Tuesday, 20 Oct 2015

Written Answers Nos. 553-573

Ambulance Service Provision

Questions (553)

Michael McCarthy

Question:

553. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health when he plans to release the capacity review into the national ambulance service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36088/15]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow up the matter.

HSE Data

Questions (554, 555)

Billy Timmins

Question:

554. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health the contract a company (details supplied) currently has with the Health Service Executive; the amount the company has been paid to date for that contract; the details of what it involves; the reports that have been completed; when the contract ceases; the total cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36119/15]

Billy Timmins

Question:

555. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health the contracts a company (details supplied) has had with the Health Service Executive since 2011; the details of what these were for; the cost to date for the work and services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36120/15]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 554 and 555 together.

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the questions to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, he can contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with the HSE.

Health Services Provision

Questions (556)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

556. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health when the Health Service Executive will approve treatment for a person (details supplied) who has been on a waiting list for ear, nose and throat treatment over the ministerial target of 15 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36125/15]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow up the matter.

Clinical Trials

Questions (557)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

557. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding Roaccutane studies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36145/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As Roaccutane is not authorised in Ireland for the treatment of cancer, no data is available to the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA).

However if the Deputy is interested in reviewing international clinical trials data the two best websites are clinicaltrialsregister.eu and clinicaltrials.gov

HSE Data

Questions (558)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

558. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the cost to the Exchequer of a number of initiatives (details supplied), given the inability of the Health Service Executive, through the Minister for Health, to do so. [36081/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The HSE has advised that it has not undertaken a financial modelling exercise to estimate the cost for the provision of medical cards to all persons in the 0-69 age cohorts.

Neither the Department of Health nor the HSE records population data. I can, however, advise the Deputy that the latest CSO statistical release of August 2015 on population data shows an estimated population of 4.2 million in the 0-69 age cohorts.

The average cost of a medical card is reported in the HSE's Primary Care Reimbursement Service Statistical Analysis of Claims and Payments 2013 as €973.26.

State Claims Agency

Questions (559)

Michael McGrath

Question:

559. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the ten largest medical claim payouts and the ten largest non-medical claim payouts settled by the State Claims Agency in 2014, in tabular form; in each case, the nature of the claim; the personal injuries sustained; the agency's legal costs paid to firms; the amount paid in legal costs to claimants' lawyers; if claimant's legal costs were part of the overall claim sums paid out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36109/15]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The State Claims Agency has supplied the information requested by the Deputy, as set out in the tables below.

Table 1: The largest 10 "payouts" on claims finalised in 2014 for the Clinical & General Claims portfolios

Damages Paid

-	Clinical Portfolio	General Portfolio
1	€6,500,000	€805,650
2	€6,419,000	€600,000
3	€3,500,000	€600,000
4	€2,250,000	€560,000
5	€1,450,000	€475,000
6	€1,450,000	€415,000
7	€1,375,000	€375,000
8	€1,063,840	€300,000
9	€810,000	€245,000
10	€787,500	€210,000

Table 2: The "Sub-Hazard Type" of the largest 10 "payouts" on claims finalised in 2014 for the Clinical & General Claims portfolios:

Sub-Hazard Type

-	Clinical Portfolio	General Portfolio
1	Clinical Procedure	Slip/Trip/Fall
2	Birth Specific Procedure	Investigation of Abuse
3	Birth Specific Procedure	Investigation of Abuse
4	Birth Specific Procedure	Self-Injurious Behaviour
5	Medication fluids/Medical Gases	Slip/Trip/Fall
6	Birth Specific Procedure	Crash/Collision
7	Birth Specific Procedure	Crash/Collision
8	Birth Specific Procedure	Slip/Trip/Fall
9	Clinical Procedure	Abuse
10	Birth Specific Procedure	Exposure to Biological Hazard

Table 3: Agency's legal fees paid on each of the largest 10 "payouts" on claims finalised in 2014 for the Clinical and General Claims portfolios

Agency Legal Fees Paid

-	Clinical Portfolio	General Portfolio
1	€450,400	€106,401
2	€445,811	€55,521
3	€336,551	€8,349
4	€275,555	€67,627
5	€186,589	€41,987
6	€149,985	€11,630
7	€370,907	€38,386
8	€173,284	€34,371
9	€133,709	€49,496
10	€189,420	€31,702

Table 4: Plaintiff legal fees paid on each of the largest 10 "payouts" on claims finalised in 2014 for the Clinical & General Claims portfolios

Plaintiff Legal Fees Paid

-	Clinical Portfolio	General Portfolio
1	€1,115,657	€232,559
2	€868,506	€94,000
3	€735,000	€93,093
4	€565,214	€122,684
5	€462,474	€91,354
6	€289,520	€32,956
7	€248,983	€86,585
8	€233,969	€74,228
9	€331,464	€78,966
10	€127,287	€62,896

Response notes:

The data above includes the following:

- The position as of 14/10/2015;

- Both the Clinical and General Claim portfolios;

- Claim Finalised between 01/01/2014 - 31/12/2014;

- None of the settlements were costs inclusive (claimant costs).

