Written Answers Nos. 85-100
85. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason students who attend third level colleges in England are prevented from making late applications to the CAO, Central Applications Office, for a course in Ireland if vacancies were available on that course, when it is possible if they attended college in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29987/14]
View answerThe responsibility for managing access to third level places rests with the Central Applications Office (CAO) and the higher education institutions generally. The higher education institutions have delegated to the CAO the task of processing applications to their first year undergraduate courses. However, the participating institutions retain the function of making decisions on admissions. Neither my Department nor the Higher Education Authority has any role to play in relation to the operation of the CAO or the admissions policies of third level institutions.
86. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 who was registered as a student in Eden College in the final year of a BBA degree course level 8 until the college closed and was told they could transfer to the Independent College but QQI intervened and said they would have to begin from first year in that college; the reason QQI made that decision; the options open to students of colleges that closed who were studying courses other than English language courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29993/14]
View answerAll QQI providers, including the college concerned, are required to have quality assurance procedures in place which include provision for the management of recognition of prior learning (RPL) and the granting of exemptions. They are also required to operate within the context of those procedures. In the case referred to by the Deputy, the college concerned contacted QQI in relation to the granting of exemptions. From a QQI perspective, and in relation to programmes which lead to its awards, the integrity of the QQI award is critical and any exemptions which might be granted by a provider must be done in the context of best RPL practice. In the case concerned, the studies completed by the learner when enrolled in Eden College could be considered to be broadly equivalent to a level 6 Higher Certificate; or the first two years of a 4 year Level 8 Honours Bachelor Degree, or the first two years of a Level 7 Ordinary Bachelor Degree; or the first year of a three year Honours Bachelor Degree.
As the programme on which the learner was to be enrolled is a three year Honours Bachelor Degree, the learner could only be considered to have completed the equivalent of the first year of that programme. A learner who had completed a level 7 degree in a cognate area could gain access to the final and third year of the programme. With regard to the above, it should be noted that exemptions are granted on a subject by subject basis, based on the achievement of the stated programme learning outcomes. QQI has been in contact over the past few weeks with providers, with a view to ensuring a consistent approach to the issues and ensuring equity of treatment for all of the learners impacted by the closure of private colleges. QQI continues to issue relevant advice as new information emerges. In general, the reasonable accommodation of students on non-English language courses is more challenging than those attending English language courses. There are a greater variety of courses involved and it will take longer to determine in what way high-quality private colleges can find alternative provision for these students. A website, www.studenttaskforce.ie, has been set up to maintain communication with all students concerned.
87. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will allow a person (details supplied) in County Longford to access free school transport to a college. [29997/14]
View answerThe 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 his 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.
88. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 88 of 2 July 2014, in view of the fact that the PCW agreement provided for the payment of a pass degree allowance to a range of non-graduate teachers, including non-graduate holders of the commercial teacher's certificate, the reason his departmental policy changed in view of the fact that the commercial teachers qualification was considered the equivalent to a B Comm under Memos V7 and V32. [30002/14]
View answerAs previously advised in the response to Parliamentary Question No. 88 of 2 July 2014, following detailed discussions under PCW, agreement was reached and set out in my Department's Circular 18/97 which provided for the payment of allowances in respect of qualifications which hitherto did not qualify for such payment. Under the PCW agreement any recognised non graduate teacher who did not already hold a degree allowance entitlement such as a holder of the Commercial Teachers Certificate could be paid a pass degree allowance. Under Memo V7 the Commercial Teachers Certificate was considered the equivalent of a degree in commerce or business studies for qualification purposes. Honours degree allowances are paid to qualified registered teachers who hold a degree that was designated as an honours degree by the awarding authority.
89. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review a decision made by his Department regarding a student boarding grant (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30004/14]
View answerUnder the Remote Area Boarding Grant scheme, provision is made for the payment of grants in respect of pupils whose normal place of residence is outside the range of public transport services to a school providing suitable free second-level education. The scheme was introduced in conjunction with the Free Post-Primary Education scheme in the 1967/68 school year. Under the terms of the scheme, a second-level school is a school recognised by the Department for the purpose of providing the prescribed Certificate courses; which enters its students for the State examinations and is subject to Inspection by the Department. To qualify for a boarding grant, an applicant must (a) be normally resident in the state; and (b) be resident at least 4.8 km from a second-level school where suitable free second-level education is available and more than 3.2 km from a pick-up point on a transport service to such a school; and (c) be unable to obtain a place in a suitable second-level school within 25 km of his/her normal place of residence; and (d) be a pupil in a second-level school providing free second-level education.
