Written Answers Nos. 1280 - 1300
1280. Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Education and Skills the level of participation of men and women, respectively, in third level education in each of the past ten years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31394/15]
View answerThe table contained in the attached document outlines the proportion of undergraduate new entrants to higher education from 2005/06 to 2014/15 by gender. A new entrant is a first-time participant in higher education entering in the first year of an undergraduate programme.
The proportions by gender will vary by institution type. In 2005/06 in the Institute of Technology sector 52% of undergraduate new entrants were male and 48% female compared to 41% male and 59% female in the university sector. In 2014/15 these rates had changed to 56% males in the Institute of Technology sector and 46% males in the University sector. Overall in the last 10 years the proportion of males participating in higher education has increased although it has stabilised in the last 6 years. The rates will also vary by discipline for example in 2014/15 71% of all undergraduate new entrants to Technology disciplines (Science, ICT and Engineering) were male compared to 42% of all other disciplines (Arts, Humanities, Business, Services Agriculture and Veterinary and Healthcare).
Breakdown of Participation by Men and Women in Higher Education
|
Academic Year |
Male % |
Female % |
|
2005/06 |
46% |
54% |
|
2006/07 |
46% |
54% |
|
2007/08 |
47% |
53% |
|
2008/09 |
48% |
52% |
|
2009/10 |
50% |
50% |
|
2010/11 |
50% |
50% |
|
2011/12 |
50% |
50% |
|
2012/13 |
50% |
50% |
|
2013/14 |
50% |
50% |
|
2014/15 |
50% |
50% |
1281. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will outline the approach Student Universal Support Ireland takes to processing applications for grant assistance when a person has applied on independent grounds but cannot provide a utility bill in his or her name as it is in the landlord's name, or where the landlord refuses to register with the Private Residential Tenancies Board; the action SUSI takes in these circumstances; the number of persons refused grant assistance due to either of these circumstances during 2014/2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31430/15]
View answerVery significant numbers of third-level students move out of home to go to college and continue to be supported by their parents while in full-time education. Confirmation that a student is living separately from their parents/guardians is, of itself, not sufficient to establish independent status.
When considering whether a student meets the conditions to be assessed independently of his or her parents, grant awarding authorities are obliged to satisfy themselves beyond doubt that an acceptable degree of proof of independent living in the relevant period has been submitted by the grant applicant.
For student grants purposes, a student may be assessed as an independent student if he/she has attained the age of 23 on the 1st of January of the year of first entry to an approved post leaving certificate course or an approved higher education course or of re-entry to an approved course following a break in studies of at least three years, and is not ordinarily resident with his/her parents from the previous 1 October. Otherwise he/she would continue to be assessed on the basis of his/her parents' income. The awarding authorities are obliged to satisfy themselves beyond doubt that an acceptable degree of proof has been submitted by the grant applicant in establishing eligibility under all aspects of the scheme including independent residency.
The onus is on the grant applicant to provide the necessary documentary evidence as requested by the relevant grant awarding authority. As such, it is not possible to provide a definitive list of all documents that would be acceptable to an awarding authority, as each individual's particular set of circumstances varies. However, the type of documentary evidence that would be required would include:
- a letter confirming that the applicant's address is registered with the Private Residential Tenancies Board; or
- a Local Authority lease agreement or a letter confirming the applicant's rental under the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS); or
- a letter confirming the receipt and period of rent or mortgage supplement; or
- a utility bill in the applicant's name, for example; landline telephone, fixed broadband, gas, electricity or cable/satellite television bill. If the utility bills in the household are in the applicant's spouse's name then they will be accepted along with a copy of the marriage certificate; or
- official documentation posted to the applicant at his/her address and relating to his/her residence there e.g. a letter from the Department of Social Protection confirming Rent Allowance at the address or a letter from a previous awarding authority.
In circumstances where an applicant cannot provide any of the above, SUSI will work with the applicant to see what combination of evidence can be provided, and accepted, to satisfy the awarding authority that the applicant is living independently.
If an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a student grant, she/he may appeal, in the first instance, to their awarding body. Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down, in writing, by their awarding body, 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 Grant Appeals Board.
