Written Answers Nos. 115 - 134
115. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide resources for Mary Immaculate College in County Limerick to improve the library facilities, in order that the number of study spaces is at least in line with the average across the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16859/15]
View answerThe needs of the College will be considered in the context of budgetary resources and having regard to competing demands.
116. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Skills the ratio of students to library study spaces in each of the third level institutions in the State. [16860/15]
View answerDetails of students to library study space are not readily available to my Department.
117. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a project (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16868/15]
View answerThe needs of the College will be considered in the context of budgetary resources and having regard to competing demands.
118. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will defend the integrity of the junior certificate by having external, fair and objective assessment for certification; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16879/15]
View answerI have accepted Dr Pauric Travers' revised and clarified proposal of 23rd February as the basis for agreement on the implementation of Junior Cycle reform.
Under the proposal for reform put forward by Dr Travers, teachers are now no longer being asked to assess their own students for State certification purposes. This addresses the unions' stated core objection to the previous reform proposals.
His proposal creates a clear distinction between the State certified terminal examination, which will continue to be run by the State Examinations Commission, and school based assessment, which will be separately conducted by teachers and reported on directly by schools to parents.
We must accept that State Examinations cannot provide information about the considerable range of skills and abilities that we want to encourage and reward in our young people. This dual approach to assessment at junior cycle will give a more balanced view of students' achievements.
The reform opens recognition of different forms of assessment.
Some elements of assessment will happen at school level every day between the teacher and their students. Others will be reported more formally to parents and students at designated times, while still others will happen through the final State examination.
In relation to school based assessment, all that teachers are being asked to do, for any subject, is to judge a student's performance on a maximum of two events and to report these judgements to parents and students.
The greatest benefits for students' learning occur when teachers and students provide really effective feedback to each other.
Giving students meaningful feedback about their learning is essential, if learning is to be effective.
This two way relationship, between the student and their teacher, has to be nurtured throughout the three years of junior cycle.
The Travers document recognises that teachers need to be supported in carrying out this assessment role. I fully endorse that.
Teachers will be supported to ensure that their judgements are in line with national standards.
119. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will report on the possibility of funding for Mary Immaculate College, South Circular Road, County Limerick, to extend its library facility to cater for the larger number of students now attending; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16890/15]
View answerThe needs of the College will be considered in the context of budgetary resources and having regard to competing demands.
120. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will confirm that a special needs unit will be provided in a school (details supplied) in County Meath when it is built; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16903/15]
View answerI wish to confirm for the Deputy that a Special Needs Unit is being provided as part of the building project for the school to which he refers. The project is currently at tender stage. As an interim measure pending the construction of the new school, my Department approved temporary accommodation for a Special Needs Unit at the school for September 2015.
121. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps she will take to reduce the unjustified fee being charged to students who repeat the leaving certificate at the rate of €301 for the re-sit, as opposed to €115 for the first sit, and whereby this exorbitant charge is serving as a barrier or obstacle to young persons who do not have the financial means to pay same; her plans to have this fee waived or reduced to €115; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16919/15]
View answerThe examination entry fee for repeat candidates has increased from €284 in 2011 to €301 in 2012, an increase of 6%. This is the same level of examination fee increase which has applied to the fees generally for Leaving Certificate candidates.
Special examination entry fees for repeat candidates were introduced in 1987 on the basis that it is not unreasonable to expect those who have already benefited from the normal course of free second level education to make a contribution towards the cost of providing the necessary resources.
Examination entry fees generally cover only a fraction of the cost of running the examinations. Additional demands on the system have been arising in recent years due to the introduction of new methods of assessment in various subjects and to continuing increases in special arrangements for students with special needs.
There is an alleviation scheme in place whereby candidates or their parent/guardian who have been awarded a full medical card are exempt from the payment of examination entry fees. This exemption applied to approximately 39% of all examination candidates in 2014.
122. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Education and Skills the grant assistance for further education that is available in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who wants to complete a course in animation/game design; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16929/15]
View answerUnder the terms of the student grant scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.
The Deputy will appreciate that, in the absence of all of the relevant details that would be contained in an individual's application form and supporting documentation, it is not possible to say whether or not a particular student would qualify for a grant.
The eligibility of the individual to which the Deputy refers is a matter for SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) to determine; upon receipt of the relevant application form and supporting documentation.
The online application process for 2015/16 is now open.
123. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if consideration has been given to the provision of a new school in an area (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16970/15]
View answerThe nationwide demographic exercise involves significant work and it is not yet complete. On foot of the demographic exercise, arrangements will be made to provide additional post-primary accommodation where required. In the meantime a building project to provide for additional post-primary school places in the area referred to by the Deputy is at tender stage.
124. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on an application from a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16972/15]
View answerI can confirm that the school referred to by the Deputy has made an application to my Department for capital funding for the provision of additional school accommodation.
The application is currently under consideration and a decision will be conveyed to the school authority shortly.
125. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on applications from schools (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16973/15]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the project brief for the schools in question has been finalised and the project concerned is progressing into my Department's architectural planning process. The brief for the schools project includes for the replacement of the temporary accommodation referred to by the Deputy.
126. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will support the students at Mary Immaculate College, County Limerick, on their urgent need for an extension to their current library (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16979/15]
View answerThe needs of the College will be considered in the context of budgetary resources and having regard to competing demands.
127. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress that has been made on the provision of autism spectrum disorder unit spaces at secondary level in an area (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16994/15]
View answerMy Department's policies focus on ensuring that all children can have access to an education appropriate to their needs, preferably in school settings through the primary and post primary school network.
A range of placement options for pupils with special educational needs is provided, in order to ensure that all pupils can receive a school placement. Many pupils with special educational needs will be able to attend a local mainstream school, whereas for pupils who have needs which require more specialist interventions, special class and special school placements are provided for.
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.
Details of the number of special classes in each county are available on the NCSE website www.ncse.ie. The NCSE is also currently considering applications by schools to establish new special classes for the coming 2015/16 school year. This work is ongoing in some counties and SENOs continue to liaise and work with schools in order to meet the demand for such placements at local level.
I have arranged for the Deputy's request for specific detail on provision in Co. Kildare to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.
128. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of money which is in dormant accounts from the years 2011 to 2015; if he will provide a breakdown on the expenditure of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16907/15]
View answer129. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an estimate on the amount held in dormant accounts at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16908/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 128 and 129 together.
The Dormant Accounts Act 2001, together with the Unclaimed Life Assurance Policies Act 2003 and the Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Acts 2005-2012, provide a framework for the administration of unclaimed accounts in credit institutions (i.e. banks, building societies and An Post) and unclaimed life assurance policies in insurance undertakings.
In accordance with the Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Act 2012, a new Disbursement Scheme was approved by Government in December 2013. The 2012 Act also provides for the preparation of an Action Plan to give effect to the Scheme. The current Plan includes some €24 million of measures across a range of Government Departments and Agencies that will provide diverse supports for disadvantaged communities, including measures under my Department to promote social enterprise and innovation, both urban and rural, and measures to promote youth employment, employability and entrepreneurship.
Information from the National Treasury Management Agency, which manages the Dormant Accounts Fund, indicates that the net value of uncommitted funds in the Account as of end March 2015 is €111.46 million. This does not include a Reserve Fund, currently standing at some €64.18 million. During 2011 to 2015 the average inflows per year were €37.13m and the average reclaims from the fund were €18.5m. It should be noted that the vast bulk of funds is transferred from the Financial Institutions at the end of April each year.
Transfers and reclaims from the Dormant Accounts Fund during 2011 to 2015
|
Year |
Inflows from Financial Institutions and Insurance Companies |
Reclaims from the Fund |
|
2011 |
€43,079,786 |
€24,345,430 |
|
2012 |
€43,354,220 |
€21,798,829 |
|
2013 |
€44,561,010 |
€19,546,296 |
|
2014 |
€54,442,632 |
€23,660,293 |
|
2015 |
€232,835 |
€3,162,123 |
Further data in relation to the Dormant Accounts Fund are available on my Department’s website at http://www.environ.ie/en/Community/DormantAccounts/.
130. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 15564/15 which was disallowed, if he will report on his responsibility for funding community organisations and providing funding to grant making organisations such as Pobal. [16899/15]
View answerMy Department supports the community and voluntary sector in its contribution to an active, democratic and pluralist society. There is a particular focus on supporting communities that are vulnerable, disadvantaged or under threat through a suite of schemes.
The strong commitment of this Government to supporting the community and voluntary sector is evident through the overall budget of €133 million, which has been provided for community and rural development purposes this year through the Vote of my Department, as detailed in the Revised Estimates for 2015.
In relation to the Deputy’s specific query regarding Pobal, I can advise the Deputy that Pobal, a not-for-profit organisation, manages a significant proportion of funding on behalf of my Department under both the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) and Dormant Accounts Measures.
