Written Answers Nos. 535-553
535. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will intervene to prevent University College Dublin from charging rent in its student accommodation linked to the market rates in the area (details supplied). [33154/15]
View answerUCD is an autonomous institution within the meaning of the Universities Act 1997. The management of its student accommodation, including the rental rate are matters for which the Governing Body and the management authorities of UCD are responsible.
536. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding retention and appointment figures for teachers in school with one to four teachers; the reason for the divergence between retention and appointment figures; when this policy of differing enrolments for retention and appointment in these schools was first introduced by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33156/15]
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.
The Deputy will be aware that I announced some improvements in the staffing schedule for small primary schools in February 2015. These changes were introduced to better support the sustainability of small schools and particularly those in isolated areas and were the only changes that I made to the staffing arrangements for schools for the 2015/16 school year. 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. These improvements particularly recognise the challenges faced by very small schools that are more than 8km from the next nearest school of the same type. This package of measures will provide rural communities with security about the future of their small schools, recognising the essential social function which small schools can play, especially in isolated communities. An appeals process is also available to small schools. Details of the criteria for appeal are contained in the staffing schedule, Circular 0005/2015. The Primary Staffing Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final. Separate appointment and retention figures are also a long standing feature of the staffing schedule for Gaeltacht schools.
537. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views regarding issues in a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; the action taken to address the concerns raised; if the matter has been resolved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33168/15]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has received correspondence from the school in question relating to the matter to which he refers. My Department expects to be in a position to respond to this correspondence shortly.
538. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will change the terms of service for primary school teachers so that teachers who have a break in service and who do not return to work as a teacher for one day every six months will not be treated as new entrants when they eventually return to work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33176/15]
View answerThe Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 which became law in 2004 sets out the detailed definition of a "new entrant". In general terms a "new entrant" is a person who commences public service employment for the first time from 1 April 2004 onwards but before 1 January 2013 and has not had a break of more than 26 weeks in his/her public service employment. In the case of a person who was in continuous public service employment from before 1 April 2004 who has a break of more than 26 weeks which ended before 1 January 2013 he or she is also a new entrant on resumption. In the case of the majority of public servants (including teachers) the Act also provides that age 65 is the minimum age at which pension may be paid to a "new entrant" and also provides that new entrants will not be required to retire on age grounds. Subsequently additional legislation was introduced - the Public Service Pension (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 which outlines that persons employed in pensionable public service employment for the first time on or after 1 January 2013 are members of the "Single Scheme" and must conform to the rules of this scheme as laid down by law. The provisions governing both employment as a "new entrant" and a "single scheme" member are provided for in primary legislation and are of application throughout the public service generally. The terms and conditions in this regard for persons on taking up employment or resuming employment following a break in their service (such as the person referred to by the Deputy) must conform to the legislation.
539. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education and Skills to provide a detailed breakdown of the specific measures, for example, the number of new teachers or special needs assistants to be employed in 2016, to be provided for in the health sector as part of the demographic provision in budget 2016. [33191/15]
View answerCircular 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. This Circular states that SNA support is provided in recognised primary, post primary schools and special schools only, and that it is not provided in centres such as medical facilities or hospitals, which will generally have a care dimension incorporated into their own staffing arrangements. In certain circumstances my Department provides for some teaching provision in health sector facilities, however, this is generally provided for through the co-operation teaching hours scheme which is operated by Education and Training Boards (ETBs) where the local service provider makes application to the relevant ETB for tuition hours. As such it is not normally provided through designated staffing provision which is made directly by my Department to the health sector. As considerations in relation to the forthcoming Budget 2016 are still ongoing, it would not be appropriate for me to comment in relation to such matters in advance of the Budget.
540. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 1198, 1199 and 1286 of 22 September 2015, if her Department monitors whether institutes of technology adhere to the employment control framework; the actions her Department takes when a notification is made that an institute of technology has breached the framework; whether it is legal for third level institutions to discriminate on the basis of religion when appointing persons as chaplains. [33194/15]
View answer555. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views that State-funded contracts are awarded on a sectarian basis by public bodies; if there are public procurement guidelines available which would ensure value for money within the third level education sector. [33378/15]
View answer556. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 1198, 1199 and 1286 of 22 September 2015, if she is aware that the institutes of technology are in breach of public sector appointment criteria or the employment control framework for the sector regarding the recruitment of chaplains; the amount of that funding allocated to the institutes of technology by the Higher Education Authority; and if she will provide a breakdown of the institutes of technology which are in breach of public sector appointment criteria or the employment control framework. [33381/15]
View answer557. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 1198, 1199 and 1286 of 22 September 2015, the steps that she and the Higher Education Authority will take to ensure that the institutes of technology that are in breach of the public sector appointment criteria or the employment control framework will abide by these criteria; and her plans to hold these institutes to account. [33382/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 540 and 555 to 557, inclusive, together.