The pupil referred to by the Deputy does not meet the qualifying criteria as set out above, as the pupil resides less than 25km from the nearest all-Irish medium post primary school.
90. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent of the discussions he continues to have with the authorities at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare regarding requirements, upgrading or other facilities thereat; if he expects to be in a position to address these issues in accordance with the wishes of the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30005/14]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that the school to which he refers has an application with my Department for large scale capital funding. The current status of all schools on the school building programme may be viewed on my Department's website at www.education.ie. The Deputy will be aware that given the need to meet demographic growth, the delivery of new schools, together with extension projects to meet future demand, will be the main focus of the Department's budget for the coming years. In this context, it is not possible to indicate at this point when a building project for the school in question will be progressed.
91. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the degree to which he continues to monitor the development of two post-primary schools on the campus at Moyglare Road, Maynooth, County Kildare; if any further consideration has been given to the preferred options as expressed by the various school authorities for a senior and junior cycle administered by a single authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30006/14]
View answer92. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which the preferred option as expressed by parents and school authorities in Maynooth, County Kildare, of a junior and senior divide on the campus at Moyglare Road, Maynooth in respect of the proposed new post-primary school and Maynooth Community College in respect of which planning permission has now been granted; if any further evaluation of the parents preferred option continues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30007/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 91 and 92 together.
I have made it clear in meetings with the Deputy and in responses to previous Parliamentary questions that, for compelling educational reasons and to safeguard the integrity of the patronage determination process, both the new post-primary school for Maynooth, which is due to open later this year, and the existing post-primary school will operate as fully-vertical post-primary schools delivering both the junior and senior cycle. There is no change to this position.
93. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which primary school places and class requirements in Leixlip, County Kildare continue to be met; if class sizes fall within the national average; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30008/14]
View answerThe Forward Planning Section of my Department continuously monitors and analyses demographic data for all areas of the country, including the area referred to by the Deputy, to anticipate emerging needs and to ensure that there is sufficient capacity to meet those needs. My Department's five year construction plan is focused on providing accommodation to meet demographic needs in this regard. It is also open to schools to apply for funding at any time to meet their particular requirements. Class sizes in primary schools in County Kildare are broadly in line with the national average of 24.8 and are well within the current pupil teacher ratio of 28:1. This information is published on the Department's website as part of the Key Educational Statistics 2013/2014 document.
94. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which primary school places and class requirements in Celbridge, County Kildare continue to be met; if class sizes fall within the national average; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30009/14]
View answerThe Forward Planning Section of my Department continuously monitors and analyses demographic data for all areas of the country, including the area referred to by the Deputy, to anticipate emerging needs and to ensure that there is sufficient capacity to meet those needs. My Department's five year construction plan is focused on providing accommodation to meet demographic needs in this regard. It is also open to schools to apply for funding at any time to meet their particular requirements. Class sizes in primary schools in County Kildare are broadly in line with the national average of 24.8 and are well within the current pupil teacher ratio of 28:1. This information is published on the Department's website as part of the Key Educational Statistics 2013/2014 document.
95. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which primary school places and class requirements in Maynooth, County Kildare continue to be met; if class sizes fall within the national average; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30010/14]
View answerThe Forward Planning Section of my Department continuously monitors and analyses demographic data for all areas of the country, including the area referred to by the Deputy, to anticipate emerging needs and to ensure that there is sufficient capacity to meet those needs. My Department's five year construction plan is focused on providing accommodation to meet demographic needs in this regard. It is also open to schools to apply for funding at any time to meet their particular requirements. Class sizes in primary schools in County Kildare are broadly in line with the national average of 24.8 and are well within the current pupil teacher ratio of 28:1. This information is published on the Department's website as part of the Key Educational Statistics 2013/2014 document.
96. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills The extent to which primary school places and class requirements in Clane, County Kildare continue to be met; if class sizes fall within the national average; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30011/14]
View answerThe Forward Planning Section of my Department continuously monitors and analyses demographic data for all areas of the country, including the area referred to by the Deputy, to anticipate emerging needs and to ensure that there is sufficient capacity to meet those needs. My Department's five year construction plan is focused on providing accommodation to meet demographic needs in this regard. It is also open to schools to apply for funding at any time to meet their particular requirements. Class sizes in primary schools in County Kildare are broadly in line with the national average of 24.8 and are well within the current pupil teacher ratio of 28:1. This information is published on the Department's website as part of the Key Educational Statistics 2013/2014 document.
97. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which primary school places and class requirements in Kilcock, County Kildare continue to be met; if class sizes fall within the national average; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30012/14]
View answerThe Forward Planning Section of my Department continuously monitors and analyses demographic data for all areas of the country, including the area referred to by the Deputy, to anticipate emerging needs and to ensure that there is sufficient capacity to meet those needs. My Department's five year construction plan is focused on providing accommodation to meet demographic needs in this regard. It is also open to schools to apply for funding at any time to meet their particular requirements. Class sizes in primary schools in County Kildare are broadly in line with the national average of 24.8 and are well within the current pupil teacher ratio of 28:1. This information is published on the Department's website as part of the Key Educational Statistics 2013/2014 document.
98. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which primary school places and class requirements in Naas, County Kildare continue to be met; if class sizes fall within the national average; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30013/14]
View answerThe Forward Planning Section of my Department continuously monitors and analyses demographic data for all areas of the country, including the area referred to by the Deputy, to anticipate emerging needs and to ensure that there is sufficient capacity to meet those needs. My Department's five year construction plan is focused on providing accommodation to meet demographic needs this regard. It is also open to schools to apply for funding at any time to meet their particular requirements.Class sizes in primary schools in County Kildare are broadly in line with the national average of 24.8 and are well within the current pupil teacher ratio of 28:1. This information is published on the Department's website as part of the Key Educational Statistics 2013/2014 document.
99. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he has received submissions from the school authorities in Leixlip, Maynooth, Celbridge, Kilcock, Naas and Clane in respect of the need for further increased provision of second level school replacements in the towns in question having particular regard to trends in primary school enrolments and general demographics; if he expects to be in a position to meet such requirements in full over the next three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30014/14]
View answerThe 5-Year Plan that I announced in March 2012 as part of a €2 billion capital investment programme, outlines the major school projects that are scheduled to commence construction over the duration of the Plan. These have been prioritised on the basis of meeting significant demographic needs.
The Deputy will be aware that there are four Post-Primary school projects included in the Plan for the areas to which he refers; two new schools for Maynooth (one replacement) and a new school for both Naas and Celbridge. My Department will also consider applications from individual schools for devolved funding to meet an immediate accommodation requirement because of increased enrolments. My Department will continue to analyse demographic trends and to monitor enrolments in all areas to determine the level of additional school provision which may be required into the future and to ensure that this is provided in a timely manner. Any further increased provision required in the areas referred to by the Deputy will be considered in this context. The current status of all projects on the school building programme may be viewed on my Department's website at www.education.ie and this is updated regularly throughout the year.
100. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he expects to be a position to make provision for a gaelcholáiste in County Kildare over the next three years; the degree to which he has received representations from the representative parents in this regard; if new cognisance will be taken of the needs arising from the expanding population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30015/14]
View answerMy Department has not, to date, received any formal submission from parents in relation to the provision of a Gaelcholáiste for county Kildare. The Department's current five-year construction plan is focused on meeting demographic demands to ensure that every child will have access to a physical school place and that our school system is in a position to accommodate increasing pupil numbers. Therefore, the establishment of any new school is considered in the context of the overall need for additional school places to meet future demographic demands and is advanced in line with an objective process and criteria for determining patronage and language medium of instruction. As the Deputy will be aware a new post-primary school will open in county Kildare this coming September. This school will have an all-Irish Aonad. My Department has confirmed that if sufficient demand for education through the medium of Irish in the Aonad is demonstrated over a four-year cycle, the establishment of an independent Gaelchóláiste will be considered.
