Paul Murphy
Question:113. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the use of tear gas, water cannon and other crowd control measures by the Hungarian authorities on Serbian territory. [32397/15]
View answerHuman Rights Issues
Questions (113)
Written answers
We have all been shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic human cost of the migration crisis – which continues to develop dramatically. Such is the scale, complexity and evolving nature of the crisis, that identifying and implementing workable solutions is a challenge for us all. While some other EU partners and neighbouring States have had to face disproportionate pressures, all actions by the authorities in any Member State should respect and reflect the high human rights standards we in Europe expect and require of each other, and I will be expressing that view to my EU colleagues of that when we meet next month.
Immigration Policy
Questions (114)
Paul Murphy
Question:114. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions he has had with European Union counterparts on the refugee crisis. [32398/15]
View answerWritten answers
The plight of refugees fleeing conflict and upheaval in the EU’s southern and eastern neighbourhoods is of deep concern to us all, and one demanding a comprehensive and coordinated response from the EU. Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Ministers have primary responsibility for matters related to immigration\asylum and refugees, into and within the EU. In April this year, the Foreign Affairs’ Council and the Justice and Home Affairs Council met in joint session to discuss the situation facing migrants, particularly those trying to cross the Mediterranean. Ministers confirmed a strong commitment to act so as to prevent further tragedies. The June the Foreign Affairs Council followed up with the launch of EUNAVFOR Med, the EU’s naval operation to disrupt the dangerous activities of people smugglers in the Mediterranean, which have tragically resulted in the loss of many lives. As the Deputy will know, the crews of the L.E. Niamh and Eithne have done sterling work in saving many lives.
In recent weeks the focus has shifted to the deepening crisis in southeast Europe, and the Government recently decided accept up to 4,000 asylum seekers and refugees as part of the European Commission’s comprehensive plan to address the migration crisis. The Commission has set out a comprehensive set of proposals to address the crisis, from its root causes through to the immediate humanitarian needs. JHA Ministers met again on 22 September and there is a Special Meeting of the European Council today (23 September) to advance the EU’s response to this complex and demanding set of issues.
Foreign Conflicts
Questions (115)
Paul Murphy
Question:115. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the recent clashes between Palestinians and the Israeli police force in occupied east Jerusalem. [32399/15]
View answerWritten answers
Rising tensions and continual violence in varying degrees in occupied East Jerusalem have been matters of serious concern for over a year now. These concerns have been expressed by the European Union in Conclusions of the Foreign Affairs Council, by the UN Security Council and by moderate Arab leaders, including King Abdullah of Jordan who retains a special role in relation to the Holy Places.
I support and echo the call of the UN Security Council which “called for the exercise of restraint, refraining from provocative actions and rhetoric and upholding unchanged the historic status quo at the Haram al Sharif – in word and in practice”.
Departmental Funding
Questions (116)
Tony McLoughlin
Question:116. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade , further to the recent visit of the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall to County Sligo, a visit which was another major stepping stone towards improving further the process of reconciliation between the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom, his views on Sligo County Council's special request for financial assistance from his Department with paying for some of the costs incurred due to the profile of the visit, given that this council is in a difficult financial position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32421/15]
View answerWritten answers
I can confirm that my Department has received a request from Sligo County Council in relation to the visit by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall. This request is receiving attention and will of course be considered on its own merits.
Site Acquisitions
Questions (117)
Michael McGrath
Question:117. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on the procurement of a permanent site for a planned new school (details supplied) in County Cork and also on the provision of temporary accommodation to be in place for the planned school opening in Autumn 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32341/15]
View answerWritten answers
The Deputy may be aware that I signed a Memorandum of Understanding between my Department and the County and City Managers' Association (CCMA) in 2012. This Memorandum of Understanding fosters increased levels of cooperation and formalises the Local Authorities' part in identifying and securing sites for educational use.
In that context, my Department has worked closely with Cork County Council towards acquiring a permanent site to meet the needs of the school to which the Deputy refers. The acquisition of the site in question is currently being progressed. Given the commercial sensitivities associated with land acquisitions generally I am not in a position to comment further at this time. I can, however, assure the Deputy that the acquisition of a new site for the school is a priority for my Department and the patron body will be informed of the location for the school as soon as it is possible to do so.
To facilitate the commencement of the school in September 2016 the Department has identified a suitable property for temporary use and officials from my Department will be meeting shortly with the patron body to discuss arrangements in relation to this.
School Funding
Questions (118)
Seán Kenny
Question:118. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount of funding her Department has provided to a school (details supplied) in Dublin 9 in the years 2012, 2013 and 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32344/15]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to advise the Deputy that some €1.37 billion will be spent in support of children with Special Educational Needs this year, which represents approximately 15% of my Department's budget.
The investment which is being made to support children with special educational needs is an area of spending which has been prioritised above most other areas by this Government.
