Tuesday, 12 May 2015

Written Answers Nos. 522-537

Passport Applications Fees

Questions (522)

Ruth Coppinger

Question:

522. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will reduce the fees charged for passports for elderly persons. [18498/15]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

In 2011 the Government found it necessary in light of the budgetary situation to discontinue the arrangement whereby over 65’s could avail of a reduced passport fee. The cost of exempting those aged 65 and over from passport fees was estimated in 2011 to be €2.4 million per annum in terms of lost revenue and, as the shortfall would have to be met by the taxpayer, I have no plans to introduce any such measures at this time.

I would emphasise that the annualised fee for a standard Irish passport compares favourably with many other jurisdictions. At €8 per year the Irish passport fee compares with approximately €9 per year for a British passport, €9 per year for a French passport, €12 per year for an American passport and €18 per year for an Australian passport.

Arms Trade

Questions (523)

Mick Wallace

Question:

523. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in view of Ireland's track record of working for nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, the discussions he has held with the Department for Finance, regarding the introduction of a legal prohibition on the investment of public money in the manufacturers of nuclear weapons, similar to those currently in place, regarding cluster munitions and anti-personnel mines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18551/15]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The Deputy is correct in referring to Ireland’s long track record in the area of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, dating back to the late 1950s, when Ireland’s efforts at the United Nations General Assembly led directly to the negotiation of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). I addressed the ninth NPT Review Conference in New York on 27 April in order to highlight Ireland’s continuing strong commitment to nuclear disarmament, while also meeting with a number of delegations. At present, my Department’s officials are participating actively in the Review Conference and are pressing, with our like-minded partners in the New Agenda Coalition and in other groups, for an ambitious and forward-looking outcome.

The question of establishing a legal prohibition on the investment of public money in companies manufacturing nuclear weapons is being considered by my Department. The dual-use nature of nuclear technology means that it is important to distinguish between companies which are engaged in products which advance the peaceful uses of nuclear technology permitted under the Treaty and companies which facilitate production of nuclear weapons. My Department’s officials are consulting with other Governments, such as Norway and New Zealand, which have enacted legislation on this matter, and will consider on the basis of these consultations whether or how similar legislation could work in Ireland.

In the meantime, let me assure the Deputy that Ireland applies a stringent export controls regime under the responsibility of the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, which does not permit the export of Irish technology to any enterprise known or suspected to be connected with a programme for the development or delivery of any weapons of mass destruction (WMD), including nuclear weapons.

Schools Amalgamation

Questions (524)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

524. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason her Department failed to allocate funds for the refurbishment of a school (details supplied) in County Kerry, in order to facilitate an amalgamation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18214/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I am pleased to advise the Deputy that a devolved grant has been approved for works required to facilitate the amalgamation of the schools in question.

The Patron and all other relevant parties have been notified in recent days that the amalgamation has been approved and will take effect from September 2015.

Education and Training Boards Expenditure

Questions (525)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

525. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on the acquisition by a college of Tipperary Education and Training Board of a web-based student enrolment system, which does not work correctly in all web browsers, and which cannot order learners' names alphabetically, necessitating the reordering of subsequent internal procedures; her further views if such an acquisition represents good value for money, when an alternative system, developed in-house at no extra cost, was previously in use and was fully compatible and able to present lists in any required order, including normal alphabetical order; the costs associated with this acquisition; and the terms of the purchase and any associated service level agreement. [18419/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

This is an operational matter for the Tipperary Education and Training Board and I have asked them to contact the deputy directly in relation to his question.

Special Educational Needs Expenditure

Questions (526, 554)

Finian McGrath

Question:

526. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there is any emergency Health Service Executive budget to support adults with Down's syndrome in completing a course (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18688/15]

Finian McGrath

Question:

554. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if funding will be provided in respect of an education course (details supplied) for adults with Down's syndrome; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18687/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 526 and 554 together.

