Written Answers Nos. 140-145
140. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress being made on retired teachers taking up teaching posts at the expense of recently qualified teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39648/15]
View answerThe policy of my Department is to ensure, as far as possible, that the Managerial Authorities of Primary and Post Primary schools give priority to unemployed registered teachers who are fully qualified when filling vacant teaching posts. It is schools that employ teachers and not my Department. However my Department has issued a number of Circulars addressing this issue in recent years.
Under these Circulars School Principals must maintain a list of unemployed registered teachers who are available for substitute work at short notice and report to the Board of Management on any exceptional occasion where they have had to engage a registered teacher who is retired. Circular 31/2011 details a cascade of measures for the recruitment of teachers, prioritising registered teachers over retired registered teachers and unregistered people.
A retired teacher who returns to teaching on or after 1 February 2012 will commence at the first point of the incremental salary scale (i.e. the lowest point or starting salary for teachers). Incremental credit for service prior to 1 February 2012, qualification allowances and certain job role allowances are also not payable. This measure represents a significant financial disincentive for teachers who retired at the top of their salary scale, often with a post of responsibility allowance, to return to teaching.
141. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the value of capital investment projects and grants under way or approved for funding by her Department by county in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39654/15]
View answerThe total capital investment provided by my Department to the primary and post-primary sectors as well as to the Higher Education sector is included on a county basis in the attachment in respect of 2015 to date. In addition, €26m has issued in respect of Research Activities, €14.7m has issued under the PPP programme and €5.5m has issued in respect of the Book Rental Scheme.
2015 CAPITAL EXPENDITURE
|
COUNTY |
2015 YEAR TO DATE |
|
Carlow |
€6,946,001 |
|
Cavan |
€4,224,308 |
|
Clare |
€2,502,846 |
|
Cork |
€48,140,332 |
|
Donegal |
€9,613,128 |
|
Dublin |
€97,634,196 |
|
Galway |
€30,600,755 |
|
Kerry |
€16,050,934 |
|
Kildare |
€19,136,037 |
|
Kilkenny |
€7,599,717 |
|
Laois |
€4,117,364 |
|
Leitrim |
€533,650 |
|
Limerick |
€9,529,711 |
|
Longford |
€5,540,916 |
|
Louth |
€17,363,525 |
|
Mayo |
€6,371,650 |
|
Meath |
€24,419,186 |
|
Monaghan |
€7,098,859 |
|
Offaly |
€9,366,053 |
|
Roscommon |
€1,339,421 |
|
Sligo |
€2,919,685 |
|
Tipperary |
€11,365,970 |
|
Waterford |
€10,341,697 |
|
Westmeath |
€7,493,003 |
|
Wexford |
€14,532,327 |
|
Wicklow |
€30,828,480 |
|
Miscellaneous (not distributed by |
€837,531 |
|
Total 1st 2nd & 3rd Level Capital |
€406,447,284 |
142. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Education and Skills if, as a result of the population increase in the Johnstownbridge and Enfield areas in County Kildare, she has given consideration to the establishment of a secondary school for this locality; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39692/15]
View answerMy Department is in the process of concluding a report on the outcome of a nationwide demographic exercise to determine where additional post-primary school accommodation will be needed from 2017 onwards. The demographic exercise encompassed all areas of the country, including the Johnstownbridge and Enfield areas in Co. Kildare. I will announce the details of the new post-primary schools to be provided nationwide arising from this exercise in due course.
Where new schools are to be established, my Department runs an open patronage determination process to determine who will operate the schools. It is open to all patrons and prospective patrons to apply under this process.
143. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Education and Skills the timeline for the completion of the Naas Community College located in the Millennium Park near Naas in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39693/15]
View answerThe project to which the Deputy refers is devolved to the Kildare & Wicklow Education and Training Board for delivery. The project is at the early stages of architectural planning and the commencement of construction will be dependent on the progress of the project through the various stages of design and the Local Authority planning process.
144. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Education and Skills the timeline for the completion of the Celbridge Community College in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39694/15]
View answerAn unsuccessful planning application including an appeal have delayed progression of the Celbridge Community College.
Discussions are ongoing with the local authority to resolve the contentious issues. Pending finalisation of these matters unfortunately I am unable to provide a timeline for completion of the project.
145. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Education and Skills the timeline for the completion of the Maynooth Community College in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39695/15]
View answerThe project to which the Deputy refers is devolved to the Kildare and Wicklow ETB for delivery. I understand that tenders for the project were recently received and a tender report is now being prepared. I expect the project to go on site early next year with a contract duration of some 18 months.
