Written Answers Nos. 975-994
975. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the percentage of fully paid-up entrants in the 2014 leaving certificate who appealed their results, and the corresponding figures for exempt entrants; the average number of subjects appealed in each of the two groups (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21927/15]
View answerThe 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.
976. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills in relation to the pilot of new model for allocating resource teachers to schools, the cost of adding the additional resource teacher posts; the breakdown of the 6,454 posts between primary and secondary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21929/15]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that approximately 50 schools are currently being invited to participate in a pilot project for the new model for allocating resource teachers to schools. Following an invitation to participate in this pilot, schools have been asked indicate their willingness to participate on a voluntary basis by 12th June, 2015. Therefore, until it is known which schools wish to participate in the pilot project, it will not be known what additional resource teaching posts will be required to be allocated to those schools under the pilot model, and the subsequent cost of any such additional allocation. Details of the resource teaching allocations which have been made to date to schools by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) for the 2015/16 school year are available on the NCSE website www.ncse.ie. This notes that 6,454 posts have allocated to date by the NCSE, representing approximately 3660 posts at primary school level and 2794 posts for post primary schools. Details of the individual allocations made by school and by county are also available on this website.
977. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide, in tabular form, for each of the past five years, the amount of funding provided to each fee paying school for the purchase of laptops, tablets (details supplied) and information technology equipment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21961/15]
View answerGrants for the purchase of ICT equipment were provided to all schools in 2009 and in 2010. Details of the grants paid to fee paying schools in 2010 and grants for Design and Communications Graphics in 2015 are included in the table.
|
Roll Number |
School Name |
2010 (ICT Infrastructure Grants) |
2015 (DCG Grants) |
|
60030V |
Blackrock College |
€67,131.47 |
€9,775.00 |
|
60040B |
Willow Park School |
€15,067.00 |
€0.00 |
|
60090Q |
Rathdown School |
€53,526.25 |
€4,600.00 |
|
60100Q |
Castleknock College |
€38,793.43 |
€6,900.00 |
|
60120W |
Mount Sackville Secondary School |
€45,410.09 |
€0.00 |
|
60130C |
Loreto Abbey Secondary School |
€42,937.20 |
€0.00 |
|
60140F |
Mount Anville Secondary School |
€43,004.03 |
€0.00 |
|
60160L |
Notre Dame Secondary School |
€16,604.21 |
€0.00 |
|
60180R |
Christian Brothers College |
€35,585.35 |
€12,650.00 |
|
60240J |
Loreto College Foxrock |
€45,944.77 |
€0.00 |
|
60250M |
Holy Child Secondary School |
€23,755.55 |
€0.00 |
|
60260P |
St Joseph Of Cluny |
€31,976.26 |
€0.00 |
|
60272W |
The Kings Hospital |
€96,300.65 |
€16,100.00 |
|
60320H |
St Columba's College |
€40,693.93 |
€0.00 |
|
60321J |
Rockbrook Park School |
€10,589.06 |
€0.00 |
|
60340N |
Loreto High School |
€43,605.55 |
€0.00 |
|
60520P |
Belvedere College S.J |
€66,797.29 |
€0.00 |
|
60381E |
Sutton Park School |
€39,357.23 |
€12,650.00 |
|
60530S |
Gonzaga College |
€38,125.08 |
€0.00 |
|
60540V |
Catholic University School |
€30,973.73 |
€16,100.00 |
|
60560E |
St Marys College |
€31,374.74 |
€0.00 |
|
60561G |
St Michaels College |
€41,399.99 |
€0.00 |
|
60570H |
Terenure College |
€48,551.34 |
€5,750.00 |
|
60590N |
St Conleths College |
€19,077.10 |
€0.00 |
|
60640C |
Sandford Park School Ltd |
€36,282.82 |
€0.00 |
|
60630W |
St Kilian's Deutsche Schule |
€25,961.11 |
€0.00 |
|
60650F |
St Andrews College |
€133,728.25 |
€13,800.00 |
|
60660I |
St Patricks Cathedral G.S |
€20,376.09 |
€0.00 |
|
60670L |
The High School |
€106,459.57 |
€19,550.00 |
|
60820E |
Loreto College |
€39,795.95 |
€0.00 |
|
60892G |
The Teresian School |
€14,665.99 |
€0.00 |
