Written Answers Nos. 207-212
207. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on statements from his Department that there is no evidence of Irish involvement in CIA renditions when they have been provided evidence of CIA rendition planes passing through Shannon. [48748/14]
View answerThe Programme for Government states that the Government will enforce the prohibition of the use of Irish airspace, airports and related facilities for purposes not in line with the dictates of international law. Ireland does not tolerate and will not tolerate the use of our airspace or airports for any illegal purpose, including torture, rendition or the unauthorised detention of any individual. It has been made clear by the current and previous Governments that such activity would be considered completely unacceptable and illegal.
The Government has, over the years, responded to allegations about rendition flights using Shannon Airport. A number of complaints concerning alleged unlawful activity at Shannon Airport have been investigated by An Garda Síochána. However, no evidence of rendition was disclosed in any of the investigations.
Ireland has previously sought and received categorical assurances from the US Government that Irish airports have not been used and would not be used for rendition without our express permission, which it has been made clear would not be forthcoming.
208. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which precise requirements in apprenticeships have been identified throughout the industrial sector; the extent to which this need is being met and is likely to be met; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48697/14]
View answerThe curricula for the current apprenticeship trades are reviewed regularly to ensure they meet the requirements of the relevant sectors.
With regard to apprenticeships in new areas, it should be noted that following on from the recent Review of Apprenticeship, an Implementation Plan was published by my Department on the 30th June 2014. As part of this plan a new Apprenticeship Council was recently established. The Council is enterprise-led and has representatives from business, trade unions, and further and higher education bodies. The first job of work of the Apprenticeship Council will be to develop and manage a call for proposals from industry for new apprenticeships. It will then evaluate and submit proposals to me in this regard.
209. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason an application for access to a reader in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 was denied, despite the stated support of their psychologist and school. [48405/14]
View answerThe State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations.
In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
210. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the impact of cutbacks in school guidance counselling services in post-primary school students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48531/14]
View answer222. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she has received evidence from the Institute of Guidance Councillors, ESRI, ASTI, TUI and JMB on the impact of the cutbacks in guidance counselling; the numbers and percentage reduction in times for one-to-one counselling; if there are figures for non-guidance staff carrying out guidance counselling functions in schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48716/14]
View answer223. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views that one-to-one time allocation in guidance counselling is fundamental in schools; if her Department is meeting its obligation under section 9(c) of the Education Act; if sufficient resources will be given to guidance counselling; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48739/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 210, 222 and 223 together.
Since September 2012 guidance provision is now being organised by school management from within the staffing schedule allocation. In this way principals have discretion to balance guidance needs with the pressures to provide subject choice. My Department helped shelter the impact for DEIS post-primary schools by improving their standard staffing allocations. All 195 second-level school in DEIS have been given targeted support by a more favourable staffing schedule of 18.25:1. This is a 0.75 point reduction compared to the existing PTR of 19:1 that applies in non fee-paying second-level schools (23:1 in fee-charging schools).
Guidance and counselling are a whole-school responsibility, with guidance counsellors playing their part within an overall team approach. The representative organisations for school principals and school management have developed a framework that assists schools on how best to manage the provision of guidance from within their staffing allocation. Wherever possible, group work and class-based activity should be used to maximise the amount of time available for those pupils who are most in need of one-to-one support.
In February my Department published a guide to developing student support teams in post-primary schools. This is an important resource for schools in promoting and protecting students' well-being and an aid to establishing a team or reviewing an existing team.
Guidance counsellors have two distinct functions. The first is general career guidance and guidance on the educational opportunities a child or young person might pursue, while the second involves support for students' well-being. The principal and leadership of a school have the best knowledge and experience to determine how exactly guidance resources and teaching resources should be allocated.
211. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the actions her Department has taken to allow for the implementation of the Istanbul Convention; if her Department has any engagement with the Department of Justice and Equality on this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48571/14]
View answerMy Department is represented on the National Steering Committee on Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence. This Committee is chaired by COSC, the National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence, which is an executive office of the Department of Justice and Equality. My Department is also implementing the commitments in the National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence for which it has responsibility. However, lead responsibility for issues relating to the Istanbul Convention rests with the Department of Justice and Equality.
212. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Education and Skills if consideration is being given to formulate a national policy on the administration of medication in schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48604/14]
View answerUnder the provisions of the Education Act 1998, the Board of Management is the body charged with the direct governance of a school.
It is important that the school management authority requests parents to ensure that the school is made aware of any medical condition suffered by any pupil attending. Where the school is aware of potential difficulties that may arise as a consequence of a medical condition suffered by one or more pupils, it may be possible for the management authorities, working in conjunction with parents, teachers and children to put preventative measures in place to lessen the possibility of any difficulties arising or to ensure that, if a pupil suffers from an illness requiring medication, that appropriate treatment is available.
The administration of medicines in primary schools is the subject of an agreement between the Irish National Teachers Organisation and the organisation representing school management at primary level. While this agreement specifies that no teacher can be required to administer medicine or drugs to pupils, it also sets out procedures that must be followed where a teacher or teachers agree to do so. The position is that either the parents of the child should make themselves available to administer medication as required or where they wish the staff in the school to administer it they should indemnify the school.
My Department cannot direct any member of the Board of Management or the teaching staff of a school to administer medical treatment to pupils, action and procedures which are normally carried out by medical professionals such as doctors and nurses.
