical cards (GMS Scheme) are exempt from paying the annual charge.
The terms of the School Transport Schemes are applied equitably on a national basis.
67. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a contact name within his Department to arrange a meeting to discuss works carried as part of the new school (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28750/14]
View answerThe school building project referred to by the Deputy reached substantial completion in August 2013. My Department has not been informed of any outstanding issues with regard to matters referred to by the Deputy. If there are matters of concern arising then the relevant landowners should be asked to write directly to the Principal Officer, Major Projects (Design and Construction) Section, Planning and Building Unit, Department of Education and Skills, Portlaoise Road, Tullamore, Co. Offaly. Any correspondence should clearly set out the issues to be considered. My Department officials will then respond directly to the landowners in question.
68. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider the position of a small rural school (details supplied); if he will have regard to the fact that the school is experiencing increased enrolment; if he will consider the fact that the age of the building is such that existing classrooms cannot contain large numbers of students; if he will, therefore, allow the school to retain its three members of staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28761/14]
View answerThe criteria used for the allocation of teaching posts for the 2014/2015 school year is set out in the Staffing Schedule (Circular 0007/2014) which is available on the Department website. The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the 30 September 2013.
The staffing schedule also includes an appeals mechanism for schools to submit an appeal under certain criteria to an independent Appeals Board. Details of the criteria for appeal are contained in the staffing schedule, Circular 0007/2014.
The school referred to by the Deputy submitted an application for consideration by the Appeals Board for the June meeting. The Appeals Board determined that the appeal did not satisfy all of the published criteria as set out in Circular 0007/2014. The Appeal Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.
69. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of third level students who registered as students in universities and institutes of technology during each of the past ten years; the number of these students who dropped out in the first semester during each of the past ten years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28776/14]
View answerI attach a list of the number of third level students who registered as students in universities and IT's during each of the past ten years. As regards the number of these students who dropped out in the first semester, this information is not available in my Department.My officials have made contact with The Higher Education Authority (HEA) on this matter. The HEA do not measure the number of "drop outs" in the first semester. In 2010 the HEA published a report entitled "A Study of Progression in Irish Higher Education". The report looked at the proportions of new full-time undergraduate new entrants registered on March 1st 2008 (academic year 2007/08) that were not present in that institution on March 1st 2009 (academic year 2008/09). The report showed that 15% of all undergraduate new entrants were not present the following year. The report also noted that approximately 4% of students had already left their course by March 1st.
A follow up study was carried out by the HEA in 2013 which looked at the progression of full-time undergraduate new entrants on March 1st 2011 (2010/11 academic year) and followed their progression to March 1st 2012 (academic year 2011/12). The results show that 16% did not progress, an increase from 15% for the new entrant cohort in 2007/08. Improved progression was however noted in key skills areas such as Computing and Science.
The HEA have recently published an Annual System Performance report and a full set of higher education institutional profiles that are available on their website that contain a lot of interesting and useful information on our higher education system and may be of interest to you.
|
Institutes of Technology |
Numbers of Entrants |
|
2003/2004 |
17,287 |
|
2004/2005 |
16,143 |
|
2005/2006 |
16,502 |
|
2006/2007 |
16,353 |
|
2007/2008 |
15,603 |
|
2008/2009 |
17,100 |
|
2009/2010 |
18,910 |
|
2010/2011 |
18,719 |
|
2011/2012 |
19,162 |
|
2012/2013 |
19,008 |
|
Universities and Colleges |
Number of entrants |
|
2003/2004 |
18,017 |
|
2004/2005 |
17,921 |
|
2005/2006 |
18,113 |
|
2006/2007 |
19,419 |
|
2007/2008 |
20,349 |
|
2008/2009 |
21,728 |
|
2009/2010 |
21, 906 |
|
2010/2011 |
22,030 |
|
2011/2012 |
21,703 |
|
2012/13 |
22,638 |
70. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will intervene in the decision regarding the transfer of vital VTOS places in St. Dominics, Tallaght, to Balbriggan; if he will provide an update on this matter. [28790/14]
View answerThis is an operational matter for Dublin and Dun Laoghaire Education and Training Board.
Under the legislation providing for the establishment of Education and training Boards (ETBs), they are independent, autonomous entities with resources to deliver educational opportunities within their regions to the highest standard. ETB's are expected to manage their resources to provide the best service for all areas under their remit and this will lead to changes in provision in particular areas from time to time.
71. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will respond to correspondence regarding a school (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28800/14]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the school in question submitted an application for additional accommodation which was mainly of an ancillary nature. My Department's over riding objective is to prioritise available funding to meet demographic demand and to provide essential classroom accommodation where additional teachers are approved. Given that there is no deficit of permanent mainstream accommodation in the school, it is not possible to provide grant aid and this decision was conveyed to the school authority recently.
My Department also advised the school that if it considered that there are works of an emergency nature requiring attention and that these works meet the criteria associated with the scheme, that it is open to the school authority to submit an application for funding under the Emergency Works Scheme. The main purpose of the Emergency Works Scheme is to ensure the availability of funding for urgent works to those schools that are most in need of resources as a result of an emergency situation.
Details of the Emergency Works Scheme, together with an application form for grant assistance, can be accessed on my Department's website at www.education.ie.
72. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to upgrade schools (details supplied), both of which are badly in need of their buildings being upgraded. [28806/14]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the first school to which she refers submitted an application for Structural Improvement works under the 2014 Summer Works Scheme. Commensurate with the level of funding set aside for the Scheme, applications were assessed on a top down basis in accordance with the prioritisation criteria outlined in the Circular accompanying the Scheme. Unfortunately, due to the scale of demand for funding under the Scheme, it was not possible to grant aid all applications, including those received for structural improvements.
However, in accordance with the Scheme's Circular, the application will be retained and will be prioritised for consideration under any further rounds of the Summer Works Scheme in the future, subject to availability of funding.
A major project for the second school referred to by the Deputy is included in my Department' s current Five Year Construction Plan, to provide a major extension which includes a Special Needs Unit and PE Hall. The architectural planning process for the extension is in train and the project is currently at detailed design stage
73. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline in tabular form the total number of sick days taken by staff in his Department in 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014 further broken down by uncertified, certified and long-term absence leave. [28827/14]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy for the period in question is provided in the attached tabular statement.
|
Detail |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
|
Total Sick Leave |
14633.22 |
13998.65 |
12673.37 |
5084.14 |
|
Total Certified Sick Leave |
13375.73 |
12837.97 |
11805.3 |
4629.51 |
|
Days lost => 28 Days |
7480.58 |
7322.43 |
6397.3 |
2064.44 |
|
Days lost < 28 days |
5895.15 |
5515.54 |
5408 |
2565.07 |
|
Self- certified Sick Leave |
1257.49 |
1160.68 |
868.07 |
454.63 |
Note:
Under the Government Shared Services Programme People Point now have responsibility for the administration of all absences including sick leave and the above statistical information has been prepared by them.
Due to the different methodologies used in compiling the information figures differ within the particular years from those provided to the Deputy in the reply to his PQ on 18 June 2013.
Examples below show how absence totals were calculated differently in both reports:
(1) An 80% work sharer absent from 14/11/2013-05/02/2014 inc. PeoplePoint calculate this as 47 days – all the actual work days lost up to 05/02/2014. PeoplePoint have calculated on the basis of the entire absence including the 2014 days which are not proper to 2013 figures. However, DES calculated this as 25.6 i.e. actual work days lost to 31/12/2013.
(2) A 50% work sharer absent from 27/01/2009 – 10/04/2014 Inc. PeoplePoint calculated as 251.6 days the total days available to work in 2013. DES takes into account the work pattern of 50% and shows it as 125.5 days lost.
74. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide in tabular form per annum all external consultant reports commissioned by his Department since March 2011; the costs per report; the company involved; the title of the report and the publication date. [28842/14]
View answerAs indicated to the Deputy earlier this year, details in relation to consultants engaged by my Department are compiled annually in respect of the previous year and in this regard I attach details in respect of the years 2011 to 2013 inclusive. Details in respect of consultants engaged in 2014 will not be compiled until January 2015.