The position is that my Department allocates recurrent funding to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) for direct disbursement to the HEA designated higher education institutions including Trinity College Dublin. The HEA allocates this funding to the institutions and the internal disbursement of funding is then a matter for the individual institution.

I also understand from officials in the Department of Health that the HSE is not in a position to provide funding for this course.

Higher Education Schemes

Questions (527)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

527. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will accept a late application for the disability access route to education, due to a delayed diagnosis, in respect of a student (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18108/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) is a third-level admissions scheme for students with a disability. The scheme is operated by a number of higher education institutions and not by my Department. Admissions to the institutions are regulated by the institutions themselves.

Further details in relation to the DARE scheme including the eligibility criteria, closing dates and contact details for the participating Higher Education Institutions, is available at www.accesscollege.ie.

Schools Building Projects Applications

Questions (528)

Pat Breen

Question:

528. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 835 of 24 March 2015, if she will provide an update on the status of an application (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18147/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The school referred to by the Deputy has contacted my Department in relation to its school accommodation.

My Department has been in contact with the school concerned in respect of their proposal and will continue to liaise with them in that regard.

School Accommodation

Questions (529)

Michelle Mulherin

Question:

529. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a school (details supplied) in County Mayo has been refused funding by way of a devolved grant, notwithstanding the serious accommodation deficit; the appeal options that are available to the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18148/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

My Department has been in direct contact with the school, in question, and has explained that it considers the school has sufficient accommodation to meet its current needs. As the Deputy will appreciate, in view of the financial constraints within which my Department is operating, the position is that priority is being given to school applications for essential mainstream classroom accommodation.

School Transport Eligibility

Questions (530, 531)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

530. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason children (details supplied) in County Cavan were in receipt of bus tickets, but then were told that they would not be able to be collected by the bus, despite being picked up initially; if provision will be made to allow the bus service to be made available to these children, if the contractor so agrees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18162/15]

Pearse Doherty

Question:

531. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the remote area grant is not made available to eligible families at the beginning of the school year; if families, who are deemed eligible for school transport, but who are told there is no service available, may access this grant before the school year, or as soon as possible after it, in order to ensure children can access school; if, and when, children (details supplied) in County Cavan will have access to this grant, now they have been told there is no service available to them. [18163/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 530 and 531 together.

In general, under the terms of my Department's Primary School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school.

Bus Éireann, which operates the school transport scheme on behalf of my Department, is responsible for determining eligibility for school transport and for the planning and timetabling of school transport routes.

Bus Éireann has advised that the children in question are eligible for school transport.

Bus Éireann also advised that although tickets were issued to these children, there is currently no school transport service available to them.

Children who are eligible for school transport but for whom no service is available may, following an application process for transport within the prescribed time limits, receive a Remote Area Grant towards the cost of private transport arrangements.

The closing date for receipt of applications for the 2014/15 school year was Friday 25th April 2014.

The family referred to by the Deputy did not apply for transport until March 2015; as a result they will be considered for transport or the Remote Area Grant for the 2015-16 school year.

Transition Year Selection Process

Questions (532)

Finian McGrath

Question:

532. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on correspondence regarding enrolment policy for transition year students, in respect of a school (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18179/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The Transition Year (TY) is a one-year programme designed to act as a bridge between the Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate programmes. It is available to all second level schools.

The management authority of each school carries responsibility for making decisions regarding the Transition Year Programme in that school. In some schools, the programme is compulsory for all students. In those that offer it as an option, circumstances may arise where it is necessary to limit the number of students who can avail of it.

It is the board of management of each individual school that decides the number of places available to students on programmes such as Transition Year. In cases where restrictions apply, schools should have clear procedures regarding how places are allocated to students.

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Questions (533)

Pat Breen

Question:

533. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) in County Clare has not been facilitated with assistive technology; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18192/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I wish to advise the Deputy that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) is responsible for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports. SENOs also make recommendations to my Department where assistive technology is required. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in making recommendations for support, which is set out in my Department's Circular 0010/2013.

