Tuesday, 17 Nov 2015

Written Answers Nos. 530-551

School Completion Programme

Questions (530)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

530. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of new schools that have been constructed and have come into operation in each area, according to their area status under the Pobal deprivation index (Haase and Pratschke 2012), since the last identification of the delivering equality of opportunity in schools scheme's qualifying criteria in schools by the Educational Research Centre in 2006. [40332/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

A total of 140 new schools have been constructed over the period 2011 to 2015. At primary level 103 new schools have been constructed and 37 new schools have been constructed for the post-primary sector. The names and roll numbers of all 140 schools are provided in the following tables.

On the occasion of the announcement of the five year plan in March 2012, the focus was directed at meeting the dramatic rise in enrolments at both primary and second level schools. The priority was to ensure that every child could access a physical school place. This is achieved not only in the provision of new schools but also in the construction of large scale schools extensions and extra classrooms delivered under the devolved Additional Accommodation Scheme.

New Primary Schools completed 2011-2015

	County	Roll No	School	Year
1	Carlow	11135K	St Mary's National School,  Bagnelstown	2015
2	Cork	17848I	SN Mhuire, Glenville	2015
3	Dublin	12014D	St. Andrew's NS, Lucan	2015
4	Dublin	16461C	Caisleain Nua Liamhna, Newcastle, Rathcoole	2015
5	Dublin	20425U	GS Sliabh Rua, Stepaside,	2015
6	Kerry	16898S	SN Breandan Naofa, Blennerville	2015
7	Kerry	20229U	Nagle Rice NS (M), Killorglin/Milltown	2015
8	Kildare	09414C	St Laurence's National School, Crookstown	2015
9	Kildare	11893G	St David's NS, Piper's Hill, Naas	2015
10	Kildare	20403K	Kildare ETNS, Kildare Town.	2015
11	Limerick	20184B	Galvone NS & Southill JS (Amal) Limerick City	2015
12	Meath	17839H	S N Bheinn Naofa (B), Duleek	2015
13	Meath	17840P	S N Bheinn Naofa (G), Duleek	2015
14	Meath	20164S	Navan ET	2015
15	Offaly	20267F	Scoil Bride, Carrick Rd, Edenderry	2015
16	Waterford	20050D	Gaelscoil na Deise, Grace Dieu Road, Waterford	2015
17	Waterford	20160K	Waterford Educate Together NS	2015
18	Westmeath	17932U	Odhran Naofa NS, Slanemore, Mullingar	2015
19	Westmeath	18640M	Naomh Iosef NS, Rath Guaire, Killucan	2015
20	Wexford	17913Q	SN Mhuire, Barntown	2015
21	Cork	20354A	Cara Jnr (Special) School, Mayfield	2014
22	Cork	20435A	St Joseph's NS & St John's NS, Kinsale, Co. Cork.	2014
23	Dublin	09932B	Stanhope Street Convent Primary school	2014
24	Dublin	17055T	Naomh Mhuire NS, Saggart	2014
25	Dublin	18047C	Scoil Bhride C, Blanchardstown	2014
26	Dublin	19474D	St. Colmcille's Junior NS, Knocklyon, Templeogue	2014
27	Dublin	19742C	St. Colmcille's Senior NS, Knocklyon, Templeogue	2014
28	Dublin	19878E	Ballycragh NS, Ballycragh, Firhouse, Tallaght, Dublin 24	2014
29	Dublin	20190T	Holy Trinity NS	2014
30	Dublin	20274C	Esker ETNS, Lucan, Co. Dublin.	2014
31	Dublin	20383H	Blanchardstown West ETNS	2014
32	Galway	17759J	Scoil Bhride, Menlo, Castlegar, Galway.	2014
33	Galway	19998O	Gaelscoil de hÍde, Oranmore, Co. Galway	2014
34	Galway	20350P	Merlin Woods, Doughiska	2014
35	Kildare	20351R	Naas Community National School, Craddockstown	2014
36	Kilkenny	20255V	Bunscoil McAuley Rice, West St, Callan, Co. Kilkenny.	2014
