Noel Harrington
Question:642. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Education and Skills to set out the cost of every additional 100 Momentum places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34297/15]
View answerMomentum Programme
Questions (642)
Written answers
I am informed by SOLAS that the estimated cost of training 100 participants in the current Momentum programme is €320,000.
Springboard Programme
Questions (643)
Noel Harrington
Question:643. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Education and Skills to set out the cost of every additional 100 Springboard places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34298/15]
View answerWritten answers
The average unit cost of a Springboard place is €4,450. However, the actual cost of individual places on Springboard courses varies from course to course, and can range between €578 to €10,500 per place, depending on the nature, the length and the skills area of the course. It is therefore not possible to give a general figure for the cost of every additional 100 Springboard places, without specifying the nature, type and level of the course.
Departmental Contracts
Questions (644, 645)
Clare Daly
Question:644. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 549 of 12 May 2015 and given the Comptroller and Auditor General’s report of 29 September 2015 as well as the statement regarding the home tuition scheme, if she will set out the reason her Department did not engage in a competitive procurement process for the provision of these services, as detailed in the report, but instead, as previously highlighted, made only one exception and paid millions of euro exclusively for a number of years to one private commercial organisation, despite her Department being fully aware of similar parent-led charities in existence at that time which provided similar services. [34330/15]
View answerClare Daly
Question:645. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills given the Comptroller and Auditor General’s report of 29 September 2015 and the statement that her Department annually provides details of procurement contracts above €25,000 that have been awarded without a competitive process to both the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Comptroller and Auditor General, to explain the reason her Department failed to include details of the annual payment of millions of euro to the one private commercial organisation in the returns submitted. [34331/15]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 644 and 645 together.
In his Report on the Report of the Accounts of the Public Services, 2014, the Comptroller and Auditor General reported, in section 12.33, that some tuition for pre-school children with autism is delivered by specialist providers in a classroom setting at a cost to the Department of around €4 million in 2014. In areas where such services are available, it is for the parents to choose between tuition provided by a tutor in the home and the classroom-based tuition. The report also notes that the Department does not engage in a competitive procurement process for the provision of classroom-based tuition by specialist providers. Instead, the Department each year agrees a fee basis with the specialist providers in respect of tuition delivered to children approved for home tuition.
This is an acknowledgement that parents of children, who are eligible for Home Tuition under the Department's scheme, have the freedom and flexibility to select the specialist provider themselves, subject to the provider's agreement to comply with the general provisions of the scheme and to the cost and payment arrangements set out by the Department.
In all such cases the contract under which the services of the provider are provided to the eligible child exists between the service provider and the parents. As the Department is not party to these individual contracts they do not form part of the Department's annual return to either the Department of Expenditure and reform or the Comptroller and Auditor General.
While the Department has considered the possibility of tendering for such services, the Department is conscious that the procurement of such services centrally through a procurement process would remove the option from parents of selecting their preferred provider. However, the Department is currently exploring the use of procurement frameworks which might allow for agreement of a pricing structure, but with flexibility in relation to volume and drawdown of service and has sought and is awaiting advice from the new Office of Government Procurement (OGP) on this possibility.
Schools Building Projects Status
Questions (646)
John McGuinness
Question:646. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 467 of 17 February 2015 regarding a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary and the provision of a new school building, whether a site has been identified; if so, the timeframe for the provision of a new school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34334/15]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy may be aware, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Department of Education and Skills and the County and City Managers' Association (CCMA) in relation to the acquisition of sites has been in place since 2012. This MOU fosters increased levels of cooperation and formalises the Local Authorities' part in identifying and securing sites for educational use. Officials in the Department are working with officials from Tipperary County Council under the MOU in relation to the acquisition process for a suitable permanent site for the school to which the Deputy refers.
Once a site has been acquired, the project will be progressed to architectural planning.
School Costs
Questions (647)
Jim Daly
Question:647. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills to set out her views on the issuing of written demands for cash payments to parents of school-going children by school authorities in return for providing the children with an education; the steps she will take to eradicate and outlaw this practice by ensuring her Department provides all necessary funding to school authorities to allow them to provide an education to each child without financial charges, as is their constitutional right; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34335/15]
View answerWritten answers
Apart from the recognised fee-charging second level schools, recognised schools are precluded from charging school fees.
