Tuesday, 8 Jul 2014

Written Answers Nos. 229-253

Adult Education Provision

Questions (229)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

229. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the budget allocation in his Department in the years 2012, 2013 and 2014 for adult literacy programmes. [29001/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

The annual budget for the Adult Literacy Programme has been €30 million for each of the years 2012, 2013 and 2014.

Higher Education Schemes

Questions (230)

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

230. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide clarity on the screening indicators for the higher education access route; the persons who qualify under the socioeconomic group criteria; the persons who qualify under the disadvantaged area criteria; and if the disadvantaged area criteria relate to farming land or particular location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29008/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) is a college and university admissions scheme which offers places on reduced points and extra college support to school leavers from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds.

The scheme is operated by a number of higher education institutions and not by my Department. Admissions to the institutions are regulated by the institutions themselves.The Deputy may wish to contact the Irish Universities Association in this instance. Further details in relation to the HEAR scheme including the eligibility criteria are available at www.accesscollege.ie

School Transport Eligibility

Questions (231)

Robert Troy

Question:

231. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding school transport in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [29020/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

The Deputy will be aware that under 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.

Freedom of Information Data

Questions (232)

Seán Fleming

Question:

232. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline in tabular form for each year from 2009 to date in 2014 the total number of freedom of information requests received by his Department; the total refused; total granted; total part-granted; total appealed; total of successful appeals; total of part-successful appeals; total of refusals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29066/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The following table gives details of FOI requests from 2009 to date received by my Department. The total number of FOI requests for each of the years includes requests that were withdrawn, handled outside FOI or transferred to another public body.

Freedom of Information requests to the Department of Education and Skills -1st January 2009-30 June 2014

-	-	Requests	Requests	Requests	Appeal  Internal Review	Appeal  Internal Review	Appeal  Internal Review	Appeal  Internal Review	Appeal  - Internal Review	Appeal  - Internal Review	Appeal - Office of the Information Commissioner	Appeal - Office of the Information Commissioner	Appeal - Office of the Information Commissioner	Appeal - Office of the Information Commissioner	Appeal - Office of the Information Commissioner	Appeal - Office of the Information Commissioner	Appeal - Office of the Information Commissioner
Year	Total received*	Granted	Part-granted	Refused	Total	Annul	Vary	Affirm	Withdrawn	Pending	Total	Annul	Vary	Affirm	Settled	Withdrawn	Pending
2009	569	113	206	149	8	-	4	4		-	1		-	-	-	1	-
2010	796	127	254	167	13	-	3	8	2	-	6	1	2	-	1	2	-
2011	1170	83	237	318	15	-	5	10		-	3	-	1	1	-	1	-
2012	417	85	240	191	20	-	3	16	1	-	4	1	1	2	-		-
2013	328	30	110	114	25	-	6	19	-	-	9	1	-	4	-	2	2
2014	135	20	38	44	6	-	-	5	-	1	2	-	-	-	-	-	2

* Total figure also includes requests withdrawn, handled outside FOI or transferred

Departmental Staff Career Breaks

Questions (233)

Robert Troy

Question:

233. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide in tabular form the number of staff in his Department on a sabbatical or career break, broken down by timeframe, that is, less than six months, six to 12 months, one to two years, two to three years, four to five years; and five years plus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29083/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table.

Department of Education and Skills – Career Breaks

Period	Period	Period	Period	Period	Period
0-6 months	6 -12 months	1-2 years	2-3 years	4-5 years	5 years plus
-	1	3	4	3	5

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (234)

Robert Troy

Question:

234. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide in tabular form the total photography costs for his Department since coming to office, inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; the list of occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29100/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The total photography costs for my Department since 9 March 2011 are set out in the attached document.

The Department adheres to the National Procurement Service's photography framework in place for central government, local government and the health and education sectors. The Department endeavours to keep photography costs to a minimum.

