Written Answers Nos. 506-529
506. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will ensure the completion of a new building for a school (details supplied) in County Donegal will be included in her new six-year construction plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40120/15]
View answerI wish to draw the Deputy's attention to my announcement earlier today of the new Construction Programme, for 2016-2021, which aims to prioritise new building projects and major extensions, including special schools, in areas where significant demographic need has been established. The new Programme also provides for devolved funding for additional classrooms for schools outside the plan where an immediate enrolment need has been identified, such as the appointment of an additional teacher. In addition, the Programme prioritises projects that have a major deficit of mainstream accommodation capacity for current enrolments, require major refurbishment and replacement of poor accommodation and to provide additional accommodation to meet increases in enrolments.
The Programme includes 310 major school building projects where construction is expected to commence over the six year period, 2016 to 2021.
The timeline for when work is expected to proceed is outlined in the announcement. Each project is listed in the year when the commencement of construction works is anticipated. The Department will be in communication with all those schools on the programme in relation to the next steps to be taken, at the appropriate time, as the projects progress through the various stages of the architectural planning process.
Details of all projects on the Six Year Construction Programme 2016 – 2021 will be published on my Department's website and this will be updated regularly.
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that a project for St Mary's National School, Stranorlar is included in the Programme.
507. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will ensure the completion of a new building for a school (details supplied) in County Donegal will be included in her new six-year construction plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40121/15]
View answerI wish to draw the Deputy's attention to my announcement earlier today of the new Construction Programme, for 2016-2021, which aims to prioritise new building projects and major extensions, including special schools, in areas where significant demographic need has been established. The new Programme also provides for devolved funding for additional classrooms for schools outside the plan where an immediate enrolment need has been identified, such as the appointment of an additional teacher. In addition, the Programme prioritises projects that have a major deficit of mainstream accommodation capacity for current enrolments, require major refurbishment and replacement of poor accommodation and to provide additional accommodation to meet increases in enrolments.
The Programme includes 310 major school building projects where construction is expected to commence over the six year period, 2016 to 2021.
The timeline for when work is expected to proceed is outlined in the announcement. Each project is listed in the year when the commencement of construction works is anticipated. The Department will be in communication with all those schools on the programme in relation to the next steps to be taken, at the appropriate time, as the projects progress through the various stages of the architectural planning process.
Details of all projects on the Six Year Construction Programme 2016 – 2021 will be published on my Department's website and this will be updated regularly.
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that a project for Buncrana Campus is included in the Programme.
508. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will ensure the completion of a new building for a school (details supplied) in County Donegal will be included in her new six-year construction plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40122/15]
View answerI wish to draw the Deputy's attention to my announcement earlier today of the new Construction Programme, for 2016-2021, which aims to prioritise new building projects and major extensions, including special schools, in areas where significant demographic need has been established. The new Programme also provides for devolved funding for additional classrooms for schools outside the plan where an immediate enrolment need has been identified, such as the appointment of an additional teacher. In addition, the Programme prioritises projects that have a major deficit of mainstream accommodation capacity for current enrolments, require major refurbishment and replacement of poor accommodation and to provide additional accommodation to meet increases in enrolments.
The Programme includes 310 major school building projects where construction is expected to commence over the six year period, 2016 to 2021.
The timeline for when work is expected to proceed is outlined in the announcement. Each project is listed in the year when the commencement of construction works is anticipated. The Department will be in communication with all those schools on the programme in relation to the next steps to be taken, at the appropriate time, as the projects progress through the various stages of the architectural planning process.
Details of all projects on the Six Year Construction Programme 2016 – 2021 will be published on my Department's website and this will be updated regularly.
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that a project for Scoil Iosagain, Buncrana is included in the Programme.
509. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a new building for a school (details supplied) in County Donegal; if the brief formulation report is complete; if not, the timeframe for when it will be finalised; when the tendering process in relation to the design team procurement will be initiated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40123/15]
View answer510. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will ensure the completion of a new building for a school (details supplied) in County Donegal will be included in her new six-year construction plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40124/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 509 and 510 together.
I wish to draw the Deputy's attention to my announcement earlier today of the new Construction Programme, for 2016-2021, which aims to prioritise new building projects and major extensions, including special schools, in areas where significant demographic need has been established. The new Programme also provides for devolved funding for additional classrooms for schools outside the plan where an immediate enrolment need has been identified, such as the appointment of an additional teacher.