Summary details of my Department’s main community and voluntary schemes and programmes are set out below. It should be noted that further details in relation to the funding and operation of these programmes and schemes are available on my Department’s website at www.environ.ie.
|
Programme/Scheme |
Summary Details |
|
Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) |
SICAP is one of the Department’s main social inclusion programmes, aimed at tackling poverty and social exclusion in disadvantaged communities, and the new programme was rolled out across communities on 1 April 2015. |
|
Scheme to Support National Organisations |
The funding Scheme to Support National Organisations in the Community and Voluntary sector provides multi-annual funding to national organisations towards core costs associated with the provision of services. |
|
Leader Programmes |
The Leader measures of the Rural Development Programme provide resources to support the sustainable development of rural communities across the country. |
|
Dormant Accounts Disbursement Scheme and Action Plan |
A new Disbursement Scheme was approved by Government in December 2013 and an Action Plan to give effect to the Scheme was adopted in July 2014. |
|
Community and Voluntary Pillar |
My Department provides annual funding to members of the Community and Voluntary Pillar, to support costs, not funded from any other sources, directly related to the organisations’ contribution to policy-making in a social partnership context |
|
Seniors Alert Scheme |
The Seniors Alert Scheme is a community-based initiative that promotes independent living for older people in their own homes. The Scheme is administered by more than 900 local community and voluntary groups |
|
Volunteering Supports |
My Department funds Volunteer Ireland and a network of twenty one Volunteer Centres, who act as ‘brokers’ between potential volunteers and organisations seeking volunteers. |
|
Forum on Philanthropy and Fundraising |
My Department provides funding to Philanthropy Ireland, Fundraising Ireland, the Irish Charities Tax Reform Group and Social Innovation Fund Ireland to support the work of the Forum on Philanthropy and Fundraising to develop philanthropy and charitable giving in Ireland. |
The Government remains firmly committed to supporting front line projects which improve the lives of our most disadvantaged people and this can be seen through the implementation of the above mentioned range of measures, schemes, programmes and initiatives across many communities. If the Deputy wishes to request information on a more specific basis, I will endeavour to respond as quickly as possible.
131. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 14134/15 which was disallowed, if he will report on his role in relation to Irish Water, and the invigilation for the Oireachtas of the regulation of the provision of these services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16900/15]
View answerThe Water Services Act 2013 provides for the establishment of Irish Water as an independent subsidiary within the Bord Gáis Éireann Group (now renamed Ervia), which conforms to the conditions set out in the Act and is registered under the Companies Acts. The Act provides that Irish Water is required to submit an annual report on the performance of its functions each year to the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. Irish Water is also required to submit its annual accounts to the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government each year. The 2013 Act provides that the annual report and accounts will be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.
Irish Water, as a commercial State body within the Ervia Group, is subject to all the standard governance and accountability rules which apply to a public utility and it is required to comply with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform’s Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies. The 2013 Act requires Irish Water to seek the consent of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government before entering into any capital commitments while the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 requires Irish Water to seek the consent of the Minister (and the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform) to borrow money.
The Minister is also accountable to the Oireachtas, through the normal Estimates process, for any funding of Irish Water provided by his Department.
The Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 also provides specific mechanisms for the issue of Ministerial policy directions to both the Commission for Energy Regulation and Irish Water. The Act further provides that approval of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government is required for Irish Water’s 25-year water services strategic plans. In addition, the utility is accountable to the Commission for Energy Regulation in terms of economic regulation and to the Environmental Protection Agency in terms of environmental regulation.
132. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there is any grant aid available to a Gaelic Athletic Association club (details supplied) in County Kerry to make its clubhouse accessible to wheelchair users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16915/15]
View answerFunding for mainstream activities of a sporting organisation was not eligible under the LEADER element of the Rural Development Programme 2007– 2013. Such applications were more appropriate to the Sports Capital Programme which is the responsibility of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.
The eligibility rules of the 2014-2020 Rural Development Programme have yet to be finalised. I expect that the 2014-2020 Rural Development Programme will commence during 2015.
133. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he will inform the local councils of the funding they have been allocated for the housing adaption and aid for the elderly grants. [16936/15]
View answerExchequer funding of over €37 million was provided by my Department to local authorities in 2014 for the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability. Combined with an additional 20% contribution by individual local authorities, there was an overall spend last year of €46.3 million in this area. I am pleased to confirm that the 2015 amount will increase by some 10% to give a combined spend of €50.5 million. The 2015 allocations are currently under consideration in my Department and will issue to local authorities shortly.
134. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views that it is appropriate for a local authority to publicly advertise a position (details supplied), while at the same time restricting the position to applicants within the local authority or health system; if such restrictions accord with the policies of his Department; if it is his view that the open advertising of such positions attracts applicants from outside the identified cohort; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16949/15]
View answerUnder section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each City and County Manager is responsible for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authorities for which he or she is responsible.
The qualifications outlined in the advertisement for the post concerned are the declared qualifications as agreed by my Department in consultation with representatives of the sector in 2003.
Public advertisement is undertaken to ensure that all those who meet the qualification criteria are made aware of the opportunity for employment in the relevant local authority.