37	Limerick	20148U	Gaelscoil Chaladh an Treoigh, Chaladh an Treoigh	2014
38	Meath	18762D	SN Realt na Mara (Girls) Mornington	2014
39	Meath	18767M	SN Realt na Mara (Boys) Mornington	2014
40	Offaly	20332N	Gaelscoil Eadan Doire, Club Sacair Bhaile Éadain Doire	2014
41	Carlow	20295K	Carlow Educate Together NS	2013
42	Clare	15042A	Ennis NS	2013
43	Cork	17609N	Rathcormac NS, Rathcormac	2013
44	Cork	20006A	Gaelscoil Chloich na Coillte, Clonakilty	2013
45	Cork	20310D	Carrigaline ETNS, Co. Cork.	2013
46	Dublin	18046A	Scoil Bhride B, Blanchardstown	2013
47	Galway	20199O	Scoil Náisiúnta Uachtar Árd, Oughterard	2013
48	Kildare	17064U	Scoil Phadraig, Ballylinan, Athy	2013
49	Kildare	17674B	SN Aine Naofa, Ard Cloc, Straffan	2013
50	Laois	14838N	Maryborough CoI NS	2013
51	Laois	20081O	Gaelscoil Portlaoise	2013
52	Laois	20347D	Portlaoise Educate Together	2013
53	Louth	20259G	St. Francis' NS, Dundalk	2013
54	Meath	20179I	St Stephen's NS, Navan	2013
55	Monaghan	19936P	Gaelscoil Ultain	2013
56	Sligo	19495L	Carbury NS, The Mall	2013
57	Wexford	20057R	Gaelscoil Inis Corthaidh, Enniscorthy	2013
58	Wicklow	20300A	Greystones ETNS, Blacklion, Greystones	2013
59	Carlow	17501Q	Bennekerry NS, Bennykerry	2012
60	Cork	13450F	Rushbrooke NS, Cobh	2012
61	Cork	16746S	Ballygarvan NS	2012
62	Cork	17667E	SN Pádraig Naofa, Whitechurch	2012
63	Cork	19839R	Gaelscoil Uí Riordán, Ballincollig	2012
64	Dublin	16675V	Mulhuddart National School	2012
65	Dublin	19373U	St. Michael's House Special School, Kish House, Greendale	2012
66	Dublin	20223I	Gaelscoil Eiscir Riada, Lucan	2012
67	Dublin	20348F	Holywell ET, Swords	2012
68	Dublin	20269J	Scoil Chormaic, Balbriggan	2012
69	Galway	08512U	Iomair NS, Killimor	2012
70	Kerry	17646T	O'Brennan NS, Kielduff, Tralee	2012
71	Kerry	20197K	Kenmare NS, Kenmare	2012
72	Kildare	20058T	Sc Uí Fhiach, Maynooth	2012
73	Laois	07442U	Convent of Mercy NS, Borris in Ossory	2012
74	Laois	17617M	Scoil Chomhgain Naofa, Killeshin	2012
75	Limerick	13026P	Kilfinane National School	2012
76	Limerick	18991S	JFK Memorial School, Ennis Road	2012
77	Louth	20205G	St Mary's Parish School, Drogheda	2012
78	Louth	20349H	Scoil Oilibhéir Naofa	2012
79	Meath	17213L	SN Mhuire, Ma Nealta, Ceannanus Mór	2012
80	Meath	17821L	Scoil Nais Mhuire Naofa, Enfield, Co Meath	2012
81	Offaly	17637S	SN Sheosaimh Naofa, Beál Átha na gCarr, Tullamore	2012
82	Tipperary	15696B	Silvermines National School	2012
83	Wicklow	09760V	Powerscourt NS, Powerscourt, Enniskerry	2012
84	Cavan	06998Q	SN Tulach a Mhile, Corlough	2011
85	Cork	20001N	Gaelscoil Bheanntrai	2011
86	Cork	20105C	Star of the Sea Primary School, Passage West	2011
87	Dublin	19898K	Gaelscoil an Duinnigh, Feltrim, Swords	2011
88	Dublin	20161M	Donabate\Portrane Educate Together	2011
89	Dublin	20201V	Tyrrelstown Educate Together	2011
90	Dublin	20274C	Esker ET, Adamstown, Lucan	2011
91	Dublin	20095C	Gaelscoil Bhrian Bóroimhe	2011
92	Dublin	20145O	Swords Educate Together NS	2011
93	Galway	19858V	Gaelscoil Dara, Galway City	2011
94	Kerry	20196I	Ballybunion NS	2011
95	Kildare	16705E	Scoil Phadraig Naofa, Athy	2011
96	Kildare	17662R	Scoil Bhride NS, Kill	2011
97	Laois	14260F	Abbeyleix South NS, Abbeyleix	2011
98	Louth	18069M	Naomh Seosamh, Mell, Drogheda	2011
99	Mayo	20046M	Gaelscoil Na Cruaiche, Cathair na Mart	2011
100	Meath	20180Q	Scoil Eoin National School, Navan	2011
101	Meath	20215J	St. Paul's NS, Ratoath	2011
102	Waterford	19629G	Holy Cross School, Ballycarnane, Tramore	2011
103	Westmeath	18812P	Loch an Ghair NS Mullingar	2011