In addition, the Programme prioritises projects that have a major deficit of mainstream accommodation capacity for current enrolments, require major refurbishment and replacement of poor accommodation and to provide additional accommodation to meet increases in enrolments.
The Programme includes 310 major school building projects where construction is expected to commence over the six year period, 2016 to 2021.
The timeline for when work is expected to proceed is outlined in the announcement. Each project is listed in the year when the commencement of construction works is anticipated. The Department will be in communication with all those schools on the programme in relation to the next steps to be taken, at the appropriate time, as the projects progress through the various stages of the architectural planning process.
Details of all projects on the Six Year Construction Programme 2016 – 2021 will be published on my Department's website and this will be updated regularly.
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that a project for Moville Community College is included in the Programme.
511. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will examine and expedite an application by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry to Student Universal Support Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40129/15]
View answerAs part of a comprehensive customer service and communications strategy provided by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI), to ensure that all necessary avenues are open to applicants to receive the information they need, a dedicated email and phone line service is provided by SUSI for Oireachtas members. This was established to meet an identified need for applicants who choose to engage the assistance of their public representatives in making enquiries about their grant applications.
This service compliments the established channels provided by SUSI which include online application tracking, a dedicated website, a telephone helpdesk, email and social media, including Facebook and Twitter.
Enquiries may be emailed direct to SUSI at oireachtas@susi.ie. Staff in SUSI are responding to email queries within a matter of days.
If an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a student grant or that the rate of grant awarded is not the correct one, she/he may appeal, in the first instance, to SUSI.
Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down in writing by SUSI and remains of the view that the scheme has not been interpreted correctly in his/her case, an appeal form outlining the position may be submitted by the applicant to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board within the required timeframe.
512. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a person (details supplied) will receive a place in a secondary school; if not, the reason why; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40163/15]
View answerThe National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from primary and post primary schools for special educational needs supports, including the establishment of special classes in various geographical areas as required. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.
Children with autism over the age of four may be eligible for home tuition if a school placement is not available. In this regard I understand that a home tuition application has been approved pending a school placement.
The NCSE has advised that a third special class has been sanctioned on a temporary basis in recent days, following an application by the primary school which the child attended last year, to provide an education for the child referred to by the Deputy and pending the availability of a school placement at post-primary level.
The local SENO continues to be available to engage with, and provide information to, the parent of the child referred to by the Deputy with a view to securing a school placement at post-primary level.
513. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide grants to schools for facilities for water harvesting. [40187/15]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that rainwater harvesting systems were first trialled in 2004 and introduced for major school building projects in 2008. Since then all major school building projects, where site conditions and circumstances allow and where economically viable to do so, can incorporate a rainwater harvesting system.
While fitting the systems in new schools during construction is relatively straightforward, retrofitting them in existing schools is much more difficult and expensive because of the various dedicated pipe work systems, both within the building and externally, and the amount of making good that is required to the school building.
I also wish to inform the Deputy that for existing buildings it is more cost effective to minimise the demand for water firstly through installing measures to reduce water usage, such as push type spray taps, low flushing toilets, urinal controls, repairing leaks etc. To this end schools were invited in 2010 to apply for Water Conservation measures and funding of almost €10m was made available to promote water conservation measures as part of this initiative.
514. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of industrial processes established in her area under side deals concluded with trade unions, in parallel with the Lansdowne Road talks in May 2015; the details of any agreements concluded to date on foot of such processes; the costs, including anticipated costs in future years, of any agreements reached. [40224/15]
View answerIssues of local interest are discussed on an ongoing basis between management and trade unions within the education and training sector. At the time that the Lansdowne Road Agreement (LRA) was being negotiated, the Labour Relations Commission was asked to assist in resolving a number of sectoral matters. In that context, the following processes were established in the education and training sector:
1. School Secretaries and Caretakers:
My Department agreed to engage with IMPACT and SIPTU in relation to issues around the pay of grant-funded school secretaries and caretakers and to enter an arbitration process if required. The Arbitrator has recently issued his findings and has recommended that an agreement be formed between the parties which provides for an overall pay increase of 10% for school secretaries and caretakers between 2016 and 2019 and the introduction of a minimum hourly pay rate rising from €10.25 per hour on 1 January 2016 to €13 per hour on 1 January 2019 (both rates to be inclusive of the pay increases outlined).