Cost	Occasion
€381.15 (€315 + €66.15 VAT)	Copies of photographs of a school project and their use on an A1 display board which was submitted to the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland for the joint RIAI/Department colloquium on school design which was held on June 30th 2011 in Dublin.
€301.35 (€245 + €56.35 VAT)	Photographs taken on June 12th 2012 and circulated to media on the occasion of the visit of the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children, Marta Santos Pais, to participate in an international jury to oversee the design competition of a memorial to victims of childhood abuse in institutions in Ireland.
€154.98 (€126 + €28.98 VAT)	Photographs of Minister Quinn with a representative of the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland and 4 students on July 24th 2013 to publicise changes to third level fees to benefit migrant students.
€172.20 (€140 + 32.20 VAT)	Photographs of Minister Quinn with the National Parents Council on September 6th 2013 to publicise funding for anti-bullying training for parents.
€154.98 (€126 + €28.98 VAT)	Photographs taken of Minister Quinn with Brazilian students studying in Ireland on October 7th 2013 to publicise his trade mission to Brazil later that month.
€404.93 (€335 + €69.93 VAT)	Photographs taken at the launch of the Digital Strategy for Schools on December 2nd 2013.
€413.28 (€336 + €77.28 VAT)	Photographs taken for the launch of the ISSU’s report on May 23rd 2014.
€361.62 (€294 + €67.62 VAT)	Photographs taken to announce the winners of the Ireland History Competition on May 29th 2014.

Public Relations Contracts Data

Questions (235)

Robert Troy

Question:

235. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide, in tabular form, information on the use of external public relations firms employed by his Department since coming to office; the list of uses of each external public relations firm; the internal departmental policy with regard to employing external groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29117/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

My Department has not incurred any expenditure in respect of the provision of public relations services since the Government came into office.

When engaging external support services, my Department does so in accordance with the provisions of the Department of Finance "Guidelines for the Engagement of Consultants and other External Support by the Civil Service".

Schools Amalgamation

Questions (236)

Michael Moynihan

Question:

236. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on the progress of the proposed amalgamation of the national schools in Kanturk, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29132/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I can advise the Deputy that the project he refers to is being delivered by the Office of Public Works (OPW) on a devolved basis. In August, 2012, a planning application for the delivery of the new amalgamated primary school was lodged by the OPW with Cork County Council. However in April 2013, Cork County Council notified the OPW that planning permission for the new school had been refused.

Officials in the Building Unit of my Department have been working closely with OPW and Cork County Council since to address the issues on foot of the original planning application. The project brief for the project has been revised and the project is progressing through the architectural planning stages with a view to submitting a revised planning application for the delivery of the new school as soon as possible.

International Students

Questions (237)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

237. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on the progress that has been made in achieving the objectives and targets set out in Ireland's International Education Strategy 2010-15. [29144/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The Government is strongly committed to promoting Ireland as a centre for international education through implementation of Investing in Global Relationships: Ireland's International Education Strategy and roll-out of the Education in Ireland brand internationally by Enterprise Ireland.Since the publication of the strategy, there has been 36% growth in full-time non-EEA students in institutions reporting data to the HEA. The first Higher Education System Performance report published by the HEA notes that "the higher education system is broadly on target to have international students accounting for 15% of total full-time student numbers by 2020." The HEA also indicates that the system is showing strong alignment with the priority markets set by the High Level Group on International Education, with 45% of international students coming from priority markets.

Particular progress continues to be made in the United States, where Ireland is in the top ten destinations for American students and the top small country destination and Brazil, where we have attracted 3% of all scholarship students under the Science Without Borders programme, again making us the top small country destination. A mid-term review of the international education strategy is being undertaken by my Department and will be published later in the year.

Consultancy Contracts Expenditure

Questions (238, 239)

Robert Troy

Question:

238. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total amount spent on external IT consultants by his Department in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29152/14]

Robert Troy

Question:

239. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department has renegotiated external IT consultancy contracts and costs since March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29171/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 238 and 239 together.

In addition to the spend on IT consultancy services, the IT unit of my Department engages contract staff and external service providers to provide specialist technical support and deliver specific projects where needed. The total spend on external staff (consultancy, contractors and external service providers) was as follows:-

2010 - €1,353,466

2011 - €1,486,158

2012 - €1,507,434

2013 - €1,403,874

2014 - €562,615 (to end June)

Where IT consultancy, external service providers or contract staff are required for specific projects then the Department conducts procurement exercises in accordance with current ICT procurement policy.