Total amounts paid by the Department of Education and Skills to Consultants in 2011, 2012 and 2013
|
YEAR 2011 |
|||
|
Consultants, Experts, Advisors |
Status of Report |
Purpose |
Total Cost |
|
Centre for Cross Border Studies |
* |
2011 annual review paper on Northern Ireland Post graduate courses |
€2,420.00 |
|
Jim Duffy and Pat McLoughlin members of an independent panel appointed by the Secretary General re designation of a single awarding authority |
No Report |
Recommendations to the Minister on the preferred proposal for designation of a single awarding authority together with recommendations considered necessary in relation to modification or development of the preferred proposal for implementation purposes |
€1,927.86 |
|
Gartner |
No Report |
Subscription for provision of ICT research, advice, guidance and related services to the IT Unit 1/10/2011 - 30/09/2012 |
€35,150.49 |
|
Sr. Eileen Randles |
* |
Review in an appeal against an inspection under section 13 (9) of the Education Act 1998 |
€920.00 |
|
Dr Simon Marginson |
Published by the HEA June 2011 |
Criteria for the proposed re-designation of amalgamated institutes of Technology Universities arising from the recommendations of the National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030 |
€9,075.00 |
|
Farrell Grant Sparks |
Completed |
Advice on necessary redactions and initial advice on possible updated accounting arrangements |
€8,410.71 |
|
Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector-Professor John Coolahan, Dr Caroline Hussey, Fionnuala Kilfeather |
Published April 2012 |
Report to the Minister on the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector |
€20,000.00 |
|
Price Waterhouse Coopers LLP (PWC) Belfast |
Published DES website March 2012 |
Evaluation of the Special Education Support Service |
€97,866.01 |
|
Goodbody Economic Consultants |
Published February 2012 |
Evaluation of the Initial Implementation of Síolta, the National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education |
€31,280.92 |
|
The PA Consulting Group |
Published DES website Nov. 2011 |
Evaluation of the training and education programmes for the unemployed delivered under LMAF 2010 |
€52,003.38 |
|
Fitzpatrick and Associates |
Published ESF website Aug. 2011 |
Mid term Evaluation of the Human Capital Investment Operational Programme 2007-2013 |
€61,589.00 |
|
Deloitte |
* |
Audits of the national agencies for the Lifelong Learning Programme in Ireland to serve as the basis for the submission of Declarations of Assurance from International Section to the European Commission |
€13,212.99 |
|
Public Authority Pension Services Ltd |
* |
Pensions advisory work relating to the establishment of a pension scheme for staff of the NCTE |
€4,791.60 |
|
Analysys Mason |
* |
Commercial Financial and Technical Procurement advice for Schools Broadband Tender |
€63,632.51 |
|
Grant Thornton |
* |
External audit of Dell and Waterford Crystal EGF programmes |
€5,445.00 |
|
2011 Total: |
€407,725.47 |
||
|
* Internal reports - not for publication |
|||
|
YEAR 2012 |
|||
|
Consultants, Experts, Advisors |
Status of Report |
Purpose |
Total Cost |
|
Analysys Mason |
* |
Commercial, financial and technical advice on the procurement of broadband services for schools |
€52,040.42 |
|
Goodbody Economic Consultants |
Published |
Evaluation of the Initial Implementation of Síolta, the National Quality framework for Early Childhood Education |
€16,747.68 |
|
Mazars |
* |
IT Security Audit of the EUSF IT Database |
€5,063.91 |
|
Mazars |
* |
Audit of Labour Market Activation Fund (LMAF) |
€9,839.14 |
|
Version 1 |
No Report |
Provision of Oracle Financials training support along with training documentation in the implementation of Performance Budgeting |
€2,070.00 |
|
Mokum Change Management Ltd |
No Report |
Provision of Oracle Financials training support along with training documentation in the implementation of Performance Budgeting |
€17,302.88 |
|
Seamus O'Dwyer-Consulting and Training |
No Report |
Training and expert advice relating to the Public Service Pensions Bill and training and advice in relation to the Legal Framework and Family Law |
€2,700.00 |
|
Sydney Blain |
* |
Review of an appeal against an inspection under section 13(9) of the Education Act |
€718.75 |
|
Mokum Change Management Ltd |
No Report |
Provision of Oracle Financials functional and accounting advice in moving from a four vote operating unit to a single operating unit |
€11,606.90 |
|
Sir Jim Rose |
No Report |
Provision of international expertise on Literacy and Numeracy to the Literacy and Numeracy Implementation Advisory Committee |
€3,870.13 |
|
Gartner |
No Report |
Subscription for provision of ICT research, advice, guidance and related services |
€36,788.67 |
|
Sion Quality Healthcare Solutions |
* |
Completion of a workplace assessment for staff member with a disability and resulting report |
€370.00 |
|
Pat McLoughlin |
No Report |