|
60910F |
Alexandra College |
€80,794.93 |
€0.00 |
|
60930L |
Rosemont School |
€8,450.34 |
€0.00 |
|
61010U |
Wesley College |
€121,296.94 |
€17,250.00 |
|
61020A |
Stratford College |
€20,509.76 |
€0.00 |
|
61080S |
Royal School Cavan |
€29,465.65 |
€13,800.00 |
|
61570M |
Kilkenny College |
€110,469.67 |
€23,000.00 |
|
61680T |
Newbridge College |
€57,373.56 |
€14,375.00 |
|
61720F |
Clongowes Wood College |
€31,708.92 |
€0.00 |
|
61811I |
St Gerard's School |
€32,911.95 |
€8,625.00 |
|
62060R |
Bandon Grammar School |
€72,641.06 |
€0.00 |
|
62370J |
Midleton College |
€46,174.40 |
€0.00 |
|
62520C |
Christian Brothers College |
€54,766.99 |
€0.00 |
|
62570R |
Presentation Brothers College |
€46,278.95 |
€0.00 |
|
62690E |
Scoil Mhuire |
€29,236.02 |
€0.00 |
|
63300Q |
Wilson's Hospital School |
€57,269.01 |
€10,350.00 |
|
63870L |
Drogheda Grammar School |
€39,089.89 |
€9,200.00 |
|
63920A |
Dundalk Grammar School |
€71,037.02 |
€12,650.00 |
|
64150F |
Glenstal Abbey School |
€15,668.52 |
€0.00 |
|
64310B |
Villiers Secondary School |
€79,057.22 |
€14,950.00 |
|
64420I |
Franciscan College |
€27,565.15 |
No longer a fee paying school |
|
64830E |
Monaghan Collegiate School |
€34,678.78 |
€11,500.00 |
|
65010R |
Newtown School |
€47,110.09 |
€11,500.00 |
|
65190W |
Sligo Grammar School |
€64,754.53 |
€11,500.00 |
|
65410K |
Cistercian College |
€19,678.62 |
€0.00 |
|
68071G |
John Scottus Secondary School |
€9,653.37 |
€0.00 |
|
Roll Number |
School Name |
Addr1 |
Addr2 |
Addr3 |
Addr4 |
2009 (ICT Infrastructure Grants) |
2010 (ICT Infrastructure Grants) |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 (DCG Grants) |
|
60030V |
Blackrock College |
Blackrock |
Co Dublin |
€31,908.78 |
€35,222.69 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€9,775.00 |
||
|
60040B |
Willow Park School |
Rock Road |
Blackrock |
Co Dublin |
€7,195.00 |
€7,872.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
|
60090Q |
Rathdown School |
Glenageary |
Co Dublin |
€25,493.75 |
€28,032.50 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€4,600.00 |
||
|
60100Q |
Castleknock College |
Castleknock |
Dublin 15 |
€18,457.38 |
€20,336.05 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€6,900.00 |
||
|
60120W |
Mount Sackville Secondary School |
Chapelizod |
Dublin 20 |
€21,598.15 |
€23,811.94 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
||
|
60130C |
Loreto Abbey Secondary School |
Dalkey |
Co Dublin |
€20,424.33 |
€22,512.87 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
||
|
60140F |
Mount Anville Secondary School |
Mount Anville Rd |
Dublin 14 |
€20,456.05 |
€22,547.98 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
||
|
60160L |
Notre Dame Secondary School |
Upper Churchtown Road |
Dublin 14 |
€7,924.68 |
€8,679.53 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
||
|
60180R |
Christian Brothers College |
Monkstown Park |
Dun Laoghaire |
Co Dublin |
€16,934.58 |
€18,650.77 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€12,650.00 |
|
|
60240J |
Loreto College Foxrock |
Foxrock |
Dublin 18 |
€21,851.95 |
€24,092.82 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
||
|
60250M |
Holy Child Secondary School |
Military Road |
Killiney |
Co. Dublin |
€11,319.25 |
€12,436.30 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
|
60260P |
St Joseph Of Cluny |
Bellevue Park |
Ballinclea Rd |
Killiney |
Co Dublin |
€15,221.43 |
€16,754.83 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
60272W |
The Kings Hospital |
Palmerstown |
Dublin 20 |
€45,797.75 |
€50,502.90 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€16,100.00 |
||
|
60320H |
St Columba's College |
Whitechurch |
Dublin 16 |
€19,402.55 |
€21,291.38 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
||
|
60321J |
Rockbrook Park School |
Edmondstown Road |
Rathfarnham |
Dublin 16 |
€5,069.43 |
€5,519.63 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
|
60340N |
Loreto High School |
Beaufort |
Grange Rd |
Rathfarnham |
Dublin 14 |
€20,741.58 |
€22,863.97 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
60381E |
Sutton Park School |
St Fintans Road |
Sutton |
Dublin 13 |
€18,768.05 |
€20,589.18 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€12,650.00 |
|
|
60520P |
Belvedere College S.J |
6 Great Denmark Street |
Dublin 1 |
€31,750.15 |