Middle East Issues

Questions (560)

Clare Daly

Question:

560. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade given the recent killing of civilians by the Israeli Defence Forces, if he will re-examine Ireland's role in pursuing an arms embargo against Israel. [36451/15]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The recent upsurge of violence in and around Jerusalem has led to the killing of civilians on both sides. I have deplored this and urged responsible leaders to work to calm the situation.

In the longer term, I have expressed before my concern at the growing use of force by Israeli forces in policing non-life threatening situations in the occupied territory, which has led to a steady toll of fatalities. While acknowledging serious security issues facing Israel, I repeat here my view that the same rules, protections and thresholds should apply to use of force against Palestinians under Israeli control as apply to Israeli citizens.

This will continue to be the focus of my efforts on this issue. It is quite clear that there would be no support at EU level for a general arms embargo on Israel.

Overseas Development Aid

Questions (561)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

561. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding overseas aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36237/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

At the end of September, the Taoiseach led the Irish delegation at the UN Summit in New York which adopted a new global development agenda, with a set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs are universally applicable and will guide the actions of all countries in their efforts to eradicate poverty and hunger and achieve sustainable development over the next fifteen years.

The Summit was a proud moment for Ireland, which played a central role in helping to deliver this historic agreement. The successful role of our diplomatic team in New York, as co-facilitators to the final round of negotiations, was widely acknowledged. Ireland had already played a key role in framing the parameters of the new agenda at both EU and UN levels. The SDGs are universally applicable, and all countries will need to take action. In common with our EU partners, we will now focus on developing the most appropriate institutional framework to deliver the new development agenda domestically and internationally.

“One World, One Future”, our policy for international development, clearly articulates the Government’s commitment to the UN target of providing 0.7% of Gross National Product (GNP) on Official Development Assistance (ODA). In his address to the UN Summit, the Taoiseach reiterated our commitment to making progress towards the 0.7% target.

Our track record in support of Ireland’s aid programme speaks for itself. Over the past four years, we have protected and stabilised budget allocations, at a time of extraordinary economic difficulty. We stated consistently that we would make progress towards the 0.7% target once economic conditions allow. As our economic recovery gains momentum and becomes more widely established, we can now begin delivering on that commitment.

The Budget for 2016, announced on 14 October, involves the first substantial increase in the aid budget in seven years. For next year, we have provided a total of over €640 million in ODA, an increase of €40 million, or almost 7% on the 2015 level. We estimate that this will entail a small increase in our ODA/GNP percentage, from a projected 0.35% in 2015 to a projected 0.36% in 2016.

The major challenge for the year ahead will be to ensure Ireland continues to play a leading role in the comprehensive response to the unprecedented levels of humanitarian crisis, especially in Europe’s broader neighbourhood, while ensuring our aid programme remains effective in addressing the root causes of poverty and hunger.

Human Rights

Questions (562)

Seán Crowe

Question:

562. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of times he has spoken to the Egyptian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Sameh Shoukri, regarding the case of a person (details supplied). [36303/15]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I have had several conversations with my Egyptian counterpart, Minister Sameh Shoukry to discuss this case; there has also been extensive contact between my Department and the Egyptian Embassy here in Dublin, and between our Ambassador and Embassy and the Egyptian authorities in Cairo. The Taoiseach has also recently discussed this case with the Egyptian President in New York.

Ultimately the decision to release this person will be taken by the Egyptian authorities, and it is the Department’s considered view that it is unlikely to be in our citizen’s best interests for all of our interactions with the Egyptian authorities to be played placed in the public domain. The Deputy can be assured that my communication channels with my Egyptian counterpart remain open, and are used actively. My officials will continue to engage extensively with the Egyptian authorities at all levels.