1283. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of home tuition grants paid in respect of children aged between two and a half and three years of age who have been diagnosed on the autistic disorder spectrum last year; the number being funded for the forthcoming school year; the maximum amount of grants available and the minimum amount of grants available in these situations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31467/15]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the purpose of the Home tuition Scheme is to provide a compensatory educational service for children who, for a number of reasons such as chronic illness, are unable to attend school. The scheme also provides a compensatory educational service for children with special educational needs seeking an educational placement. Provision is also made for early educational intervention for children with autism.
Tuition is provided for children with special educational needs seeking an educational placement, as an interim measure until a school placement has been identified.
Home tuition funding is provided for children with a diagnosed ASD between the ages of two and a half and three years as they cannot enrol in an early intervention class in school under the age of three. The maximum number of hours allocated under this category is 10 hours per week.
During the 2014/2015 school year home tuition was approved for 192 children between the ages of two and a half and three. The numbers in question are not available for the current school year as applications are currently being processed.
1284. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she is aware of the leaking roof in a school (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if she will make funds available to the school for this problem to be addressed. [31470/15]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the school, to which she refers, currently has a major project to provide a 32 classroom school on the existing site The major building project is currently at an advanced stage of Architectural Planning (Stage 2b – Detailed Design).
With regard to the immediate accommodation issues arising, it is open to the school authority to submit an application for Emergency Works funding should they deem that any of the works required come within the scope of the Emergency Works Scheme. The main purpose of this Scheme is to ensure the availability of funding for urgent works to those schools that are most in need of resources as a result of an emergency situation.
The application, once received, will be assessed and a decision will be conveyed to the school authority.
1285. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Skills the money allocated by her Department for building maintenance in primary schools in the years 2011 to 2014, inclusive, and for the first half of 2015. [31471/15]
View answerUnder the Grant Scheme for Minor Works the following amounts were issued to primary schools in the years 2011 to date:
|
Year |
Amount |
|
2011 |
28.2m |
|
2012 |
nil |
|
2013 |
€28.8m |
|
2014 |
€28.5m |
|
2015 |
to date nil |
1287. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will examine the case of a child (details supplied) in County Cork; the way a child may avail of a school transport scheme for a bus when no bus serves that school; if she will ensure that the student is allowed to avail of the bus service given that they attend the nearest school to them that is served by a bus; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31491/15]
View answerUnder the terms of my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for school transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
Bus Éireann which operates the School Transport Scheme has advised that the child referred to by the Deputy is not attending his nearest post primary school and is therefore not eligible for school transport.
In general children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis subject to a number of terms and conditions that are detailed in the scheme.
In this regard the family should liaise with their local Bus Éireann office at 021-4557137/4557129.
While it is the prerogative of parents to send their children to the school of their choice, eligibility for school transport at post primary level is to the nearest education centre/school.
1288. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a child (details supplied) in County Clare will be provided with the school transport they are entitled to; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31499/15]
View answerA new school transport service for the child referred to by the Deputy has been sanctioned by my Department in accordance with the terms of the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs.
Bus Éireann has advised that a service will be in place shortly and the local office in Limerick (phone, 061 217484) will contact the family directly.
1289. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students refused the Student Universal Support Ireland grants during 2014 to 2015 who were Irish citizens refused on habitual residency grounds. [31522/15]
View answer1290. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way in which Student Universal Support Ireland assesses whether a person is habitually resident here; and the standard of proof it requires. [31523/15]
View answer1291. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the legal basis Student Universal Support Ireland is using to apply a requirement that an Irish citizen must be habitually resident for the purpose of receiving SUSI grant assistance. [31524/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1289 to 1291, inclusive, together.
The 3 out of 5 years residency requirement is set out in Section 14 of the Student Support Act 2011.
SUSI has advised that the number of students refused grants during 2014 to 2015 who were Irish citizens on habitual residency grounds was 27.