€35,047.14 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
||
|
60530S |
Gonzaga College |
Sandford Road |
Ranelagh |
Dublin 6 |
€18,140.13 |
€19,984.95 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
|
60540V |
Catholic University School |
89 Lower Leeson Street |
Dublin 2 |
€14,745.55 |
€16,228.18 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€16,100.00 |
||
|
60560E |
St Marys College |
Rathmines |
Dublin 6 |
€14,935.90 |
€16,438.84 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
||
|
60561G |
St Michaels College |
Ailesbury Road |
Dublin 4 |
€19,694.65 |
€21,705.34 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
||
|
60570H |
Terenure College |
Templeogue Road |
Terenure |
Dublin 6w |
€23,089.23 |
€25,462.11 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€5,750.00 |
|
|
60590N |
St Conleths College |
28 Clyde Road |
Ballsbridge |
Dublin 4 |
€9,098.50 |
€9,978.60 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
|
60630W |
St Kilian's Deutsche Schule |
Roebuck Road |
Clonskeagh |
Dublin 14 |
€12,366.18 |
€13,594.93 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
|
60640C |
Sandford Park School Ltd |
Sandford Road |
Ranelagh |
Dublin 6 |
€17,308.70 |
€18,974.12 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
|
60650F |
St Andrews College |
Booterstown Ave |
Blackrock |
Co Dublin |
€63,563.75 |
€70,164.50 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€13,800.00 |
|
|
60660I |
St Patricks Cathedral G.S |
St Patricks Close |
Dublin 8 |
€9,758.15 |
€10,617.94 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
||
|
60670L |
The High School |
Zion Road |
Rathgar |
Dublin 6 |
€50,619.95 |
€55,839.62 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€19,550.00 |
|
|
60820E |
Loreto College |
53 St Stephens Green |
Dublin 2 |
€18,933.25 |
€20,862.70 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
||
|
60892G |
The Teresian School |
12 Stillorgan Road |
Donnybrook |
Dublin 4 |
€7,004.65 |
€7,661.34 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
|
60910F |
Alexandra College |
Milltown |
Dublin 6 |
€38,437.55 |
€42,357.38 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
||
|
60930L |
Rosemont School |
Temple Road |
Blackrock |
Co Dublin |
€4,054.23 |
€4,396.11 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
|
61010U |
Wesley College |
Ballinteer |
Dublin 16 |
€57,662.90 |
€63,634.04 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€17,250.00 |
||
|
61020A |
Stratford College |
1 Zion Road |
Rathgar |
Dublin 6 |
€9,821.60 |
€10,688.16 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
|
61080S |
Royal School Cavan |
College Street |
Cavan |
Co. Cavan |
€14,072.75 |
€15,392.90 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€13,800.00 |
|
|
61570M |
Kilkenny College |
Castlecomer Road |
Kilkenny |
€52,523.45 |
€57,946.22 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€23,000.00 |
||
|
61680T |
Newbridge College |
Newbridge |
Co. Kildare |
€27,276.93 |
€30,096.63 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€14,375.00 |
||
|
61720F |
Clongowes Wood College |
Naas |
Co Kildare |
€15,094.53 |
€16,614.39 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
||
|
61811I |
St Gerard's School |
Thornhill Road |
Bray |
€15,665.58 |
€17,246.37 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€8,625.00 |
||
|
62060R |
Bandon Grammar School |
Bandon |
Co Cork |
€34,567.10 |
€38,073.96 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
||
|
62370J |
Midleton College |
Midleton |
Co Cork |
€22,004.00 |
€24,170.40 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
||
|
62520C |
Christian Brothers College |
Sidney Hill |
Wellington Road |
Cork. |
€26,039.65 |
€28,727.34 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
|
62570R |
Presentation Brothers College |
The Mardyke |
Cork |
€22,010.58 |
€24,268.37 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
||
|
62690E |
Scoil Mhuire |
2 Sidney Place |
Wellington Road |
Cork |
€13,920.70 |
€15,315.32 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
|
63300Q |
Wilson's Hospital School |
Multyfarnham |
Co Westmeath |
€27,270.35 |
€29,998.66 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€10,350.00 |
||
|
63870L |
Drogheda Grammar School |
Mornington Rd |
Drogheda |
Co Louth |
€18,641.15 |