In late 2013, my Department commenced an open procurement exercise for admission to a multi-supplier Framework Agreement for the supply of temporary contract ICT personnel, replacing the previous Framework Agreement which expired earlier this year. The new Framework Agreement came into effect in February 2014 and is in place for an initial two-year period, with the option to extend for a further two years, subject to satisfactory performance. As and when a specific requirement for resources arises during the life of the Framework Agreement, the Department issues mini-tenders to participants on the Framework, inviting them to submit competitive bids. This reduces the time taken for the Department to respond to business demands while ensuring value for money on an ongoing basis.

Details of ICT procurement policy may be accessed on http://ictprocurement.gov.ie/ or http://ict.gov.ie/ictexpenditure/ictcontrol.aspx.

Appointments to State Boards

Questions (240)

Robert Troy

Question:

240. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide in tabular form the number of appointments to State boards under his Department's remit made since March 2011; the number of vacancies on State boards under his Department's remit since March 2011; the number of vacancies on State boards under his Department's remit publically advertised since March 2011; and the number of appointments to State boards under his remit drawn directly from the public advertisement process. [29189/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The information requested on the number of appointments made to State boards in the last three years is outlined in the following table.

The Deputy should note that Board appointments, while made by me as Minister, are not in all cases made at my sole discretion. Individuals may be nominated for appointment by various organisations as specified in the relevant statute of the body concerned.

Vacancies on other boards of Bodies under the aegis of my Department that arise will continue to be advertised on my Department's website and at www.publicjobs.ie. The Deputy should further note that in making any direct Ministerial appointments, I am not necessarily confined to those who make such expressions of interest but will ensure that all of those appointed have the relevant skills and competencies for the positions.

Name of Board	Number of appointments made to state boards since 2011	Number of positions advertised over which the Minister can directly appoint [Note 1]	Appointments made from members of the public who applied through the PAS process	Year appointments made
An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG)	2	0	0	2012
An Foras Áiseanna Saothair (FÁS)	3 [Note 2]	0	0	2011/2013
Grangegorman Development Agency (GDA)	15	7	3	2012
Higher Education Authority (HEA)	10	9	2	2012
Irish Research Council	14	0	0	2012
Léargas	12	9	0	2012/2013
National Centre for Guidance in Education (NCGE)	12	1	0	2013
National Council for Curriculum & Assessment (NCCA)	26 [Note 3]	3	2	2012 (25) and 2013 (1)
National Council for Special Education (NCSE)	14	13	2	2013
Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI)	10	8	3	2012
Skillnets Ltd	4	0	0	2011/2012
State Examinations Commission (SEC)	5	5	2	2012
Teaching Council	37	3	0	2012
An tSeirbhís Oideachais Leanúnaigh agus Scileanna (SOLAS)	13	9	9	2013
Residential Institutions Statutory Fund (RISF)	10 [Note 4]	9	4 [Note 4]	2013
Residential Institution Redress Board (RIRB)	-	-	-	-
Residential Institution Review Committee (RIRC)	-	-	-	-
Education Finance Board (EFB)	-	-	-	See [Note 5]

Note 1: Appointments, while made by the Minister, are not in all cases made at his sole discretion. Individuals may be nominated for appointment by various organisations as specified in the relevant statute of the body concerned.

Note 2: Two interim appointments were made to the Board of Foras Áiseanna Saothair (FÁS) in January 2013 pending the dissolution of the body in October 2013.  Accordingly, these vacancies were not published on PAS. Appointments to the Board of FÁS were made following consultation with the Minister for Social Protection and the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.

Note 3: The 25 member NCCA was appointed in 2012 with one resignee being replaced in November 2013.

Note 4: Following the resignation of an appointee, the consequential vacancy was filled by a person who had submitted an expression of interest to PAS.   A further two appointees applied directly to the Department.

