Written Answers Nos. 204-211
204. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Education and Skills if it is possible for a family on family income supplement to avail of a third level education grant despite that family's gross income being in excess of the published cut-off limits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27890/15]
View answerThe rates of grant and the income thresholds for the Student Grant Scheme are announced annually as part of the Budget. No changes to the rates or thresholds were included in Budget 2015. Student grant applications are means tested on gross income from all sources earned inside and outside the State within a specified reference period. The means test arrangements of the Student Grant Scheme are applied nationally. The assessment of income from the same starting point is deemed to be fair and reasonable because this approach eliminates any distortion which might arise from different spending decisions in different households. In addition to the scheme, students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. This Fund assists students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances.
205. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will grant funding in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Longford under the emergency summer works scheme to help alleviate parking congestion at the school. [27906/15]
View answerThe management authority of the school referred to by the Deputy submitted an application for funding under my Department's Emergency Works Scheme for the provision of car parking. As the scope of works for which funding was sought is outside the terms of the scheme, their application cannot be considered for funding. The school authority has been informed of this decision. It is open to the school authority to apply for funding under a future Summer Works Scheme.
206. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she is aware of concerns regarding the new traffic management regime at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 1, especially in relation to health and safety as, under the new plan, traffic is routed directly in front of the school gates, causing grave concern for parents. [27916/15]
View answerThe traffic management system and signage on the Marlborough Street campus was formalised by the Department in order to ensure the safety of all users of the complex including staff, official visitors, contractors, children, parents, teachers/staff accessing Scoil Chaoimhín and the crèche located on the campus. The Department consulted with the Board of Management of Scoil Chaoimhín and the management of the crèche in advance of formalising the traffic management system and will continue to liaise with them for the benefit of users of the campus.
207. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 398 to 400, inclusive, of 28 April 2015, when she expects to be in a position to make an overall proposal for the delivery of future interventions to tackle educational disadvantage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27920/15]
View answer208. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the up-to-date position on the consultation process with education partners to inform the development of appropriate measures to combat educational disadvantage; when she expects the consultation process to finish; the way submissions can be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27921/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 207 and 208 together.
As the Deputy may be aware I have recently begun a process to renew the DEIS programme. This process involves a number of strands including: a consultation process with education partners, which commenced in April with a closing date of 22nd May 2015, to inform development of appropriate interventions to tackle educational disadvantage; the establishment of an inter-Departmental Group to ensure a joined-up approach to future delivery of services in the DEIS programme; the establishment of a Technical Group to develop criteria for a new identification process for which schools should participate in the DEIS programme; the establishment of a DEIS Advisory Group within my Department.
The written submissions received by my Department from education partners will be considered as part of an overall review process which will be undertaken over the course of the 2015/16 school year. I hope to be in a position to make an overall proposal for the delivery of future interventions to tackle education disadvantage after that.
209. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a person (details supplied) in County Wexford has an entitlement to a pension from her Department, or a refund of payments made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27939/15]
View answerBased on available information it appears that the person to whom the Deputy refers has a pension entitlement in respect of service as a Special Needs Assistant. In order for a member of a pension scheme administered by my Department to claim pension payment it is necessary to make application to my Department. Specific application forms for this purpose are available on my Department's website or by writing to the Pension Unit of my Department.
The Pension Unit has now issued the necessary application form to the person to whom the Deputy refers. When the completed form is returned to the Pension Unit the application will be assessed in line with the scheme provisions.
210. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will review the case of changes to school transport for persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; the alternatives that are available for them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27951/15]
View answerUnder 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 as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language. A minimum number of 10 eligible children residing in a distinct locality, as determined by Bus Éireann, are required before consideration may be given to the establishment or retention of school transport services, provided this can be done within reasonable cost limits.
Bus Éireann has advised that, to date, the number of applicants for school transport for the 2015/16 school year has fallen below the minimum number required to retain the existing service. Families of eligible children, for whom there is no school transport service available, are eligible for the remote area grant towards the cost of making private transport arrangements. The terms of the scheme are applied equitably on a national basis.
211. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will ensure that the scheme to support national organisations in the community and voluntary sector will receive adequate funding to allow long-term planning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27774/15]
View answerThe funding Scheme to Support National Organisations (SSNO) in the community and voluntary sector aims to provide multi-annual funding to national organisations towards core costs associated with the provision of services. Applications for a new round of funding, which commenced on 1 July 2014, were subject to an appraisal process. 55 applications were approved for funding totalling approximately €8 million for the two-year period from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2016. A number of previously funded organisations were not approved for funding on that occasion.
On 18 July 2014, it was announced that bridging funding of €1.4 million would be allocated for a twelve month period to thirty-two previously funded health, disability and other organisations that were not approved for funding under the new scheme, pending the carrying out of a review of the public funding of national organisations in the health and disability sector.
On 25 May 2015, I announced that funding will be provided from 1 July this year to 30 June 2016, following a review in relation to the impact of the cessation of their current funding on 30 June 2015. This funding is being provided to thirty of the thirty-two organisations previously in receipt of bridging funding, including all health and disability organisations. This further support will be based on current levels of funding to the organisations in question and is being provided through a Developmental Scheme to Support National Organisations (DSSNO). The funding, totalling €1.32 million, to be provided to each organisation is set out in the table below, and each organisation is allocated the same amount of funding over the 12 months from 1 July 2015 under DSSNO as provided in the 12 months to 30 June 2015 under bridging funding.
It is envisaged that the new Scheme to Support National Organisations will be advertised in early 2016 and groups funded under the 2014-2016 Scheme to Support National Organisations and the recently announced Developmental Scheme to Support National Organisations will be required to apply for funding under the single SSNO Scheme and meet the criteria required for funding.
|
Funding allocated under Developmental Scheme to Support National Organisations 1 July 2015 to 30 June 2016 |
|
|
Arthritis Ireland |
53,882 |
|
Asperger Syndrome Association of Ireland Ltd |
41,448 |
|
Asthma Society of Ireland |
41,448 |
|
Breaking Through Limited |
58,028 |
|
Chronic Pain Ireland Limited |
37,304 |
|
Dyslexia Association of Ireland |
62,172 |
|
Genetic and Inherited Disorders Organisation Ltd |
16,580 |
|
GROW in Ireland |
16,580 |
|
Huntington's Disease Association of Ireland Limited |
19,066 |
|
Irish Deaf Society The National Association of the Deaf Limited |
62,172 |
|
Irish Heart Foundation |
41,448 |
|
Irish Mountain Rescue Association |
58,028 |
|
Irish National Council of Attention Deficit Disorder Support (INCADDS) |
33,158 |
|
Irish Stammering Association |
24,868 |
|
Migraine Association of Ireland Ltd |
29,014 |
|
Motor Neuron disease Association |
24,868 |
|
MOVE Ireland |
41,448 |
|
Muintir na Tíre |
70,462 |
|
Muscular Dystrophy Ireland |
37,304 |
|
National Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Ireland Limited |
37,304 |
|
New Communities Partnership (NCP) Ltd |
74,606 |
|
Peter Bradley Foundation Limited |
41,448 |
|
Post Polio Support Group Limited |
24,868 |
|
Safe Ireland |
74,606 |
|
Show Racism The Red Card Limited |
29,014 |
|
The Alzheimer Society of Ireland |
62,172 |
|
The Carers Association Limited |
62,172 |
|
The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Ireland |
49,738 |
|
The Neurological Alliance of Ireland |
49,738 |
|
The Union of Voluntary Organisations of People with Disabilities |
45,592 |
