Written Answers Nos. 208-217
208. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the total cost to his Department and those under its aegis for the storage of records and archives that are ultimately intended to be forwarded to the National Archives in time; if he will provide this cost for 2012 and 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35420/14]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade operates a dedicated file depository which is based in a warehouse leased by the Office of Public Works (OPW). This facility is a secure store for all departmental files which are no longer in everyday use within the department and allows for the retrieval of files as necessary for business purposes. Two permanent staff members are based there to manage the departmental file holdings. In addition, the departmental archives unit is based at this facility and prepares files for transfer to the National Archives. Staff costs of €133,062.17 in 2012 and €131,480.08 in 2013 were incurred for the combined tasks of management of the departmental file holdings and preparation for transfer of the appropriate files to the National Archives.
The costs of leasing the building itself is borne by the OPW, with the Department being responsible for the payment of utilities and other accommodation related services. In 2012, the cost for these services was €30,000 and for 2013, it was €33,000. The total for 2012 for staffing and ancillary costs, but excluding rental payments, amounted to €163,062.17. For 2013, the total cost was €164,480.08.
209. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to tackle the skills shortage in apprenticeships in the construction sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35055/14]
View answerThe standards based apprenticeship scheme is a demand driven alternance programme. The continuity of apprentice registrations and the number of apprentices registered with SOLAS is determined by individual employers within a broad range of occupational sectors. Consequently, the number of construction related apprentices being registered with SOLAS is determined initially by employers within the construction sector. SOLAS is committed to supporting an overall increase in apprenticeship registrations, particularly in relation to the construction sector. SOLAS, working within the statutory parameters of the apprenticeship system, has recently been engaging with the Construction Industry Federation and the Construction Industry Council regarding a proposal which will support and encourage employers within the construction sector to employ and register apprentices to a range of construction related apprenticeships. SOLAS is currently awaiting a formal response from the Construction Industry Federation and the Construction Industry Council in this regard.
210. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide a list of primary schools in Dublin North East constituency which provide non-denominational education for primary school children; and the procedures to allow enrolment at these schools. [34890/14]
View answerMy Department does not compile statistical data on an electoral or constituency area basis. For school planning purposes the country is divided into geographic districts known as feeder areas each with several primary schools feeding into a post-primary centre with one or more post-primary schools. The information requested by the Deputy will, therefore, have to be reconfigured into the format requested. I have arranged for this to be done and it will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible. With regard to enrolment policy procedures, it is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998. A Board of Management may find it necessary to restrict enrolment to children from a particular area or a particular age group or on the basis of some other criterion. The criteria to be applied by schools in such circumstances are a matter for the schools themselves. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. Under section 15(2)(d) of the Education Act 1998, each school is legally obliged to publish its enrolment policy.
211. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the actions being proposed by her Department to ensure the survival of a school (details supplied) in Dublin 24 which currently has two pupils; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34893/14]
View answerMy Department is satisfied that there is sufficient demand in the area for the school to which the Deputy refers to grow to 16 classrooms when fully developed, which would accommodate in the region of 448 pupils. In this regard, the Department understands that there is already sizeable interest from parents for enrolment for 2015. This development in year two onwards would be in line with expectations when new schools are established. The current enrolment in the school is five pupils and this is expected to grow further in the coming weeks.
212. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to provide permanent accommodation for a school (details supplied) in Dublin 24 currently accommodated in Firhouse community centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34894/14]
View answerThe site acquisition process to secure a permanent site for the school to which the Deputy refers is currently in train and my Department is working closely with South Dublin County Council in this regard. However, due to sensitivities associated with land acquisitions generally, it is not possible to provide further information in relation to the ongoing work to acquire a site at this time. The Deputy will be aware that a major project to provide permanent accommodation for the school in question is included in my Department's Five Year Construction Plan.
213. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans for the new second level school at Kingswood Heights in Tallaght, Dublin 24; the schedule being followed and also proposals for the management of the school; if consultation has taken place with the local community in respect of their concerns regarding traffic management issues relating to the project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34895/14]
View answerThe project to which the Deputy refers is included in my Department's five year building programme to proceed to Tender and Construction in 2015/16. This new school will operate under the patronage of the local Education and Training Board. The Design Team has been appointed and is working on the early stages of architectural planning. The design team appointed were the winners of the post-primary school design competition held in 2012. The Design Team, as part of the normal architectural planning process, will engage in pre-planning consultations with the Local Authority regarding the requirements for the project, including traffic management requirements. Any concerns communicated by the local community to the Local Authority will, if highlighted by the Local Authority, be taken into consideration by the design team as part of the pre-planning consultation process with the Local Authority.
214. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo was refused home tuition; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34902/14]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware 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 for children with autism. I wish to clarify for the Deputy that home tuition was not refused in respect of the child in question. The application for home tuition was returned to the parent for further information. Sanction has now been granted for home tuition subject to the parent sourcing an appropriately qualified tutor as set out in Circular 0048/2014.
215. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education and Skills the provision that will be made for children in County Limerick who have not yet been placed in secondary school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34904/14]
View answerI wish to confirm to the Deputy that my Department is continuing to monitor enrolments in the area concerned and in that regard my Department approved additional accommodation in that area to provide additional school places for September 2014. In recent days my Department has been made aware of 4 pupils who do not currently have a Post Primary place in the area concerned. I understand that the Educational Welfare Service of TUSLA is working with the parents of the children in question and the local schools with a view to securing school places for them as soon as possible.
216. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps she has taken in the consideration of the need for a new primary school to serve the Greystones, Delgany and Kilcoole areas, including meetings organised, reports compiled, outreach with community members, potential patrons and so on; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34916/14]
View answerMy Department is currently analysing the latest demographic data on a nationwide basis to determine where further school accommodation might be needed from 2015 onwards. This process includes the Greystones, Delgany and Kilcoole areas. When this exercise has been completed, I will announce details of where additional school accommodation, including new schools, might be required.
217. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if funding will be allocated to a school (details supplied) in County Kerry for improved and safer drop-off and collection facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34961/14]
View answerIn 2013, the school referred to by the Deputy was approved devolved funding to replace temporary accommodation under my Departments Additional Accommodation Scheme. Additional funding to provide car parking spaces on the school site to facilitate improved drop off and pick up areas was also approved and works have been completed. All approved funding has been drawn down by the school authorities.