Note 5: The existing members of the Residential Institutions Redress Board (RIRB) and the Residential Institutions Review Committee (RIRC) were re-appointed in December 2011 for a period of two years and again in December 2013 for a further period of 5 months or until such time as the bodies have completed their work, whichever is the sooner.   The Chairperson of the RIRB is paid an annual salary equivalent to the President of the Circuit Court (in February 2012) subject to pension abatement while the Chairperson of the RIRC is paid an annual salary equivalent to a Supreme Court Judge subject to pension abatement. Since October 2011 the Chairperson has taken a 50% voluntary reduction in salary.  The other board members of both the RIRB and the RIRC are paid a per diem rate and pension abatement applies in the case of members receiving a pension from the State. The per diem rate from 1st January 2014 is €624.  The final membership of the Education Finance Board (EFB) were appointed in February 2012 for a one year term or until the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund (RISF) was established whichever was the earlier.   The RISF was established and the EFB dissolved in March 2013. The 9 member Board consisted of a Chairperson, four former residents of institutions and four ordinary members.  The views of survivor groups and other interested parties were sought on appointments of former resident members of the Board.  The members were not remunerated.

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Questions (241)

Michael McGrath

Question:

241. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if it is his Department's policy that all children on the autism spectrum who qualify for home tuition should, instead of availing of the home tuition scheme, be attending a nominated specialist preschool from the age of three; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29237/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

My Department's policy in this regard has not changed.

Home tuition is intended as an interim provision only for children with a special educational need for whom a school placement is not available and is not intended to be regarded as an optional alternative to school.

Home tuition is provided to children with autism aged between 2 ½ and 3 years of age as they cannot enrol in a school until they reach the age of three.

Parents can choose to enrol children with autism in an early intervention class from the age of three and where such a placement is not available home tuition is approved. Children with autism over the age of four may also be eligible for home tuition if a school placement is not available for them.

The annual circular for the 2014/2015 Home Tuition Scheme (048/2014) is available on www.education.ie and provides detailed information on the purpose of the scheme including the eligibility criteria.

Home Tuition Scheme Provision

Questions (242)

Michael McGrath

Question:

242. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the continuation of home tuition in respect of a child (details supplied) in County Cork for the 2014 to 2015 school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29238/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The purpose of the Home Tuition Scheme is to provide a compensatory educational service for children who, for a number of reasons such as chronic illness, are unable to attend school. The scheme also provides a compensatory educational service for children with special educational needs seeking an educational placement. Provision is also made for early educational intervention from children with autism.

Applications for home Home Tuition must be renewed annually. The circular and application form for the 2014/2015 school year are now available on www.education.ie

No application has been submitted in respect of the child referred to by the Deputy.

Legislative Process

Questions (243)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

243. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of Bills his Department has published since March 2011; the number of regulatory impact assessments that his Department has published since March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29291/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I can confirm to the Deputy that since March 2011, my Department has published seven bills and has published four regulatory impact assessments.

School Curriculum

Questions (244)

Ruth Coppinger

Question:

244. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether the proposed politics and society subject for the senior curriculum may be hampered by the change in status of civics, social and political education in the junior curriculum; if he will report on the introduction of the politics and society subject; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29302/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

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 flexibility 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 are 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 a 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.

The developments in the Junior Cycle will provide our young people with the knowledge and skills to continue their studies in politics and society, if they so wish, when the new senior cycle specification becomes available.

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Questions (245)

Michael McGrath

Question:

245. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a primary school in County Cork has had its special needs assistant allocation cut from four posts to two for the forthcoming school year; if his attention has been drawn to the impact this will have on the education of children with special needs attending the school; if this decision can be reviewed by the National Council for Special Education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29311/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) have allocated over 10,900 Special Needs Assistant (SNA) posts in schools to support students with special needs for the 2014/2015 school year. The exact numbers of SNAs will become clear when enrolments of students in mainstream schools are finalised in September.

SNA posts are allocated to schools that have enrolled students with disabilities who also have significant care needs. All students who are eligible to access SNA support and for whom an application has been made, will have this support in place in September.

