Tuesday, 1 Dec 2015

Written Answers Nos. 479-500

Medicinal Products Expenditure

Questions (479)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

479. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if he will retrospectively refund patients with multiple sclerosis for moneys spent on the drug Fampyra before 1 October 2015. [43018/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Fampridine (brand name Fampyra®) has been reimbursed under the Long Term Illness Scheme on a conditional, responder-only basis since 1 October 2015. It is not possible to reimburse patients retrospectively for any medicine purchased before that medicine is added to the HSE's List of Reimbursable Items.

Question No. 480 answered with Question No. 478.

Services for People with Disabilities

Questions (481)

Colm Keaveney

Question:

481. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made in implementing each of the 31 recommendations in the 2011 Health Service Executive report, Time to Move on from Congregated Settings; the time frame for full implementation of these recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42333/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The HSE's report "Time to Move on from Congregated Settings–A Strategy for Community Inclusion",(2011) proposes a new model of support in the community by moving people from institutional settings to the community, over a seven year time frame. The plan will be rolled out at a regional and local level and will involve full consultation.

In terms of housing, the Department of Health and the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government are working in collaboration to support the transition of people with a disability from institutions to social housing in the community under the Government's National Housing Strategy for People with Disability 2011 to 2016.

As part of the implementation process, in 2013 and 2014 one million euro was transferred from the Department of Health's Vote to the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government's Vote to provide for the ring-fenced social housing costs of up to 150 people leaving disability or mental health institutions. At the end of December 2014, it is estimated that there were around 3,000 people with a disability living in congregated settings. The HSE has prioritised the transition of 150 people from congregated settings in 2015. In 2015, one million euro has been allocated to the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government to continue this process.

As the HSE is responsible for leading out on the recommendations on "Time to Move on from Congregated Settings–A Strategy for Community Inclusion", I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, he can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.

Departmental Legal Cases Data

Questions (482)

Billy Timmins

Question:

482. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health the number of legal cases currently ongoing against his Department, including State agencies under his aegis; the number of cases that took place during the years 2011 to 2014, inclusive; the cost of those that were contested and what damages were involved; the costs and damages of those that were settled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43268/15]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The information requested regarding the number of legal cases ongoing or which took place from 2011-2014 and associated costs is not immediately available and will be collated and forwarded to the Deputy at the earliest opportunity.

Details of legal cases taken by or against other bodies under the aegis of the Department are operational matters for the bodies concerned and the Deputy should contact the relevant Director/CEO/Registrar directly. I have requested the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in this matter. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

Departmental Staff Data

Questions (483)

Regina Doherty

Question:

483. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Health the number of employees under his remit who are classified under a contract of indefinite duration; the number of these who are receiving incremental salary payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43281/15]

Written answers

Minister for Health

One employee in my Department is on a contract of indefinite duration and is on an incremental pay scale.

I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly on the aspect of the question that relates to their employees. In relation to Non-Commercial State Agencies under the remit of my Department, this information is being sought and will be forwarded to the Deputy when collated.

Human Rights

Questions (484)

Anne Ferris

Question:

484. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will intervene in the case of a person (details supplied) who is imprisoned in Egypt in a manner contrary to the Irish Constitution; if he considers the ongoing and prolonged detention without trial of an Irish person to be acceptable to him as Minister and to the Government and the people of Ireland; the action he will take in response to this slight by a foreign nation on our Constitution and national values; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42756/15]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I have intensively engaged with the Egyptian authorities regarding this citizen's case, including the Egyptian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Egypt’s Ambassador to Ireland, and with EU and international partners, including the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Ms. Federica Mogherini. The Taoiseach also raised the case in person on two occasions with Egyptian President al-Sisi. The information we receive from all of these contacts is carefully considered and regularly used in reviewing our approach to the management of this case.

The Government’s key objectives in this case are firstly, to see this citizen released by the Egyptian authorities so that he can return to his family and his studies in Ireland and, secondly, to provide consular support for his welfare while he remains in detention. Significant resources in Cairo and in Dublin continue to be deployed in the furtherance of these objectives. I would note in this regard that Embassy officials frequently visit this citizen in detention, most recently on 23 November.

Irrespective of any views regarding the fairness or appropriateness of any arrest abroad, the reality is that where an Irish citizen is charged with an offence under the law of a foreign country, it is the foreign law that applies and it is the relevant foreign court which decides matters such as bail and release. Nonetheless, I can assure the Deputy that this case will continue to receive a high priority in my Department.

