Tuesday, 8 Jul 2014

Written Answers Nos. 279 - 303

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Questions (279, 280)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

279. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the average primary school class size for the 2013-14 school year. [29734/14]

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

280. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the current pupil-teacher ratio; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29735/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 279 and 280 together.

This information is available on our Key Statistics Report 2013/2014 on our website, http://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Statistics/Key-Statistics/.

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Questions (281)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

281. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary school children who were in classes of 30 or more during the 2013-14 school year, broken down by county. [29736/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The number of primary school children who were in classes of 30 or more during 2013/2014 was 124,493. The following table shows the number of pupils broken down by county. Pupils in classes containing 30 or more pupils

Year	County Name	Class Size Mainstream Desc	MS Class Pupils
2013	Carlow	30-34	1,626
2013		35-39	72
2013	Cavan	30-34	1,194
2013		35-39	211
2013	Clare	30-34	3,403
2013		35-39	399
2013		40-99	40
2013	Cork	30-34	12,510
2013		35-39	2,010
2013		40-99	41
2013	Donegal	30-34	3,795
2013		35-39	245
2013	Dublin	30-34	28,354
2013		35-39	902
2013	Galway	30-34	5,753
2013		35-39	606
2013	Kerry	30-34	2,827
2013		35-39	586
2013	Kildare	30-34	6,953
2013		35-39	215
2013	Kilkenny	30-34	2,366
2013		35-39	291
2013	Laois	30-34	2,543
2013		35-39	178
2013	Leitrim	30-34	862
2013	Limerick	30-34	5,542
2013		35-39	462
2013	Longford	30-34	1,259
2013		35-39	36
2013	Louth	30-34	3,369
2013		35-39	673
2013	Mayo	30-34	2,669
2013		35-39	316
2013		40-99	40
2013	Meath	30-34	7,248
2013		35-39	288
2013	Monaghan	30-34	1,423
2013		35-39	249
2013	Offaly	30-34	2,139
2013		35-39	176
2013	Roscommon	30-34	932
2013		35-39	72
2013	Sligo	30-34	1,478
2013		35-39	178
2013	Tipperary	30-34	2,418
2013		35-39	181
2013	Waterford	30-34	3,026
2013		35-39	185
2013	Westmeath	30-34	2,200
2013		35-39	70
2013	Wexford	30-34	4,137
2013		35-39	575
2013	Wicklow	30-34	4,707
2013		35-39	463

Questions (282, 283)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

282. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary school teachers employed on 30 September 2013; and the number of pupils in primary school on that same date. [29737/14]

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

283. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of secondary teachers employed on 30 September 2013; and the number of pupils in secondary schools on that same date. [29738/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 282 and 283 together.

The criteria used for the allocation of teachers to primary and post-primary schools, including redeployment arrangements, are published annually. The recruitment and appointment of teachers to fill teaching posts is a matter for the individual school authority, subject to procedures agreed under Section 24(3) of the Education Act 1998.

There were 536,317 pupils in primary schools and 367,178 pupils in post primary schools at 30 September 2013. There were 32,568 teaching posts allocated to mainstream primary schools and 27,538 teaching posts allocated to post primary schools on that date.

Education Fees

Questions (284)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

284. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of waivers and exemptions granted to groups under section 80(3)(13) of the Qualifications and Quality Assurance Education and Training Act 2012. [29739/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

In 2013 fees were determined in relation to a limited number of services provided by QQI. Among those fees were certification/award fees. This is the only category of fees to which waivers apply.

Certification fees apply mainly to learners and not to providers. Waivers in respect of fees for further education and training awards apply to social welfare recipients, medical card holders and learners in certain centres, including Youthreach and VTOS centres. These waivers were also applied by the QQI's predecessor body, FETAC.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (285)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

285. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of allowing all community groups have a fee waiver of QQI fees. [29740/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

Under the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act, 2012 fees are determined by QQI and require the consent of both the Minister for Education and Skills and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. The 2012 Act provides for fees to be determined in relation to fifteen different activities and services of QQI, although all providers will not wish to access all of these services.