New Post-Primary Schools completed 2011-2015

	County	Roll No.	School	Year
1	Cork	76067L	Coláiste Mhuire, Buttevant, Co Cork	2015
2	Dublin	76152C	Clonburris Post-Primary School, Clonburris, Lucan	2015
3	Galway	71330V	Coláiste na Coiribe, Bóthar Thuama	2015
4	Kerry	61410N	Presentation School, Milltown	2015
5	Louth	91573N	Ballymakenny College, Drogheda	2015
6	Wicklow	61790D	St Brendan's College, Bray	2015
7	Wicklow	68081J	Temple Carrig Secondary School, Greystones	2015
8	Galway	76096S	Merlin College, Doughiska	2014
9	Leitrim	91519H	Ballinamore Community School	2014
10	Limerick	68121S	Scoil na Trionoide, Doon	2014
11	Meath	76173K	Coláiste na Mí, Navan	2014
12	Waterford	91520P	Tramore Community School	2014
13	Westmeath	71410T	Athlone Community College	2014
14	Wexford	76127D	Gorey Community College	2014
15	Cork	81008W	Ashton Comprehensive School, Blackrock Road	2013
16	Donegal	76081F	Coláiste Ailigh, Letterkenny	2013
17	Dublin	76130P	Luttrellstown CC	2013
18	Dublin	76213T	Lusk Community College	2013
19	Galway	76233C	Claregalway	2013
20	Monaghan	76091I	Gaelcholáiste Oiriall	2013
21	Monaghan	76095Q	Monaghan Institute of Further Education (MIFET)	2013
22	Cavan	61060M	St Patrick's College, Cavan, Co. Cavan	2012
23	Dublin	60450U	Coláiste Mhuire na mBráithre, Cabra	2012
24	Meath	76103M	Colaiste Na hInse, Laytown	2012
25	Offaly	65610S	Colaiste Choilm, O'Moore Street, Tullamore	2012
26	Sligo	65170Q	Summerhill College, Sligo	2012
27	Waterford	64970U	Coláiste na Maighdine, Presentation Secondary School	2012
28	Wicklow	61800D	Presentation College, Bray	2012
29	Donegal	71240U	Stranorlar Vocational School (Finn Valley College)	2011
30	Dublin	76098W	Pobail Scoil Setanta, Phibblestown	2011
31	Dublin	76104O	Donabate Community College	2011
32	Wexford	76127D	Gorey Community College	2011
33	Cork	76090G	Bantry Community College	2011
34	Kildare	91530S	Kildare Town Community School	2011
35	Limerick	76093M	Abbeyfeale Community College	2011
36	Meath	91517D	Athboy Community School	2011
37	Wicklow	76099B	Wicklow Town Community College	2011

School Equipment

Questions (531)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor

Question:

531. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools that have defibrillators installed; the number of staff who are trained to use them; who covers the payment for the training of staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40433/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

Any decision to install a defibrillator is made at local school level and accordingly my Department does not have the data requested by the Deputy in relation to the number of schools that have installed defibrillators.

The question of the need for defibrillators to be made available in public places such as schools and any training needs arising from same is primarily a public health matter and would therefore be a matter for the Department of Health.

Autism Support Services

Questions (532)

Martin Heydon

Question:

532. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Education and Skills to list the preschools with autism spectrum disorder units in County Kildare; if there is none in place, her plans to provide them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40442/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I note that the Deputy has clarified that he is referring to early intervention classes attached to mainstream schools in Co. Kildare.

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.

The NCSE have advised that there are 5 Early Intervention classes attached to mainstream schools in Co. Kildare.

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.

The NCSE also continue to monitor and review the requirement for special class places in particular areas and has capacity to open such new special classes where necessary, subject to the willingness of schools to open classes.

Parents can choose to enrol children with autism in an early intervention class from the age of three and where such a placement is not available home tuition is approved. Children with autism over the age of four may also be eligible for home tuition if a school placement is not available for them.

All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents are encouraged to liaise with the local SENO to discuss placement options for their child.

Residential Institutions

Questions (533)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

533. 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 2002 indemnity agreement, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40465/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

Under the 2002 Indemnity Agreement, the 18 participating religious congregations are contributing €128m in cash, counselling services and property. The cash contributions of €54.42m under the Indemnity Agreement have been received. These contributions include collective contributions from the congregations. Of the €54.42m cash, €12.7m was earmarked for former residents and their relatives in the form of grants to assist them access educational services. This money was expended via the now dissolved Education Finance Board while the remaining €41.72m and the associated interest, i.e. a sum of €42.259m, has been expended on the Redress Scheme.

Under the Agreement my Department agreed in principle with CORI that a total of 64 properties would be accepted subject to good and marketable title and agreed valuations. This number has reduced to 61 as the Department has accepted and received a cash sum in lieu of three properties where good and marketable title could not be established.