€20,448.74 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€9,200.00 |
|
|
63920A |
Dundalk Grammar School |
Dundalk |
Co Louth |
€33,805.70 |
€37,231.32 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€12,650.00 |
||
|
64150F |
Glenstal Abbey School |
Murroe |
Co Limerick |
€7,480.53 |
€8,187.99 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
||
|
64310B |
Villiers Secondary School |
North Circular Road |
Limerick |
€37,612.70 |
€41,444.52 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€14,950.00 |
||
|
64420I |
Franciscan College |
Gormanstown |
Co Meath |
€13,127.58 |
€14,437.57 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
No longer a fee paying school |
||
|
64830E |
Monaghan Collegiate School |
Corlatt |
Monaghan |
Co Monaghan |
€16,547.30 |
€18,131.48 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€11,500.00 |
|
|
65010R |
Newtown School |
Waterford |
Co. Waterford |
€22,448.15 |
€24,661.94 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€11,500.00 |
||
|
65190W |
Sligo Grammar School |
The Mall |
Sligo |
€30,823.55 |
€33,930.98 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€11,500.00 |
||
|
65410K |
Cistercian College |
Roscrea |
Co. Tipperary |
€9,384.03 |
€10,294.59 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
||
|
68071G |
John Scottus Secondary School |
72/76 Morehampton Rd |
Donnybrook |
Dublin 4 |
€4,625.28 |
€5,028.09 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
979. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a decision will be made on an appeal for a student grant by a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22015/15]
View answerIf an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a student grant, or that the rate of grant awarded is not the correct one, she/he may appeal, in the first instance, to SUSI. Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down in writing by SUSI and remains of the view that the scheme has not been interpreted correctly in his/her case, an appeal form outlining the position may be submitted by the applicant to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board. To date the administrative support team to the independent Student Grant Appeals Board has not received an appeal from the student referred to by the Deputy. Valid appeals to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board will be reviewed within 60 days with a decision issuing directly to the appellant.
980. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will request that Caranua make contact with a person (details supplied) in order to process that person's claims for payment with regard to glasses, an occupational therapist and bathroom adaptations. [22033/15]
View answerCaranua, the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board, is an independent statutory body established pursuant to the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act 2012 to oversee the use of the cash contributions of up to €110 million, pledged by the religious congregations, to support the needs of survivors of institutional child abuse. The processing of individual applications is a matter for Caranua itself and my officials have requested Caranua to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
981. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 180 of 7 May 2015, the nature of the succession planning engaged in by the support services; the reason the training being provided to long-term secondees returning to teaching roles in their respective schools is, out of necessity, being provided by these same long-term secondees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22038/15]
View answer982. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 180 of 7 May 2015, the number of derogated posts for each support service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22039/15]
View answer983. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she has received a request to meet with representatives of the Professional Development Service for Teachers staff, who are affected by the five year rule for teachings secondments in September 2015; if she will agree to meet with them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22040/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 981 to 983, inclusive, together.