Diplomatic Representation

Questions (563)

Seán Crowe

Question:

563. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is aware that the air conditioning is not working inside the public visiting area of the Irish embassy in Abu Dhabi; that only a small fan is being used in a busy cramped waiting room despite it being over 35 degrees celsius most days at the moment; that this makes it extremely uncomfortable to visit the embassy; and his plans to remedy this situation. [36304/15]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I am aware that the air conditioning system in the reception of the Embassy of Ireland in Abu Dhabi is not currently functioning at full capacity. The staff at the Embassy are actively working to rectify the problem.

The Embassy chancery building in Abu Dhabi is a rented property and officials at the Embassy have raised this issue with the landlord, who is working to resolve it quickly. In the meantime, temporary measures have been employed by the Embassy to supplement the cooling effect of the air conditioning unit.

Overseas Development Aid Provision

Questions (564)

Michelle Mulherin

Question:

564. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of Irish citizens who are engaged in overseas development and aid work, as volunteers; as workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36438/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

For generations, Irish citizens have played a key role in overseas development work throughout the developing world. In particular, the role of thousands of Irish missionaries in Africa, over a long period of time and in extraordinarily challenging circumstances, deserves special mention.

Irish people continue to play a critical role in the fight to eliminate poverty, hunger and injustice in developing countries. Their work continues to make a significant difference to long term development efforts and to emergency humanitarian action globally.

An important element of overseas development and aid work is volunteering. In 2013, the Government, as part of its commitment to volunteering, launched the Irish Aid Volunteering Initiative, which recognised the huge contribution that Irish volunteers have long made. This Initiative aims to strengthen support for overseas volunteering – from the earliest stage when a person first considers volunteering to the volunteer’s return home.

Comhlámh, the Irish Association of Development Workers and Volunteers, with support from Irish Aid, the Government’s overseas development programme, undertook a survey into International Volunteering in 2013 from Ireland. Based on this survey of Volunteer Sending Agencies, it is estimated that there were more than 1,700 Irish volunteers involved in development work in 2013.

The survey showed that volunteers from Ireland worked in 47 countries, including those countries with which Ireland has developed a longstanding relationship through Irish Aid. These include Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Vietnam. The data indicated that the majority of these were under the age of 30, with a high proportion of women volunteers.

Given the significant numbers of Irish volunteers and missionaries working in overseas development, the number of countries in which they are working and the range of organisations, it is it not practicable to determine the precise number of Irish citizens involved at any given time. However, it is clear that our volunteers, aid workers and missionaries and the officials working with the Irish Aid programme are delivering change in the lives of some of the poorest communities, especially in Africa, and contributing to one of the central priorities of Ireland’s foreign policy.

Departmental Communications

Questions (565)

Brendan Smith

Question:

565. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade given the recent terrorist attacks and the major loss of life in Turkey, if his Department has updated its travel advice for Irish citizens travelling to Turkey; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36108/15]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I was appalled to hear of the devastating terrorist attack in Ankara on Saturday, 10 October. This brutal act resulted in a tragic loss of life and wide-scale injuries. I have expressed my condolences to the families of the deceased and to the people of Turkey.

We updated our travel advice for Turkey in the wake of the Ankara bombing. We advise Irish citizens in Ankara, or those intending to travel there or to other urban centres in Turkey, to exercise vigilance, avoid large public gatherings and follow the instructions and advice of the local authorities.

We encourage all citizens to register on-line before they travel at https://www.dfa.ie/travel/citizens-registration.

Middle East Issues

Questions (566)

Seán Crowe

Question:

566. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is aware of the comments of Israel's Deputy Foreign Minister, Ms Tzipi Hotovely, who recently said in recent media interviews that the Israeli Government has no intention of ever ending the occupation of the West Bank, which she claims is part of Israel; and if continued statements of this nature by the Israeli Government are causing him to review his Department's policies towards Israel. [36122/15]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I am aware of these and other similar and unhelpful comments. It is no secret that a number of Ministers and parties in the new Israeli Government are openly opposed to the two state solution, or to any serious compromise with Palestinians.

Prime Minister Netanyahu has said that this is not the policy of the government. However, it would be fair to say that the Israeli Government has a lot to do to allay international doubts about their commitment to the peace process.

The Government’s policy on the Middle East has always been based on the belief that the two sides would need a degree of international assistance and pressure to reach a peace agreement. This is not dissimilar from our own peace process. I have also stated many times that I believe the international community needs to do more in this regard.

In this context, the EU clearly has a role to play. In recent months, I have raised at meetings of EU Foreign Ministers the need for the Union to find ways to protect the two state solution. I hope that the appointment of an EU Special Representative will give greater impetus to our efforts in this regard and I look forward to further discussions with my colleagues at the forthcoming Foreign Affairs Council.

