Written Answers Nos. 176-181
176. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the loss of a teacher in respect of a school (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12328/15]
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 board held its first meeting for 2015 last week and those schools that have submitted an appeal will be informed of the decision of the Board shortly.
The Primary Staffing Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.
177. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a school (details supplied) has been refused funding for the urgent replacement of windows under the emergency works scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12344/15]
View answerMy Department's Planning and Building Unit has no record of receiving an application for funding for replacement windows from the school referred to by the Deputy. Should an application be received, it will be assessed and the school authorities will be notified of the outcome.
178. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 498 of 10 March 2015, the determinants that a school must attain to be included in the initial cohort of schools where politics and society will be trialled at leaving certificate level; when schools will be allowed to express their interest in participating; the circumstances under which the national roll-out might be halted after the trial period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12347/15]
View answerIt is envisaged that the new Leaving Certificate Politics and Society specification will be introduced in schools on a phased basis from September 2016. The number of schools which will comprise the first phase and the criteria against which their application to join the first phase will be considered, are yet to be determined. It is noteworthy that what is proposed for Leaving Certificate Politics and Society is a phased introduction in schools, not a trial. Therefore the question of the duration of a trial period and the halting of a national roll out does not arise. Politics and Society will be an optional Leaving Certificate subject for schools.
179. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the contracts a person's businesses and-or subsidiaries (details supplied) have with her Department; the value of these contracts; their length; and the other companies who entered the tendering process that resulted in this person's companies winning the contract. [12353/15]
View answerIt is not possible to respond to the Deputy question because the information provided is insufficient to formulate a reply. If additional information is provided by the Deputy, an appropriate response will be provided.
180. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Education and Skills the average age of chairpersons and non-executive directors of State or partially owned State companies, of State bodies, of semi-State bodies and of State agencies under the aegis of her Department on the State's payroll; the number of directors on the board of more than one such body; the number of women; and her plans to make savings from this area. [12555/15]
View answer181. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total number of chairpersons and non-executive directors of State or partially owned State companies, of State bodies, of semi-State bodies and of State agencies under the aegis of her Department on the State's payroll; the total cost to the State from the payout to these non-executive directors including fees, travel and other expenditure; her plans to reduce the number of these chairpersons or directors. [12605/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 180 and 181 together.
Comprehensive information in relation to the composition of the boards of non-commercial State bodies under the aegis of the Department of Education and Skills, which includes the information requested by the Deputy (with the exception of the information in relation to the average age of chairpersons, which is not collated by my Department), can be downloaded from my Department's website at http://www.education.ie/en/The-Department/Agencies/Details-of-Membership-of-State-Boards/.
Fees are paid to chairpersons and non-executive directors in accordance with the rates specified by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and relevant legislation as appropriate. As set out on my Department's website, currently the chairpersons of the Grangegorman Development Agency, the Higher Education Authority and Skillnets Ltd are in receipt of fees payable in accordance with the rate applicable to the category of agency, totalling €29,926 per annum. Travel and subsistence allowances are paid in accordance with Government guidelines and relevant legislation.
While the primary consideration in appointing members to State boards is to ensure that the appropriate skills and expertise are available to boards, in accordance with a Government Decision of July 2014, which reaffirms the commitment in the Programme for Government to increase gender balance on State boards, the Department has prepared a plan to reaffirm and achieve the target of at least 40% for representation of each gender on State Boards.
Under new Guidelines for Appointments to State Boards, which can be viewed on the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's website www.per.gov.ie, the process for filling vacancies on State boards under the aegis of the Department, is now normally managed by the Public Appointments Service (PAS), whereby applications are made through the dedicated website www.stateboards.ie. and an assessment process is undertaken by PAS leading to the creation of a list of candidates deemed suitable for appointment to boards. Compliance with the Government Decision of 23 July 2014 on Gender Balance on State Boards is an essential requirement of these Guidelines.
The Guidelines also provide that in accordance with best corporate governance practice it is advisable that no member of a State Board should hold appointments to more than two State Boards.
