Written Answers Nos. 170-175
170. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on the open letter from over 900 scientists to the Government (details supplied); her plans for the successor to the strategy for science, technology and innovation 2006 to 2013; and her further views on increasing funding for basic research across all scientific disciplines. [12292/15]
View answerThe Strategy for Science, Technology & Innovation (2006 to 2013) was a broad based strategy which covered funding for research and innovation across all disciplines and across the full continuum of research from basic to applied, as well as commercialisation of research. The Government remains committed to the importance of research given the key role that it plays in underpinning economic recovery and maintaining Ireland's competitiveness. The formulation of the new Strategy provides a clear opportunity for Ireland to develop a new whole-of-Government strategy for research and innovation that can build on the progress made to date and is timely as Ireland moves into a new phase of economic growth and societal development.
Excellence in research will continue to be a cornerstone of our strategy and we must continue to have a strong and excellent research base. The strength of our research base is an important factor in the quality and relevance of the teaching in our higher education system and a critical function of the new Strategy will be the further improvement of the linkages between the research and innovation performers within the Irish research system.
The open letter from "Irish Scientists for Basic Research" is a welcome part of the consultation process designed to inform the development of the new Strategy. This letter and other submissions received will be considered by the Interdepartmental Committee, which has been established with developing proposals for this new Strategy. The Committee expects to complete its work by Summer 2015. The issue of future funding for all areas of research will be considered in the context of the completion of this work.
171. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills when her Department will carry out a fresh review of the levels of socio-economic disadvantage in primary and post-primary schools, with a view to including new schools in the delivering equality of opportunity in schools scheme; and if the criteria used will take account of the fact that parents with mortgages may, depending on their circumstances, be in as much financial distress as local authority tenants. [12297/15]
View answerA report on Learning from the Evaluation of DEIS commissioned in 2014 is currently nearing completion and I expect to receive the report shortly. This report incorporates information in relation to the various inputs, processes and educational outcomes contained in the findings from the DEIS research and evaluations conducted to date by the Educational Research Centre and my Department's Inspectorate. It also reviews other related Irish and International research on educational disadvantage. The report assesses the main findings of this research and will provide advice to inform future policy direction in relation to educational disadvantage including DEIS.
I look forward to receiving the report.
172. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will ensure that a school (details supplied) in County Cavan will retain its present teaching staff complement and learning support hours, in view of the particular circumstances in relation to the enrolment of this school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12309/15]
View answerThe staffing arrangements for primary schools for the 2015/16 school year are set out in Department Circular 0005/2015 which is available on my Department's website at www.education.gov.ie.
An appeals process is also available to schools. Details of the appeals criteria are set out in the published staffing arrangements. The school referred to by the Deputy submitted an appeal for additional staffing to the March, 2015 meeting of the Primary Staffing Appeals Board under the EAL (language support) criterion. The board held its first meeting for 2015 last week and arrangements are underway to notify those schools that have submitted an appeal of the decision of the Board.
The Primary Staffing Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.
173. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on a proposed amalgamation of two national schools (details supplied) in County Cork; her plans to provide a new school building, should the amalgamation proceed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12311/15]
View answerThe two schools to which the Deputy refers were both approved funding under the Prefab Replacement Scheme in 2012. The schools are situated on a split campus in Carrigaline town.
The school authorities submitted an alternative proposal to provide all of the proposed replacement accommodation on the senior school's site and rationalise provision from 3 sites to 1 site. My Department advised the school authorities that it had no objection to this proposal and increased the level of mainstream and SET accommodation originally approved. In addition, my Department sought the inclusion of ASD/Special needs provision to meet the special educational needs in the area.
The schools concerned subsequently advised my Department that they were exploring the possibility of amalgamation and, in that regard, the provision of a new school building.
As the Deputy will be aware, the decision making authority for any amalgamation belongs to the Patron of a school, subject to the approval of the Minister for Education and Skills. Any amalgamation proposal must involve consultation with all of the relevant schools stakeholders, and include consideration of the implications that any amalgamation proposal may have on school transport, funding, accommodation, staffing arrangements so that an informed decision can be made. My Department has not received, to date, a formal amalgamation proposal from the schools in question.
174. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to alter the current delivering equality of opportunity in schools scheme in order to provide for additionality to the scheme; if she will allow individual schools which are not in the scheme, yet meet the criteria, to apply for inclusion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12315/15]
View answerA report on Learning from the Evaluation of DEIS commissioned in 2014 is currently nearing completion and I expect to receive the report shortly.
This report incorporates information in relation to the various inputs, processes and educational outcomes contained in the findings from the DEIS research and evaluations conducted to date by the Educational Research Centre and my Department's Inspectorate. It also reviews other related Irish and International research on educational disadvantage. The report assesses the main findings of this research and will provide advice to inform future policy direction in relation to educational disadvantage including DEIS.
I look forward to receiving the report.
175. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a school building programme (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12327/15]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the accommodation brief for the school building project to which he refers has recently been finalised. The project concerned will involve both the provision of additional accommodation and also significant restoration works. An invitation to tender to appoint a Project Manager to oversee the project has already issued to the Departments Framework of Project Managers. Once appointed the Project Manager will then commence the process of appointing the design team to deliver the project. My Department will keep the school authority fully informed regarding the appointment process as it is progressed.
