Thursday, 6 Nov 2014

Written Answers Nos. 201-210

Home Tuition Scheme Provision

Questions (201)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

201. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students who availed of the home tuition scheme during each of the past five years. [42485/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The Deputy will be aware that the purpose of the Home Tuition Scheme administered by the Special Education Section of the Department of Education and Skills 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 awaiting a suitable educational placement and for early intervention for children with autism.

The Home Tuition Scheme administered by the Schools Division of the Department of Education and Skills provides for children who do not have a school place, and are without the offer of a school place in a recognised school, and for whom a school place is being actively sought in a recognised school, or on whose behalf an appeal has been lodged and where a determination is awaited in respect of an expulsion or refusal to enrol taken under section 29 of the Education Act, 1998.

Home tuition is also provided under this scheme to students who are enrolled in a recognised school at post-primary level studying at junior or senior cycle and whose education may be disrupted due to pregnancy.

The information sought by the Deputy in relation to the number of children who availed of the home tuition schemes during each of the past five years is not readily available. However, my officials are currently compiling this information, which will be forwarded directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Minor Works Scheme Restoration

Questions (202)

Niall Collins

Question:

202. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will be providing a grant for minor works to national schools for 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42486/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

Circular Letter 0062/2013, which was published as the minor works grant for the school year 2013/2014 issued last November, stated that the grant will only be paid in future years as funding permits. Under my Department's Infrastructure and Capital Investment Programme 2012-2016 the primary focus is on meeting demands for additional school places.

My Department's capital allocation for 2015 was agreed as part of the budgetary process. Expenditure commitments arising on projects under construction and schemes / initiatives under delivery have a first call on this allocation. Funding is also required for new projects and schemes/initiatives that will be advanced during 2015. Accordingly no decisions can be taken regarding a minor works grant for 2015/2016 at this time.

I am aware that whenever my Department is in a position to issue a minor works grant to primary schools with permanent recognition it is welcomed as a valuable contribution towards the cost of maintaining school infrastructure.

Schools Site Acquisitions

Questions (203)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

203. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of sites or properties acquired by her Department or with assistance from her Department from the National Asset Management Agency; their locations and cost to the Exchequer. [42490/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I wish to advise the Deputy that in light of the scale of demand for additional school places forecast to arise over the coming years, my Department has held meetings with a number of relevant state bodies, including the National Asset Management Agency, in order to discuss the need for suitable sites for educational purposes in the coming years.

With regard to the request for details of individual sites, I am not in a position to release the information requested by the Deputy due to commercial sensitivities and confidentiality considerations.

Schools Site Acquisitions

Questions (204)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

204. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of sites that remain to be transferred to her Department under the 2002 indemnity agreement with the religious orders; the locations of these sites; the dates on which the transfers will take place. [42495/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

Under the 2002 Indemnity Agreement the Department agreed in principle with CORI that a total of 64 properties would be accepted subject to good and marketable title and agreed valuations. This number has reduced to 61 as the Department has accepted and received a cash sum in lieu of three properties where good and marketable title could not be established. 44 Properties have been fully transferred and there are no outstanding issues.

A list of the remaining 17 properties which have not fully transferred and where arrangements are being finalised is attached. As it was likely that some properties would not meet the standard of good and marketable title required by the 2002 Agreement, the Government agreed last year that such properties could be accepted. Where the qualification is technical and does not materially affect the valuation of the property it is proposed to accept same. The acceptance of these properties is currently being considered and work is continuing to finalise the arrangements in relation to the other properties.