To date, fees have been determined for only a limited number of these services, including initial access to QQI programme validation and awards. It is therefore not possible to give a definitive figure in relation to the cost of allowing all community groups a fee waiver for all of QQI's fees. Furthermore, while in 2012 approximately 150 providers were categorised by QQI as 'community and voluntary', some, due to their size and related capacity issues, may choose not to re-engage with QQI when it formally establishes a quality assurance relationship with its providers, as required by the legislation.

School Transport Applications

Questions (286)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

286. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 163 of 30 April 2014, if his Department will cover school transport costs as a student (details supplied) in County Westmeath is proposing to attend their nearest recognised school for their needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29751/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

My Department is currently considering the application for school transport for the child in question and will communicate directly with the family in this regard.

Education and Training Boards Data

Questions (287)

Dominic Hannigan

Question:

287. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number and variety of training courses currently available through SOLAS to residents in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29782/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The provision of training in Meath is an operational matter for Louth/Meath Education and Training Board (ETB) and I have asked the ETB to contact the Deputy directly with the information.

School Accommodation

Questions (288)

Dominic Hannigan

Question:

288. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the work that will be done in July and August with a college (details supplied) in County Meath to ensure it is ready to accept students in September 2014; the years that will be accepted in 2015 and 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29783/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The school in County Meath to which the Deputy refers will open in temporary accommodation in September 2014. Planning permission has been obtained for this accommodation and work is in progress to have the accommodation in place for September next. The school will accept first year students in September 2014 and these students will graduate to second and third year respectively in 2015 and 2016.

Exchequer Savings

Questions (289)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

289. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the net and gross annual saving to the Exchequer if the pay scales of chief executives of education and training boards were capped at €100,000. [29791/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

There are three categories of ETBs for the purposes of pay scales for Chief Executives. Based on the mid point of these scales, the Department estimates that the gross annual saving to the Exchequer, if the pay for the Chief Executives were capped at €100,000, is of the order of €144,000. As Chief Executives are employees of and paid by the ETBs, information relating to the net saving is not available.

Question No. 290 answered with Question No. 273.

Education Fees

Questions (291)

Eric J. Byrne

Question:

291. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a fee waiver in respect of an organisation (details supplied) in Dublin 1; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29800/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) is due to publish its policy in relation to re-engagement with its providers shortly. Re-engagement, or the formal agreement of quality assurance (QA) procedures with QQI, is a requirement for legacy providers, such as the organisation referred to by the Deputy, under the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training ) Act, 2012. It will happen only once for a provider; thereafter the provider will have to undergo periodic review of the effectiveness of its QA procedures.

The re-engagement process will allow providers to demonstrate their capacity in respect of the development, ownership and implementation of their QA procedures, including the development of programmes and assessment of learners.

The fees to be applied to legacy providers seeking to re-engage with QQI have yet to be determined. QQI's proposals in that regard, and any associated issues, will be considered when they are made.

Education Funding

Questions (292)

Jerry Buttimer

Question:

292. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Education and Skills regarding the Europe 2020 Strategy, the increased investment in education, training, youth and sport by the European Commission, the increased opportunities that will arise for students from Ireland partaking in the Erasmus for All initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29818/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

Education is pivotal to the Europe 2020 Strategy and, in recognition of this, the Erasmus+ programme represents an investment in education, training, youth and sport projects and activities by the European Commission. The Commission will fund the programme in the amount of €14.7 billion over the seven years from 2014 to 2020. This represents an increase of 40% on the funding allocated to the predecessor programmes, primarily the Lifelong Learning Programme and Youth in Action. Of this, Ireland is expected to benefit in the amount €169 million approximately. It is anticipated that some 62,000 Irish citizens will participate in Erasmus+ over the seven year period. Students, teachers, trainers as well as education and training institutions and business will all be eligible to participate in projects and mobility activities.

Two thirds of the budget is allocated to learning opportunities abroad for individuals, within the EU and beyond; the remainder will support partnerships between educational institutions, youth organisations, business, local and regional authorities and NGOs, as well as reforms to modernise education and training and to promote innovation, entrepreneurship and employability.

European Globalisation Fund

Questions (293)

Jerry Buttimer

Question:

293. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Education and Skills the benefits he envisages of the application to the European Commission for co-funding support for a programme of guidance, training, education and enterprise supports; when a decision is expected; if in the interim the initiative showcasing supports for persons seeking work will be available in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29822/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

An application for EU co-funding under the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) in support of 171 workers made redundant at the Andersen Ireland jewellery manufacturing plant in Rathkeale, Co. Limerick and for up to a similar number of targeted young persons under 25 years not in employment, education or training, was made by my Department on 16 May 2014.