We now have the highest level of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support, Resource Teaching allocations and Special Class provision that we have ever had, which will ensure that children with special educational needs can continue to participate in education and be supported in a manner appropriate to their needs.
This funding also provides for the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS), enhanced levels of capitation in Special Schools and Special Classes, specialist transport arrangements for pupils with disabilities, additional teacher training, a Home Tuition scheme providing a compensatory educational service and assistive technology support, where required.
All special schools receive enhanced pupil teacher ratios ranging from 6-1, to 12-1, depending on the disability categorisation of pupils attending. These enhanced ratios are provided because pupils attending special schools have very significant special educational needs. Special schools also receive very high levels of Special Educational Needs Assistant staffing support as well as enhanced capitation levels.
A breakdown of the grant payments made to the school in question for the period 2012 to 2014 is set out below. This does not include salary costs of teachers and SNAs in the school.
2012 Grants paid to St. Paul's Special School
|
Description |
Amount paid |
|
CAPITATION GRANT |
€27,675.86 |
|
ANCILLARY SERVICES GRANT C50 |
€28,212.50 |
|
STANDARDISED TESTING GRANT |
€239.70 |
|
ONCE-OFF GRANT FOR AUTISTIC UNIT |
€6,500.00 |
|
SCHOOL BOOKS GRANT |
€660.00 |
|
CAPITATION GRANT |
€11,604.30 |
|
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY |
€430.00 |
|
ADDITIONAL ACCOMMODATION 2012-70% |
€3,780.00 |
|
ESCORT RECONCILIATION 2011/12 & ADV 2012/13 |
€49,418.35 |
|
SUPERVISION GRANT |
€1,994.55 |
|
TOTAL |
€130,515.26 |
2013
|
CAPITATION GRANT |
€28,655.90 |
|
ADDIT ACCOMM 2012 FINAL INSTALMENT 30% |
€1,620.00 |
|
ANCILLARY SERVICES GRANT C50 |
€31,265.00 |
|
STANDARDISED TESTING GRANT |
€275.40 |
|
SCHOOL BOOKS GRANT |
€660.00 |
|
CAPITATION GRANT |
€18,378.10 |
|
ESCORT RECON 12-13 & ADV 13-14 |
€87,360.05 |
|
JULY PROGRAMME 2013 - TEACHERS |
€1,051.85 |
|
JULY PROGRAMME 2013 - NTS |
€2,460.07 |
|
SUPERVISION GRANT |
€2,102.36 |
|
MINOR WORKS GRANT 2013/14 ENROLMENT |
€3,996.00 |
|
MINOR WORKS GRANT 2013/14 FLAT RATE |
€5,500.00 |
|
TOTAL |
€183,324.73 |
2014
|
CAPITATION GRANT |
€32,319.00 |
|
ANCILLARY SERVICES GRANT C50 |
€31,265.00 |
|
STANDARDISED TESTING GRANT |
€275.40 |
|
SCHOOL BOOKS GRANT |
€660.00 |
|
CAPITATION GRANT |
€13,851.00 |
|
ESCORT REC 13/14 & ADV 14-15 |
€74,820.77 |
|
Minor Works Grant 2014/15 - Flat Rate |
€5,500.00 |
|
Minor Works Grant 2014/15 - Enrolment |
€3,996.00 |
|
POD IMPLEMENTATION GRANT |
€90.00 |
|
TOTAL |
€162,777.17 |
|
Total paid 2012 to 2014 |
€476,617.16 |
School Transport Administration
Questions (119, 120)
Charlie McConalogue
Question:119. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills with reference to the primary school transport scheme document on her website, if children in junior and senior infants whose school day finishes an hour earlier than the other children in the school and who avail of school transport can wait in the school for this hour until their bus picks them up based on point five of an agreement between her Department and Bus Éireann, which states an eligible child will not have to wait more than 1.5 hours per day (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32359/15]
View answerCharlie McConalogue
Question:120. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills her Department's policy regarding the supervision of children in junior and senior infants who avail of school transport and who finish an hour earlier than the other children in the school; if the school is obliged to provide supervision for this hour; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32363/15]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 119 and 120 together.
One of the main objectives of the School Transport Scheme is to ensure that, as far as possible, eligible children have a reasonable level of service while at the same time, ensuring that school transport vehicles are fully utilised in an efficient and cost effective manner.
In this regard, Bus Éireann generally plan and timetable school transport services for children who are in attendance for the full school day.
Children in infant classes may have a school day that is one hour shorter than the length of the normal school day. This is a concession in the interests of young children and allows for a perceived inability on their part to sustain the work of the full day. It is a matter for the Board of Management of a particular school to decide whether the concession should be applied in the case of the school or not. It is also a matter for the managerial authorities to arrange adequate supervision for children while they are on the school premises.