Properties which have not fully transferred under the Indemnity Agreement and where arrangements are being finalised

No.	Sites	-
1	The Vineyard Child Centre	Health Service Executive
2	St Patrick's Upton, Cork	Health Service Executive
3	Respite Centre, Garretstown, Cork	Health Service Executive
4	5 Avondale Drive, Bandon, Cork	Health Service Executive
5	Kildron, Roundhill, Old Chapel, Bandon, Cork	Health Service Executive
6	Benvon, 5 Bishopstown Road, Bishopstown, Cork	Health Service Executive
7	10 The Priory, Old Chapel, Cork	Health Service Executive
8	Former Old Schoolhouse, Garretstown, Co Cork	Health Service Executive
9	Mounthawke, Tralee, Co Kerry	Department of Education & Skills
10	Waterpark, Newtown Road, Waterford	Department of Education & Skills
11	Lands at Mullaghmonaghan, Co Monaghan	Department of Education & Skills
12	Cork Street, Dublin 8	Sophia Housing
13	Coisceim Cappoquin Waterford	Health Service Executive
14	Emohruo, Cappoquin Waterford	Health Service Executive
15	Sacred Heart Centre Waterford	Health Service Executive
16	Lands & Buildings at Lota Glanmire	Health Service Executive
17	Moate National School, Aghanargit, Westmeath	Department of Education & Skills

Value for Money Reviews

Questions (205)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

205. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide the value for money report on small primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42499/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I am reviewing the Value for Money Report for small schools along with my Government Colleagues. I intend to publish the Report as soon as those considerations have been finalised.

School Patronage

Questions (206)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

206. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide the school patron register. [42500/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I have requested my Department to forward this information directly to the Deputy.

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Questions (207)

Colm Keaveney

Question:

207. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she is satisfied that children admitted to approved centres, under the meaning of the Mental Health Act 2001, including adult mental health units into which children have been admitted, are having their rights under Article 42 of the Constitution of Ireland upheld; the actions she has taken; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42503/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department provides a range of supports for pupils with special educational needs arising from mental health difficulties such as Emotional Behavioural Disorder (EBD) or Severe Emotional Behavioural Disorder (SEBD). Where children with mental health difficulties attending school have consequential care or learning support needs, additional Resource Teaching and/ or care support is provided to schools to support their needs in school.

For pupils who require more specialised supports, special school and special class placements are also available.Schools may seek advice from the National Educational Psychological Service, their Special Educational Needs Organiser, or from the National Behavioural Support Service, on how children with such needs can best be supported in schools.

Further support for students with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties is supplied by the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) which fall within the remit of the Health Service Executive (HSE). CAMHS units works to promote mental health and well-being and to ameliorate mental health issues in children and young people. My Department makes provision for education to be provided in CAMHS facilities in order to support pupils who are admitted to such units.Education provision is also made, through the Education and Training Boards, for adult mental health units.

My Department also provides for compensatory education provision to be made through the Home Tuition scheme for pupils who have missed time from school due to illness. This may include, for example, pupils who miss time in school while attending CAMHS or other mental health facilities.

The Educational Welfare Services of the Child and Family Agency, TUSLA, can provide assistance to parents or guardians in relation to identification of educational placements for children who are out of school or without a school placement.

In addition, the National Council for Special Education Special Education Needs Organisers can provide information to parents or guardians in relation to the educational services which are available for children with special educational needs.

Public Private Partnerships Data

Questions (208)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

208. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will investigate matters relating to a school (details supplied) in County Kildare under public private partnership; if she will take the necessary action; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42530/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

My Department is aware of the situation referred to by the Deputy and is working with all relevant stakeholders to address the matter.

Suicide Prevention

Questions (209)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

209. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the training on suicide prevention available for teachers during training and as CPD; the number of teachers currently employed who have undergone suicide prevention training. [42540/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The Teaching Council, the State's regulatory body for the Teaching Profession, sets out clear standards for entry to the profession including standards of practice that relate to the personal well-being and development of students. The teacher's role in the holistic development of all students is clearly threaded throughout the Council's Code of Professional Conduct for Teachers. Initial teacher education providers aim to prepare teachers for all aspects of students' education, that is subject and curricular education as well as students' holistic development. Course curriculum in the colleges of education and the education department of universities include studies that underpin the student teachers' understanding of the broader emotional, environmental and temporal contexts that affect the students in their charge. Prospective teachers are made aware of their responsibilities in relation to children's well-being - physical, mental and emotional - and to their roles and responsibilities regarding the appropriate and timely referral of children to external support agencies. The Deputy may also be aware that guidelines for primary schools on promoting pupil well-being and mental health are currently being developed by my Department. It is expected that the guidelines will be available later this year or early in 2015.