Passport Services

Questions (485)

Willie Penrose

Question:

485. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade about the remedy available to a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath who has legally changed name by way of deed poll, who has changed all legal documents to reflect this and who now wishes to travel under the new name but where the Passport Office has refused for at least two years to issue a new passport to reflect the new identity, which effectively compels the person to travel using an old passport notwithstanding that the person has sworn on affidavit not to do so, and which will have consequences if the person becomes ill in the country visited; if in this context, he will permit the new passport to be issued in the new name; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42725/15]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

All passport applications are subject to the terms of the Passports Act, 2008, as amended (the Act). This provides a legal basis for the various policies and practices which are applied by the Passport Service in the processing of passport applications. Section 10 of the Act provides that a passport will issue in the name of a citizen as it appears on his/her birth certificate. However, a name change for a passport from that which appears on a person’s birth certificate is permitted under the Act in situations such as marriage for example.

In cases where name change arises, other than by marriage, civil partnership, adoption or gender change, the Act specifically requires evidence of the use of this new name over a two year period. While there is discretion under the Act in accepting evidence of usage for less than two years, this has been normally applied in the past to serious cases such as those involving domestic abuse.

While the person in question may have changed her name by deed poll, this is not, of itself, evidence of a change of name. To determine a person’s name at any given moment in time depends upon evidence to support the constant and sustained use of this new identity. A deed poll merely sets out an intention to change a person’s name and does not, by itself, have the effect of changing that person's name. A deed poll is, therefore, not conclusive evidence of a change of name.

There is no record on the system of a passport application refusal to this person in her new name. It should, therefore, be noted that her current passport is a travel identity document that is issued under the provisions of the Act and which is accepted at all international border points. As indicated, it may be replaced with her new name if relevant evidence of the usage of that name is available to her. If this is the case, she should make a passport application in the new identity well in advance of any future travel that she may have planned. If not, she should plan her travel and insurance cover on the basis of the identity in her current passport.

Human Rights

Questions (486, 487, 490)

Clare Daly

Question:

486. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to make a representation to the Egyptian authorities regarding a person (details supplied) who has been incarcerated without trial for almost three years and who is now on a hunger strike which is in danger of causing irreparable damage to the person's health and well being; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42740/15]

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

487. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to progress the issue of the ongoing imprisonment in Egypt of a person (details supplied); the supports he is providing to the person's family here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42879/15]

Martin Heydon

Question:

490. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the actions he has taken to pursue the case of a person (detail supplied); his plans in view of the pending trial; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43023/15]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I propose to take Questions Nos. 486, 487 and 490 together.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has a clear strategy in this case which is focused on achieving a positive outcome at the earliest time possible for this citizen. That strategy is based on two key objectives: Firstly, to see this citizen released by the Egyptian authorities so that he can return to his family and his studies in Ireland and, secondly, to provide consular support for his welfare while he remains in detention.

In furtherance of these objectives, I have intensively engaged with the Egyptian authorities, including the Egyptian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Egypt's Ambassador to Ireland, and with EU and international partners, including High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Ms Federica Mogherini. The Taoiseach also raised the case in person on two occasions with Egyptian President al-Sisi. The information we receive from all of these contacts is carefully considered and used in reviewing our approach to this case on a constant basis.

Significant resources in Cairo and in Dublin continue to be deployed in the provision of comprehensive consular assistance to both the citizen and their family. I would also note that Embassy officials visited this citizen in detention most recently on 23 November. Irrespective of any views regarding the fairness or appropriateness of any arrest abroad, the reality is that where an Irish citizen is charged with an offence under the law of a foreign country, it is the foreign law that applies and it is the relevant foreign court which decides matters such as bail and release.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade continues to review its approach and retains the flexibility to adjust it as and when that may be required, but the Government's approach is guided at all times by the two key objectives set out above.

Foreign Policy

Questions (488)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

488. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of Irish policy on the recognition of independence for Kurdistan; if he has raised the welfare and rights of the Kurdish people in his contact with the governments of Turkey, Iran and Iraq; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42880/15]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Ireland continues to support the territorial integrity of Turkey, Iran and Iraq and does not propose to intervene in internal constitutional matters of those countries, which are for decision by the Turkish, Iranian and Iraqi people and their democratically elected leaders.

Ireland raises human rights issues, including the rights of minority communities, in its political dialogues with all countries bilaterally and through the EU and the UN.

Travel Documents

Questions (489)

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

489. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will open negotiations with his counterparts in the United States of America to obtain global entry cards to the United States of America for Irish passport holders, similar to what was recently negotiated by Great Britain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42976/15]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

'Global Entry' is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk US travellers upon arrival in the United States. While the goal of Global Entry is to speed travellers through the process, no traveller is guaranteed expedited screening and members may be selected for further examination when entering the United States.