Approval of this application under the co-decision procedure by the institutions of the EU, Commission, Council and Parliament, will take some considerable time based on experience of previous applications and the fact that European Parliament elections took place recently. In the interim, and in anticipation of EU approval in due course of the Irish application, relevant supports are being provided by a range of local service providers in the areas of guidance, training, education and enterprise supports. These supports are being funded solely from national sources currently. All supports are being co-ordinated at local level by the SOLAS EGF Coordination Unit which will shortly open an office in Rathkeale and which is currently operating from Raheen, Co. Limerick. The benefit of these supports is to increase the employability of the persons in question and to demonstrate solidarity and reintegrate them as soon as possible into the labour force.

The Department of Social Protection is currently putting together a verified list of young persons under 25 years in the first instance in the West Limerick area who are not in employment, education or training for potential inclusion in any subsequently approved EGF programme. A number of these persons have been contacted by the EGF Coordination Unit. This is the first time such an approach has been possible under the EGF and the Irish application is understood to be one of the first to undertake such an approach across the EU. The outcomes, providing the application is ultimately approved by the EU, will be closely monitored by my Department.

SOLAS Training and Education Programmes Data

Questions (294)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

294. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of persons with disabilities and mental health difficulties as a result of the withdrawal of the training allowance to participants on SOLAS funded training programmes; that participants have additional costs associated with taking part in training; that it is unacceptable that such persons should be worse off financially by participating in training; and if he will undertake to review the negative impact of this policy change. [29842/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The payment of an additional training allowance of €31.80 per week for the long term unemployed was introduced during a period of high employment levels as an incentive for the long term unemployed to participate in FÁS (now SOLAS) training courses. The payment of this allowance was later extended to those persons in receipt of social welfare disability payments to introduce equality of treatment for all people in training.

The payment was reduced from €31.80 per week to €20 per week as part of Budget 2011. In the present economic situation this incentive is no longer considered appropriate and as part of Budget 2014 it was decided to cease this payment for all SOLAS participants commencing courses after 1st January 2014. This change does not apply to persons who commenced a course prior to January 2014 who will continue to receive the long term unemployed bonus payment for the duration of their course. Travel supports continue to be available to SOLAS participants.

This is a decision taken in the context of the overall savings this Department had to find for 2014 and future years. It was taken against a difficult budgetary background and there is no scope to re-visit it.

Schools Building Projects Status

Questions (295)

Jim Daly

Question:

295. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the proposed start and completion dates in relation to the pending re-development of a college (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29860/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The school building project, referred to by the Deputy, is at an early stage of architectural planning. A design team was appointed in March to commence the architectural planning process. However, the Project Supervisor for the Design Process (PSDP) subsequently ceased trading and it was necessary to hold a tender exercise for a replacement PSDP.

The replacement PSDP has recently been appointed and the design team is now clear to proceed with Stage 1 of the architectural planning process. This project is on the five year building programme to proceed to Tender & Construction in 2015/2016.

Schools Site Acquisitions

Questions (296)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Question:

296. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a progress report on the efforts of Donegal education training board to secure a site at Buncrana, County Donegal, of adequate dimensions to facilitate a three school campus (details supplied) and if he will allocate the necessary funding for this project to proceed. [29867/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

Officials in my Department have been in contact with Donegal ETB in relation to identifying a suitable site in the Buncrana area for a Campus Development. A number of potential sites that were identified were deemed unfeasible. Another potential site has recently been identified by the ETB and this is under consideration; my Department will continue to engage with the relevant stakeholders in relation to identifying a suitable site.

In relation to the progression of the building project, the acquisition of a site and the progression of the building project will be considered in the context of the capital budget available to my Department for school buildings generally.

As Buncrana has not been identified as an area of significant demographic growth the project referred to by the Deputy was not included in the current 5 year school building programme. In view of the need to ensure that every child has access to a school place, the delivery of major school projects and smaller projects devolved to schools to meet the demographic demands nationally will be the main focus for capital investment in schools in the coming years.