School Staff

Questions (567)

Seamus Kirk

Question:

567. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of reversing the adjustments made to the school staffing ratios in four-teacher; three-teacher; and two-teacher primary schools that pertained before the Government took office; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36150/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The cumulative savings achieved from the small schools budget measure introduced as part of the Budget 2012 decisions are of the order of €20m. This gives an indication of the overall costs involved in relation to restoring teacher numbers in small schools.

In the current school year I introduced two new policies to provide some improvement to the staffing levels of some of our smallest 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 available to small schools in the event that they can show that their projected enrolments are sufficient to allow them to retain their classroom teacher in the longer term. Details of the appeal criteria are also set out in the published staffing arrangements. The Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.

The Deputy will be aware that I have made provision in Budget 2016 for some 2,260 additional teaching posts for our primary and post primary schools next year. These posts will provide for an improvement in the staffing schedules at primary and post primary levels, enhance the leadership and management roles of deputy principals at post-primary level by reducing their teaching time, an improvement to the scheme of release time for principal teachers at primary level and additional resource posts to meet special education needs.

At primary level there will be a one point improvement to the primary staffing schedule to be implemented for the 2016/17 school year. The improved staffing schedule is available on the Department website.

The staffing arrangements for all schools for the 2016/17 school year will be published early in 2016.

Fire Safety Regulations

Questions (568)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

568. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools that have been built since 2005 that have been found to be in breach fire safety regulations; and the name of the company that constructed each school. [36152/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The Department has dealt with significant fire safety issues in one primary school building built since 2005. This arose in 2014. The building was constructed by Western Building Systems Ltd. in 2008. Such matters have not arisen with regard to any post-primary school buildings built since 2005.

The Department has also dealt with building regulation issues, including some fire safety issues, in one further education college constructed by the same contractor in 2006.

Fire Safety Regulations

Questions (569)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

569. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update concerning the schools that were built by a building company from County Tyrone that have been found to be in breach of fire safety regulations; the total number of schools constructed by this company, by name and location; if funding has been made available to bring these schools up to standard; and if action is being taken against the company responsible for the poor building compliance. [36153/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

In 2014, following a fire safety audit commissioned by the school authority, issues emerged with regard to Rush/Lusk Educate Together National School. This building was constructed by Western Building Systems Ltd. in 2008. In the case of this school a subsequent detailed fire safety assessment, commissioned by the Department, identified remedial works which were required. These works were carried out by the Department in the summer of 2014.

Details regarding the other schools designed and built by Western Building Systems Ltd are contained in the following listing.

The Department is currently arranging fire safety assessments of five other schools constructed in 2008 to determine if there are any issues of concern. Without pre-empting the outcome of those assessments, I can assure the Deputy that funding will be available to deal with any fire safety issues which might arise.

Pending the outcome of those assessments, it would be inappropriate for the Department to comment on what course of action may be considered regarding responsibility for any issues which might arise.

The school communities concerned will, however, be kept fully informed by the Department of any issues which may be identified.

2015

Gaelscoil Shliabh Rua, Stepaside, Co. Dublin – Roll No. 20425U

2014

Cara Junior Special School, Mayfield, Co. Cork – Roll No. 20354A

2013

Luttrellstown CC, Porterstown, Dublin 15 – Roll No. 76130P

Scoil Choilm, Porterstown, Dublin 15 – Roll No. 20241K

Carrigaline Educate Together, Co. Cork – Roll No.

Gaelscoil Chloich na Coillte, Clonakilty, Co. Cork – Roll No. 20006A

Scoil Phádraig Naofa, Rochestown, Co. Cork – Roll No. 20335T

Portlaoise Educate Together, Co. Laois – Roll No. 20347D

Gaelscoil Portlaoise, Co. Laois – Roll No. 20081O

Maryborough CoI, Portlaoise, Co. Laois – Roll No. 14838N

2012

Gaelscoil Eiscir Riada, Lucan, Co. Dublin – Roll No. 20223I

Scoil Naomh Lucais, Mulhuddart, Dublin 15 – Roll No. 16675V

Portarlington Convent National School, Co. Laois – Roll No. 15556I

Scoil Chormaic, Flemington, balbriggan –RN 20386N

2011

Scoil Atha Í, Co. Kildare – Roll No. 20192A

Scoil Phadraig Naofa, Athy, Co. Kildare – Roll No. 16705E

Model School, Athy, Co. Meath – Roll No. 06209J

Lucan East Educate Together, Co. Dublin – Roll No. 20303G

St. Paul’s National School, Ratoath, Co. Meath – Roll No. 20215J

Tyrrellstown Educate Together, Dublin 15 – Roll No. 20201V

2010

Macroom Boys NS - Roll No 15597W

2009

Ardgillan Community College, Balbriggan, Dublin 15 – Roll No. 76129H

2008

Scoil Naomh Lucais (previously Mulhuddart NS), Tyrrellstown – Roll No. 16675V

Belmayne Educate Together – Roll No. 20308Q/St. Francis of Assisi – Roll No. 20304I

