Tuesday, 11 Nov 2014

Written Answers Nos. 454-468

Special Educational Needs Expenditure

Questions (454, 459)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

454. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the date on which her Department will publish a plan on the way aspects of the EPSEN Act may be implemented. [42897/14]

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

459. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 164 of 1 October 2014, her Department's estimate of cost of full implementation of the EPSEN Act 2004. [42966/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 454 and 459 together.

I wish to advise the Deputy that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has published a Plan for the Implementation the Education of Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act.

This report, which was published in 2006, made recommendations which suggested that additional investment over a period of years of up to €235m per annum, across the education and health sectors, would be required to fully implement the EPSEN Act. My Department's opinion is that the level of investment required would be greater than that envisaged in the NCSE report. However, a total estimate of this amount has not been quantified. Further consideration of this issue would also have to take account of pricing adjustments in the period since the publication of the NCSE report.

In light of the very difficult economic situation and the significant costs involved in fully implementing the EPSEN Act, the previous Government deferred the full implementation of Act.While awaiting the full implementation of the EPSEN Act, the NCSE has published a number of policy advice papers which make recommendations aimed at developing a better or more effective alternative to the current resource allocation model, and which aims to move the system towards ultimate implementation of the EPSEN Act.

These reports include the NCSE policy advice on Support Students with Special Educational Needs in Schools (2013) and The Report of the Working Group on a Proposed New Model for Allocating Teaching Resources for pupils with Special Educational Needs (2014).

It is intended to bring into effect many of the good ideas contained in the EPSEN Act, on a non-statutory basis initially, through policy developments across a range of areas, in conjunction with NCSE policy advice.

School Uniforms

Questions (455)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

455. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools that ask their students to wear generic school uniforms. [42940/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I wish to advise the Deputy that the school uniform policy is a matter for each individual school and not my Department. The information sought by the Deputy therefore is not available.

Departmental Strategies

Questions (456)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

456. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the strategies currently being implemented by her Department. [42941/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

My Department is currently implementing the following strategies: -Department of Education and Skills Strategy Statement 2011 – 2014; Further Education and Training Strategy 2014 - 2019; Ireland's International Education Strategy 2010 -2015 Investing in Global Relationships; National Strategy for Higher Education 2030; Report and Recommendations for a Traveller Education Strategy; Intercultural Education Strategy 2010 – 2015; The National Strategy to improve Literacy and Numeracy among Children and Young People 2011 – 2020; Grangegorman Development Agency Strategic Plan, 2011; and National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development in Ireland 2014-2020

School Staffing

Questions (457)

Willie O'Dea

Question:

457. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will reconsider the decision to remove funding for a primary school teacher (details supplied) in County Limerick in view of the fact that church assets are now being sold to privately fund the teacher's salary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42959/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The staffing and redeployment arrangements for primary schools for the 2014/15 school year are set out in Circular 0007/2014 and are available on the Department website. The staffing arrangements include the provision where schools experiencing rapid increases in enrolment can apply for additional permanent mainstream posts on developing grounds. Such posts are provisionally approved pending confirmation of actual enrolment on the following 30th September, in this case September 2014.

The school referred to by the Deputy was provisionally approved for such a post but did not achieve the required enrolment on 30th September. The school submitted an appeal on developing grounds to the October meeting of the Primary Staffing Appeals Board. The Board refused the appeal on the basis that the grounds of the appeal did not warrant the allocation of an additional post under Circular 0007/2014. The Appeals Board is independent of the Department and its decision is final.

My Department has already indicated that it will review staffing levels in the school if it can be established that additional children will be enrolled. The Inspectorate is also available to advise schools in relation to the configuration of classes, and to provide advice on the deployment of additional staffing resources such as those provided to Limerick city DEIS schools to implement intensive literacy projects. I have asked the Inspectorate to arrange a visit by a local inspector to this school in the near future.