I understand that earlier this month this programme was extended to UK citizens with US citizens being given access to the UK's equivalent 'registered traveller' programme. UK citizens still need to apply and go through various steps before being able to avail of the US programme.

Ireland has no equivalent programme for frequent visitors to this country and consequently there are currently no plans to open negotiations with the United States for access to the 'Global Entry' programme. However both Shannon and Dublin airports have arrangements in place for US flights which allow passengers to undergo US CBP clearance before leaving Ireland, thereby greatly expediting their arrival procedures at US airports.

Question No. 490 answered with Question No. 486.

Departmental Legal Cases Data

Questions (491)

Billy Timmins

Question:

491. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of legal cases currently ongoing against his Department, including State agencies under his aegis; the number of cases that took place during the years 2011 to 2014, inclusive; the cost of those that were contested and what damages were involved; the costs and damages of those that were settled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43267/15]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Depending on the subject matter, litigation against my Department is dealt with by the Attorney General's Office and the Chief State Solicitor's Office or the State Claims Agency which may brief outside lawyers as necessary. The cost of any such external lawyers engaged to litigate these cases are not charged to my Department's Votes, but related costs, such as those paid to documentary counsel, may arise. Where the state successfully contests litigation, usually no costs will be awarded against the Department and the question of damages does not arise.

The table sets out the number of cases commenced against the Department since 2011. Where cases have been settled/struck out, the amount of money paid is included; where a case has proceeded to judgment, any legal costs or damages paid by my Department are listed. Where a case is ongoing, no total figure is available. Currently, there are 4 ongoing litigation cases against my Department.

-	Number of cases commenced	Current Status	Cases concluded in a judgment (i) legal Costs	Cases concluded in a judgment (ii) legal damages	Cases settled/struck out - Money paid out to plaintiff/applicant
2011	4	3 concluded 1 struck out with no costs awarded	Nil	Nil	€ 12,165.00 € 10,000.00 €   2,000.00
2012	5	2 settled 3 concluded with no costs awarded	€10,889.19	Nil	€ 66,570.41 € 99,000.00
2013	4	1 closed 1 settled 2 concluded	€147,615.18	Nil	€   5,000.00 € 10,607.00 €   7,380.00
2014	7	6 settled 1 struck out and settled	€20,592.00 €  4,196.00 €  6,597.23 €  8,499.42 €10,105.72	Nil	€185,000.00 €    4,937.13 €    2,738.13 €  35,000.00 €  10,777.10 €  19,500.00 €  18,450.00
2015	1	Settlement agreed for €5,000 but not paid to date.	Awaiting decision for award of costs.

Departmental Staff

Questions (492)

Regina Doherty

Question:

492. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of employees under his remit who are classified under a contract of indefinite duration; the number of these who are receiving incremental salary payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43280/15]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

A total of 12 former Temporary Clerical Officers in my Department were awarded Contracts of Indefinite Duration as permanent Clerical Officers. All of them were granted incremental credit for salary purposes for their previous service in the Civil Service.

Teachers' Remuneration

Questions (493)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

493. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the details of the pay provided to primary teachers recruited before 2011 in contrast to primary teachers recruited since 2011 in tabular format; the efforts to bridge the gap and provide specific figures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42893/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The Teachers' Common Basic Scale and allowances available to newly employed teachers from 2010 onwards are set out in the attached table. Not all of the allowances listed are available to every teacher as entitlement is based on the qualifications held by the individual and/or the nature of the post for which they were employed.

Since the beginning of the financial crisis, there has been a need to enact a number of measures to reduce public expenditure. The previous Government reduced the salaries and allowances payable of all new entrants to public service recruitment grades (including teachers) by 10% with effect from 1 January 2011 and required that such new entrants would start on the first point of the applicable salary scale.

Subsequently, following the public service-wide review of allowances and premium payments, the Government decided to withdraw or modify allowances for new beneficiary public servants with effect from 1 February 2012. Under this decision, certain allowances were withdrawn for new beneficiary teachers, including qualification allowances. However, the Government partially compensated for this by deciding that new entrant teachers would henceforth commence on a new salary scale which had a starting point higher than the starting point of the old scale.

These measures were implemented at time of very difficult financial and budgetary circumstances for the State.

Alleviation of the salary imbalance between those who entered the public service since 2011 and those who entered before that date began under the Haddington Road Agreement. Improved pay scales for post-1 January 2011 and post-1 February 2012 entrants to teaching were agreed and implemented under the terms of that Agreement. In addition, allowances payable to post-1 January 2011 entrants and such allowances as remain payable to post-1 February 2012 entrants were restored to pre-2011 levels.