46 Properties have been fully transferred and there are no outstanding issues. A list of these properties is set out in the following table.

Work is continuing to finalise the arrangements in relation to the remaining properties.

Properties which have been fully transferred under the 2002 Indemnity Agreement

	Property	Value
1	Doon, Co Limerick	€640,000.00
2	St Coleman's Rushbrook	€571,380.00
3	Playing Field Carna	€175,000.00
4	Secondary School & Site, Ennistymon	€980,000.00
5	Mohill Community School Site	€520,000.00
6	Terenure Secondary School	€4,500,000.00
7	Site at Merrion	€8,900,000.00
8	Two Properties at Tuam	€3,020,000.00
9	Nursery Buildings Goldenbridge	€570,000.00
10	24 Westcourt Tralee	€184,110.00
11	Site at Glenamaddy	€600,000.00
12	11 Acre Site at Virginia Road, Kells	€825,000.00
13	Deenagh House, Killarney	€215,265.00
14	St Anne's Secondary School	€2,600,000.00
15	28 The Woodlands	€270,000.00
16	Vacant Buildings and Land at Rathdrum	€349,200.00
17	Gate Lodge, Goldenbridge	€220,000.00
18	1 Garravogue Road, Raheen, Co Limerick	€228,550.00
19	23 Wooodlea, Tralee, Co Kerry	€152,370.00
20	Goldenbridge Group Homes	€1,269,700.00
21	Ballymote Co Sligo	€38,000.00
22	15 The Willows	€114,280.00
23	Presentation Convent, Hospital, Co Limerick (to DES)	€175,000.00
24	Traveller Site at Blackrock	€3,045,000.00
25	St Teresa's Temple Hill Blackrock	€3,045,000.00
26	Belmullet Co Mayo	€140,000.00
27	59 Hollybank Road, Drumcondra	€570,000.00
28	Mount St Joseph Passage West	€914,210.00
29	Building & Site at Edgeworthstown	€598,045.00
30	Avondale, Waterford Road, Kilkenny	€330,000.00
31	Site at Longmile Road, Walkinstown	€325,000.00
32	Presentation Convent Hospital, Limerick (to HVHA)	€254,000.00
33	Convent Land at Barrack Street Limerick	€625,000.00
34	2 Moyle Crescent, Clondalkin	€325,000.00
35	.28 Acre Site at Dolphin Park, Crumlin	€250,000.00
36	Holy Cross Gardens Killarney	€1,270,000.00
37	23 Parnell Square	€1,270,000.00
38	Convent at Newport	€635,000.00
39	Ballina	€38,000.00
40	Airne Villa, Rock Road, Killarney, Co Kerry	€221,615.00
41	6 Mount Vincent Terrace Limerick	€400,000.00
42	Gentili, Farahoe, Innishannon, Cork	€228,600.00
43	Roseboro, 2 Firgrove Gardens, Bishopstown, Cork	€292,100.00
44	4 The Hawthorns, Macroom Road, Bandon, Cork	€215,900.00
45	5 Avondale Drive, Bandon, Co. Cork	€190,500.00
46	The Vineyard Centre, Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow	€349,250.00
		€42,650,075.00

Special Educational Needs Staff

Questions (534)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

534. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a reply will issue following an interim response (details supplied) regarding professional development support from the Special Education Support Service for special needs assistants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40489/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I wish to advise the Deputy that the purpose of the Special Needs Assistant (SNA) scheme is to provide schools with additional adult support staff who can assist children with special educational needs who also have additional and significant care needs.

The criteria by which SNA support is allocated to pupils is set out in my Department's Circular 0030/2014 which is available on my Department's website at www.education.ie.

The Circular explains that where pupils have particular care needs, that schools should ensure that SNAs who are recruited to work with such children are equipped with the skills necessary to support the particular needs of these pupils.

The deployment of SNAs within schools is a matter for the individual Principal/Board of Management. SNAs should be deployed by the school in a manner which best meets the care support requirements of the children enrolled in the school for whom SNA support has been allocated. Where specific training may be required, the board should liaise with the Health Service Executive (HSE) in order to ensure that the HSE provides guidance and/or training that enables the SNA to meet the care needs of the pupil in an appropriate manner.

Finally, I wish to advise the Deputy that the brief of the Special Education Support service (SESS) is to enhance the quality of learning and teaching of students with special educational needs through the provision of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and support for teachers in mainstream schools, primary and post-primary special schools, and special classes. The SESS also provides whole school training at the request of schools and at the principals discretion SNAs can also access courses during whole school training. There are no current plans to extend the remit of the SESS to provide for SNA training in the future.