Each school's allocation of SNA support can change from year to year as students go from primary to post-primary; graduate from post-primary; change schools – from one primary or post-primary school to a different one; or from a special school or special class placement to a mainstream placement or vice versa. New students with care needs may, or may not, enrol to replace students who have left. There is always a significant churn of posts within the system.

An appeals process will be in place for the 2014/15 school years. Details are available on www.ncse.ie.

Debt Collection

Questions (246)

Niall Collins

Question:

246. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department or agencies under its auspices have engaged the services of a debt collection agency in pursuing moneys owed to them; if his Department has guidelines regarding hiring such agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29328/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

My Department does not utilise the services of debt collection agencies in pursuing monies owed to it.My Department is collating information from agencies under the Department's aegis. From the information available to date I understand that debt collection agencies are not used in recovering debt owed to those agencies. Should further information become available in this regard I will arrange to have this provided to the Deputy.

In the context of overall debt management in the public sector, my Department continues to engage with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in seeking to support enhanced debt collection processes in the Government sector.

Private Schools

Questions (247)

Clare Daly

Question:

247. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills following newspaper reports on the imminent sale of All Hallows College, if he can guarantee that the students will be returning in September to complete the full college year in the premises at All Hallows College as they had been previously informed. [29344/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

All Hallows College is a private college and is not an approved institution under the Higher Education Authority (HEA). It does not receive core funding, however, my Department provides grant in lieu of tuition fee funding to the College in respect of three approved undergraduate courses. This funding amounted to some €436,000 for the 2013/14 academic year.

My Department does not have a role in the placement of students in any third level institution and decisions regarding courses to be run are matters for individual institutions as autonomous bodies. I welcome the fact that the college has stated that it intends to wind down on a phased basis in order to facilitate as much as possible the completion of current students' studies.

EU Funding

Questions (248)

Clare Daly

Question:

248. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the European bodies that are responsible for overseeing the funding of SOLAS courses here. [29345/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

SOLAS is funded by the Exchequer under the Vote of the Department of Education and Skills as well as through the National Training Fund (NTF). SOLAS allocates funding for the delivery of training services through the network of training centres, which has now been transferred to the Education and Training Boards.

European Social Fund (ESF) and European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) programmes co-finance active labour market measures in EU Member States. Both programmes are overseen and administered at EU level by DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion and DG Regional and Urban Policy in the European Commission.In Ireland the Department of Education and Skills has responsibility for the provision, management, certifying and audit functions for ESF and EGF.

SOLAS is involved in the implementation and delivery of eligible training services that are EU co-financed under both the ESF and EGF programmes. ESF and EGF funds are subject to testing for eligibility and audit by the Audit Authority in the EU Commission and, the national Audit Authority for ESF.

SOLAS Funding

Questions (249)

Clare Daly

Question:

249. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the funding arrangements for outside organisations which provide training on SOLAS courses; if they get paid per student per day or a fixed amount. [29346/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

While community and not-for-profit organisations such as Specialist Training Providers, Local Training Initiatives and Community Training Centres receive funding under a variety of programmes, there are two primary methods for funding of commercial training providers.

Contract Training is a fee based payment awarded using a tendering process. The tendered cost of the course is paid and it is a matter for the former FÁS Training Centres to refer the appropriate numbers. There is also a per person vouched expense element for the assessment and for any unplanned costs associated with the contract. A placement fee is also included and is based on results.

Momentum is a delivery outcome model and is based on a per person cost. This is not an amount set at national level but is dictated by the successful tenders submitted by the providers concerned. Where learners leave the course before completion, the fee payable to the provider is reduced accordingly. A portion of the fee is paid at each of the different points during the delivery phase and a further portion is paid based on outcomes.

School Curriculum

Questions (250)

Dominic Hannigan

Question:

250. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of civic, social and political education, CSPE, teachers that consideration is being given to the idea that CSPE be dropped as a required exam in the junior cycle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29351/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

Education about active citizenship is 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 contexts".

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 will continue to be an important part of the new Junior Cycle.