My Department, through the teacher support services and education centres, engages teachers on a full time basis annually for the provision of continuing professional development (CPD) through secondment from their schools. These secondments are subject to annual review. The arrangements provide flexibility and ensure that the in-service needs of teachers and other support priorities of the school system can be met within the resources available. The support services have engaged in succession planning as a key strategy in ensuring continued support for teachers and school leaders in implementing national education policy priorities and CPD and which allows for continuity, quality planning and management. A limited alleviation of the application of the five year secondment limit has been agreed. It is Department policy to apply the alleviation to meet the business needs of each of the support services, for example, where seconded teachers take on leadership roles or have a specialism or expertise where retention is necessary for continuity, quality planning and management. Representations received on the operation of the policy have been considered. The implementation of this policy is a matter for the services concerned and the relevant section of my Department. I am satisfied that appropriate support to facilitate secondees returning to school has been offered to those concerned. The detail of the number of derogated posts for each support service is contained in the table.
RETENTION PROPOSALS FOR EACH SERVICE FOR 2015/16
|
Service |
Category 1 |
Category 2 |
Category 3 |
Category 4 |
EC Director Category |
Totals |
|
Programme Development Service for Teachers |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
0 |
10 |
|
National Induction Programme for Teachers |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
|
Project Maths |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Special Education Support Service |
0 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
|
National Behaviour Support Service |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
|
Junior Cycle for Teachers |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Education Centre Directors |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
14 |
14 |
|
Total |
2 |
5 |
7 |
6 |
14 |
34 |
Category Descriptions: Category 1 - Directors of National Programmes; Category 2 - Deputy Director/National Co-ordinators of National Programmes; Category 3 - Team Leaders and Assistant National Co-ordinators of National Programmes; Category 4 - Regional Development Officers/Advisors of National Programmes; EC Director - Directors of Education Centres.
984. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she has received a report on the increased rent for campus accommodation at third level colleges for the next college year; the proposed increases in euros, and in percentage terms, for campus accommodation from September 2015 in each of the colleges; her plans for additional campus accommodation at third level colleges; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22050/15]
View answerData gathered for the report referred to by the Deputy is being validated by the HEA in consultation with my Department and other stakeholders. I expect the report to be finalised in the coming weeks. As I have previously stated, some institutions provide a range of accommodation, and all colleges have an obligation to work with students' unions and other groups, to provide students with details on accommodation options. Initiatives such as USI's 'Homes for Study' are of help to students and list suitable accommodation available to rent across Ireland. I will continue to work with stakeholders to explore ways to increase the availability of student accommodation. In the longer term, the Government is committed to addressing the housing shortage through the Construction 2020 strategy. This will not resolve all of our problems immediately, but I am confident that the implementation of Construction 2020 will provide us with a sustainable housing stock in the medium to longer term. With regard to the cost of on campus student accommodation for the next academic year, I have asked the HEA to gather that information and I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as it becomes available.
985. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding funding in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22053/15]
View answerThe school referred to by the Deputy has been allocated funding under my Department's Additional Accommodation Scheme to provide one new mainstream classroom and two resource rooms. The school management authority has recently submitted a request of additional funding to carry out extra works. My Department's Planning and Building Unit has sought further information from the school authority and this information is currently awaited. As soon as the information is received and assessed the school authority will be notified of the outcome.
986. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on the proposal to merge Cork Institute of Technology and the Institute of Technology Tralee, County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22079/15]
View answerThe Munster consortium consisting of Cork IT and IT Tralee submitted a plan towards merger to the HEA in 2014. This was assessed by an international expert panel appointed by the HEA and found to be on a clear trajectory to meet the very robust performance and quality criteria that have been set down for merging institutes who wish to apply for the new technological university status. This concluded stage 3 of the 4-stage process towards designation as a technological universities for the two consortiums. Having considered the reports of the expert panel, both governing bodies reaffirmed their decision to merge and seek Technological University designation and continue to work towards that goal.
987. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will review the proposed cut to the provision of special needs assistants at a primary school (details supplied) in County Cork [22126/15]
View answerThe National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for allocating resource teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. The criteria by which SNA support is allocated to pupils is set out in my Department's Circular 0030/2014. It is important to note that each school's allocation of SNA support can change from year to year and may be increased or decreased as students who qualify for SNA support enrol or leave a school. New students with care needs may, or may not, enrol to replace students who have left, for example, or SNA allocations may be decreased where a child's care needs have diminished over time. The deployment of SNAs within schools is then a matter for the individual Principal/Board of Management. SNAs should be deployed by the school in a manner which best meets the care support requirements of the children enrolled in the school for whom SNA support has been allocated. It is a matter for schools to allocate support as required, and on the basis of individual need, which allows schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised. The NCSE invited schools to make applications for SNA support for children who have assessed care needs for the coming 2015/16 school year by 18th March 2014, for their consideration. The NCSE are currently considering all of the applications for support which have been received, including those which have been received after the 18th March, and will advise schools of the outcome of their applications ahead of the new school year. Schools who wish to appeal the level of SNA allocation made to them may do so via the appeals process which is set out at www.ncse.ie. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.
988. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of applications for reasonable accommodation at the certificate examinations scheme due to physical or behavioural conditions made to the State Examinations Commission for readers for the leaving certificate that have been received in each of the past three years; the number of refusals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22132/15]
View answerThe 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.
989. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the procedures for schools within the education and training boards structure which leave to become community schools directly under control of her Department, if they so wish. [22143/15]
View answerI take it that the Deputy is referring to cases where a school which is under the patronage of an Education and Training Board amalgamates with a local voluntary secondary school which is under the patronage of a religious order in order to form a new community school. In such cases, under the terms of the agreed Deed of Trust for a Community School, the patron duties are undertaken jointly by the partners to the amalgamation, namely the relevant Education and Training Board and the the religious order. The Education and Training Boards are actively involved in Community Schools.
990. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills why a concession will be made to teachers on having projects which are at a current level of 50% or over of the final grade, retained within certification, but not so for all the other subjects, resulting in subjects such as art and woodwork having projects for certification, but others such as English and history not having the same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22144/15]
View answerThe "Joint Statement on Principles and Implementation" provides that, in the case of a small number of subjects (Art, Music, Home Economics and the Technology subjects), the second Classroom Based Assessment (CBA) will involve the creation of an artifact or a performance. The formative assessment related to the production of these artefacts and performance will be reported upon by the school to the student and parents/guardians as for all other second CBAs. However, as the finished artefacts and performance are currently marked by the State Examinations Commission (SEC), the artefact or performance will continue to be marked by the SEC. It should be noted that for all other subjects the second CBA will have a formal written Assessment Task (AT) that is submitted to the SEC to be marked along with the terminal examination in the subject for State Certification purposes. The AT will be based on the topic or task undertaken in the second CBA. This means that, following the CBA facilitated by the teacher, the students will complete a written AT in class time which will not be marked by their class teacher, but will be sent for external marking as part of the State Certified examination for that subject.
991. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills why her Department is insisting on referring to the proposed school based components as 40% of the total student award at the end of third year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22145/15]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the leadership of the two post primary teacher unions, the ASTI and TUI, reached an agreement with me on Junior Cycle reform. Our agreement was set out in our joint document "Junior Cycle Reform: Joint Statement on Principles and Implementation" published on the 22nd of May 2015. In section 2 the document outlines a dual approach, with the introduction of two structured classroom-based assessment components facilitated by teachers. For these Classroom-Based Assessments (CBAs) teachers will be able to select from a range of tasks appropriate to their subject set by the NCCA in consultation with the SEC. After the second of these, students will complete a written Assessment Task (AT) on what they have learned and the skills and competencies that they have developed in that assessment. This Assessment Task, along with the terminal examination at the end of third year, will be marked by the State Examinations Commission. This dual approach will recognise and value the different types of learning that take place in schools, and will allow for a more rounded assessment of the education of each young person.
992. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans for the English school-based assessment for second year, as the teachers have boycotted the training; her views that this planned oral communication presentation runs contrary to teachers' principles of fairness and dignity in the classroom; if she is concerned about such matters; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22146/15]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the leadership of the two post primary teacher unions, the ASTI and TUI, reached an agreement with me on Junior Cycle reform. Our agreement was set out in our joint document "Junior Cycle Reform: Joint Statement on Principles and Implementation" published on the 22nd of May 2015. Under this agreement section 4.9 and 4.10 sets out the answer to the Deputy's question. "It is recognised that teachers of English are the first cohort of teachers to engage directly with the Junior Cycle reform and that they will make a very particular contribution to the successful introduction of the new curriculum and assessment arrangements. The feedback from these teachers of English to date makes clear that they have particular CPD needs and that significant adjustments are required to the first Classroom-Based Assessments for English to be completed in Spring 2016. In regard to the group of students currently in first year (in the 2014/15 school year), teachers and schools will have the option of having their students complete the first classroom-based component either in spring of 2016 (in second year) or early in autumn 2016 (in the beginning of third year). In view of the urgency of supporting these teachers in implementing the second year English course in the 2015/16 school year, immediate priority will be given to providing intensive CPD for this subject as well as whole-school CPD for Junior Cycle. The CPD programme for English will be informed by appropriate input from these teachers. The NCCA will specify a wider range of assessment options that will enable English teachers to ensure that the first Classroom-Based Assessment is manageable and appropriate to the learning needs of students".
993. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills if student fees will be refunded by the National University of Ireland Galway to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; if her Department will outline the procedures and protocol to be followed by colleges, when a first-year student decides to change courses, without losing the fees already paid; if the student is notified in writing and given options; if the course of action to be taken by the college to retain fees paid is explained in writing and verbally to the student; if there is an appeal process available and if this is clearly explained to the student; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22150/15]
View answerThe student contribution, which currently stands at €2,750, applies to all students who benefit under my Department's Free Fees Initiative (details of which are published on www.studentfinance.ie). Under the scheme, free fees funding is not available for students undertaking a repeat period of study. Third level institutions are autonomous institutions and my Department does not have any function in their day to day operational affairs, for which the Governing Bodies and the management staff of the institutions are responsible. The collection and administration of the contribution is a matter for the third level institution to which a student is attending, however, I have requested my officials to liaise with the Higher Education Authority to establish the full details in relation to this case.
994. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an audit of the skills, specialisms and expertise of each seconded member of the support services, such as her Department's constituent agency, the Professional Development for Teachers, was carried out by her Department when derogations to the five-year secondment limit were being decided, in spite of the fact that her Department's officials decided secondments would not last in excess of five years; the number of persons who started on this scheme; the number who are currently still on the secondment; the number who have had the secondment extended beyond five years; the basis and the persons involved in the decisions allowing each secondment to be extended beyond the five-year term; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22172/15]
View answerMy Department, through the teacher support services and education centres, engages teachers on a full time basis annually for the provision of continuing professional development (CPD) through secondment from their schools. These secondments are subject to annual review. The arrangements provide flexibility and ensure that the in-service needs of teachers and other support priorities of the school system can be met within the resources available. The support services have engaged in succession planning as a key strategy in ensuring continued support for teachers and school leaders in implementing national education policy priorities and CPD and which allows for continuity, quality planning and management. A limited alleviation of the application of the five year secondment limit has been agreed. It is Department policy to apply the alleviation to meet the business needs of each of the support services, for example, where seconded teachers take on leadership roles or have a specialism or expertise where retention is necessary for continuity, quality planning and management. The implementation of this policy is a matter for the services concerned and the relevant section of my Department. The detail of the overall number of secondments together with derogated posts for each support service is contained in the tables.
APPROVAL NUMBERS FOR EACH SERVICE FOR 2015/16
|
Approval |
|
|
2015/16 |
|
|
Programme Development Service for Teachers |
107 |
|
National Induction Programme for Teachers |
13 |
|
Project Maths |
5 |
|
Special Education Support Service |
18 |
|
National Behaviour Support Service |
13 |
|
Junior Cycle for Teachers |
32 |
|
Education Centre Directors |
21 |
|
Total |
209 |
RETENTIONS FOR EACH SERVICE FOR 2015/16
|
Service |
Totals |
|
Programme Development Service for Teachers |
10 |
|
National Induction Programme for Teachers |
2 |
|
Project Maths |
1 |
|
Special Education Support Service |
4 |
|
National Behaviour Support Service |
2 |
|
Junior Cycle for Teachers |
1 |
|
Education Centre Directors |
14 |
|
Total |
34 |
