Written Answers Nos. 1321 - 1336
1321. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update regarding the building programme of a school (details supplied) in Dublin 24; the schedule being followed; when she expects the building to be ready; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31930/15]
View answerThe school building project to which the Deputy refers in currently under construction. Construction is expected to be completed before the start of the 2016/17 school year and the new school building will then be handed over to the school authorities.
1322. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update in respect of the building programmes of the two new proposed schools in Firhouse, Dublin 24, confirming the schedule being followed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31931/15]
View answerA planning application for the project to which the Deputy refers has recently been submitted to the Planning Authority. My Department is currently awaiting the outcome of this planning application. Subject to receipt of the necessary statutory approvals it is intended that this project will then proceed to construction. Both schools were included in the programme of school building projects to proceed to construction in 2015.
1323. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department is considering the development of any new primary and second level schools in the Tallaght, Dublin 24, region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31932/15]
View answerAt primary level three new schools have been opened in the Tallaght area in recent times in order to meet current and future demographic requirements. CityWest Educate Together National School and Scoil Niamh Community National School opened in 2012, and Scoil Aoife Community National School opened in 2014. Two new primary schools also opened in the adjoining area of Firhouse Oldbawn in 2013, namely Gaelscoil na Giúise and Firhouse Educate Together National School.
At post-primary level, a new 1,000 student school, Kingswood Community College, is scheduled to open in 2016.
My Department has recently completed a nationwide demographic exercise to determine where additional post-primary school accommodation might be needed from 2017 onwards. This included all areas of the country, including the Tallaght and wider area. I will announce the details of any new schools to be provided arising from this exercise in due course and arrangements will be made to provide additional post-primary accommodation to existing schools where demographics warrant this.
1324. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress with regard to the development of the new proposed second level school at Kingswood Heights, Dublin 24; the actions she took regarding the recent difficulty with the planning application to South Dublin County Council; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31933/15]
View answerPlanning Permission for the School Building Project to which the Deputy refers was lodged with the Planning Authority in August. The Design Team who submitted Planning Application were advised of some minor errors within the application by the Local Authority and were requested to address these.
The Design Team have since re-lodged an amended planning permission application and this has been accepted by the Local Authority.
The project is included in my Department's five year building programme to proceed to Tender and Construction in 2015/16. Patronage of the new school was granted to the ETB and the intended start-date for the schools first intake of pupils is the commencement of the school year 2016/17.
1325. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will report on the development of permanent accommodation for a school (details supplied) in Dublin 24; the schedule being followed; and when the new building will be available for pupils. [31934/15]
View answerThe School Building Project to which the Deputy refers has recently been granted planning permission by the Planning Authority. The project is currently at tender stage and it is expected to commence on site before the end of this year with the intention that the building will be handed over to the school authorities before the new school year commencing September 2016.
1326. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of annual pension payments made by her Department that exceed €60,000; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32003/15]
View answerMy Department pays pensions to retired primary, voluntary secondary and community /comprehensive teachers, retired special need assistants, certain retired clerical officers and caretakers and spouses and children.
There were no retired personnel paid on the payroll operated by my Department in 2014 who were paid an annual pension in excess of €60,000.
1327. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a school (details supplied) in County Kerry will be grant-aided to purchase a strip of land necessary to provide an adequate and safe playground space; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32032/15]
View answerThe Deputy may be aware that, earlier this year, my Department approved devolved funding to the school in question under the Additional Accommodation Scheme to build an ASD Unit and a resource teaching room. Additional funding was also approved recently for wastewater treatment and enabling works on the school site.
A further application for financial assistance towards the cost of purchasing additional land, in order to extend the school site, has recently been received from the school in question. This matter is being considered and officials from my Department will be in contact with the school authorities in this regard shortly.
1328. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a school (details supplied) in County Kerry will be grant aided to extend the classroom sizes and other facilities to provide adequate accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32033/15]
View answerI can confirm that the school in question submitted an application for additional accommodation to extend the school classroom sizes.
Given the current financial constraints within which my Department is currently operating, priority is being given to applications for essential mainstream classroom accommodation in areas of significant demographic growth and where additional teaching staff has been allocated. This will continue to be the main focus for my Department in the coming years to ensure that every child has access to a physical school place.