These guidelines will complement 'Well-Being in Post-Primary Schools: Guidelines for Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention' which were published by my Department in 2013. These guidelines were developed by my Department in conjunction with the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive. They provide practical guidance to schools on how they can promote mental health and well-being in an integrated school-wide way and they also provide evidence-based advice on how to support young people who may be at risk of suicidal behaviour.

The Guidelines build on the significant work already taking place in schools, including the Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) curriculum, the whole-school guidance plan, and the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) continuum of support model. Information is also provided on how to access support from the Professional Development Service for Teachers, the HSE, Health Promotion Officers and other external agencies and support services. This support is available to all schools.

The new Framework for Junior Cycle also places a clear emphasis on overall student health and well-being. This Framework is underpinned by eight principles, one of which is "Well-being". It also has eight key skills which are to be embedded in every new Junior Cycle subject and short course including the key skills of "Managing Myself" and "Staying Well". In addition, the 24 'Statements of Learning' that a student should experience during their Junior Cycle programme involve the student taking action to safeguard and promote their own well-being and that of others.

One of the innovative features of the Junior Cycle Framework is the introduction of short courses that schools can choose to implement. The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) has developed a new short course in SPHE, which may be delivered for certification purposes and will involve an increase in the time allocation for SPHE at Junior Cycle up to 100 hours over the three year cycle. The new short course is now available to implement in post-primary schools, should they wish to do so, as part of their Junior Cycle programme. It includes strands such as "Minding Myself and Others" and "My Mental Health", and deals with issues such as mental health and mental ill-health, dealing with tough times, loss and bereavement.

My Department is also working with the Department of Health to promote participation by primary and post-primary schools in the 'Health Promoting Schools' initiative, which is supported by the Department of Health. This European-wide programme aims to strengthen schools' capacity to be a healthy setting for learning and working by focusing at whole-school level on all the conditions that affect health and well-being.

Consultancy Contracts Data

Questions (210)

Michael Moynihan

Question:

210. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of reports from external consultants commissioned by her Department in the years 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; the costs incurred by her Department to commission these reports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42588/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

Details in relation to consultants engaged by my department are compiled annually in respect of the previous year and in this regard I have set out details in respect of the years 2012 and 2013 inclusive. Details in respect of consultants engaged in 2014 will not be compiled until January 2015.

Total amounts paid by the Department of Education and Skills to Consultants in 2012

Consultants, Experts, Advisors	Status of Report	Purpose	Total Cost
Analysys Mason	*	Commercial, financial and technical advice on the procurement of broadband services for schools	€52,040.42
Goodbody Economic Consultants	Published	Evaluation of the Initial Implementation of Síolta, the National Quality framework for Early Childhood Education	€16,747.68
Mazars	*	IT Security Audit of the EUSF IT Database	€5,063.91
Mazars	*	Audit of Labour Market Activation Fund (LMAF)	€9,839.14
Version 1	No Report	Provision of Oracle Financials training support along with training documentation in the implementation of Performance Budgeting	€2,070.00
Mokum Change Management Ltd	No Report	Provision of Oracle Financials training support along with training documentation in the implementation of Performance Budgeting	€17,302.88
Seamus O'Dwyer-Consulting and Training	No Report	Training and expert advice relating to the Public Service Pensions Bill and training and advice in relation to the Legal Framework and Family Law	€2,700.00
Sydney Blain	*	Review of an appeal against an inspection under section 13(9) of the Education Act	€718.75
Mokum Change Management Ltd	No Report	Provision of Oracle Financials functional & accounting advice in moving from a four vote operating unit to a single operating unit	€11,606.90
Sir Jim Rose	No Report	Provision of international expertise on Literacy & Numeracy to the Literacy & Numeracy Implementation Advisory Committee	€3,870.13
Gartner	No Report	Subscription for provision of ICT research, advice, guidance & related services	€36,788.67
Sion Quality Healthcare Solutions	*	Completion of a workplace assessment for staff member with a disability and resulting report	€370.00
Pat McLoughlin	No Report	Costs relating to recommendations to the Minister on the preferred proposal for designation of a single awarding authority together with recommendations considered necessary in relation to modification or development of the preferred proposal for implementation purposes which were paid in 2012	€83.66
The Centre for Cross Border Studies	*	2012 annual review paper on Northern Ireland Post Graduate courses	€1,845.00
Deloitte	*	Audits of the national agencies for the Lifelong Learning Programme in Ireland to serve as the basis for the submission of Declarations of Assurance from International Section to the European Commission	€16,568.10
-	-	2012 Total:	€177,615.24