The recommendations are now being considered by the parties. My intention is to accept the Arbitrator's recommendations, subject to their acceptance by the union side. 2. Fixed – Term / Part Time Employment in Lecturing
This process was established under the Haddington Road Agreement (HRA) and will be continued under the LRA, subject to acceptance of the Agreement by the relevant unions. An Expert Group was established to consider and report on the level of fixed-term and part-time employment in lecturing. The Department will ensure that this process is finalised and that the Report of this Expert Group is published as soon as practicable, and in any event no later than eight weeks following the acceptance of the Agreement.
3. Hourly Paid Assistant / Associate Lecturers in the IOT Sector
A process was initiated under the HRA for the phased conversion of Hourly Paid Assistant / Associate Lecturers to pro-rata Assistant Lecturers and this will be continued under the LRA, subject to acceptance of the Agreement by the relevant unions. This process is ongoing under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission and all parties re-affirm their commitment to finalising this process as soon as practicable. If agreement cannot be reached during this conciliation process the parties agree that this matter will be the subject of an early joint referral to the Labour Court for a binding determination.
4. Adult Education Tutors
Issues in relation to contracts for Adult Education Tutors were raised in the lead-in to the HRA and were the subject of conciliation under the auspices of the LRC. This process will be continued under the LRA, subject to acceptance of the Agreement by the relevant unions. The parties re-affirm their commitment to finalising this process as soon as practicable. If agreement cannot be reached during the Labour Relations Commission conciliation process the parties agree that this matter will be the subject of an early joint referral to the Labour Court for a binding determination. Subsequent to the finalisation of this process, the Management side agree to engage with the Staff side on further issues in relation to Tutors which are not encompassed by the HRA.
5. Issues concerning Staff arising from the merger of Limerick Institute of Technology and Tipperary Institute
It is agreed between the parties to work towards resolving the position regarding grade assimilation issues of former Tipperary Institute staff arising from the merger of Limerick Institute of Technology and Tipperary Institute within the lifetime of this collective agreement.
515. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the contract between the Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board (DDLETB) and Castlethorn Construction to build the Adamstown community college and adjoining sports hall in Lucan in County Dublin was a public private partnership; the details of the original funding agreement between her Department, the DDLETB and the contractor; the amount of central government funding agreed for this project; the portion of this funding that has been drawn down to date by the DDLETB, and paid to the contractor; the reason the adjoining sports hall has not been built; her views on whether the original terms of the contract between the DDLETB and Castlethorn have been breached; if penalties were incurred, and if so, by whom; the efforts she is making to ensure the completion of this project; and her views on whether it is acceptable that a school, as large as this, has been left for such a long time with no adequate sports facility. [40229/15]
View answerI can confirm that Castlethorn Construction was not contracted to build Adamstown Community College. The construction of the school building was funded by my Department separately and it was procured under a traditional (design and build) contract, as opposed to a public private partnership arrangement.
In relation to agreements in place with Castlethorn Construction, the Department provided funding to then Co. Dublin VEC (now Dublin and Dun Laoghaire Education and Training Board) to acquire the site for the school. The site acquisition contract specified that the vendor (Castlethorn Construction) agreed to construct the community centre and to facilitate access by the school to the centre at certain defined periods during school terms.
Due to circumstances outside of my Department's control, the community centre was not delivered by Castlethorn Construction. Officials from my Department have engaged with Castlethorn Construction in relation to the matter. Representatives from Castlethorn Construction have recently put forward a proposal to my Department which is currently under consideration.
Officials from my Department are also liaising with officials from South Dublin County Council and Dublin Dun Laoghaire Education and Training Board. I can assure the Deputy that the matter is actively being progressed with a view to obtaining an acceptable outcome.
516. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide funding to complete the sports hall at Adamstown community college in Lucan in County Dublin in 2016. [40230/15]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, a sports facility was originally planned for the site for Adamstown Community College and this was to be developed by a third party.
Due to circumstances outside the Department's control, the facility was not delivered. Officials in the Department have engaged with the relevant parties with a view to reaching an acceptable outcome and the matter is currently being actively progressed.
I am sure the Deputy will agree that all means to deliver on the original agreement must be explored fully in the first instance.
517. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on the lack of facilities for teenagers on the autism spectrum disorder (details supplied) in Killarney in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40231/15]
View answerThe policy of my Department is that children with special educational needs, including children with autism should be included, where possible and appropriate, in mainstream placements with additional supports provided. In circumstances where children with special educational need require more specialised interventions, special school or special class places are also available.
The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from primary and post primary schools for special educational needs supports, including the establishment of special classes in various geographical areas as required. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.
SENOs engage with schools annually in order to plan for, and to open, new special classes each year, in order to ensure there are sufficient special class placements available at primary and post primary school level to meet demand in a given area.
All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO and parents are encouraged to liaise with the local SENO to discuss placement options for their child.
Children with autism over the age of four may be eligible for home tuition if a school placement is not available for them.
There are currently 5 ASD special classes at post primary level in Co. Kerry. Each special class for autism at post-primary level has a 6:1.5 pupil teacher ratio.
The NCSE have advised that they are available to liaise with local schools in the context of the establishment of special class provision in Co. Kerry and that they will continue to monitor and review the requirement for special class places in particular areas. The NCSE has capacity to open such new special classes where necessary, subject to the willingness of schools to open classes.
Details of all of the special classes for children with special educational needs which are attached to mainstream schools are published each year on the NCSE website at www.ncse.ie.
518. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of contracts that her Department is funding via the education and training boards for new-builds with a construction company (details supplied); the date at which these contracts were signed; and if her Department has any plans either directly or indirectly to sign any contracts with the company in the near future. [40254/15]
View answerThe construction company referred to by the Deputy currently has no contracts to construct new school buildings.
In line with National and EU procurement guidelines it is open to all construction companies including the company in question to tender for school building projects in the future.
519. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will support an application for a new Irish-medium school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40263/15]
View answerThe establishment process for new schools is a transparent, independent process that provides parents with an opportunity to express their preferred type of school. Details of the patronage determination process for the new school to which the Deputy refers will be published shortly and it will be open to all patrons/prospective patrons to apply. It would not be appropriate for the Minister to support an individual application.
520. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the situation in relation to third level grants where a person on Pay As You Earn arrangements whose income changes during the course of the year, and where verification from the employer can be submitted so that an application for a third level grant can be examined in view of the new information, as against the situation where a self-employed person who has submitted accounts for a previous year whose current financial situation has deteriorated substantially and who wishes to submit more up-to-date financial information but who is not treated in a similar manner in having this new information taken into consideration in relation to a current grant application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40298/15]
View answerAll applications for a maintenance grant are means tested based on the reckonable income for the previous tax year.
Article 32 of the Student Grant Scheme allows for the review of eligibility during the academic year, if there is a permanent change in circumstance, relating to a number of events including a drop in reckonable income which is likely to obtain for the duration of the approved course or for the foreseeable future.
Any candidate, whether employed or self-employed, who experiences a reduction in reckonable income of a permanent nature, may apply to have their eligibility reviewed under the change in circumstances clause. Where a candidate can provide satisfactory documentation to confirm that the reduction in income is permanent, their grant eligibility would be based on their revised (i.e. current) income rather than on their income for the previous tax year. If an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a student grant, or that the rate of grant awarded is not the correct one she/he may appeal, in the first instance to SUSI.
Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down in writing by SUSI and remains of the view that the scheme has not been interpreted correctly in his/her case, an appeal form outlining the position may be submitted to the Independent Student Grants Appeals Board.
521. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills to outline the situation regarding applications for third level grants for Irish citizens who have lived over 80% of their lives here but had to leave the country with their parents who were unemployed and secured work abroad and who on return here are deemed not eligible due to the habitual residence rule operated by Student Universal Support Ireland, SUSI, even though they had lived 17 years of their 20-year-life here; if this is a reasonable position in terms of the rules from her Department for SUSI to be requested to implement; if the same procedures are applied consistently between her Department and other Departments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40299/15]
View answerTo be eligible for a grant, a "student", as defined in Section 14 of the Student Support Act 2011, must demonstrate that he/she has been resident in the State for at least 3 years out of the 5 year period ending on the day before the start of their approved course of study. A similar residency requirement applies for the Free Fees Initiative (FFI).