School Uniforms

Questions (458)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

458. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there is any specific legislative or constitutional bar preventing her from introducing legislation requiring all schools to introduce generic school uniforms. [42964/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

Under the provisions of the Education Act, 1998, the Board of Management is the body charged with the direct governance of a school.

My Department has no plans to introduce legislation to require schools to introduce generic uniforms. The preferred position is to empower parents to have a say in their children's' schools uniform policy thereby allowing for the maximum choice and diversity.

The initiative late last year was aimed at strengthening the role of parents in how schools decide their policies on uniforms.

As part of the initiative in question, schools were requested to ballot parents on school uniform policy. This move was aimed at giving parents a much greater say on what if any uniforms a school should have and in turn to tackle the high costs of some uniforms.

The Deputy will be aware that I intend to bring forward proposals for a Parent and Student Charter.

This issue may need to be considered in the context of developing the Charter that each will be obliged to have. An important aspect of the Charter will be how parents receive information and feedback on the operation of school policies and how parents' concerns are addressed.

All the education partners will be consulted in developing the framework for the Charter.

It is my intention to publish guidelines for the development of a Charter before the end of the current school year.

Question No. 459 answered with Question No. 454.

School Patronage

Questions (460)

Dominic Hannigan

Question:

460. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the process for a school to change its ethos from multidenominational to non-denominational; the process for any type of school to change its ethos; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42967/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The ethos of a school is determined by the school's patron. If the school's patron wishes to transfer the patronage of the school to another patron with a different ethos, they may apply to do so under the Education Act , 1998 (section 8 (3)).

School Transport Provision

Questions (461)

Martin Ferris

Question:

461. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a person (details supplied) will receive payment and arrears of special transport needs grant. [42970/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

An application for school transport under the terms of my Department's School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs was received for the child in question in May 2014.

The Special Transport Grant has been sanctioned with effect from the commencement of the 2014/15 school year.

This grant is payable at the end of each school year upon receipt of the appropriate information from the family provided there is no change in the child's current circumstances. The full terms of the Scheme are available on my Department's website and are applied equitably on a national basis.

Schools Building Projects Status

Questions (462)

Joe O'Reilly

Question:

462. Deputy Joe O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress, to date in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Cavan; if it is on course to open in 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42990/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The delivery of the proposed new post-primary school in Kingscourt, Co. Cavan has been devolved to Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board. The project is at the early stages of architectural planning and is on my Department's five year building programme to proceed to tender & construction in 2015/2016.

School Accommodation

Questions (463)

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

463. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the physical environment in schools, including classrooms is taken into consideration during the school evaluation process for primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43030/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

During whole school evaluations, inspectors take into consideration the physical environment, school facilities and the use made by schools of material resources provided by this Department. Together with a range of other evidence, this informs their evaluation of the quality of teaching, learning, school leadership and management. When inspectors identify serious shortcomings in relation to school facilities in the course of their general inspection work these matters are raised with the school authorities and brought to the attention of my Department's planning and building unit.

School Enrolments

Questions (464)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

464. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills her Department's policy on allowing schools to refuse entry to students who have been previously excluded from other schools. [43044/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The selection and enrolment of pupils in schools is the responsibility of the authorities of the individual school. This 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. This 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.

The Deputy will be aware that it is my firm view that all schools should be inclusive. It is with this spirit of inclusiveness that the proposed Admissions to Schools Bill is designed. The regulatory framework should see improved access to schools for all pupils and ensure there is consistency, fairness and transparency in the admissions policies of schools and in the service they provide to parents.

School Enrolments

Questions (465)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

465. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the provision made for students who are too young for Youthreach, and whom no local schools in their area will accept as a pupil. [43045/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The Educational Welfare Services (EWS) of the Child and Family Agency 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. The contact details for the EWS Child and Family Agency Head Office, 16-22 Green Street, Dublin 7, phone number 01-8738700.

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. This 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.

My Department operates a number of home tuition schemes for children without a school place. Home tuition is intended as an interim provision only for children for whom a placement is not available and should not be regarded as an optional alternative to a place in school.