Voluntary contributions by parents of pupils in such recognised schools are permissible provided it is made absolutely clear to parents that there is no question of compulsion to pay and that, in making a contribution, they are doing so of their own volition. The manner in which such voluntary contributions are sought and collected is a matter for school management; however their collection should be such as not to create a situation where either parents or pupils could reasonably infer that the contributions take on a compulsory character.
A school may seek payment to cover the cost of photocopied or other such learning materials where the amount sought by the school is consistent with the costs involved and the level of materials provided. It is also permissible for a school to seek payments in respect of extra-curricular activities provided such activities are not obligatory and individual pupils can choose whether or not to participate. No charge may be made, however, in respect of instruction in any subject of the school curriculum or for recreation or other activities where all pupils are expected to take part.
As the Deputy is aware, the Education (Admission to Schools) Bill, which was published in April of this year, prohibits the charging of fees or seeking payment or contributions as part of the school admission process or for continued enrolment in the school. Exceptions are provided in the case of fees charged by schools known as fee charging schools, fees charged by boarding schools for the boarding element and fees charged by schools for post leaving certificate courses insofar as those fees relate to the cost of providing such courses.
I do recognise the need to improve capitation funding for schools having regard to the reductions that were necessary over recent years. 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.
Third Level Fees
Questions (648)
Michael Fitzmaurice
Question:648. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education and Skills to set out the number of students who have qualified to have third level fees paid for the academic year 2015-16; the total that will be spent on the payment of third level fees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34345/15]
View answerWritten answers
Details on the number of students who will qualify for free fees funding for the academic year 2015/16 are not yet available. However, in the most recent year for which information is available, 2013/14, 129,261 students qualified for free fees funding. This resulted in a cost to my Department in the region of €310 m.
Student Support Schemes
Questions (649, 650)
Michael Fitzmaurice
Question:649. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education and Skills to set out the number of students who will receive a third level maintenance grant; the total amount that will be spent on these grants, for the academic year 2015-16; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34346/15]
View answerMichael Fitzmaurice
Question:650. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education and Skills to set out the number of mature students who have qualified to have their fees paid by the Government for the academic year 2015-16; the total paid by Government; the total cost of Government spending on third level maintenance grants for mature students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34347/15]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 649 and 650 together.
It is anticipated that statistics for the 2015/16 outturn will not be available until late Spring 2016.
The Grants Online Application system for the 2015/16 academic year is still open although the deadline for receipt of applications for priority processing has passed. Late applications will continue to be accepted by SUSI until early November. As such, the 2015/16 outturn information sought by the Deputy will not be available until after the deadline for receipt of applications has passed and all applications have been processed to finality.
Third Level Funding
Questions (651)
Michael Fitzmaurice
Question:651. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education and Skills to outline the total cost of spending on third level education during the 2014-15 academic year, inclusive of all supports, grants, etc.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34349/15]
View answerWritten answers
The position is that my Department allocates funding on a calendar year basis. In 2014 the overall funding provided by my Department including recurrent funding (core grant and free fees), and that provided under the Student Grant Scheme, higher education research funding and other higher education funding (excluding capital expenditure) was €1,471.8 billion.
Schools Refurbishment
Questions (652)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:652. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills to outline the progress to date in the provision of a replacement primary school for a school (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34394/15]
View answerWritten answers
I can confirm to the Deputy that the school in question submitted a major capital application to my Department to provide for extension and refurbishment works.
Following a site visit in December 2014, my Department's technical staff revisited the school earlier this year to gather further information. My Department is currently considering the options available to it in addressing the school's accommodation needs and in that context, it is my Department's intention to liaise with the school Patron. Following this contact, my Department will be in further contact with the school.
Schools Building Projects Status
Questions (653)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:653. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills to outline the progress to date in the provision of a replacement building for a school (details provided) in County Galway; when a contractor will be selected for this project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34395/15]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to advise the Deputy that the school building project to which he refers is at an advanced stage of the tender process. Subject to no issues arising it is envisaged that a Contractor will be selected before late December.
Home Tuition Scheme
Questions (654, 655)
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:654. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to her reply on 10 June 2015 in which she stated that her Department does not have any contracts in place with service providers for the home tuition scheme, if she will report on the recent report of the Comptroller and Auditor General, which discusses such contracts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34418/15]
View answerThomas P. Broughan
Question:655. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills to explain the reasons for her Department not engaging in a competitive procurement process for the provision of classroom-based tuition by specialist providers in respect of the home tuition scheme, as highlighted in the recent report of the Comptroller and Auditor General; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34419/15]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 654 and 655 together.
