Tuesday, 24 Mar 2015

Written Answers Nos. 817-829

School Curriculum

Questions (817)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

817. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to issue a circular to schools outlining her position with regard to plans by the Drink Aware organisation, which is funded by the alcohol industry, to offer programmes on alcohol education in schools; her views that this is an issue on which her Department should be the sole provider of curricular material and programmes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12007/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

Schools are currently providing their students with age appropriate information on the issue of alcohol abuse through aspects of the curriculum such as the Social Personal and Health Education (SPHE) programme.

The latest data, taken from the Lifeskills survey (2012), indicate that 90% of primary and 100% of post primary schools provide their students with information on alcohol abuse. These results were almost identical to the position reported by schools through the 2009 Lifeskills survey. The 2015 Lifeskills survey will issue to schools shortly.

It is a matter for schools and teachers in the first instance to determine what resources and supports they will use to support their implementation of the curriculum. Teachers are equipped with the skills and knowledge to identify the most suitable resources to assist them in delivering the curriculum in their classroom.

Comhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta

Questions (818)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

818. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to review the composition of the bord stiúrtha of An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta to ensure that primary and post-primary schools in Gaeltacht areas are represented on the new board; her further views that the bord stiúrtha of An Chomhairle will lack the necessary expertise on the support and curricular resource needs of Gaeltacht schools in the absence of their appropriate representation on the board; if there is a particular need for a representation from primary and post-primary Gaeltacht schools to have a proper input into the new Gaeltacht education policy being put together by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12013/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I respect the understanding and the experience which the representatives from Gaeltacht schools bring to COGG and the role they have played in relation to the comprehensive work carried out by COGG since it was established in 2002.

In the context of the establishment of the new board of COGG there are a number of opportunities for Gaeltacht schools to obtain representation through Údarás na Gaeltachta which will nominate two members one of which must be a parent and also through the three teachers unions. In addition, nominations have been sought for the position of Chair of COGG.

The new board of COGG will have a membership of 12 representatives. Nominations are currently being sought for the new board. If teachers from gaeltacht schools seek to have representation through the above organisations, they will have a significant and valued voice on the new board. The other organisations which will be represented on the board include Gealscoileanna Teoranta (2 members), the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, Foras na Gaeilge and the Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment from Northern Ireland.

Question No. 819 answered with Question No. 797.

Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Questions (820)

Sandra McLellan

Question:

820. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the grants available to assist a person who has been accepted into a university in the United Kingdom to study a degree in paramedic science; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12029/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

Students who are attending undergraduate courses in an EU Member State can apply for a maintenance grant in respect of an approved course which is being pursued in an approved institution. The student grant scheme does not extend to postgraduate courses pursued outside of Ireland.

Tax relief at the standard rate of tax may be claimed in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education including approved undergraduate and postgraduate courses in EU Member States and in non-EU countries. Further information on this tax relief is available from the Revenue Commissioners on www.revenue.ie.

Schools Administration

Questions (821)

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

821. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding administrative control of schools (details supplied) in Dublin 10; if consent was sought to change these schools to co-educational schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12041/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has agreed to the request submitted by the Patron for a change to fully vertical co-educational status for each of the three schools referred to in Dublin 10. As the Deputy may be aware, any proposal for a change in status must first involve consultation with all of the relevant school stakeholders. Following the consultation process, a decision taken at local level will follow. All agreed proposals must be submitted to my Department for approval.

In February 2015, the Patron advised my Department that the Boards of Management of the three schools referred to in Dublin 10 had applied to the Patron for a change of status to commence in September 2015. The Patron also advised that the applications concerned were made following an intensive consultation process at local school level involving parents, teachers and the Boards of the schools. The culmination of these consultations were applications from each of the schools for a change of status to co-education based on the expressed interest in co-education and also the requests each year from parents that their boys remain in their current school The Patron also, however, advised that in relation to the fourth school under its Patronage in Dublin 10, this school had indicated that there was no demand for a change in its status.

The change of status for the three schools in question will be effective from September 2015 and is being introduced on a phased basis starting with second class only for the new school year in September 2015 and building up incrementally each year thereafter.

Scoileanna Gaeltachta

Questions (822)

Joe Higgins

Question:

822. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Joe Higgins den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna maidir le Scoil Naomh Eoin Baiste, Lios Póil, Contae Chiarraí, an dtabharfaidh sí dearbhú nach gcaillfear an ceathrú múinteoir ón scoil, ó tharla go raibh 80 dalta cláraithe don scoilbhliain 2014/15 - sin triúr níos lú ná an uimhir choinneála do cheathrar- ag tógáint san áireamh go mbeidh 93 dhalta cláraithe don scoilbhliain 2015/16 agus 101 don bhliain 2016/17". [12043/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

Foilsítear na critéir a úsáidtear chun críche poist mhúinteoireachta a leithdháileadh ar shuíomh gréasáin na Roinne gach bliain. Is é an phríomhthoisc a chuirtear san áireamh nuair a chinntear an leibhéal d'acmhainní foirne a sholáthraítear ag leibhéal na scoile aonair ná an sceideal foirne don scoilbhliain chuí agus an líon daltaí ar rolla ar 30 Meán Fómhair roimhe sin. Tá na socruithe foirne do bhunscoileanna don scoilbhliain 2015/16 leagtha amach i gCiorclán 0005/2015 mo Roinne atá ar fáil ar shuíomh gréasáin mo Roinne ag www.education.gov.ie. Leagtar amach sa chiorclán na feabhsúcháin ar an sceideal foirne don scoilbhliain 2015/16 do scoileanna beaga. Is iad na feabhsúcháin seo ná tairseacha coinneála feabhsaithe don 2ú, don 3ú agus don 4ú múinteoir rangsheomra agus, ina theannta sin, na tairseacha feabhsaithe ceapacháin agus coinneála i gcomhair scoileanna iargúlta aon-oide.