This residency requirement takes cognisance of students who wish to take time out to travel or work abroad. Such students can still meet the residency requirement if they have not been outside the State for more than two of the previous five years.
It is also possible for a student, who did not meet the residency requirement at the commencement of their studies, to have their eligibility reviewed if they meet the residency requirement during the course of their studies.
Similar and in some cases more restrictive residency requirements apply in other EU Member States.
I have no plans to change the current arrangements.
522. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of applications for fees for third level institutions paid by her Department or Student Universal Support Ireland for persons from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, who are participating in third level education in this State; the total amount involved; the reciprocal arrangements with these areas for fees to be paid in third level institutions where students from this State are participating in third level education in those areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40300/15]
View answer523. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the arrangements in place whereby European Union citizens can have their third level fees paid while they are participating in third level education here; if similar reciprocal arrangements apply in each of the other European Union member states; the numbers in relation to other member states covered by this in relation to third level institutions here; the costs involved; the reciprocal payments made by other member states for Irish students studying in these member states; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40301/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 522 and 523 together.
The position is that under my Department's free fees schemes, the Exchequer provides funding towards tuition fee costs in respect of eligible students who are pursuing full-time undergraduate courses of study. The main conditions of the scheme are that students must be first-time undergraduates, hold inter alia EU/EEA/Swiss nationality in their own right, and have been ordinarily resident in an EU/EEA/Swiss state for at least three of the five years preceding their entry to an approved third level course. Funding under the schemes is only available in respect of approved courses in this State. Details on the number of students from the UK who received assistance under the free fees schemes is not available in my Department.
In addition under my Department's Student Grant Scheme, eligible students from the UK, studying in the State, who meet the residency requirement for a fee grant may have their fee/student contribution paid on their behalf. I am informed by SUSI that in the 2014/15 academic year, it paid fees (including student contribution) under the Student Grant Scheme in the amount of €135,333 to 57 students with an address in the UK at the time of application who were participating on approved higher education courses in the State.
Students from the State attending an approved higher education course, at undergraduate level, in an approved institution in the UK are eligible under the Student Grant Scheme to apply for a student grant towards maintenance from SUSI, however, the Scheme does not extend to the payment of undergraduate fees to institutions outside the State.
Under EU legislation, students from this State wishing to study in another EU State are similarly entitled to avail of the supports available in the EU State in which they wish to study. Details of the domiciliary of origin of all full-time third level students in the higher education institutions under the designation of the Higher Education Authority (HEA) are available on the HEA's website, www.hea.ie.
524. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will approve an application for a laptop for a child (details supplied). [40306/15]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) is responsible for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports. SENOs also make recommendations to my Department where assistive technology is required. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in making recommendations for support, which is set out in my Department's Circular 0010/2013.
In order to qualify for equipment under the assistive technology scheme, a child must have been diagnosed with a physical or communicative disability and must also have a recommendation in a professional assessment that the equipment is essential in order to allow the child to access the curriculum. It must also be clear that the existing I.T. equipment in the school is insufficient to meet the child's needs.
An application for assistive technology support for the child referred to by the Deputy was received in my Department and a letter issued to the school on 9th November seeking further information to support the application.
On receipt of the requested information, a decision will issue to the school regarding this matter, following full consideration of the application.
525. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills the details of cash sums and properties, with their values, transferred to the State by the religious orders under the institutions redress scheme, in tabular form; the amount outstanding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40311/15]
View answerIn response to the call for further substantial contributions towards the costs of redress made in the aftermath of the publication of the report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse (the Ryan Report), many of the congregations that were party to the 2002 Indemnity Agreement made voluntary offers which they valued at €348.51m, including cash, property and other elements. Subsequent offers and the value of a particular property offer amounted to €4.1m, bringing the total contribution offers to €352.61m. As the Deputy will be aware, the Government agreed to use €110m, the cash contributions, to fund the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund (Caranua).
