Written Answers os. 517-534
517. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 602 of 21 April 2015, the date on which she will review eligibility for assistance from Caranua in order to ensure that survivors are not unfairly excluded as a result of having not applied to the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund. [33076/15]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my reply to PQs 1254, 1255, 1256, 1268 and 1312 of 22 September 2015.
518. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she is aware of the long waiting times for in processing applications for assistance from Caranua; that there are persons waiting for over nine months for assistance; and her plans to address same. [33077/15]
View answerCaranua, the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board, is an independent statutory body established pursuant to the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act 2012. Administrative issues such as those raised in the Deputy's question are day to day matters that are the responsibility of Caranua itself. Caranua commenced accepting applications in January 2014 and I am advised that to date some 5,000 applications have been received. Caranua provides updates on its website (www.caranua.ie) in regard to the number of applications received and related matters. The most recent update shows that by end August 2015, Caranua had made payments of €31m to 2,336 applicants. Caranua has assured me that contrary to what the Deputy has stated in his question there are no applicants awaiting contact from Caranua for 9 months. If the Deputy is aware of an individual applicant who may be awaiting contact for such a period of time I suggest that he raise the matter directly with Caranua.
519. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she is aware of rules disallowing survivors of institutional abuse from engaging directly with board members of Caranua; the reason for this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33065/15]
View answerCaranua, the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board, is an independent statutory body established pursuant to the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act 2012. It is a matter for the Board to regulate its own procedures subject to the provisions of the 2012 Act and I have no role in the process.
520. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the legislative basis on which Caranua is entitled to ask applicants for assistance for medical evidence to support their application. [33043/15]
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 legislation sets out the Board's various powers and functions. Section 20 of the Act sets out the provisions that apply to the making of applications to the Board and associated matters.
521. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will meet members of Right to Peace, a group of survivors of institutional abuse, as they have requested. [33044/15]
View answerAs I explained to the Deputy in response to a Parliamentary Question on 26 May I met with representatives of the group Right to Peace on two occasions in the previous months. I am aware that the group has sought a further meeting with me and I will consider their request as my schedule permits. I should point out that representatives of the group have recently met with an official of my Department and I have also been in written correspondence with the group.
522. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of telephone lines operated by Caranua, whereby applicants can contact their case officers; the times at which these lines are available; if she is aware that some applicants are reporting that they have had to make over 25 separate telephone calls, in order to contact their case officer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33045/15]
View answerCaranua, the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board, is an independent statutory body established pursuant to the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act 2012. Administrative issues such as those raised in the Deputy's question are day to day matters that are the responsibility of Caranua itself. I have arranged to have the Deputy's question forwarded to Caranua with a view to having a response provided to him directly as soon as possible.
523. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of applications for assistance made to Caranua since its establishment; the number processed; and the level of resources allocated to these applications. [33046/15]
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. To date a total of €82.77 million, including €81.389m in contributions and €1.382m in associated interest has been lodged to the special Investment Account managed by the National Treasury Management Agency for the Fund. Caranua provides updates on its website (www.caranua.ie) in regard to the number of applications received and related matters. The most recent update shows that by end August 2015, Caranua had made payments of €31m to 2,336 applicants.
524. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the expenditure incurred by Caranua since its establishment, including salaries and expenses paid to staff. [33047/15]
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. Caranua provides updates on its website (www.caranua.ie) in regard to the number of applications received, the level of assistance provided, etc. The most recent update shows that by end August 2015, Caranua had made payments of €31m to 2,336 applicants. Details of Caranua's administrative expenditure, including the salaries and expenses of staff are set out in the organisation's financial statements. Caranua's 2013 Financial Statements covering the period 25th March to 31st December have been laid before each House of the Oireachtas as is required under the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act 2012. These show administration expenses for the period of €0.388m. I understand also that the provisional unaudited administrative costs associated with the running of Caranua in 2014 amounted to some €1.2m.
525. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the guidelines that are in place for Caranua case officers when reviewing quotes supplied by applicants for remedial work to homes; if it is standard practice for case officers to appoint specific builders or contractors on behalf of the applicants; the number of companies engaged by Caranua in this manner; the level of funding paid to them per application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33048/15]
View answerCaranua, the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board, is an independent statutory body established pursuant to the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act 2012. Administrative issues such as those raised in the Deputy's question are day to day matters that are the responsibility of Caranua itself. I have arranged to have the Deputy's question forwarded to Caranua with a view to having a response provided to him directly as soon as possible.
526. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of consultants engaged by Caranua; the payments made to date; the matters that they are consulting on; the details of any reports they have produced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33049/15]
View answerCaranua, the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board, is an independent statutory body established pursuant to the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act 2012. Section 7(7) of that Act provides that my approval be sought where the Board wishes to engage consultants or advisers. A number of consultancies have been approved under that section. The detailed information sought by the Deputy, in particular that regarding payments made to consultants is not available to me as it is a day to day matter that is the responsibility of the Board. I have arranged to have the Deputy's question forwarded to Caranua with a view to having a response provided to him directly as soon as possible.
527. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a decision will be made regarding an application to the staffing appeals tribunal by a school (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33055/15]
View answerThe criteria used for the allocation of teaching posts is published annually on the Department website. The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September. The staffing arrangements for primary schools for the 2015/16 school year are set out in Department Circular 0005/2015 which is available on my Department's website at www.education.gov.ie.
The circular sets out the improvements to the staffing schedule for the 2015/16 school year for small schools. These improvements are improved retention thresholds for the 2nd, 3rd and 4th classroom teacher and also the improved appointment and retention thresholds for isolated one-teacher schools. An appeals process is also available to small schools. Details of the appeals criteria are set out in the published staffing arrangements. The school referred to by the Deputy submitted an appeal to the October, 2015 meeting of the Primary Staffing Appeals Board. Schools that have submitted an appeal will be informed of the decision of the Board after this meeting takes place. The Primary Staffing Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.
528. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department is considering an additional allocation to a school (details supplied) in County Cork in respect of a school building project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33058/15]
View answerI am pleased to inform the Deputy that an additional allocation has been made to the school to which he refers for its building project and the school has been informed of the details.
529. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she is aware that primary school teachers cannot avail of training in the use of adrenaline auto-injectors for children with a severe allergic reaction; the steps she will take to ensure that children's lives are not placed in jeopardy due to the lack of such training; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33098/15]
View answerMy Department promotes the quality of teaching and learning through the provision of quality teacher training programmes and continuing professional development and support for principals and teachers in a range of pedagogical, curricular and educational areas. This is done through initial teacher education programmes, education centres and support services for teachers at primary and post-primary level. The administration of medicines in primary schools is the subject of an agreement between the Irish National Teachers Organisation and an organisation representing school management at primary level. The organisation of training in this area is a matter for the Board of Management of a school.
530. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views regarding a situation whereby a person with special needs (details supplied) in Dublin 9 is still in need of school transport provision, since application was made in March 2015; and if she will ensure that this matter is resolved immediately. [33104/15]
View answerUnder the terms of my Department's School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, children are eligible for transport where they are attending the nearest recognised school that is or can be resourced to meet their special educational needs. My Department has no record of a school transport application for the child in question. In this regard, the family should liaise with the school authorities and the Special Educational Needs Organiser.
531. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to increase the number of courses that are available in Cork south west to persons seeking to participate in the Springboard initiative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33109/15]
View answerSpringboard+ is a specific initiative that strategically targets funding of free higher education courses for jobseekers in areas where there are real, identified labour market skills shortages or employment opportunities. All courses approved for funding under Springboard+ are selected by an independent panel with industry and educational expertise following a competitive tendering process.
The number of approved courses in any particular area is determined by the number of proposals received following the call for proposals.
Many Springboard+ courses are delivered on-line enabling people to access them regardless of where they reside in the country. Full details regarding individual programmes, including modes of delivery, are published on the dedicated Springboard website www.springboardcourses.ie as well as on the websites of providers of Springboard programmes.
532. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to review the primary pupil-teacher ratio as a result of extra funding being made available in the forthcoming budget. [33117/15]
View answerTeacher allocations to all schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. The staffing schedule operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all similar types of schools equally irrespective of location. At primary level, it currently operates on the basis of 1 classroom teacher for an average of every 28 pupils, with lower thresholds for DEIS Band 1 schools.
The Government's approach to restoring the economy has helped Ireland to return to a position where we are seeing economic growth. It is a continuing improvement in our economic growth over a sustained period that will enable us to move to a point where we can look again at providing for additional teacher resources in schools which could bring about further improvement in PTR, class size and support for classroom teachers. 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. In the last Budget, I was able to secure the first increase in education spending in recent years. I am determined to continue pressing the case for increased investment in education in the forthcoming budget. The challenge for all schools is to ensure that they utilise their allocated resources to best effect to maximise teaching and learning outcomes.
533. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an independent student grant appeal by a person (details supplied); when a decision is expected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33119/15]
View answerThe student to which the Deputy refers, recently appealed the decision of the awarding authority to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board (SGAB). The appeal will be heard within the 60 day timeframe set out in the Student Support Act 2011. The decision of the SGAB will be communicated directly to the student in due course.
534. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide, in tabular form, details on the funding that has been spent in each year on the assistive technology scheme, from 2011 to date in 2015. [33153/15]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department provides funding to schools towards the cost of assistive technology for pupils in Primary, Post Primary and Special schools for personal computers and specialist software for educational purposes under the Assistive Technology scheme, in accordance with the criteria set out in my Department's Circular 0010/2013. Details of the funds that has been spent on the Assistive Technology Scheme, in primary and post primary schools in each year from 2011 to date in 2015, is included in the following table.
|
Assistive Technology & Equipment Grants |
Primary |
Post Primary |
Total |
|
2015 to End August |
€876,430 |
€244,000 |
€1,120,430 |
|
2014 |
€1,231,877 |
€343,717 |
€1,575,594 |
|
2013 |
€1,085,834 |
€363,032 |
€1,448,866 |
|
2012 |
€1,132,295 |
€310,562 |
€1,442,857 |
|
2011 |
€940,391 |
€286,962 |
€1,227,353 |