Chomh maith leis sin, tá próiseas achomhairc ar fáil do scoileanna beaga. Tá sonraí faoi na critéir achomhairc leagtha amach sna socruithe foirne atá foilsithe. Chuir an scoil dá dtagraíonn an Teachta achomharc faoi bhráid lena bhreithniú ag an gcruinniú a bheadh ag an mBord Achomhairc um Fhoirniú Bunscoileanna i mí Mhárta 2015. Tionóladh an chéad chruinniú ag an mBord Achomhairc don bhliain 2015 an tseachtain seo caite. Tá socruithe curtha ar bun i mo Roinnse chun cinneadh an Bhoird a chur in iúl do scoileanna a bhfuil achomharc curtha faoi bhráid acu.

Feidhmíonn an Bord Achomhairc um Fhoirniú Bunscoileanna go neamhspleách ar an Roinn agus ní bhíonn dul thar a bhreith.

Schools Building Projects Status

Questions (823)

Billy Timmins

Question:

823. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the new secondary school (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12052/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

All new schools, either at primary level or post-primary level, are set up to meet specific demographic needs within defined geographical areas.

As part of the patronage determination processes to establish who will operate new schools, prospective patrons must commit to enrolling, as a priority, pupils from the area for whom the school is intended. The Department would expect to see this in the enrolment policies for new schools.

Consistent with the approach outlined, the school to which the Deputy refers was set up to meet a demographic need in a particular area. Details of this area together with the assessment of applications for patronage of the school are published on the Department's website at http://www.education.ie/en/Schools-Colleges/Information/Establishing-a-New-School/New-Post-Primary-Schools.html.

The other areas to which the Deputy refers are in different school feeder areas with their own post-primary provision.

School Enrolments

Questions (824)

Joe Carey

Question:

824. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of population growth, if she is satisfied that post-primary schools in the immediate Ennis area, County Clare, can between them cater for all pupils seeking school places in Ennis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12058/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

My Department is currently carrying out a nationwide demographic exercise to determine where additional post-primary school accommodation might be needed from 2017 onwards. This includes an examination of the Ennis area. On foot of this review, arrangements will be made to provide additional post-primary accommodation where this is needed.

The Deputy may be aware that an extension project for Ennis Community College to allow it to cater for 750 pupils is currently in the early stages of architectural planning. The project is devolved for delivery to the Limerick & Clare Education & Training Board.

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Questions (825)

Pat Deering

Question:

825. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Education and Skills the primary and post-primary schools in County Carlow that have been approved to have an autistic spectrum disorder unit, in 2014 and 2015. [12100/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from primary and post primary schools for special educational needs supports, including the establishment of special classes in various geographical areas as required. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.

I have therefore arranged for the Deputy's question relating to provision at primary and post primary level in County Carlow to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply. Details of all approved classes may also be viewed on the NCSE website www.ncse.ie.

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Questions (826, 827)

Pat Deering

Question:

826. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Education and Skills the criteria used for selecting suitable schools for autistic spectrum disorder units. [12101/15]

Pat Deering

Question:

827. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason no school in the parish of Leighlin, County Carlow has been selected for an autistic spectrum disorder unit, despite three primary schools in the parish catering for over 500 children with no such facilities. [12102/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 826 and 827 together.

The Deputy will be aware that the establishment of a network of autism-specific special classes in schools across the country to cater for children with autism has been a key educational priority in recent years. Children with autism have a number of placement options including mainstream placement with support, placement in a special class in a mainstream school or placement in a special class in a special school.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from primary and post primary schools for special educational needs supports, including the establishment of special classes in various geographical areas as required. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.

Parents may contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs and to seek assistance in identifying placement options, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.

To meet identified demand in an area all schools are considered by NCSE with reference to how the profile of the school matches the profile of the students requiring the special class placement.

The NCSE has advised that there is currently no demand for a special class in the parish referred to by the Deputy; a new class is proposed for September 2015 in a school in the neighbouring parish in Co. Carlow.

Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Questions (828)

Jim Daly

Question:

828. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the financial support available in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork who cannot apply for a maintenance grant for college and is not eligible for the one-parent family payment, due to the age of that person's children, as the person is in receipt of the back-to-education allowance. [12105/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

Following a Budget 2010 decision, all new applicants in receipt of the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA), and the VTOS allowances for those pursuing PLC courses, are no longer eligible for maintenance support under the student grant scheme. However, students who qualify for the BTEA may be considered for support for the student contribution under the student grant scheme provided they satisfy the conditions of the relevant Student Grant Scheme and Student Support Regulations including those relating to residence, nationality, approved course, previous academic attainment and means.

Students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. This Fund assists students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Information on the fund is available through the Access Officer in the third level institution attended. This fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis.

Schools Building Projects Status

Questions (829)

Sean Fleming

Question:

829. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a school building project (details supplied) in County Kildare; if this will be included in the next five-year plan/capital building programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12108/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I am pleased to advise that a major capital project for the school referred to by the Deputy is included in my Department's current 5 Year Construction Plan.

The project is at an early stage of Architectural Planning. Following a recent Pre Stage 1 meeting, which was held in February 2015, the Board of Management and their Design Team have been authorised to progress to Stage 2(a), which is the developed sketch design stage. Upon successful completion of stage 2(a) and subject to no issues arising, this project will be authorised to proceed to Stage 2(b) - Detailed Design Stage, which includes applications for Planning Permission, Fire Safety Certification, Disability Access Certification and the preparation of tender documents.

The project will be progressed on to the tender and construction stages as soon as the architectural planning process is completed.