Rush/Lusk Educate Together – Roll No. 20176C

Greystones Educate Together – Roll No. 20300A/Gaelscoil na gCloch Liath – Roll No. 20301C

Mullingar Educate Together, Co. Westmeath – Roll No. 20188J

2006

Whitehall Further Education College Roll No – 70320N

Teacher Training Places

Questions (570)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

570. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she is aware of the difficulties teaching graduates are currently having in securing the full 100 hours to complete their higher diploma in arts in primary education; and her plans to address this problem. [36154/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The Teaching Council is the body with statutory authority, under the Teaching Council Act, for establishing procedures and criteria for the probation of teachers. All primary teachers must complete their probation successfully before they can achieve full registration with the Teaching Council.

The minimum service requirement for probation purposes in order to secure registration as a primary teacher with the Teaching Council was decreased from 170 days to 100 days in the 2011/2012 school year. If a newly qualified teacher is unable to complete probation in the time period specified by the Council he/she should apply to the Council for an extension to that period.

Measures have also been put in place in recent years to alleviate the difficulties experienced by some teachers in securing employment to complete probation. The allocation of additional funding for the employment of teachers in the 2015 and 2016 budgets will assist in creating additional positions which will further assist newly qualified teachers to obtain positions.

In addition, the Department of Social Protection's Work Placement Programme provides placements for, among others, graduates who are unemployed and are not in receipt of a social welfare payment.

Circular 31/2011 details a cascade of measures for recruitment of teachers, prioritising unemployed registered teachers over retired registered teachers and registered teachers over unregistered persons.

Each Principal must report to his or her board of management on a regular basis on the fact that a list of unemployed registered teachers is being maintained, and the circumstances in which he or she had had to engage a registered teacher in receipt of a pension under a public service pension scheme or an unregistered person.

School Curriculum

Questions (571)

Tom Fleming

Question:

571. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the new integrated primary languages curriculum for primary schools will be developed; if she will incorporate a third language into the curriculum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36160/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

A new Integrated Primary Languages Curriculum, incorporating Irish and English, is currently being developed by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment. The first phase will be introduced from Junior Infants to 2nd classes from September 2016. Work will continue for the curriculum for 3rd to 6th classes which will follow on from the curriculum developed for the junior primary classes.

The curriculum aims to ensure that students acquire transferrable language skills which will assist them in learning Irish and English and additional languages at second level.

Disadvantaged Status

Questions (572)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

572. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a school (details supplied) will be reinstated with delivering equality of opportunity in schools status; if not, the reason; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36161/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The school referred to by the Deputy was not included in the DEIS programme during the original identification process in 2005. Therefore the question of reinstatement does not arise.

As the Deputy is aware, the process for the review of the DEIS Programme is currently underway. This process involves a number of strands including:- a consultation process with the Education Partners to inform the development of appropriate future interventions to tackle educational disadvantage;- the establishment of an inter-Departmental Group to ensure a joined-up approach to future delivery of services in the DEIS Programme;- the establishment of a Technical Group which is working to establish what eligibility criteria are now appropriate to re-identify the level of need in schools;- the establishment of a DEIS Advisory Group within my Department.

The review process is being undertaken over the course of the current school year and will consider all issues pertaining to educational disadvantage. I hope to be in a position to make an overall proposal for the delivery of future interventions to tackle educational disadvantage after that. While this process is underway, I do not intend to make any changes to the current programme, including the addition of any further schools.

Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme Eligibility

Questions (573)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

573. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) in County Dublin has been refused funding under the vocational training opportunities scheme for a course in Pearse College of Further Education in Crumlin in Dublin 12; if her Department will review this case; and if there are any other forms of support to facilitate this person in remaining in education and training. [36169/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

This is an operational matter for City of Dublin Education and Training Board and I have asked them to contact the Deputy directly to clarify the position.