Schools Building Projects Status

Questions (297)

John Browne

Question:

297. Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the new proposed primary school for New Ross town will proceed to construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29872/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The primary school project in New Ross to which the Deputy refers, is at an advanced stage of architectural planning. Subject to no issues arising, it is anticipated that the project will progress to tender in the coming weeks.

European Globalisation Fund

Questions (298)

Niall Collins

Question:

298. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will address the concerns of former employees of a company (details supplied) in County Limerick arising from the non-provision of IT support from the European Globalisation Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29874/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

An application for EU co-funding under the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) in support of 171 workers made redundant at the Andersen Ireland jewellery manufacturing plant in Rathkeale, Co. Limerick, and for up to a similar number of targeted young persons under 25 years of age not in employment, education or training, was made by my Department to the European Commission on 16 May 2014.

Approval of this application under the co-decision procedure by the institutions of the EU may take some considerable time. In the interim, and in anticipation of EU approval in due course of the Irish application, relevant supports are being provided by a range of local service providers in the areas of guidance, training education and enterprise supports. These supports are being funded solely from national sources currently. All supports are being co-ordinated at local level by the SOLAS EGF Co-ordination Unit which will shortly open an office in Rathkeale and which is currently operating from Raheen, Co. Limerick.

The EGF Managing Authority in the Department and the EGF Co-ordination Unit has had a number of meetings and contacts to date with the redundant workers and their representatives to discuss the EGF application and supports available and an Open Day was held in Rathkeale on 9 June which I attended. A consultative forum is also being established to provide the workers with the opportunity to raise any issues and to input into the programme as it proceeds.

The requirements around access to and provision of necessary equipment and materials for those eligible persons on, or taking up, relevant training and education courses are currently being finalised by the EGF Co-ordination Unit. I understand that a meeting is taking place today between the Unit and worker representatives to address some concerns such as IT support that have arisen in this context. The meeting is to ensure that account is duly taken both of the needs of the cohort and of the requirement to ensure the transparency and accountability of public funding.

Teaching Council of Ireland

Questions (299)

Pat Breen

Question:

299. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29906/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

Since 28th March 2006, the Teaching Council is the statutory authority under the Teaching Council Act for the registration of teachers.

As enacted by the Oireachtas in 2001, the Teaching Council Act required teachers to be registered by the Teaching Council in order to be paid from state funds for their employment in schools recognised by the Department of Education and Skills. Section 30 of the Teaching Council Act was amended in 2012 to provide for the payment in exceptional circumstances for up to 5 days of a person who is not registered as a teacher, where no registered teacher is available.

The information provided by the Deputy indicates that the teacher's registration was due for renewal in mid-May. My Department has been in direct correspondence with the teacher in question and the issue of her non-registration with the Teaching Council has been resolved.

Apprenticeship Programmes

Questions (300)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

300. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will report on Ireland’s engagement with the European Alliance for Apprenticeships which is intended to bring together efforts of member states, social partners, business, other relevant actors and the European Commission to improve the quality and supply of apprenticeships across the EU; if he will further report on activity here on the setting up, reviving or modernising existing apprenticeship schemes, drawing on lessons from successful models and on transnational co-operation, including mobility; if he will report on efforts to promote national and transnational partnerships for developing and fostering work-based learning in companies; if he will also report on efforts made to change mindsets towards apprenticeship-type learning by promoting the benefits of apprenticeship systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29912/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

Earlier this year I confirmed to Commissioner Vassiliou and Commssioner Andor from the European Commission, Ireland's support for the European Alliance for Apprenticeships and that Ireland will continue to ensure that the Irish Apprenticeship System meets the requirements of all relevant stakeholders.

Under the Action Plan for Jobs my Department committed to undertaking a review of the Irish Apprenticeship System in 2013. Part of this process involved producing a Background Paper on the structures and systems of the current Irish Apprenticeship system and also examined the Apprentice models in a number of other countries including Germany, Finland and Norway.

Following the completion of the Background Paper, an Independent Apprenticeship Review Group completed a review of the Irish Apprenticeship System and submitted a report to my Department at the end of 2013. The Group made a number of recommendations regarding a new structure for Apprenticeship in Ireland, which is envisaged as being relevant to a much wider group of enterprise sectors. Recommendations were also made in relation to current apprenticeships.