Schools Building Projects Status

Questions (535)

Jim Daly

Question:

535. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the construction of a new school (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40492/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

In July 2015, the school referred to by the Deputy was sanctioned a devolved grant under my Department's Additional Accommodation Scheme for the provision of a new 4 Classroom School.

My Department is currently awaiting a Stage 1 Preliminary Design submission from the school authorities.

Special Educational Needs Staff

Questions (536, 537)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

536. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of special needs assistants for each of the primary schools in County Tipperary for each year of this Dáil term, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40503/15]

Mattie McGrath

Question:

537. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of special needs assistants for each of the delivering equality of opportunity in schools scheme schools in County Tipperary for each year of this Dáil term; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40504/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 536 and 537 together.

I wish to advise the Deputy that in July last, I secured Government approval for an additional 610 Special Needs Assistant (SNA) posts which were made available for allocation to schools this year to support children with special educational needs with assessed care needs. This builds on the increases of 365 additional SNA posts provided for in last year's budget announcement and the 390 additional SNA posts announced in December 2013.

This brings to 11,940, the total number of SNA posts available for allocation to the end of 2015. This is the highest level of SNA allocation that we have ever had and represents an increase of 11.7% in SNA posts available for allocation to schools since this Government came to office.

From the beginning of September, there are 11,820 whole time equivalent SNA posts available in schools to support children with special educational needs with assessed care needs. These extra posts will ensure that the Government's policy of ensuring that every child who is assessed as needing SNA support will receive access to such support.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for allocating SNA support for each school annually taking into account the assessed care needs of children qualifying for SNA support enrolled in the school.

The NCSE has published details of SNA allocations for schools for September 2015 on its website, which are available to view on a per county basis, including County Tipperary. The list of schools participating in the DEIS Programme is available on my Department's website www.education.ie.

Schools Building Projects Status

Questions (538)

Ruth Coppinger

Question:

538. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will ensure funding is made available for building works at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40557/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

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 St Mochta's National School, Clonsilla is included in the Programme.

Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Questions (539)

Tony McLoughlin

Question:

539. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills with regard to the Student Universal Support Ireland grant's 45 km distance policy for the adjacent rate and non-adjacent rates of grant awarded, if this distance is calculated from the student's home address to the educational institution in question, or if it is calculated from the student's townland or locality; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40561/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The current qualifying distance of 45km for the higher non-adjacent rate of student grant, takes into account a reasonable radius within which students may commute on a daily basis.

The measurement of the distances relating to the award of adjacent or non-adjacent rates of student grant is a matter for the relevant grant awarding authority. The distance measurement for student grant rates is governed by Article 27(3)(a) and (b) of the Student Grant Scheme 2015. This provides that the relevant distance will be measured in line with agreed guidelines.

The guidelines require that the shortest most direct route between the applicant's normal residence and the institution being attended should apply. In determining the shortest most direct route, the relevant awarding authority shall establish the method for measuring a route, and the factors to be taken into account in establishing and measuring a route.

The awarding authority's criteria for measuring a route must be accessible, particularly to the applicant, the appeals officer and the Student Grants Appeals Board.

I have no plans to change the current arrangements.

Summer Works Scheme Applications

Questions (540)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

540. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will ensure that an application by a school (details supplied) in County Dublin under the summer works programme is approved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40564/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The Deputy will be aware that I recently confirmed the provision of €80 million over 2016 and 2017 for a multi-annual Summer Works Scheme for schools. This funding was initially promised as part of the Budget 2016 investment in schools. The funding will allow schools to carry out small and medium scale building works such as gas, electrical and mechanical works, roof and window upgrades, structural improvements; works that will improve and upgrade existing school buildings.

It is open to schools to prioritise the works they wish to undertake within the terms of the Scheme. Schools can now submit an application to my Department using the online Esinet portal facility. The closing date for receipt of applications is the 27th November 2015.

I wish to advise the Deputy that commensurate with the level of funding available for the Summer Works Scheme, applications will be assessed on a top down basis in accordance with the prioritisation criteria outlined in the governing Circular Letter for the Scheme. This Circular Letter (0055/2015) is available on my Department's website www.education.ie. It is my intention to publish a list of successful applicants in early 2016.

School Staff

Questions (541)

Michael Moynihan

Question:

541. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the long-term strategy for a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; if there will be amendments to the employee numbers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40595/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The criteria used for the allocation of teachers to schools is published annually on the Department's website. The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September. The staffing process includes an appeals mechanism for schools to submit an appeal under certain criteria to an independent Primary Staffing Appeals Board. The staffing arrangements for the 2015/16 school year are set out in Circular 0005/2015 which is on the Department's website. The school referred to by the Deputy has a current staffing of Principal and one mainstream teacher, based on an enrolment of 22 pupils on 30th September 2014.