Costs relating to recommendations to the Minister on the preferred proposal for designation of a single awarding authority together with recommendations considered necessary in relation to modification or development of the preferred proposal for implementation purposes which were paid in 2012 |
€83.66 |
|
The Centre for Cross Border Studies |
* |
2012 annual review paper on Northern Ireland Post Graduate courses |
€1,845.00 |
|
Deloitte |
* |
Audits of the national agencies for the Lifelong Learning Programme in Ireland to serve as the basis for the submission of Declarations of Assurance from International Section to the European Commission |
€16,568.10 |
|
2012 Total: |
€177,615.24 |
||
|
* Internal reports - not for publication |
|||
|
YEAR 2013 |
|||
|
Consultants, Experts, Advisors |
Status of Report |
Purpose |
Total Cost |
|
Dr Tony Crooks |
** |
Review of an inspection report under Section 13(9) of the Education Act 1998. |
€460.00 |
|
The Centre for Cross Border Studies |
No Report |
2013 annual review paper on Northern Ireland postgraduate courses |
€1,845.00 |
|
Accenture |
No Report |
Consulting services in relation to the Management Framework Agreement between City of Dublin Education and Training Board and the Department of Education and Skills for the centralised Administration of Student Grants |
€5,904.00 |
|
University of Birmingham on behalf of Dr Mike Linden |
Date of publication to be decided |
Review of Visiting Teachers for children with hearing and Visual Impairment (VTHVI) Service, Ireland |
€10,947.00 |
|
University of Manchester on behalf of Dr wendy McCracken |
Review of Visiting Teachers for children with hearing and Visual Impairment (VTHVI) Service, Ireland |
€0.00* |
|
|
Mokum Change Management Ltd (IT consultancy) |
No Report |
Post Performance Budgeting Support - consultancy |
€2,169.14 |
|
Gartner (IT consultancy) |
No Report |
IT Leaders Advisor Subscription 07/2013 to 06/2014 including credit in respect of 07-08/2013. Provision of ICT Research, advice, guidance and related services |
€41,061.50 |
|
Padraig McNamara |
** |
External Review of historic funding and financial arrangements for Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) centres funded by the Department |
€0.00* |
|
Deloitte |
No Report |
To assist the Department in devising a new organisational design for Education and Training Boards (ETBs) and SOLAS |
€0.00* |
|
Deloitte |
** |
Provision of external expert assistance for the development of a Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) and implementation roadmap for an integrated payroll shared service for the ETB/SOLAS sector in accordance with the shared services commitments set out in the Government's Public ServiceReform Plan |
€0.00* |
|
Educational Research Centre |
** |
Consultancy Services to provide input to ICT Census of Primary, Post Primary and special schools and analysis of census data |
€0.00* |
|
Public Authority Pensions Services Ltd |
No Report |
Pensions Advisory work relating to the establishment of a pension scheme for the staff of the NCTE |
€2,152.50 |
|
Fitzpatricks Associates/AECON |
1st report Apr'14 final report Jun/Jul'14 |
Ex-Ante Evaluation of the ESF Operational Programme in preparation for the period 2014-2020 |
€0.00* |
|
Mazars |
** |
External Audit of EGF Talk Talk Programme |
€0.00* |
|
Deloitte |
** |
Audits of the national agencies for the Lifelong Learning Programme in Ireland to serve as the basis for the submission of Declarations of Assurance from International Section to the European Commission |
€14,475.34 |
|
Seamus O'Dwyer Consulting and Training |
No Report |
Provision of training & advice relating to the Public Service Pensions Bill |
€200.00 |
|
Stratigos Ltd |
No Report |
Provision of customised Business Process Improvement training to include coaching (with provision of advice) of relevant staff |
€4,428.00 |
|
Version 1 |
No Report |
Shared Financial Services Project - provision of Oracle Financials support to set up purchasing module |
€7,595.25 |
|
Deloitte |
Audits of the national agencies for the Erasmus + Programme in Ireland to serve as the basis for the submission of Declarations of Assurance from International Section to the European Commission |
€0.00* |
|
|
2013 Total: |
€91,237.73 |
||
|
** Internal reports not for publication |
|||
|
* Consultancies where work was done in 2013 but where no payment had been made by year end |
75. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number and proportion of English language schools with ACELS recognition from Quality and Qualifications Ireland; if he will outline the procedures for granting such accreditation; if he will outline the inspection regime and inspection activity levels to ensure that the school remains in compliance with ACELS terms and conditions; and if he will outline the penalties applying where such inspections determine non-compliance with the terms and conditions of the ACELS. [28858/14]
View answerACELS (Accreditation and Co-ordination of English Language Services) is a voluntary scheme currently operated by Quality & Qualifications Ireland which grants recognition to English language teaching (ELT) organisations annually.