* Internal reports - not for publication

Total amounts paid by the Department of Education and Skills to Consultants in 2013

Consultants, Experts, Advisors	Status of Report	Purpose	Total Cost
Dr Tony Crooks	**	Review of an inspection report under Section 13(9) of the Education Act 1998.	€460.00
The Centre for Cross Border Studies	No Report	2013 annual review paper on Northern Ireland postgraduate courses	€1,845.00
Accenture	No Report	Consulting services in relation to the Management Framework Agreement between City of Dublin Education & Training Board and the Department of Education & Skills for the centralised Administration of Student Grants	€5,904.00
University of Birmingham on behalf of Dr Mike Linden	Date of  publication to be decided	Review of Visiting Teachers for children with hearing & Visual Impairment (VTHVI) Service, Ireland	€10,947.00
University of Manchester on behalf of Dr Wendy McCracken		Review of Visiting Teachers for children with hearing & Visual Impairment (VTHVI) Service, Ireland	€0.00*
Mokum Change Management Ltd (IT consultancy)	No Report	Post Performance Budgeting Support - consultancy	€2,169.14
Gartner (IT consultancy)	No Report	IT Leaders Advisor Subscription 07/2013 to 06/2014 including credit in respect of 07-08/2013. Provision of ICT Research, advice, guidance and related services	€41,061.50
Padraig McNamara	**	External Review of historic funding and financial arrangements for Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) centres funded by the Department	€0.00*
Deloitte	No Report	To assist the Department in devising a new organisational design for Education & Training Boards (ETBs) and SOLAS	€0.00*
Deloitte	**	Provision of external expert assistance for the development of a Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) & implementation roadmap for an integrated payroll shared service for the ETB/SOLAS sector in accordance with the shared services commitments set out in the Government's Public Service Reform Plan	€0.00*
Educational Research Centre	**	Consultancy Services to provide input to ICT Census of Primary, Post Primary and special schools and analysis of census data	€0.00*
Public Authority Pensions Services Ltd	No Report	Pensions Advisory work relating to the establishment of a pension scheme for the staff of the NCTE	€2,152.50
Fitzpatricks Associates/AECON	1st report Apr'14 final report Jun/Jul'14	Ex-Ante Evaluation of the ESF Operational Programme in preparation for the period 2014-2020	€0.00*
Mazars	**	External Audit of EGF Talk Talk Programme	€0.00*
Deloitte	**	Audits of the national agencies for the Lifelong Learning Programme in Ireland to serve as the basis for the submission of Declarations of Assurance from International Section to the European Commission	€14,475.34
Seamus O'Dwyer Consulting & Training	No Report	Provision of training & advice relating to the Public Service Pensions Bill	€200.00
Stratigos Ltd	No Report	Provision of customised Business Process Improvement training to include coaching (with provision of advice) of relevant staff	€4,428.00
Version 1	No Report	Shared Financial Services Project - provision of Oracle Financials support to set up purchasing module	€7,595.25
Deloitte		Audits of the national agencies for the Erasmus + Programme in Ireland to serve as the basis for the submission of Declarations of Assurance from International Section to the European Commission	€0.00*
-	-	2013 Total:	€91,237.73

* Consultancies where work was done in 2013 but where no payment had been made by year end

** Internal reports not for publication