My Department allocates recurrent funding to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) for direct disbursement to the HEA designated higher education institutions, including Institutes of Technology. The HEA allocates this funding to the institutions and the internal disbursement of funding is then a matter for the individual institution. The total recurrent funding allocated by the HEA to the Institutes of Technology last year was €363.5m. Most third level institutions provide chaplaincy services for their student body and decisions on such provision is a matter for the individual institutions as autonomous bodies. Chaplaincy services can be provided by way of either the appointment of a chaplain as a member of staff of the relevant institution or by the provision by the diocese/other appropriate body of a chaplaincy service by way of a contract for services. The recruitment of staff is also a matter for individual higher education institutions, however, it should be in line with public sector appointment criteria and the provisions of the Employment Control Framework for the sector. Officials of my Department have been in discussions with the HEA in relation to this matter and it has been agreed that the HEA will undertake a survey on the recruitment of chaplaincy services within the institutions.
541. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Education and Skills what supports, other than the Student Universal Support Ireland maintenance grant, are available to students whose families are struggling financially to maintain them in third level education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33200/15]
View answerIn addition to the supports under the Student Grant 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. Information on the fund is available through the Access Office in the third level institution attended. In addition to the supports provided by my Department, the option of tax relief at the standard rate of tax may be claimed in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education including approved undergraduate and postgraduate courses in EU Member States and in non-EU countries. Further information on this tax relief is available from the Revenue Commissioners on their website at www.revenue.ie
542. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on when the funding will be released for a new school (details supplied) in County Roscommon; when construction is likely to start; when the first tranche of funding will be drawn down; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33201/15]
View answerThe project to which the Deputy refers is currently out to tender. The project was included in the 2015 list of projects to proceed to construction this year. However, until tenders are received and assessed, it would not be possible to provide an indicative date for when construction is likely to start. Funding will be drawn down in the normal way once construction starts.
543. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students who have had their Student Universal Support Ireland student grant changed from the non-adjacent rate to the adjacent rate this year, due to a recalculation of the distances from students' homes to colleges; the process underway to re-examine distances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33206/15]
View answerThere were 220 cases where an award changed from Non-Adjacent to Adjacent between the 2014/15 and 2015/16 academic years. In the majority of cases the reclassification occurred as a consequence of new information provided by the student. The current qualifying distance for the higher non-adjacent rate of student grant, at 45km, takes into account a reasonable radius within which students may commute on a daily basis. There are no plans at present to revise the distance criteria.
545. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position in relation to a major building project (details supplied) in County Galway; if her Department will contact the design team and school authorities regarding the progression of the project; if the school will be included in the school building programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33252/15]
View answerThe Major Building Project referred to by the Deputy is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning. The Stage 2b Submission (Detailed Design) has been approved by the Department, however, as the project was not included in the Department's Five Year Building Programme, the project was not authorised to proceed to tender. The Design Team and Board of Management were informed of this by letter in July 2015. School building projects, including the project referred to by the Deputy, which have been initiated but not included in the current five year construction programme will continue to be progressed to final planning stages of architectural planning in anticipation of the possibility of further funds being available to the Department in the future.
546. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to change the grant-aid that schools use to employ caretaker staff, that would result in those staff being employed directly by her Department rather than by the board of the school; and if she will provide the detail of any such changes proposed. [33257/15]
View answerThe majority of primary schools and voluntary secondary schools receive grant assistance to provide for caretaking (and/or secretarial) services. Within the grant schemes, the level and extent of services provided is a matter for school management who, through the discretion afforded under the scheme, apply diverse arrangements for caretaking (and/or secretarial) services as resources permit. Where a school uses the grant funding to employ a Caretaker (and/or Secretary), such staff are employees of the individual school. The Department therefore does not have any role in determining the pay and conditions under which they are engaged. These are matters to be agreed between the staff concerned and the school management, subject of course to any relevant statutory provisions. Notwithstanding the above, a forum was established under the Towards 2016 agreement involving the Department of Education and Skills, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, IMPACT and SIPTU. The forum was established on the understanding that the unions accepted that there would be no change in the existing employment relationship and that consideration of any proposals must have regard to current and future budgetary provision and related financial constraints. The first aspect of the forum's tasks (establishing the factual position in schools regarding terms and conditions, including pay, of School Secretaries and Caretakers) was completed. However, discussions on the second element (the proposal of the unions to introduce an interim minimum pay rate) did not begin due to the State's serious budgetary and financial position, as any agreement would inevitably result in increased costs to the Exchequer. It was recently agreed that my Department would engage with the union side in relation to issues around the pay of Caretakers and Secretaries. The parties have now entered an arbitration process conducted by the Labour Relations Commission. The Deputy will appreciate that as the arbitration process is ongoing, it would be inappropriate for me to make any further comment at this time.
547. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a new school project (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33262/15]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, due diligence must apply in relation to any site acquisition. With regard to the proposed site for the school referred to by the Deputy, issues outside the control of my Department arose during the conveyancing process. These issues have now been addressed which will enable the conveyancing process to be progressed. In the interim period the Department had been progressing plans for the delivery of the school building. Planning permission has been obtained and assuming no further issues arise, the Department expects to be in a position to advance the project to construction once the conveyancing process has been satisfactorily concluded.
548. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a new school project (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33263/15]
View answerOfficials from my Department are currently working closely with officials from Galway County Council in relation to the acquisition of suitable sites to facilitate the provision of a number of school building projects in the area referred to by the Deputy. This acquisition process continues to be progressed.
The provision of permanent school accommodation for the school referred to by the Deputy will be progressed into the architectural planning process once the site issues are resolved.
549. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a new school project (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33264/15]
View answerI can advise that my Department has acknowledged the need for a new school building in respect of the school referred to by the Deputy. In that regard, my Department is satisfied that the site being made available is suitable for the development of a new school building. The project brief has been finalised and agreement was recently reached with the school in that regard. In that context, the project has been progressed into the architectural planning process. The next step involves the appointment of a Design Team and officials in the Department have also recently been in contact with the school in this regard.
550. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for the delay in processing a teacher (details supplied) in County Mayo's Teaching Council registration; if she will intervene with the Teaching Council to request that this application will be processed without delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33282/15]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, since 2006, under the Teaching Council Act 2001, the Teaching Council is the regulator and standards body for the teaching profession. The Council is also the competent authority for the recognition of qualifications under EU Directive 2005/36/EC. The Council is independent in the exercise of these functions. The issue raised is an operational matter for the Teaching Council and should be taken up directly with it.
551. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update regarding the grant application of a school (details supplied) in Dublin 3; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33322/15]
View answerThe major building project for the school is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning, Stage 2b. Stage 2b includes the applications for Planning Permission, Fire Safety Certificate, Disability Access Certificate and the preparation of tender documents. All statutory approvals have been secured and the tender documents have been finalised. Due to competing demands on the Department's capital budget imposed by the need to prioritise the limited funding available for the provision of additional school accommodation to meet increasing demographic requirements it was not possible to include this project in the 5 year construction programme announced in March 2012. School building projects, including the project referred to by the Deputy, which have been initiated but not included in the current five year construction programme will continue to be progressed to final planning stages of architectural planning in anticipation of the possibility of further funds being available to the Department in the future.
552. Deputy Dinny McGinley asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an application has been received by her Department for the provision of accommodation to accommodate a special needs assistant for a school (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33324/15]
View answerThe school in question applied to my Department for funding towards the provision of an additional special education teaching room. My Department has advised the school that the space sought can be provided through reconfiguring existing accommodation. My Department considers that the provision of additional accommodation is therefore not required. The 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 are 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. Details of SNA allocations to schools for 2015/16, including the school referred to by the Deputy, are now available on the NCSE website www.ncse.ie. All schools have the contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.
553. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide in tabular form the current average class size in primary level and in secondary level schools and the first-year and full-year cost of reducing the average size of primary level classes by one pupil, two pupils and three pupils. [33345/15]
View answerTeacher allocations to all schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. The criteria for the allocation of posts are communicated to school managements annually and are available on the Department website.
At post primary level teaching posts are allocated on the basis of 19:1 with a ratio of 18.25 applying in DEIS schools and 23.1 in fee charging schools. The staffing schedule at primary level operates on the basis of 1 classroom teacher for an average of every 28 pupils, with lower thresholds for DEIS Band 1 schools. Each one point adjustment to the current 28:1 schedule at primary level is estimated to cost of the order of 250 posts (estimated €15m full year cost, €5m first year cost). The Statistics Section of my Department's website contains extensive data relating to schools. The most recent published information relates to the 2014/2015 school year.