In his Report on the Report of the Accounts of the Public Services, 2014, the Comptroller and Auditor General reported, in section 12.33, that some tuition for pre-school children with autism is delivered by specialist providers in a classroom setting at a cost to the Department of around €4 million in 2014. In areas where such services are available, it is for the parents to choose between tuition provided by a tutor in the home and the classroom-based tuition.
The report also notes that the Department does not engage in a competitive procurement process for the provision of classroom-based tuition by specialist providers. Instead, the Department each year agrees a fee basis with the specialist providers in respect of tuition delivered to children approved for home tuition.
This is an acknowledgement that parents of children, who are eligible for Home Tuition under the Department's scheme, have the freedom and flexibility to select the specialist provider themselves, subject to the provider's agreement to comply with the general provisions of the scheme and to the cost and payment arrangements set out by the Department.
In all such cases the contract under which the services of the provider are provided to the eligible child exists between the service provider and the parents.
While the Department has considered the possibility of tendering for such services, the Department is conscious that the procurement of such services centrally through a procurement process would remove the option from parents of selecting their preferred provider.
However, the Department is currently exploring the use of procurement frameworks which might allow for agreement of a pricing structure, but with flexibility in relation to volume and drawdown of service and has sought and is awaiting advice from the new Office of Government Procurement (OGP) on this possibility.
Further Education and Training Colleges
Questions (656)
Pádraig MacLochlainn
Question:656. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Education and Skills to outline her plans to bring increased accountability and transparency of grading procedures for further education students in line with those for higher education students; and to introduce a mechanism by which further education students will receive an explanation for why they have been awarded a particular overall grade on course work that they have submitted. [34426/15]
View answerWritten answers
Providers of QQI validated education and training programmes are required to establish procedures which are fair and consistent for the assessment of enrolled learners. These procedures are in place to ensure the standards of knowledge, skill or competence as determined by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) are acquired, and where appropriate, demonstrated, by enrolled learners.
The policies and guidelines for the establishment of these procedures are available on the QQI website at www.qqi.ie.
School Accommodation Provision
Questions (657)
Michael Colreavy
Question:657. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Education and Skills whether she is aware of the safety concerns involving a school (details supplied) in County Sligo; and her plans to provide a new school, given that the number of pupils is rising. [34427/15]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department agreed to the schools proposal to amalgamate on the schools existing sites with effect from September 2013 and that this position would not change in the future.While my Department is not in a position to consider the request for a new school, funding was provided for a mainstream classroom and resource room to meet the school's immediate accommodation needs.
In general, individual school authorities are responsible, in the first instance, for ensuring the safety and welfare of children and others in their care. I also wish to advise the Deputy that the issue of road safety measures outside the vested site areas of schools, such as road signage, traffic calming measures, parking etc., is a matter that should be raised in the first instance with the relevant Local Authority.
Universities Legislation
Questions (658)
Finian McGrath
Question:658. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the Universities (Amendment) Bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34437/15]
View answerWritten answers
The Universities (Amendment) Bill will require universities to comply with Government guidelines on remuneration, allowances, pensions and staffing numbers in the university sector. The Bill is currently at an advanced drafting stage and is expected to be published soon.
Schools Building Projects Applications
Questions (659)
Michael Creed
Question:659. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education and Skills to set out the number of primary schools at stage 2B of the planning process for new schools and extensions; if she will confirm that a school (details supplied) in County Cork is at this stage; if it is envisaged that all schools at this stage will be part of the revised five-year building programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34456/15]
View answerWritten answers
The Major Building Project referred to by the Deputy is one of 22 primary school projects currently at Stage 2(b) of Architectural Planning which are not on the current 5 year construction programme. Details of all projects are available on my Department's website.
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.
I wish to advise the Deputy that school building projects, including the projects to which he refers, which have been initiated but not included in the current five year construction programme, will continue to be progressed to final planning stages and will be well placed for consideration for inclusion in future construction programmes.
Teaching Council of Ireland
Questions (660)
Michael Creed
Question:660. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education and Skills to explain the reason for the delay in registering with the Teaching Council of Ireland; if she will request that an application (details supplied) be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34457/15]
View answerWritten answers
As 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, including the processing of applications for registration.