The following documents may be used to prove evidence of residence in the State, the EU, EEA or Switzerland for 3 of the last 5 years:
- Evidence that the applicant sat the Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate exams in Ireland; or equivalent school exams in the EU, EEA or Switzerland. This must have been in the last five years;
- A letter from a school principal in Ireland, the EU, EEA or Switzerland confirming attendance at a school. This must have been in the past five years;
- Social Welfare Statements or equivalents from the EU, EEA or Switzerland dated for the last five years;
- Utility Bills;
- Registration with the Private Residential Tenancies Board or equivalent from the EU,EEA or Switzerland;
- P60's
- Bank Statements with activity in the country of residence.
Under Section 20 of the Act, evidence of residence in the State can only be accepted in respect of periods of lawful presence in the State. Applicants cannot derive any benefit from a period of unlawful presence in the State.
1292. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a request for documentation by a person (details supplied); the assistance her Department may be able to provide to ensure that there are no undue delays with this request; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31526/15]
View answerIt is a matter for the National University of Ireland (NUI) to provide translations of any documents issued by it on behalf of NUI Galway. I have no role in the day to day operations of the NUI or of the universities, as the relevant legislation provides that they are autonomous in the performance of their functions.
However, on receipt of the translation of her degree this person may then contact my Department at the following address, Higher Education – Policy and Skills, Department of Education and Skills, Training College Building, Marlborough Street, Dublin 1, DO1 RC96, in order to make the necessary arrangements to have her degree stamped by an official of the Department. Once contact has been made there will be no delay in carrying out this function.
1293. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a special needs assistant will be returned immediately to a child (details supplied) in County Kildare given that SNA support was previously available and continues to be required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31527/15]
View answerThe National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for allocating 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, which is set out in my Department's Circular 0030/2014.
All schools were asked to apply for SNA support for the 2015/16 school year by 18th March 2015. The NCSE also continued to accept applications after this date in recognition that enrolments may not have been completed or where assessments were not completed.
The NCSE has now published details of SNA allocations for schools for September 2015 on its website at www.ncse.ie.
Once allocated, the deployment of SNAs within schools is 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.
Should a parent be dissatisfied with the manner in which the resources or facilities which have been provided to support their child's education are being applied in school, they should, in the first instance, raise this matter directly with their school Principal or the Board of Management of the school.
Details of the manner in which a school or parent may appeal the level of SNA or resource teaching allocation which has been made to support a child in school, to the NCSE, is set out on the NCSE website.
All schools have the contact details of their local SENO, while Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available the NCSE website.
1294. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding matters raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) in County Cork who is encountering difficulties in relation to their eligibility to a Student Universal Support Ireland grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31531/15]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that 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.
The student to which the Deputy refers has appealed the decision to the awarding authority to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board. This appeal will be heard within the timeframe set out in the Student Support Act 2011 and the Board will notify the student directly of the outcome of the appeal.
1295. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans in budget 2016 to reinstate and provide funding for guidance counsellors in schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31536/15]
View answerI have no plans to return to a situation where there would be a separate allocation for guidance in schools. If economic recovery continues I hope the Government will be in a position to improve the standard staffing allocation to schools. However, I believe that it is desirable to give schools discretion on how to use those increased resources.
Enhancing supports for schools, including guidance, are among a number of issues raised in discussion with me as priorities within the school sector. The last Budget included an increase in spending on education for the first time in recent years, amounting to additional funding of €60m during 2015.
I am determined that education should be prioritised for investment as our economy recovers and I will be seeking to agree a set of priorities for such increased investment into the future.
1297. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application for funding to equip a room for the teaching of technology post-junior certificate by a school (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31550/15]
View answerMy Department disseminated approximately €7m in grants to 450 post primary schools for the purchase of computers for use in Design and Communication Graphics (DCG). My Department has also made arrangements for the purchase and provision of CAD Software for Schools.
There is a process in place for schools who wish to appeal their allocation received under the scheme. Appeals must be received by 30th September 2015 in writing to the ICT Policy Unit of my Department. An appeal has been received from St. Muredach's Diocesan College and this will be considered along with other appeals after the closing date. Decisions will then be communicated to all schools concerned.