There are currently 91 ELT organisations nationally holding 2014 ACELS recognition. These include sole English language teaching organisations operating year round, some of which may also operate additional seasonal centres, seasonal summer school providers (for the junior market) and education providers with ELT sections – typically further education and higher education award providers with English language programmes for international students.
Currently, ACELS is closed for new applications as it is due to be replaced from early 2015, when the International Education Mark (IEM) is to be introduced for this sector by QQI in accordance with Part 5 of the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012.
The ACELS application process is in two stages and is supported by an Application Guide and form available on the ACELS website (www.acels.ie):Stage 1 involves a desk-based review of required documentation regarding the viability and status of the applicant, e.g., company ownership, tax compliance, followed by a desk-based review of the required curriculum documentation. The review report either (a) has no issues outstanding and is referred to the Recognition Committee for a decision to move on to Stage 2; (b) has issues outstanding and is sent to the provider for their response. A provider may be refused at this if a second response still has not adequately addressed the outstanding issues.
Stage 2 involves a site visit is organised with the mutual agreement of the provider and ACELS. A Stage 2 report either (a) has issues outstanding and is sent to the provider for a response; (b) has no outstanding issues and the provider is referred to the Recognition Committee with a recommendation to grant recognition. In the case of (a), this may bring about a further site visit inspection. If the result is still unsatisfactory, the application is refused. In this case, there is an appeal process in place which is notified to the provider with the refusal.
There is an annual cycle of application for renewal of recognition, and a 3-year cycle of re-inspection/review. The 3-year cycle inspections are not currently being applied due to development of the IEM. ELT organisations are re-inspected in the case of new additional centres or changes of ownership, management or premises. Where issues of non-compliance are identified, ACELS recognition is withdrawn from the ELT organisation on the decision of the Recognition Committee. There are 28 non-ACELS recognised ELT providers listed on the internationalisation register for immigration purposes offering other ELT awards, mainly UK aligned. There may also be other non-ACELS ELT organisations operating nationally which are not on the internationalisation register. Typically, these are regional seasonal operators offering junior courses, who have relationships with other EU schools/agents and don't see a need to gain ACELS recognition.
76. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of four-teacher, three-teacher and two-teacher schools that have been informed that they will lose a classroom teacher this September, broken down by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28861/14]
View answer30 small schools were due to lose a classroom post in September 2014 as a result of the final phase of the Budget 2012 measure. 2 of these schools are closing, 1 is amalgamating and, following the appeals process, the number of schools losing is now reduced to 12 schools.
Additionally, there are 48 small schools with a reduction in enrolments which means they are due to lose a teacher in September, 2014 as a result of the earlier phases of Budget 2012 measures. Following the appeals process this figure of 48 is reduced to 27 schools losing a post.
The number of schools per county is attached.
Schools of all sizes can gain or lose a post due entirely to changes in their enrolment.
The final position on the overall staffing will not be known until the Autumn when actual enrolments are confirmed.
No. of Primary Schools Due to Lose a Teacher in 2014 as a result of Budget 2012 measures
|
County |
No. of Schools |
|
Carlow |
1 |
|
Cavan |
2 |
|
Clare |
2 |
|
Cork |
4 |
|
Galway |
7 |
|
Kerry |
1 |
|
Kilkenny |
1 |
|
Longford |
1 |
|
Mayo |
11 |
|
Roscommon |
1 |
|
Sligo |
1 |
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Tipperary |
4 |
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Westmeath |
1 |
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Wexford |
1 |
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Wicklow |
1 |
77. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of DEIS 1 urban schools; when these schools were admitted to this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28862/14]
View answerThere are currently 195 schools designated as DEIS Band 1 schools. The DEIS Programme was introduced in 2006 at which time there were 180 DEIS Band 1 schools with the remainder being designated over the period 2006 to 2009.
78. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on the working group on junior cycle reform; if the outstanding issues with regard to assessment have been resolved with the agreement of the teacher unions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28895/14]
View answerI 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.
My officials, through this National Working Group, have engaged in meaningful discussions with all the education stakeholders, including the second level teachers unions. Three sub-groups were 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. In all, there have been 13 meetings since January.
A report prepared for me on the work to date, published in May, indicated that while some progress has been achieved since the first meeting of the Working Group in January, and many constructive proposals have been made by some of the education partners, there is clearly further work to be done to achieve all necessary elements of the reform.
I and my officials are very open to discussing issues of disagreement relating to the JCSA with the teacher unions and have been all along. I have asked my officials to continue to have discussions with the partners on Junior Cycle. At present I have detailed suggestions, particularly from the management/patron bodies, which will inform the discussions going forward, but I continue to await similar written submissions from the teacher unions.
The door remains open for such discussions.
79. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will instruct the patron of a school (details supplied) in County Westmeath to inform parents of the reasons a board of management cannot be established now; and the person responsible for enforcement of the Education Act 1998, where a patron and their appointees are wilfully disregarding the Act. [28952/14]
View answerIn accordance with the provisions of the Education Act 1998, the appointment of a Board of Management of a school is a matter for the relevant school patron. Under the provisions of this Act, where a Patron determines that the appointment of a Board is not practicable, or where the Patron, with the consent of the Minister, has dissolved a Board of Management, the Patron may appoint a manager or managers to perform the functions of the Board.
In the case of the school in question, the patron has, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Education Act 1998, appointed a single manager to manage the school.
80. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if children with Down's syndrome will receive full resource hours in our national schools this September in view of the recent court judgement; and if he will provide an update on the Down's syndrome (equality of access) Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28957/14]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that all children with Down syndrome will have access to resource teaching support for the coming school year, either through a schools General Allocation Model, if the child has Mild General Learning Difficulties, or via an allocation made to school by the National Council for Special Education, if the child is in the low incidence special educational needs range, as defined by my Departments Circular 02/05.
A key function of the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) as set out under Section 20 of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act 2004, is to provide the Minister for Education and Skills with expert, independent, evidence-informed policy advice on special education for children and adults.
My Department requested that the NCSE consider the issue of whether Down syndrome should be reclassified as a low incidence disability in all instances, regardless of assessed cognitive ability, in the context of its preparation of comprehensive advice on how the educational system supports children with special educational needs in schools.
The NCSE report on Supporting Children with Special Educational Needs in Schools has now been published and is available on the NCSE website www.ncse.ie. The report recommends that under the new resource allocation model proposed by the NCSE in its report, children should be allocated additional resources in line with their level of need, rather than by disability category.
The NCSE has recommended that in the short-term, pupils with Down syndrome who are in the Mild General Learning Disability (Mild GLD) category should continue to be supported by schools' Learning Support allocation in the same way as other pupils with a Mild GLD.
The NCSE policy advice did not recommend that an exception should be made for children with Down syndrome who are in the Mild GLD range, over other children who are in the mild range and who also may have other co-morbid conditions.
However, the NCSE report states that it is confident that the introduction of a new allocation model will overcome the difficulty posed by all children with mild general learning disabilities, including children with Down syndrome, who have additional difficulties and who can be supported according to their level of need and in line with their learning plan process. In the meantime, schools are reminded that they can differentiate the level of learning support granted to ensure that available resources are used to support children in line with their needs.
In relation to the Private Members Down Syndrome (Equality of Access) Bill 2013, I wish to advise the Deputy that the Government did not oppose this Bill at second stage. The Bill has been referred to the Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection, where it can be considered in the context of forthcoming proposals to establish a new model for the allocation of resource teaching supports in mainstream schools.
Finally, with regard to the recent Court judgment referred to the Deputy, I wish to advise the Deputy that the Court has not made a judgement in relation to these cases, but has made an interim order specific to two applicants, while the case has been adjourned, but not completed. As this case is still ongoing, I am not in a position to comment further on the matter at this time.