The Deputy will be aware that I have announced a one point improvement to the primary staffing schedule in the context of Budget 2016. The improved staffing schedule which is available on the Department website will be implemented for the 2016/17 school year. The staffing arrangements for all schools for the 2016/17 school year will be published early in 2016.

Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board

Questions (542)

Clare Daly

Question:

542. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress she has made regarding the long-promised review of Caranua, with particular reference to the possibility of children of victims of institutional abuse being able to access the fund. [40596/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

As I have previously explained to the Deputy, a commitment was given during the passage of the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act 2012 to review the operation of the Fund two years after its establishment in the event of applications not resulting in a significant expenditure of the Fund. The terms of reference for the review will be drafted in the near future but it is unlikely that the possibility of children of victims of institutional abuse being able to access the fund will be included.

Schools Building Projects Status

Questions (543)

Sean Fleming

Question:

543. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills to expedite the urgent progression of a school building project (details supplied) in County Carlow, given the difficulties that have arisen; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40623/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The Board of Management of the school referred to by the Deputy has contacted my Department with regard to the appointment of a replacement Quantity Surveyor for their school building project.

In line with Public Procurement Procedures a tender competition for a replacement Quantity Surveyor commenced in early November. The closing date for receipt of Tenders is early December and a replacement will be appointed shortly thereafter.

The main building project is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning which involves obtaining planning permission, fire certificate and disability access certificate and the completion of tender documents. Following the appointment of the replacement consultant the Design Team will submit their completed Stage 2b submission to my Department for review and approval. Following approval of the stage 2b submission and subject to no other issues arising the project will then proceed to tender and construction stage.

The project is included in the five year construction programme announced in 2012.

School Transport Eligibility

Questions (544)

James Bannon

Question:

544. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will examine the case of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath to ensure the person receives the due entitlement under the remote area grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40636/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

Under the terms of my Department's School Transport Scheme, an eligible child for whom no transport service is available may, following an application for transport within the prescribed time limits, receive a Remote Area Grant towards the cost of private transport arrangements. The family in question are eligible for a grant to a pick up point in the morning and a grant from school to home in the afternoon.

Officials from my Department wrote to the family in question in February 2012 giving a detailed breakdown of the calculation used to determine the amount of grant payment they were due under the Remote Area Grant.

My Department is satisfied that the grant payments made have been calculated at the correct rate.

School Patronage

Questions (545)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

545. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills the current policy in respect of diversity in school patronage; and the steps she will take to ensure the demand from parents for multidenominational and non-denominational education will be met in the short term and in the medium term, given the high level of dissatisfaction with the limited options available in many areas at present. [40716/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

As the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government gives a commitment to move towards a more pluralist system of patronage for our schools. In this context, the government established a Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector. The Forum advised on how the education system can provide a sufficiently diverse number and range of primary schools catering for all religions and none and also advised on the practicalities of transferring/divesting patronage for individual primary schools where it is appropriate and necessary. Arising from the work of the Forum, eight new primary schools have opened under the patronage divesting process and work is continuing to advance choices in other identified areas. I am engaging with the Catholic bishops in order to reinvigorate the patronage divestment process.

New schools are established to meet demographic need. In the past ten years the total pupil enrolment in first and second level schools has risen by almost 100,000 pupils. Enrolment levels are still rising annually at both levels and are projected to rise by some 44,000 pupils in 2018/19 compared with current levels. This level of increase has meant that the available financial resources have to be prioritised towards ensuring that every child has access to a physical school place. It is simply not practical for every student to be provided with access to a place in a school operated by a patron of their choice. The new school establishment arrangements introduced in 2011 place a strong emphasis on parental choice. In any area identified as requiring a new school it is open to all patron/prospective patron bodies to make application for patronage under the patronage determination process. Since 2011, 42 new schools have opened (24 primary and 18 post-primary). 39 of these schools have a multi-denominational ethos.

Special Educational Needs Staff

Questions (546)

Robert Troy

Question:

546. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will intervene with the special educational needs organisers to ensure a school (details supplied) in County Longford retains the two special needs assistants it is due to lose as a consequence of the loss of three children in 2014, as this decision does not reflect the fact three new students, who have more profound needs, have replaced the three pupils who left; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40732/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I wish to advise the Deputy that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for allocating resource teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to schools to support children with special educational needs.

The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. The criteria by which SNA support is allocated to pupils is set out in my Department's Circular 0030/2014.

It is important to note that each school's allocation of SNA support can change from year to year and may be increased or decreased as students who qualify for SNA support enrol or leave a school. New students with care needs may, or may not, enrol to replace students who have left, for example, or SNA allocations may be decreased where a child's care needs have diminished over time.