The issue raised is an operational matter for the Teaching Council and therefore this matter should be taken up directly with it.
Student Grant Scheme Eligibility
Questions (661)
Charlie McConalogue
Question:661. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills to outline her plans to make the student grant scheme more accessible by allowing those who are self-employed and experiencing a significant downturn in business to apply their current accounts in a change of circumstance (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34475/15]
View answerWritten answers
Article 32 of the Student Grant Scheme 2015 provides for the review of eligibility for the award of a grant in the event of changes of circumstances in the academic year, including a change in relation to reckonable income for the self-employed.
In order for grant eligibility to be re-assessed under the changes of circumstances provision, the awarding authority must be satisfied that the fall in income is likely to obtain for the duration of the approved course or the foreseeable future. The required documentary evidence for grant purposes to verify that the reduction in reckonable income for the self-employed is permanent in nature is evidence of cessation of trading, de-registration for VAT or documentary evidence confirming the person is now in receipt of a means-tested social welfare payment. Fluctuations in income for the self-employed cannot be considered as a permanent change for grant purposes, since income may fluctuate from year to year due to the nature of self-employment. However, an applicant will be given the benefit of any reduction in income when he/she is re-assessed by the grant awarding authority the following academic year.
School Accommodation Provision
Questions (662)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:662. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills to set out the position regarding funding for a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34481/15]
View answerWritten answers
I can confirm that an application for major capital works and an application also for additional accommodation to meet the school's immediate accommodation requirements for September 2016 has recently been received by my Department.
In that regard, my Department has already been in contact with the school and have advised the school that it will be in further contact as soon as the assessment process has been progressed.
Special Educational Needs Service Provision
Questions (663)
Jim Daly
Question:663. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will confirm receipt of correspondence from a person (details supplied) in County Cork; if she is aware of this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34535/15]
View answerWritten answers
The child referred to by the Deputy is eligible for school transport under the terms of my Department's School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs.
The family has advised my Department that they are not in a position to bring their daughter to and from school and Bus Éireann has been requested to establish a dedicated school transport service for this child.
The family should liaise with their local Bus Éireann office at 021 - 4557137 regarding the commencement date for this service.
Special Educational Needs Service Provision
Questions (664)
Michael McGrath
Question:664. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide details of the in-school supports that are available, depending on the needs of the individual child, for a child in second level education diagnosed with dyspraxia; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34545/15]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department provides for a range of services and supports to ensure that children with special educational needs, including children with Dyspraxia, can have access to an education appropriate to their needs.
These supports include additional teaching and care support, enhanced capitation, specialist school transport arrangements, assistive technology and/or specialist equipment, adaptations for school buildings where necessary and additional training for teachers of children with special educational needs, including teachers of children with Dyspraxia.
Children with Dyspraxia attending Post Primary school may be entitled to additional teaching provision in school, either under the terms of the school's teaching allocation for pupils with high incidence special educational needs if the educational psychological assessment places the child in the high incidence disability category, or through an allocation of additional resources if the child is assessed as being within the low incidence category of special need, as defined by my Department's circular. The precise level of support is determined by the special educational needs of the particular child.
Guidance has been provided for schools on the manner in which they should use the resources that have been allocated to them to best effect. My Department's Circulars 02/2005 and 0070/2014 provide guidelines in relation to the utilisation of additional teaching support for pupils with special educational needs.
In addition, the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) has produced guidelines for schools entitled 'A Continuum of Support for Post Primary Schools' which describes the graduated problem-solving model of assessment and intervention in schools, which is available on my Department's website www.education.gov.ie.
It is a matter for schools to monitor and utilise their allocation of additional teaching support to best support the needs of identified pupils, in accordance with my Department's guidance.
Finally, my Department provides for support for teachers with additional training needs in the area of Dyspraxia. The Special Education Support Service (SESS) manages, co-ordinates and develops a range of supports in response to identified teacher training needs. The SESS provides Continuing Professional Development (CPD) support for teachers of pupils with Dyspraxia through an Inclusive Learning Resource Teachers course as well as an online resource facility and an online book borrowing facility.
