Written Answers Nos. 458-471
458. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will ensure that a school (details supplied) in County Cork does not have its resource hours reduced any further; if she will increase its allocation of resource hours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6998/15]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that last week I announced that I am not proposing to change the way teachers are allocated to schools for children with Special Educational Needs for the coming school year. Resource Teachers' hours will continue to be allocated to schools by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), in accordance with my Department's existing criteria for the coming school year. The extent of resource allocations which will be made to individual schools, including the school referred to by the Deputy, will be dependent on the number of valid applications received by the NCSE from schools in respect of pupils with special educational needs attending such schools. It should be noted, however, that it is not intended to reduce the overall number of resource teachers which will be allocated to schools.
480 new resource teaching posts have been provided to support children with special educational needs in schools in 2015, bringing the total number of resource teaching posts to 6,705. Over 11,000 resource and learning support teaching posts are now available for allocation to schools. This is the highest level of resource teaching allocations that we have ever had, and will ensure that children with special educational needs can continue to participate in education and be supported in a manner appropriate to their needs. This Government has been resolutely committed to protecting, and where possible, increasing, the level of investment being made to support children with special educational needs at a time when there has been a requirement to make expenditure reductions across a range of areas. It is an area of spending which has been prioritised above most other areas by this Government, despite the enormous pressures on all areas of public spending.
459. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 502 of 3 February 2015, if she will acknowledge a failing in the Quality and Qualifications Ireland system of not awarding qualifications based on a chef's experience (details supplied), length of service and references in the culinary industry; and that this system is causing employment uncertainty for persons, as certificates are needed for further employment; her views that a perfectly well trained person should not be at a loss in terms of employment opportunities based on the fact that they completed their apprenticeship and training at a time in the past when certification was not widespread; her plans to rectify this in the name of fairness; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7022/15]
View answerAs outlined in answer to Parliamentary Question no. 502 of 3 February 2015, while Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) offers advice and information on the range of options available in relation to the recognition of prior learning or experience (RPL), QQI does not conduct RPL processes itself but relies upon providers of relevant programmes who have the necessary expertise and experienced RPL assessors. The individual in question has been in direct contact with my Department which is currently liaising with QQI to identify a suitable provider of education and training who will be in a position to assist with this matter.
460. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide a list of all the financial supports available to second level students living in the Dublin area who are using Dublin Bus for school transport purposes. [7043/15]
View answerUnder the terms of my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for school transport where they reside not less than 4.8 km from and are attending their nearest education centre as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language. Children who are eligible for school transport pay an annual charge of €350 subject to a maximum of €650 per family per annum. This charge, which may be paid in two instalments in July and December, is a contribution towards the overall cost and does not reflect the true cost of providing school transport services. Children who are eligible for school transport and who hold valid medical cards (GMS Scheme) are exempt from paying the annual charge. In addition, eligible children for whom no service is available may be sanctioned for a remote area grant towards the cost of making private transport arrangements; full details of this grant are available on the Department's website at www.education.ie. The terms of the School Transport Schemes are applied equitably on a national basis. Post Primary children living in the Dublin area who are not eligible for school transport may purchase a daily/weekly Child Leap Card on Dublin Bus Services.
461. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills when she expects the European Council will approve the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund application for the former workers at a company (details supplied) in County Dublin. [7046/15]
View answerThe Department submitted an application on 19 September 2014 to the European Commission for EU co-financing under the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) of a programme of labour market activation measures in support of 424 workers made redundant at the Lufthansa Technik Airmotive Ireland plant in Rathcoole, Co. Dublin and a number of ancillary enterprises. All 424 workers are eligible to be assisted under the application but based on the Department's analysis and experience it is targeting 250 to avail of the supports ultimately. The application also includes up to 200 young persons not in employment, education or training as is permitted on an optional basis under EU Regulation 1309/2013 governing the Fund. The College of Commissioners approved the EGF application on 6 February 2015. The application must also be approved by the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament. The Department does not have firm dates for forthcoming decisions of these bodies but my officials anticipate that decisions could be made in Quarter 2 of 2015 based on previous experience and recent enquires made of the EU authorities. However, in line with Department policy on the EGF process in Ireland, the Department is anticipating the full approval of the application and is already overseeing the provision by local and national service providers of a programme of guidance, education and training and enterprise supports to the cohorts in question. These supports are being financed currently through national funding.
462. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the date on which the new allocation system for special educational needs resources will be in place in all schools. [7050/15]
View answer463. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the time frame provided to her Department officials to design a pilot of the new model allocation system for special educational needs resources in schools; and the number of schools she envisages participating in the pilot scheme. [7051/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 462 and 463 together. The Deputy will be aware that last week I announced that I am not proposing to change the way teachers are allocated to schools for children with Special Educational Needs for the coming school year. In making this decision to retain the current model for allocating resource and learning support teachers for the coming year, I have been guided by the advice of the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) Working Group report, which recommended that sufficient time should be allowed for further consultation to take place with the education stakeholders before the new model is implemented in schools. Through consultations which have already taken place, there was a broad welcome for the proposed new model from parents, disability groups, schools and stakeholders. However, while there has been significant consultation in relation to the proposed new model, there has not been sufficient time to address fully all of the concerns which have been raised in advance of the September 2015 school year.
In particular, a robust mechanism for identifying children with complex special educational needs has yet to be finalised. Similarly it will be important to ensure that the concerns that successful schools continue to receive appropriate levels of support to ensure that their successes can be maintained are addressed.