The deployment of SNAs within schools is then a matter for the individual Principal/Board of Management. SNAs should be deployed by the school in a manner which best meets the care support requirements of the children enrolled in the school for whom SNA support has been allocated. It is a matter for schools to allocate support as required, and on the basis of individual need, which allows schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised.

All schools were asked to apply for SNA support for the 2015/16 school year by 18th March 2015. The NCSE also continued to accept applications after this date in recognition that enrolments may not have been completed or where assessments were not completed.

The NCSE has published details of SNA allocations for schools for September 2015 on its website www.ncse.ie.

The website indicates that the school in question had an allocation of 12 whole time equivalent (WTE) SNA posts in the 2014/15 school year and has retained the same allocation of SNA posts for the 2015/16 school year.

I understand that the NCSE recently visited the school on foot of an enquiry received from the school authorities in relation to its SNA allocation and, having considered all available information, has determined that the SNA allocation for the school for 2015/16 is a sufficient level of support to cater for the care needs of all qualifying children enrolled in the school.

I understand also that the SENO has met with parents of pupils attending the school to discuss the allocation process and has informed the school of the appeal process which applies in relation to SNA allocations.

All schools have the contact details of their local SENO, while parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.

Motor Tax Rates

Questions (547)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

547. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his advice to car owners who believe they may be liable for an increase in motor tax due to the Volkswagen company's emissions scandal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40500/15]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

I understand that the extent of the CO2 discrepancies is the subject of ongoing evaluation. I am not in a position to comment further at this stage.

Social and Affordable Housing Provision

Questions (548, 581)

Andrew Doyle

Question:

548. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the special purpose vehicle announced under the social housing strategy will be put in place; the implementation process; how the vehicle will interact with local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40572/15]

Andrew Doyle

Question:

581. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the special purpose vehicle announced under the social housing strategy will be put in place; how it will be rolled out; how it will interact with local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40571/15]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 548 and 581 together.

In November 2014 the Government approved the Social Housing Strategy 2020 which sets out a strategic framework for meeting the State's social housing needs to the end of the decade. The Strategy includes a commitment to commence work on a financial vehicle, to be known as the Strategic Housing Fund, to raise funding for the social housing sector. The financial vehicle will be established to facilitate the aggregation of private investment into a fund for subsequent lending as project finance.

It is intended that this funding would be lent on to qualifying Approved Housing Bodies, giving them access to long term finance. In this regard, the Social Housing Strategy 2020 refers to the possibility of an Approved Housing Body being established by a local authority or among local authorities.

Work on the development of this new funding model is being progressed under the oversight of a group which has been put in place to develop the financial aspects of the Social Housing Strategy. This group - the Finance Work Stream - comprises a range of key stakeholders including the Housing Finance Agency, the National Development Finance Agency and the Departments of Finance and of Public Expenditure & Reform.

The timing of the introduction of the new funding model will be dependent on the outcome of the group's work.

Local Authority Housing Rents

Questions (549, 552)

Barry Cowen

Question:

549. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his Department has issued instructions to local authorities on how to set differential rent rates for social housing tenants; if standardised differential rent assessment guidelines have been given to local authorities; if so, what these are; and if local authority tenants in some areas can expect to see an increase in their rents. [40793/15]

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

552. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his Department has issued new guidelines to local authorities in relation to the charging of rents on local authority housing and apartments in the past two years; the effect this will have on rents for local authority tenants, particularly on pensioners; the changes in the guidelines introduced from the previous guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40055/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 549 and 552 together.

Each housing authority is responsible, under section 58 of the Housing Act 1966, for determining the rent for its dwellings, subject to complying with broad principles laid down by my Department and the guidance issued in 2001 setting out good practice for the management of their rent assessment, accounting and collection functions. The primary principle set down is that the rent payable should be related to household income and that low-income households should pay a lower proportion of income in rent.

The current arrangements for determining local authority rents will be substantially replaced on the coming into force of Section 31 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009. Section 31 provides for the introduction of a national differential rents framework that will harmonise local authority rent levels, while retaining some discretion for individual authorities to set rents in their own areas. The introduction of the rent framework will mean that the amount of rent payable by some households may be subject to change in some cases. Detailed proposals for the implementation of Section 31 are currently being considered.

Social and Affordable Housing Provision

Questions (550)

Bobby Aylward

Question:

550. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will investigate the feasibility of a purchase-to-rent scheme to provide long-term social housing tenants with the option of purchasing the residence in which they have been housed through housing agencies such as the Respond! Housing Association, Túath Housing and Clúid Housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40042/15]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

Approved housing bodies (AHBs) such as Respond, Túath and Clúid are organisations approved under section 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992 to provide social housing support in conjunction with local authorities.