To date, some €82.9m, comprising post Ryan Report contributions from congregations, associated interest and cash from property disposals has been lodged to the special investment account opened by the National Treasury Management Agency pursuant to the Residential Institution Statutory Act, 2012. I understand that outstanding cash contributions are expected to be received from congregations between now and 2018. The figure of €82.9m referred to above includes contributions of €81.5m as follows:
Brothers of Charity €1.5m
Christian Brothers €8m
Daughters of Charity €6m
Daughters of the Heart of Mary €1.5m
De La Salle Brothers €1m (€0.055m interest)
Dominican Order €6.5m
Oblates of Mary Immaculate €20m
Hospitaller Order of St. John of God €1m
Presentation Brothers €3.6m
Presentation Sisters €4m
Religious Sisters of Charity €2m
Sisters of Our Lady of Charity €1.5m
Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy €24.9m (€1.044m interest)
Sisters of St. Clare €1m
Sisters of St. Louis €1m
Work is underway on the transfer of those properties offered by the congregations in the aftermath of the publication of the Ryan Report which were accepted in principle.
526. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Skills the additional cost of giving full effect to the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004. [40325/15]
View answer527. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Skills the full-year additional cost of giving full effect to those provisions of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004 that provide for individual education plans. [40326/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 526 and 527 together.
I wish to advise the Deputy that a number of sections of the EPSEN Act have been commenced, including those establishing the National Council for Special Education and those promoting an inclusive approach to education of children.
In light of the very difficult economic situation and the significant costs involved in fully implementing the EPSEN Act, the previous Government deferred the full implementation of Act.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) published a Plan for the Implementation the Education of Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act in 2006. This report, which is available at www.ncse.ie, made recommendations which suggested that additional investment over a period of years of up to €235m per annum, across the education and health sectors, would be required to fully implement the EPSEN Act.
My Department's opinion is that the level of investment required would be greater than that envisaged in the NCSE report. However, a total estimate of this amount has not been quantified. Further consideration of this issue would also have to take account of pricing adjustments in the period since the publication of the NCSE report.
I wish to advise the Deputy also that, at present, all schools are encouraged to use Education Plans. The Departmental Inspectorates' advice is that the majority of schools are now using some form of individual education planning for children with special needs. In line with Circular 30/2014, schools are required to put in place a Personal Pupil Plan including a care plan for all pupils availing of SNA support.
While awaiting the full implementation of the EPSEN Act, the NCSE has published a number of policy advice papers which make recommendations aimed at developing a better or more effective alternative to the current resource allocation model, and which aims to move the system towards ultimate implementation of the EPSEN Act.
These reports include the NCSE policy advice on Support Students with Special Educational Needs in Schools (2013) and The Report of the Working Group on a Proposed New Model for Allocating Teaching Resources for pupils with Special Educational Needs (2014).
It is intended to bring into effect many of the good ideas contained in the EPSEN Act, on a non-statutory basis initially, through policy developments across a range of areas, in conjunction with NCSE policy advice.
528. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Skills the full-year additional cost of removing the cap on the number of special needs assistants. [40327/15]
View answer529. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Skills the full-year additional cost of removing the cap on resource teachers. [40328/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 528 and 529 together.
I wish to advise the Deputy that some €1.37 billion will be spent in support of children with Special Educational Needs this year, which represents approximately 15% of my Department's budget. The investment which is being made to support children with special educational needs is an area of spending which has been prioritised above most other areas by this Government.
We now have a higher level of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support and Resource Teaching allocations than ever before, which will ensure that children with special educational needs can continue to participate in education and be supported in a manner appropriate to their needs.
I recently announced that an additional 610 Special Needs Assistant posts are being provided for this year. This will ensure that every child with an assessed need has access to SNA support, in keeping with the Government's commitment in this regard.
I also announced provision for an additional 480 Resource Teachers, to take into account increased demand and demographic growth and to ensure that children can continue to have access to additional supports in school.
It is therefore clear that there has been a very significant increase in the overall allocations to schools in recent years.
The number of SNA or resource teaching posts which may be allocated to schools by the NCSE has increased in recent years to take account of increased demand.
The number of SNA posts which may be allocated to schools increased from 10,575 in 2013 to 11,940 posts at September 2015, which represents an increase in provision of approximately 13% over this period.
The cap on the number of resource teaching posts which may be allocated to schools by the NCSE also increased from 5265 posts in 2013 to 6705 posts, as at September 2015, which represents an increase in provision of 27% over this period.
These annual increases have taken into account demographic growth and increased demand for special educational services in recent years, including for the current school year.
The additional full year cost of removing, or amending, the current caps on the number of special needs assistants and resource teachers for future years will be dependent on the increased demand for provision, if any, in that particular year, and any consequent cap adjustment required.