One such scheme is for children who do not have a school place and are without the offer of a school place and for whom a school place is being actively sought. This scheme requires a section of the application form to be completed by an Educational Welfare Officer (EWO) who is an officer of the EWS of the Child and Family Agency, to confirm that the child is without a school place. Application forms for this scheme are available from the EWO.

School Transport Eligibility

Questions (466)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

466. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if normal rules for the post-primary school transport scheme apply where a child is attending a school further away than their nearest education centre, having been excluded from the closest one available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43046/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

The purpose of my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest education centre.

Under the terms of the scheme children are eligible for school transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest education centre, which may contain a number of post primary schools, as determined by my Department or Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.

Children who are not eligible for school transport, because they are not attending their nearest school, may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only subject to a number of terms and conditions which are detailed in the scheme.

It is not clear why the child in question is excluded from his or her closest school but if the Deputy has further details he can contact School Transport Section directly at 057 9325466/7 for more specific information.

Disadvantaged Status

Questions (467)

Michelle Mulherin

Question:

467. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of the increase in the number of children attending primary schools, the construction of new schools, and the upgrade of others, the plans her Department has to invite applications from schools located in areas of disadvantage to apply for inclusion in DEIS; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43067/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

My key priority is to continue to prioritise and target resources at schools with the most concentrated levels of disadvantage and given the current economic climate and the ongoing challenge to meet significant targets on reducing public expenditure, there is no capacity to provide for the inclusion of additional schools in DEIS at this time.

DEIS is the subject of ongoing evaluation to ensure successful implementation and that the best possible approaches to measuring progress and outcomes at both local and national level are used. To that end, at a seminar in May of this year, my predecessor Minister Quinn announced plans to commission one further piece of research in relation to DEIS which aims to collate all the evaluation work to date on the DEIS policy. This report will inform future policy development in relation to educational disadvantage, including the DEIS programme. A request for tender issued on August 1st 2014 and my officials are currently finalising this procurement process.

The current focus of my Department is on this ongoing evaluation and distilling the learning from all the research to date while awaiting the outcome of the aforementioned report to inform future policy on educational disadvantage.

Disadvantaged Status

Questions (468)

Michelle Mulherin

Question:

468. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a school (details supplied) in County Mayo has been considered in the ongoing evaluation of DEIS by the educational research centre for inclusion in DEIS; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43068/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

An extensive identification process to select schools for inclusion in DEIS was conducted in 2005. In spite of reminders, a completed survey form was not received at that time from the school concerned and therefore it could not be assessed for participation in DEIS. Further, an appeal mechanism was put in place in 2006 to address the concerns of schools that did not qualify for inclusion in DEIS but regarded themselves as having a level of disadvantage which was of a scale sufficient to warrant their inclusion in the programme. This school did not apply for an appeal of their DEIS ranking.

Many representations have been made to my Department and to my predecessors, by and on behalf of the school, seeking its inclusion in DEIS. These representations were unsuccessful. It should be noted that none of the existing schools in the country, which were unsuccessful in the initial identification and subsequent review processes, were ever admitted into the DEIS programme, i.e. there has been no additionality to the original DEIS programme.

My key priority is to continue to prioritise and target resources at schools with the most concentrated levels of disadvantage and given the current economic climate and the ongoing challenge to meet significant targets on reducing public expenditure, there is no capacity to provide for the inclusion of additional schools in DEIS at this time.

The focus of the ongoing evaluation of DEIS is to ensure its successful implementation and that the best possible approaches to measuring progress and outcomes at both local and national level are being used. To that end, at a seminar in May of this year, my predecessor Minister Quinn announced plans to commission one further piece of research in relation to DEIS which aims to collate all the evaluation work to date on the DEIS policy. This report will inform future policy development in relation to educational disadvantage, including the DEIS programme.

The current focus of my Department is on this ongoing evaluation and distilling the learning from all the research to date while awaiting the outcome of the aforementioned report to inform future policy on educational disadvantage.