Wednesday, 24 Sep 2014

Written Answers Nos. 164-169

Student Grant Scheme Expenditure

Questions (164)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

164. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will secure the same level of funding for the student maintenance grant and no reduction to its budget in 2015. [36153/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

There was no change in Budget 2014 to any of the student grant rates including the non-adjacent or adjacent rates of grant or the higher special rate of grant for the 2014 financial year. The aim of the student maintenance grant scheme has always been to make a contribution to the cost of going to college; covering the full cost has never been a feasible option. The Student Contribution, which currently stands at €2,750, is payable by students who qualify under the free fees schemes. Students who qualify under my Department's student grant scheme have the contribution paid on their behalf by the Exchequer. I empathise with students and I am very conscious of the fundamental role played by the student grant scheme in supporting families who are putting their children through further and higher education. As the Deputy will be aware, the reality of our economic situation presents significant challenges that have to be reconciled with limitations on public resources. This is a very stark reality, which, unfortunately, means that changes to any public service, including the student grant scheme, cannot be ruled out. For this reason it is the responsibility of Government to take into consideration all areas of public services when formulating Budget 2015. Ultimately, our budgetary decisions now will play a major part in creating a sustainable economy and in regaining our economic independence. As the Deputy will be aware all proposals made in relation to education expenditure including changes to student grants will be considered in the context of the Budget 2015.

National Educational Psychological Service Administration

Questions (165)

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

165. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will confirm if a person, details supplied, in County Limerick has been included on the list for an assessment by NEPS; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35966/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I can inform the Deputy that in common with many other psychological services and best international practice, NEPS has adopted a consultative model of service. The focus is on empowering teachers to intervene effectively with pupils whose needs range from mild to severe and transient to enduring.

Psychologists use a problem solving and solution focused consultative approach to maximize positive outcomes for these pupils. NEPS encourages schools to use a continuum based assessment and intervention process whereby each school takes responsibility for initial assessment, educational planning and remedial intervention for pupils with learning, emotional or behavioural difficulties. Teachers may consult their NEPS psychologist should they need to at this stage in the process. Only in the event of a failure to make reasonable progress, in spite of the school's best efforts in consultation with NEPS, will the psychologist become involved with an individual child for intensive intervention or assessment. This system allows psychologists to give early attention to urgent cases and also to help many more children indirectly than could be seen individually. It also ensures that children are not referred unnecessarily for psychological intervention. The Deputy has not included details of the school currently attended by the child in question and so I cannot ascertain where he may be in this process. I would advise, in the first instance, that if the parents of the child have specific concerns about his educational progress that they speak to the Principal of the school with a view to raising these concerns with the assigned NEPS psychologist.

School Placement

Questions (166)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

166. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the procedure to be followed in the case of a person, details supplied, in County Kildare who was expelled from school but whose parents are having difficulty obtaining an alternative school place for them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35986/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The Educational Welfare Service of the Child and Family Agency (EWS) is the statutory agency which can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The EWS may be able to offer assistance and advice on securing a school placement within the pupil's area. The contact details for the EWS is Educational Welfare Service of the Child and Family Agency, Block 3 South Dublin County Council, Tallaght, Dublin 24, phone number 01 4635513. My officials have brought this matter to the attention of the EWS. The selection and enrolment of pupils in schools is the responsibility of the authorities of the individual school. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in an area. However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice. As schools may not have a place for every applicant, a selection process may be necessary. 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 disclose its enrolment policy and to ensure that as regards that policy that principles of equality and the right of parents to send their children to a school of the parents choice are respected. Section 29 of the Education Act, 1998 provides for an appeal by a parent or guardian to the Secretary General of my Department, or in the case of an Educational Training Board (ETB) school to the ETB in the first instance, where a Board of Management of a school, or a person acting on behalf of the Board, refuses to enrol a student in a school, expels a student or suspends a student for 20 or more days in any school year. My Department has no authority to compel a school to admit a pupil, except in the case of an appeal under section 29 of the Education Act, 1998 being upheld. Application forms for taking a section 29 appeal are available on my Department's website at the following link http://www.education.ie/en/Parents/Services/Appeal-against-Permanent-Exclusion-Suspension-or-Refusal-to-Enrol/Section-29-Appeals-Application-Form.doc, or by contacting Section 29 Administration Unit, Friars Mill Road, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, phone [phone].

School Transport Eligibility

Questions (167, 176)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

167. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a reply will issue to correspondence, details supplied; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35993/14]

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

176. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding school transport in respect of a person, details supplied, in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36147/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 167 and 176 together.

Changes to the School Transport Scheme have generated an increase in the number of queries and representations to my Department and when combined with the routine administrative work undertaken within my Department in relation to school transport provision generally, regrettably, it was not feasible to deal with the increased volume of representations in a more timely manner. Under the terms of my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for 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. Bus Éireann has advised that the family in question are not attending their nearest school and therefore are not eligible for school transport. However, as one child had been incorrectly categorised as eligible, she can continue to avail of school transport under the current arrangements for the remainder of the 2014/15 school year. The second child in question may only avail of transport on a concessionary basis and in this regard the family should liaise with their local Bus Éireann office in Stranorlar which can be contacted at 074-9131008 or by e-mail at [e-mail] 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. The terms of the School Transport Schemes are applied equitably on a national basis.

School Transport Eligibility

Questions (168)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

168. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding school transport in respect of a student, details supplied, in County Westmeath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36016/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

Under the terms of my Department's School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, children are eligible for transport where they are attending the nearest recognised school that is or can be resourced to meet their special educational needs. The National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) acts in an advisory role to my Department on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs. The school this child is attending is not the nearest school resourced to meet her educational needs and therefore she is not eligible for school transport to this school. However, Bus Éireann has advised that the child is availing of transport on a concessionary basis. 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.

Schools Establishment

Questions (169)

Michael McGrath

Question:

169. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the current position regarding the planned development of an education campus in Carrigaline, County Cork; the work that has been completed and is currently under way; when a planning application is expected; when she anticipates the schools will be open; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36041/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The delivery of the proposed new Education Campus in Carrigaline, Co Cork has been devolved to Cork Education & Training Board. The Campus will comprise a Gaelcholaiste, Gaelscoil and SONAS Special Primary School. The project is at an advanced stage of architectural planning. Subject to the planning process it is envisaged that construction will commence in 2015.