Wednesday, 22 Apr 2015

Written Answers Nos. 30-35

Skills Shortages

Questions (30)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

30. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which she and her Department have identified the most sought after skills in the modern workplace, with reference to both indigenous and foreign direct investment; the degree to which it remains possible to meet such requirements now and in the future; if any particular initiative is needed to address possible issues of skill shortages in particular areas; if upskilling, education or other alternatives are being considered in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12088/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The first National Employers Survey which was undertaken in 2012, by the HEA and IBEC showed that 75% of employers expressed confidence that graduates have the right workplace and transferable skills and the relevant knowledge in their subject and discipline. The second round of this survey was carried out in 2014 as a joint action by the HEA, QQI and SOLAS, results of the survey will be published shortly.

The HEA has recently published the first System Performance Report on how higher education performance will align with the broader national objectives of the Higher Education Strategy. While the report has noted that programmes and disciplines are well aligned to what the market needs, and there is good and improving graduate employment, it also recognises that there is a need for improved liaison between the HEIs and industry/enterprise. With this in mind, the HEA has developed an enterprise engagement strategy, which will aim to further improve liaison between HEIs and enterprise. The Department has also developed proposals for regional skills fora and is consulting with stakeholders in the context of the development of a new National Skills Strategy.

In addition, the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN), which is funded by my Department advises the Irish Government on current and future skills needs of the economy. It has a central role in ensuring that labour market needs for skilled workers are anticipated and met. Its research provides an input to the development of course curricula and since 2011 has informed the focus of two new competitive funding models of higher education provision which address emerging skills needs and supports jobseekers into employment - Springboard and the ICT skills conversion programme.

All courses approved for funding under these initiatives are selected by an independent panel with industry and educational expertise having regard to guidance from the EGFSN on current and future skills needs of enterprise. Work placement is a key feature of both initiatives. A further round of Springboard+, which incorporates the ICT skills conversion programme, will be launched next month.

School Services Staff

Questions (31)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

31. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department will consider discontinuing the use of JobBridge to fill special needs assistant and ancillary posts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15512/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

JobBridge is a national internship scheme administered by the Department of Social Protection. The scheme was introduced to provide a pathway to appropriate employment, training and education opportunities for a specific cohort of jobseekers on the Live Register. Changes to the scheme are therefore a matter for the Department of Social Protection in the first instance.

Recognised Schools and Education and Training Boards may participate in the scheme if they wish under Department of Education and Skills Circular 46/2011 and I have no plans to preclude them from doing so. An internship must not cause an existing member of staff to be displaced from the school or be used to fill a current vacancy in the school. Interns are in addition to any staffing allocation a school/ETB has.

Interns in schools are employed by the schools/ETBs themselves and they continue to be paid their existing social welfare entitlement from the Department of Social Protection plus an additional €50 per week whilst participating in the scheme.

School Meals Programme

Questions (32)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

32. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the fact that one in eight schools under the delivering equality of opportunity in schools programme do not offer the school meals programme; if her Department has examined the costs of providing one-off funding to schools for the start-up costs associated with providing the programme, such as purchasing kitchen equipment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15479/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The School Meals programme is administered by the Department of Social Protection and schools must apply to that Department for inclusion in the programme. Some DEIS schools have not applied for inclusion in the programme. That is a matter for individual schools themselves to decide.

However, I understand that 97% of DEIS Band 1 schools - which are those experiencing the highest levels of educational disadvantage - do participate in the programme.

My Department currently provides a standard range of servery and dining facilities in the design of new Primary and Post Primary schools.

For existing schools the Minor Works Grant is available for all schools and it is a matter for each school to prioritise the works it requires within the scope of this Grant to provide required facilities.

Autism Support Services

Questions (33)

Mick Wallace

Question:

33. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide details of the methods in place to prevent children with autism spectrum disorder from dropping out of the education system due to expulsions, suspensions and anxiety-related issues, which may not be dealt with appropriately within some schools; if she will outline the measures taken to ensure that international best practice is being implemented in this regard, and also as regards the recommendations as detailed in the atism task force report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15481/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

My Department's policy is to promote a child-centred approach to the education of children with special needs, including children with Autism.

Provision is made for mainstream, special class, and special school placements, to ensure all children can avail of education.My Department provides support to schools through the National Educational Psychological Service, Inspectorate, and the Special Educational Support Service, in order to assist them in supporting children with Special Educational Needs, including children with Autism.

All schools are required to have in place a Code of Behaviour, of which parents should be made aware.

Schools are obliged to notify the Educational Welfare Service of TUSLA of absences of more than 20 days and suspensions of more than 6 days. A parent may appeal suspensions or expulsions under Section 29 of the Education Act.In responding to the recommendations of the 2001 Task Force on Autism, my Department has given priority to implementing the core legislative and structural measures required to underpin service development and delivery.

My Department has requested the NCSE to provide policy advice on Autism, which will be delivered in the coming months.

Schools Building Projects Status

Questions (34)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

34. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a school (details supplied) in County Donegal was not granted capital funding during the current five-year construction programme despite the fact that 32% of children are attending classes in prefabricated units and will continue to do so for half of their primary education; if she will reconsider the need for funding in view of these issues, and in view of the fact that the primary school is one of the bigger primary schools in the county, and is undergoing overcrowding as the current premises cannot cope with the educational needs of the students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15503/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

As the Deputy may be aware, a building project for the school referred to, is currently being progressed within my Department's architectural planning process.

Planning Permission has been granted by Donegal County Council and the project has been authorised to advance directly to Stage 2(a) Developed Design. I understand that the Design Team are currently working on updating site surveys and investigations in accordance with planning conditions and in preparation for the Project Stage 2(a) Stakeholder Meeting.

Due to competing demands on the Department's capital budget imposed by the need to prioritise the funding available for the provision of additional teaching accommodation to meet significant demographic demands, the school in question is one of a number of schools which it was not possible to include in the 5 Year construction programme. However the school project is being progressed to the final planning stages so that it will be well placed for consideration in the context of future construction programmes.

Early Childhood Care and Education

Questions (35)

Stephen Donnelly

Question:

35. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on whether the provision of child care under the early childhood care and education scheme should be sustainable for providers; her views on whether the second year of the scheme would be sustainable under the current payment scheme for providers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15509/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The Early Childhood Care and Education scheme is funded by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. Issues relating to the operation or potential extension of the scheme are therefore a matter in the first instance, for the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.

My Department is represented on the interdepartmental working group on Future Investment in Early Years and School Age Care and Education Services that was recently established by Minister Reilly. The purpose of this group is to identify and assess policies and future options for increasing the quality, accessibility (including supply) and affordability of early years and school age (out of school) care and education services. It is expected that this working group will report in the summer.