Work will continue in the coming months to develop the proposed model and to address the range of concerns which were identified through the consultations which have taken place so far. I have asked my Department to design a pilot of the new model which schools could opt into on a voluntary basis. Continuing consultation with stakeholders form a vital part of the ongoing work. The timescale for the development of the pilot project and the number of schools likely to participate in this pilot will be considered during consultations with stakeholders. The timeframe for the implementation of the proposed new model will take into account both the results of the pilot project and the consultation process.
464. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the remit of the proposed inclusion support service within the National Council for Special Education; the way in which it will deliver improved services that would have been delivered by the special education support service, the national behaviour support service, and the visiting teacher service for children who are deaf or hard of hearing and for children who are blind or visually impaired, in future; and the projected savings that will be generated from the amalgamation of these bodies under the inclusion support service body. [7052/15]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that last week I announced the establishment within the National Council for Special Education of a new Inclusion Support Service to assist schools in supporting children with special educational needs. This service will include the Special Education Support Service (SESS), the National Behaviour Support Service (NBSS) and the Visiting Teacher Service for children who are deaf/hard of hearing and for children who are blind/visually impaired (VTSVHI) which until now have been managed by the Department. This change is to take immediate effect and is consistent with recommendations of NCSE reports and with the review of the VTSVHI. This change will mean that schools will receive a better and more integrated service from this new Inclusion Support Service.
The Inclusion Support Service will build on the existing good work and support which NBSS, SESS and VTSVHI provide to children and their families as well as to teachers and schools and which will continue as normal as the new arrangements are put in place.
Considerations with regard to the manner in which the new Inclusion Support Service will be incorporated within the existing NCSE operational structures, and the financial implications which may arise from the amalgamation of these bodies, is ongoing, and will be established during the course of the integration of the services.
465. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools which have higher than acceptable levels of lead in their water supply; and the locations of same. [7053/15]
View answer466. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the seven schools in County Kilkenny with higher than acceptable levels of lead in their water supply; if her attention has been further drawn to the fact that they have been told by Irish Water to find a new supply; and the funding options open to them to replace the piping that is causing the excessive lead levels and to rectify the problem. [7054/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 465 and 466 together. The day to day management of schools is done at local school level. The type of information sought by the Deputy in relation to water quality is therefore held at local school level rather than centrally within my Department. However, if a school authority has concerns about the quality of the drinking water on its school premises, it should consult, in the first instance, with its local authority and/or Irish Water for advice. The school authority may also wish to arrange for testing of the drinking water within the school by an accredited independent testing laboratory.
Following independent testing of the drinking water system, if metal exceedance or other problems are identified, the school authority should submit an Emergency Works application for remedial works to address the problems.
My Department has recently been contacted by a school management authority in County Kilkenny in relation to lead exceedance in their drinking water. The school authority has been advised to submit an Emergency Works application for funding to address the issue and as soon as this application is received it will be assessed and the school authority advised of the outcome.
467. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills the time frame for provision of a new school building in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and the status of the application submitted in November 2013. [7057/15]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the school to which he refers has made an application to my Department for large scale capital funding for a new school building. The current status of all applications, including for the school in question, may be viewed on my Department's website at www.education.ie The Five Year Construction Plan that was announced in March 2012, outlines the major school projects that are scheduled to commence construction over the duration of the Plan. These have been prioritised on the basis of meeting significant demographic needs. As the school in question is not in an area of identified demographic growth, it is not possible to indicate when a project for the school can be progressed. My Department will however consider applications for additional accommodation on an ongoing basis from individual schools to meet an immediate accommodation requirement because of increased enrolments and where an additional teacher is being appointed.
468. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to develop third level education and training for asylum seekers in various direct provision centres around the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7083/15]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that in October 2014, my colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality established a Working Group on Improvements to the Protection Process with terms of reference concerned with respecting the dignity and improving the quality of life of applicants for international protection, including those in direct provision centres, while their applications for protection in the State are under investigation. The Working Group is considering a range of issues related to the Protection Process including further access to education and a range of other services and will in due course report to Government. My Department is represented on the Working Group.
469. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the concerns of a school (details supplied) in Dublin 16; her views on these concerns, in respect of the admissions policy for the new secondary school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7087/15]
View answerMy Department is in receipt of correspondence from the school to which the Deputy refers and it will be responding to this correspondence shortly. All new schools, primary and post-primary, are set up to meet specific demographic demands in distinct geographical areas. This includes the school to which the Deputy refers. The enrolment policy for all new schools is expected to reflect the criteria under which a patron body is awarded patronage of a school and, in particular, the undertaking given by a patron to enrol, as a priority, children in the area for whom the Department has identified the need for a school. This approach is necessary to ensure that children for whom the school is intended are not displaced by children enrolling from outside of the area.
470. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a scribe in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7153/15]
View answerThe State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations. The State Examinations Commission operates a scheme of Reasonable Accommodations in the Certificate examinations. Applications for such accommodations are submitted by schools on behalf of their students. Full details of the scheme are available for downloading from their website: www.examinations.ie/candidates/reasonableaccommodations. In view of this I have forwarded the Deputy's query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to the Deputy.
471. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 162 of 11 February 2015, if the Data Protection Commissioner has raised concerns with her Department regarding the primary online database; if so, if she will make these concerns known, her Department's response and the measures intended as a consequence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7162/15]
View answerMy Department is committed to continually reviewing and taking on board feedback in relation to the primary online database. My Department continues to engage with the Data Protection Commissioner regarding the primary online database. It would not be appropriate for me to comment further at present as it is still under discussion.