In order to qualify for equipment under the assistive technology scheme, a child must have been diagnosed with a physical or communicative disability and must also have a recommendation in a professional assessment that the equipment is essential in order to allow the child to access the curriculum. It must also be clear that the existing I.T. equipment in the school is insufficient to meet the child's needs.

I can advise the Deputy that an application for assistive technology support for the child referred to in his question has been received in my Department. A response will issue to the school shortly regarding this matter, following consideration of the application.

School Curriculum

Questions (534)

Terence Flanagan

Question:

534. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the leaving certificate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18203/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

There are no plans at present to introduce Computing / IT as a full curriculum subject for the Leaving Certificate. The focus in schools is on using ICT as a tool in learning guided by the ICT curriculum framework developed by the NCCA. This is supported by digital content on the scoilnet website, by professional development programmes for teachers and by investment in ICT infrastructure. All post primary schools are now connected to a 100 Mbps broadband service, providing for improved integration of ICT in learning.

The new junior cycle allows for the introduction of school-developed short courses of 100 hours duration as an option. This provides further opportunities for schools to progress the provision of courses in IT. The NCCA has published a short course in Coding. In addition, ICT is an area of essential learning which all students are required to experience, and Managing Information and Thinking is embedded in subjects as a core skill.

In the new junior cycle all students are required to achieve 24 statements of essential learning. These include using ICT effectively and ethically, using appropriate technologies to meet a design challenge, applying practical skills, and developing models and products using a variety of materials and technologies.

There is also a Transition Year option in relation to Having Fun with Computer Programming and Games and, under the ICT Action Plan, this is being expanded nationally.

Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) are also significant components in the syllabuses of Technology and Design and Communication Graphics.

The NCCA is giving consideration to including Computer Science as one of the possible areas of application for consideration under 'Option 3' on the Leaving Cert Applied Maths syllabus, as set out in their Background Paper. A Development Group has been tasked with the work of preparing the new specification over the current year. When a draft specification is ready, there will be a further round of consultation - in late 2015 or early 2016.

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Questions (535)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

535. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a request for assistive technology in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18213/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department provides funding to schools towards the cost of assistive technology for pupils in Primary, Post Primary and Special schools for personal computers and specialist software for educational purposes under the Assistive Technology scheme, as set out in my Department's Circular 0010/2013.

This Circular states that equipment is provided under this scheme for children with more complex disabilities who require essential specialist equipment to access the school curriculum, which they do not already have, or which cannot be provided for them through the school's existing provisions.

Following consideration of information which has been provided by the school in relation to the application for equipment for the pupil in question, I can advise the Deputy that the equipment which has been applied for is already available to the pupil. As such, the application does not meet the criteria for the allocation of support under my Department's Assistive Technology scheme.

The process for appealing this decision is set out in Circular 0010/2013. I understand the further information referred to by the Deputy has not been received in my Department.

Education and Training Boards Expenditure

Questions (536)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

536. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on the acquisition by a college of Tipperary Education and Training Board of a web-based student enrolment system, which does not work correctly in all web browsers, and which cannot order learners' names alphabetically, necessitating the reordering of subsequent internal procedures; her further views if such an acquisition represents good value for money, when an alternative system, developed in-house at no extra cost, was previously in use and was fully compatible and able to present lists in any required order, including normal alphabetical order; the costs associated with this acquisition; and the terms of the purchase and any associated service level agreement. [18271/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

This is an operational matter for the Tipperary Education and Training Board and I have asked them to contact the deputy directly in relation to his question.

State Examinations

Questions (537)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

537. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of retired teachers who in 2012, 2013 and 2014 corrected leaving certificate and-or junior certificate examination papers, together with the number of retired teachers who in 2012, 2013 and 2014 acted as examination superintendents at the leaving certificate and-or junior certificate examinations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18316/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations.

In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.