1298. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education and Skills the full comprehensive list of documents that are acceptable to Student Universal Support Ireland to prove that an applicant was living independently, particularly when the accommodation would not have a landline telephone, fixed broadband, cable/satellite television and the utility bill may have issued in the name of only one tenant in flat sharing situations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31572/15]
View answerVery significant numbers of third-level students move out of home to go to college and continue to be supported by their parents while in full-time education. Confirmation that a student is living separately from their parents/guardians is, of itself, not sufficient to establish independent status.
When considering whether a student meets the conditions to be assessed independently of his or her parents, grant awarding authorities are obliged to satisfy themselves beyond doubt that an acceptable degree of proof of independent living in the relevant period has been submitted by the grant applicant.
For student grants purposes, a student may be assessed as an independent student if he/she has attained the age of 23 on the 1st of January of the year of first entry to an approved post leaving certificate course or an approved higher education course or of re-entry to an approved course following a break in studies of at least three years, and is not ordinarily resident with his/her parents from the previous 1 October. Otherwise he/she would continue to be assessed on the basis of his/her parents' income. The awarding authorities are obliged to satisfy themselves beyond doubt that an acceptable degree of proof has been submitted by the grant applicant in establishing eligibility under all aspects of the scheme including independent residency.
The onus is on the grant applicant to provide the necessary documentary evidence as requested by the relevant grant awarding authority. As such, it is not possible to provide a definitive list of all documents that would be acceptable to an awarding authority, as each individual's particular set of circumstances varies. However, the type of documentary evidence that would be required would include:
- a letter confirming that the applicant's address is registered with the Private Residential Tenancies Board; or
- a Local Authority lease agreement or a letter confirming the applicant's rental under the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS); or
- a letter confirming the receipt and period of rent or mortgage supplement; or
- a utility bill in the applicant's name, for example; landline telephone, fixed broadband, gas, electricity or cable/satellite television bill. If the utility bills in the household are in the applicant's spouse's name then they will be accepted along with a copy of the marriage certificate; or
- official documentation posted to the applicant at his/her address and relating to his/her residence there e.g. a letter from the Department of Social Protection confirming Rent Allowance at the address or a letter from a previous awarding authority.
In circumstances where an applicant cannot provide any of the above, SUSI will work with the applicant to see what combination of evidence can be provided, and accepted, to satisfy the awarding authority that the applicant is living independently.
If an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a student grant, she/he may appeal, in the first instance, to their awarding body. Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down, in writing, by their awarding body, 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 Grant Appeals Board.
1299. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a final response will issue to previous correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31574/15]
View answerI responded to the correspondence in question in May 2015. However I am aware that the issue is ongoing as it involves the placement of a child with special educational needs.
As the Deputy is aware 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.
With regard to the case in question I am aware that the SENO has been liaising with the parent of the child and with a number of schools in the area with a view to securing a school placement. My officials have asked the NCSE to remain actively engaged with the parent concerned and to keep them informed of developments.
1300. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna cén fáth nach bhfuil saorthaisteal ar fáil chuig Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí do dhaltaí atá cáilithe le haghaidh saorthaisteal (sonraí tugtha) agus atá ag iarraidh iompar saor in aisce ar an mbus ó Oileán Chiarraí a bhíonn ag dul chun na scoile sin; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [31579/15]
View answerFaoi théarmaí Scéim Iompair Iarbhunscoile mo Roinne, cáilíonn páistí don iompar scoile má chónaíonn siad 4.8 ciliméadar ón lárionad oideachais is gaire dóibh agus má fhreastalaíonn siad ar an lárionad oideachais is gaire dóibh, faoi mar a chinneann mo Roinn/Bus Éireann é, agus ag féachaint do chúrsaí éitis agus do chúrsaí teanga.
Páistí a cháilíonn don iompar scoile agus a shealbhaíonn Cárta Leighis bailí (Scéim na Seirbhísí Ginearálta Míochaine), díolmhaítear iad ón táille bhliantúil a íoc.
Tá curtha in iúl ag Bus Éireann, a oibríonn an Scéim Iompair Scoile ar son mo Roinne, go bhféadfaidh na páistí dá dtagraíonn an Teachta leas a bhaint as seirbhís iompair scoile i rith na scoilbhliana reatha ar an mbonn seo.