The school in question was not allocated additional staff and my Department is therefore not in a position to provide additional classroom accommodation for the reasons outlined. The school has been advised accordingly.
While my Department's technical guidance documents use a guideline of 80 square meters as the standard size for a general primary school classroom this is applied to the design and development of schools in green field site situations. In the case of existing schools and given the limitations of existing buildings, site conditions and funding availability, it is not always possible to achieve the level of accommodation that is provided with a new school design.
1329. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a school (details supplied) in County Kerry will be grant-aided to purchase a strip of land necessary to provide an adequate and safe playground space; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32034/15]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, a new 8 classroom major capital building project is currently being provided by my Department for the school in question.
On completion of the project, the school will have access to a General Purpose room within the new school building and also to an external space that will comprise a ball court and a separate junior play area which is considered adequate. Grant aid is not available to purchase the additional land referred to by the Deputy.
1332. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a response will issue to correspondence relating to registration problems of a teacher in a special school (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32054/15]
View answerA response in this matter will issue to the Deputy in the coming days.
1333. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an individual special needs assistant will be allocated to two preschool children (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32065/15]
View answerSpecial Needs Assistants (SNAs) are allocated to Special Schools and to mainstream Primary and Post Primary schools to assist children with special educational needs who also have additional and significant care needs. Such support is provided in order to facilitate the attendance of those pupils at school and also to minimise disruption to class or teaching time for the pupils concerned, or for their peers, and with a view to developing their independent living skills.
Circular 0030/2014, which is available on my Department's website www.education.ie, sets out my Department's policy in relation to the Special Needs Assistant (SNA) scheme. The Circular explains that SNA support is not provided to pre-school services which operate outside of the primary or special school provision.
I can advise the Deputy however that the vast majority of supports for childcare, including pre-school education, is provided by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. The principal vehicle for the delivery of pre-school education is the free Pre-School Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme which was introduced in January 2010 and provides for early learning in a formal setting to children in the year before they commence primary school.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) currently provides for care support for pupils with special needs attending a range of HSE funded pre-schools. As such, questions relating to provision of such services should be addressed to the HSE, or to my colleague, the Minister for Health.
1334. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application for an electronic device for a child (details supplied) in County Cork. [32098/15]
View answerI 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.
1335. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to ensure that a suitable school place is available, in line with the professional recommendation, for a child with special needs (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32099/15]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department provides for a range of placement options and supports for schools which have enrolled pupils with special educational needs in order to ensure that, wherever a child is enrolled, they will have access to an appropriate education.
Children with special educational needs may be enrolled in a mainstream school and attend all mainstream classes and receive additional teaching support through the learning support and/or resource teacher. If they have assessed care needs they may be supported by a special needs assistant.
In respect of children who cannot be accommodated in mainstream education, they may be enrolled in special classes or special schools where more intensive and supportive interventions are provided.
As such, a pupil may have access to a number of different placement options in a locality. However, the enrolment of a child to a school is a matter in the first instance for the parents of the child and the Board of Management of a school. My Department has no role in relation to processing applications for enrolment to schools.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) can assist parents to identify appropriate educational placements for children with special educational needs.
Parents may contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs and to seek assistance in identifying placement options, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie. The SENO can also advise parents in relation to supports which may be available to support children with special educational needs, including special transport arrangements which may be made available.
The NCSE has published a Guide for Parents and Guardians of Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs on Choosing a School. This guide is also available at www.ncse.ie.
Finally I wish to explain that, for children who, for a number of reasons such as chronic illness, are unable to attend school, or for children with special educational needs for whom a school placement or preschool placement is not available, my Department provides a compensatory educational service through the Home Tuition scheme. Details of the scheme are available on my Department's website www.education.ie.
1336. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a private third level institution may charge a student who wishes to defer a further year of a course due to maternity leave a deferral fee of €1,000 as a condition of approving deferral; which State body is responsible for regulating fees charged to students by private third level education providers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32104/15]
View answerMy Department has no role in relation to the fees charged by private colleges. Such matters are solely the responsiblity of the management authority of the particular College.