Pupil-Teacher Ratio
Questions (665)
Gabrielle McFadden
Question:665. Deputy Gabrielle McFadden asked the Minister for Education and Skills to outline her views on the campaign by the Irish National Teachers' Organisation, which is calling for the reduction of class sizes to the European Union average, and related matters (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34552/15]
View answerWritten answers
There are many demands on me for extra investment at all levels including those raised by the INTO. At the INTO Congress last Easter I indicated that improving the position in relation to primary class size is one of my priorities.
I have already indicated that 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 very aware that we need to invest more in our youngest children, and in supporting parents to make the choices that are right for them. Our schools need more staffing, better funding, and functioning middle-management structures and I am determined that we will build on what we achieved last year.
The challenge for all schools is to ensure that they utilise their allocated resources to best effect to maximise teaching and learning outcomes.
School Enrolments Data
Questions (666)
John Perry
Question:666. Deputy John Perry asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will indicate the section 29 appeals undertaken in each of the past five years, including details of the outcomes (details supplied). [34555/15]
View answerWritten answers
Statistics on the number of Section 29 appeals for the last 5 years are provided in the following table, together with a breakdown on the outcomes of those appeals. The statistics are compiled on a calendar-year basis for the years 2010 to 2014.
I wish to confirm that the statistics contain details of all appeals to the Secretary General of my Department, including those appeals that were taken following an initial appeal to the Education and Training Boards (ETBs), formerly known as Vocational Education Committees (VECs).
My Department does not gather statistics on appeals made to ETBs (or former VECs) which were concluded without further appeal to the Secretary General of my Department.
|
Year |
Sector |
Number of appeals lodged |
|
2010 |
Primary |
75 |
|
Post Primary |
294 |
|
|
2011 |
Primary |
104 |
|
Post Primary |
263 |
|
|
2012 |
Primary |
101 |
|
Post Primary |
254 |
|
|
2013 |
Primary |
140 |
|
Post Primary |
263 |
|
|
2014 |
Primary |
145 |
|
Post Primary |
266 |
Appeal Outcomes 2010 - 2014
|
Primary 2010 |
Resolved before hearing* |
Upheld at hearing |
Not upheld |
Referred to BOM |
|
Refusal to enrol |
34 |
7 |
21 |
4 |
|
Expulsions |
3 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
|
Suspensions |
0 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
|
Post Primary 2010 |
||||
|
Refusal to enrol |
85 |
20 |
111 |
13 |
|
Expulsions |
22 |
5 |
35 |
1 |
|
Suspensions |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
-
|
Primary 2011 |
Resolved before hearing* |
Upheld at hearing |
Not upheld |
|
Refusal to enrol |
46 |
22 |
21 |
|
Expulsions |
2 |
1 |
5 |
|
Suspensions |
0 |
5 |
2 |
|
Post Primary 2011 |
|||
|
Refusal to enrol |
78 |
46 |
57 |
|
Expulsions |
20 |
15 |
38 |
|
Suspensions |
3 |
6 |
0 |
-
|
Primary 2012 |
Resolved before hearing* |
Upheld at hearing |
Not upheld |
|
Refusal to enrol |
51 |
15 |
19 |
|
Expulsions |
2 |
4 |
6 |
|
Suspensions |
1 |
2 |
1 |
|
Post Primary 2012 |
|||
|
Refusal to enrol |
73 |
25 |
61 |
|
Expulsions |
13 |
12 |
61 |
|
Suspensions |
2 |
7 |
0 |
-
|
Primary 2013 |
Resolved before hearing* |
Upheld at hearing |
Not upheld |
|
Refusal to enrol |
71 |
30 |
29 |
|
Expulsions |
3 |
1 |
5 |
|
Suspensions |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Post Primary 2013 |
|||
|
Refusal to enrol |
109 |
21 |
62 |
|
Expulsions |
15 |
15 |
37 |
|
Suspensions |
2 |
2 |
0 |
-
|
Primary 2014 |
Resolved before hearing* |
Upheld at hearing |
Not upheld |
|
Refusal to enrol |
73 |
19 |
39 |
|
Expulsions |
1 |
2 |
4 |
|
Suspensions |
1 |
4 |
2 |
|
Post Primary 2014 |
|||
|
Refusal to enrol |
97 |
40 |
77 |
|
Expulsions |
12 |
16 |
20 |
|
Suspensions |
2 |
2 |
0 |
*Resolved before hearing includes appeals withdrawn before hearing.