Following on from the Review and a subsequent consultation with key stakeholders, I published an Implementation Plan for the review's recommendations on the 30th June 2014. As part of this plan a new Apprenticeship Council is to be appointed in the near future. The Council will be enterprise-led and have representatives from business, trade unions, further and higher education bodies. It will be hosted by SOLAS, the further education and training body with an independent chairperson.

The first job of work of the new Apprenticeship Council will be to make a call for proposals from industry for new apprenticeships. It will then evaluate and submit proposals to my Department. Alongside this work, the curricula for current apprenticeships will continue to be reviewed under existing structures. Five trades (Electrical, Plumbing, Carpentry and Joinery, Metal Fabrication and Heavy Vehicle Mechanics) are currently being reviewed by SOLAS. The implementation plan envisages accelerated arrangements for reviewing the remaining trades.

I wish to see the outcome of this process to inform efforts to promote apprenticeship to learners, parents, employers and those involved in career guidance. It should be noted that apprenticeship is currently a demand-led system requiring the securing of employment as a means of entry.

Quality and Qualifications Ireland Administration

Questions (301)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

301. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the introduction of the Quality and Qualifications Ireland's fees on the community based education organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29913/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) has wide-ranging responsibilities both in terms of the quality assurance of further and higher education and training providers and as an awarding body for certain providers, including many of those in the community and voluntary sector. QQI also has responsibility for safeguarding the standard and quality of its qualifications, all of which are included in the National Framework of Qualifications. The Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act, 2012, requires providers to demonstrate their capacity to develop and implement quality assurance arrangements and validate programmes of education and training. QQI must satisfy itself in this regard. The fee schedule introduced by QQI, and provided for under the legislation, reflects the costs of overseeing extensive quality assurance structures of this nature. Furthermore, the QQI fee should represent only a small part of the cost to a provider of delivering and maintaining high quality education provision.

Departmental Staff Remuneration

Questions (302)

Alan Farrell

Question:

302. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide in tabular form details of increments paid since 2008 in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30529/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The information requested by the deputy is not readily available in my Department as it is not possible to easily isolate salary adjustments due to increments from other salary adjustments. To obtain the financial information requested would require a disproportionate amount of effort relative to the resources available.

Departmental Staff Rehiring

Questions (303)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

303. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of retired civil and public servants who have been rehired on temporary contracts or as consultants under his remit; if he will provide a breakdown of those figures in tabular form, providing associated costs of such rehiring; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30554/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

My Department collates information in relation to individuals who retired from the Civil Service and are re-engaged to undertake specific tasks. It also collates information in relation to retired teachers who are re-engaged by schools. It does not collate information in relation to individuals engaged who retired from positions in the wider public service.

My Department engages the services of retired civil servants from time to time to perform various defined tasks that require their particular expertise and experience. Payments made to retired civil servants in respect of such work are determined in accordance with the abatement principle whereby total earnings in any year, inclusive of pension, cannot exceed the retirement salary of the retired individual. The number of civil servants re-engaged during the years 2011 to 2013 inclusive are outlined in the following table. As data in relation to the re-engagement of retired civil servants is compiled retrospectively at the commencement of each new year, details in relation to 2014 will not be available until early 2015.

With regard to retired teachers, the most recent information available relates to March 2014 when a total of 282 retired teachers were employed by the managerial authorities of schools. One hundred and forty nine retired primary teachers and one hundred and thirty three retired voluntary secondary and community and comprehensive teachers were employed. However, seventy per cent of those teachers worked 5 days or less.

By comparison, in March 2013 a total of 362 retired teachers were employed by the managerial authorities. Two hundred and eight retired primary teachers and one hundred and fifty four retired voluntary secondary and community and comprehensive teachers were employed. In that period eighty five per cent worked 5 days or less.

A retired teacher who returns to teaching on or after 1 February 2012 in a non casual basis will commence at the first point of the incremental salary scale. Details of the scale are outlined for primary teachers in circular 32/2013 and for post primary teachers in circular 5/2014. Retired teachers employed in a casual basis are paid at the casual qualified rates as outlined in these circulars.

Year	No. of Retired Civil Servants re-hired	Total Cost
2011	18	€91,672.92
2012	24	€113,910.41
2013	31	€110,964.74