Since the late 1980s, AHBs have been providing social housing under various capital funding schemes underpinned by mortgages. More recently, a scheme was introduced that provides an up-front capital payment of up to 30% of the property value to facilitate AHBs in raising private finance to acquire or build new social housing units. The capital advanced is repayable at the end of a payment and availability agreement, usually after 30 years.

Under the terms of these various funding schemes, AHBs are the de facto owners of these properties and are required to make them available for social renting for the duration of the mortgage or, as the case may be, the availability agreement.  On expiry of the mortgage period and subject to compliance with the terms of the funding agreement, the AHB becomes the owner of the property.

My Department cannot unilaterally make provision for their sale to tenants. Any such decision would have to involve the AHB concerned and have regard to the mortgage on the property.

National Positive Ageing Strategy Implementation

Questions (551)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor

Question:

551. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is aware that responsibility for delivering objective 3.2 of the national positive ageing strategy, relating to the development of alternative housing options that meets the needs of older persons, is assigned to his Department; the progress he has made in delivering this objective; the work completed to date; the contact there has been with other State bodies in seeking to achieve this objective; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40049/15]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

My Department is working across a number of fronts in regard to our responsibility for the objective set out in the National Positive Ageing Strategy of facilitating older people to live in well-maintained, affordable, safe and secure homes, which are suitable to their physical and social needs.

The provision of social housing to meet the accommodation needs of older people, and other people with specific categories of need, is a particular focus of my Department and is funded for the most part under the Capital Assistance Scheme. Projects are implemented by approved housing bodies working with local authorities and funding of up to 100% of costs can be provided. This year alone, I have approved new projects to the value of over €151 million under the Capital Assistance Scheme. In addition, my Department supports local authorities in the development and improvement of specific accommodation that the authorities themselves provide for older persons.

My Department also provides funding under the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability, to assist households to have necessary repairs or improvement works carried out in order to facilitate the continued independent occupancy of their homes. The grants are 80% funded by my Department, with a 20% contribution from the resources of each local authority. The Housing Aid for Older People Scheme provides grants of up to €8,000 to assist older people living in poor housing conditions to have necessary repairs or improvements carried out. Grant-eligible works include structural repairs or improvements, re-wiring, repairs to or replacement of windows and doors, provision of water supply and sanitary facilities, provision of heating, cleaning, painting, etc. The Mobility Aids Grant Scheme is available to fast track grants of up to €6,000 to cover a basic suite of works to address the mobility problems of a member of a household. Qualifying works include the provision of stair lifts, level access showers, access ramps, grab rails and some minor adaptation works.

I am aware of the social benefit accruing from the Housing Adaptation grant schemes in terms of facilitating the continued independent occupancy of their own homes by older people and people with a disability. For that reason, I increased the funding available in 2015 to €50.5 million, an increase of some 10% on last year, enabling local authorities to deliver increased services to their citizens. I expect that some 8,000 households will benefit under the schemes this year.

My Department also oversees the housing needs analysis undertaken by local authorities to capture the social housing requirements of older citizens. Current housing legislation requires local authorities to classify any specific accommodation requirements of a qualified household where one or more household member is aged 65 years or more. This information is collated as part of the statutory summary of social housing assessments.

My Department is also responsible for the Seniors Alert Scheme which encourages community support for vulnerable older people in our communities. The Scheme provides funding for the purchase and installation of personal monitored alarms to enable older persons, of limited means, to continue to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind. The scheme is administered by local community and voluntary groups with the support of Pobal.

Part M of the Building Regulations aims to foster an inclusive approach to the design and construction of the built environment. The requirements of Part M (M1 - M4) aim to ensure that regardless of age, size or disability:

(a) new buildings other than dwellings are accessible and usable;

(b) extensions to existing buildings other than dwellings are where practicable, accessible and useable;

(c) material alterations to existing buildings other than dwellings increase the accessibility and usability of existing buildings where practicable;

(d) certain changes of use to existing buildings other than dwellings increase the accessibility and usability of existing buildings where practicable; and

(e) new dwellings are visitable.

These requirements underpin the principle of Universal Design, which is defined in the Disability Act 2005 as “the design and composition of an environment so that it may be accessed, understood and used to the greatest practicable extent, in the most independent and natural manner possible, in the widest possible range of situations and without the need for adaptation, modification, assistive devices or specialised solutions, by persons of any age or size or having any particular physical, sensory, mental health or intellectual ability or disability”.

My Department has ongoing contact with other Departments and State bodies in regard to the areas outlined above, including with the Department of Health as lead Department in respect of the National Positive Ageing Strategy. Contact with local authorities in relation to the implementation of these actions is also a continuous feature of my Department's work, in particular in relation to the provision of new sheltered housing for older people and the carrying out of improvement works to facilitate the continued independent occupancy of their homes by older people.