The new short course in CSPE that has been developed by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) will be available to schools to implement, from this September, should they wish to do so as part of their Junior Cycle programme. Alternatively, schools may continue to offer the current CSPE syllabus for the up-coming academic year 2014/2015. The new CSPE 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.

The new CSPE short course is designed for 100 hours of teaching compared to less than 70 hours for the existing CSPE syllabus.

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 flexibility 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.

Health Professions Admission Test

Questions (251)

Joe Higgins

Question:

251. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the number of private colleges offering tuition courses in the health professions admission test; and if his Department has made any assessment on the impact this private tuition may be having on the final student cohort entering medicine in universities. [29360/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The selection criteria and process for admission to medical schools is a matter for the Deans of medical schools in universities in line with their statutory autonomy in relation to academic affairs.

The HPAT – Ireland test was chosen by the Deans through an international tender process which included criteria that there should be little evidence of benefit to candidates who (i) repeated the test or (ii) accessed commercial coaching provided by private colleges.

An Interim Review of the HPAT entrance mechanism was presented in July 2012 which, among other things, found that candidates who undertook commercial HPAT-Ireland preparatory courses appeared to slightly outperform candidates who do not do so.

In order to address this issue, the Review recommended that all candidates should be given greater opportunities to familiarise themselves with the test format and the rationale supporting the selection of correct responses through provision of more extensive preparation materials. This recommendation was noted by the Deans of the Medical schools and has been implemented.

The Review Group also recommended a further interim review of the HPAT process be undertaken in due course to assess the effectiveness of this amelioration in addressing the issue.

Teachers' Panel Rights

Questions (252)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

252. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason teachers who qualified here but later worked in the United Kingdom may not have their experience in the UK taken into account when applying for inclusion in the supplementary redeployment panel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29363/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The core function of the redeployment arrangements is to facilitate the redeployment of all surplus permanent teachers to other schools that have vacancies. Thereafter, schools are required under the panel arrangements to fill permanent vacancies from supplementary panels comprised of eligible fixed-term (temporary/substitute) and part-time teachers.The supplementary redeployment arrangements for the 2014/15 school year were published in November 2013 (Circular 0057/2013) following consultation with the relevant education stakeholders. Applicants must meet all of the published criteria in order to gain access to the Supplementary Panel.

Reckonable service which is allowable for the purpose of Supplementary Panel access is service as a fully qualified teacher in a post paid for by the Department of Education and Skills, excluding certain service types as listed in Circular 0057/2013. There are no plans to expand these arrangements to include teaching experience in schools outside of Ireland.

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Questions (253, 256)

Dominic Hannigan

Question:

253. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the action he will take to deal with the fact that County Meath has the second highest pupil-teacher ratio in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29412/14]

Dominic Hannigan

Question:

256. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the action he will take to deal with the fact that County Meath has the second highest pupil-teacher ratio in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29434/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 253 and 256 together.

We have a growing population of young people in this country and despite the difficult financial circumstances we face as a country, we prioritised education so that the number of teachers we have in the system has also grown in order to protect pupil teacher ratios. There are a thousand more teachers employed in schools around the country this school year than there was the year before. While there has been a moratorium on recruitment across other sectors in the public service, this has not applied to teaching and shows the commitment this Government has to educating our future generations.

The Department of Education and Skills key statistics for the 2013/14 academic year show that the number of children attending school has increased by 9,895 at primary level and 4,331 at post-primary (excluding PLCs). Despite these massive rises, pupil teacher ratios at primary school have dropped slightly from 16.4 to 16.3, while they have remained constant at second level at 13.9.

The primary level statistics on class size data for the 2013/14 school year show the national average class size is 24.8 pupils. With over 21,000 classes in over 3,100 primary schools throughout the country there will always be variations in class sizes at individual school level.

The primary staffing schedule currently operates on the basis of a general average of 1 classroom teacher for every 28 pupils, with lower thresholds for DEIS Band 1 schools. It includes the provision where schools experiencing rapid increases in enrolment can apply for additional permanent mainstream posts on developing grounds. In addition, a staffing appeals process is available to schools, including a new criterion for 2014/15 aimed at schools which make a significant contribution to absorbing demographic growth.