The Lansdowne Road Agreement will, through salary increases and a reduction in the Pension-Related Deduction, begin the process of restoring the reductions to public service pay which were implemented over recent years. The issue of equalised pay scales was not one which could be resolved in the discussions which lead to the Agreement. However, the flat-rate increases contained in the Agreement will be proportionately more favourable to new entrants to teaching (who are lower on the pay scale) than to longer serving teachers.

Teachers' Common Basic Scale

Scale Point	1/1/10	Post-1/1/11 New Entrants to teaching - Applied 1/1/11 to 30/6/13 (Note a)	Post-1/1/11 New Entrants to teaching - 1/7/13 to 31/10/13 (Note b)	Post 1/1/11 New Entrants to teaching - 1/11/13 onwards (Note c)	Post 1/2/12 New Entrants to teaching - 1/2/12 to 30/6/13  (Note d)	Post 1/2/12 New Entrants to teaching - 1/7/13 onwards  (Note e)
1	€ 30,904	€ 27,814	€ 27,814	€ 27,814	€ 30,702	€ 30,702
2	€ 31,972	€ 28,775	€ 28,775	€ 29,256	€ 32,198	€ 33,168
3	€ 33,041	€ 29,737	€ 30,702	€ 30,904	€ 33,168	€ 33,950
4	€ 34,113	€ 30,702	€ 31,924	€ 31,972	€ 34,136	€ 36,576
5	€ 35,775	€ 32,198	€ 33,168	€ 33,041	€ 36,576	€ 37,795
6	€ 36,853	€ 33,168	€ 34,136	€ 34,113	€ 37,795	€ 39,251
7	€ 37,929	€ 34,136	€ 36,576	€ 35,775	€ 39,251	€ 40,700
8	€ 40,640	€ 36,576	€ 37,795	€ 36,853	€ 40,700	€ 42,160
9	€ 41,994	€ 37,795	€ 39,251	€ 37,929	€ 42,160	€ 43,380
10	€ 43,612	€ 39,251	€ 40,700	€ 40,640	€ 43,380	€ 44,996
11	€ 45,222	€ 40,700	€ 42,160	€ 41,994	€ 44,996	€ 44,996
12	€ 46,844	€ 42,160	€ 43,380	€ 43,612	€ 44,996	€ 44,996
13	€ 48,200	€ 43,380	€ 44,996	€ 45,222	€ 44,996	€ 47,225
14	€ 49,996	€ 44,996	€ 44,996	€ 46,844	€ 47,225	€ 47,225
15	€ 49,996	€ 44,996	€ 44,996	€ 48,200	€ 47,225	€ 47,225
16	€ 49,996	€ 44,996	€ 47,225	€ 49,996	€ 47,225	€ 47,225
17	€ 52,472	€ 47,225	€ 47,225	€ 49,996	€ 47,225	€ 50,170
18	€ 52,472	€ 47,225	€ 47,225	€ 49,996	€ 50,170	€ 50,170
19	€ 52,472	€ 47,225	€ 47,225	€ 52,472	€ 50,170	€ 50,170
20	€ 52,472	€ 47,225	€ 50,170	€ 52,472	€ 50,170	€ 50,170
21	€ 55,744	€ 50,170	€ 50,170	€ 52,472	€ 50,170	€ 53,423
22	€ 55,744	€ 50,170	€ 50,170	€ 52,472	€ 53,423	€ 53,423
23	€ 55,744	€ 50,170	€ 53,423	€ 55,744		€ 53,423
24	€ 55,744	€ 50,170	€ 54,339	€ 55,744		€ 58,765
25	€ 59,359	€ 53,423	€ 55,514	€ 55,744		€ 59,940
26				€ 55,744
27				€ 59,359

Notes:

(a) scale for post-1 January 2011 new entrants to teaching which applied from 1 January 2011 to 30 June 2013

(b) scale for post-1 January 2011 new entrants which applied from 1 July 2013 to 31 October 2013 (agreed as part of the Haddington Road Agreement)

(c) current scale for post-1 January 2011 new entrants - applies since 1 November 2013 (implementation of Clause 2.31 of the Haddington Road Agreement)

(d) scale for post-1 February 2012 new entrants to teaching which applied from 1 February 2012 to 30 June 2013

(e) current scale for post-1 February 2012 new entrants - applies since 1 July 2013 (agreed as part of the Haddington Road Agreement)

Allowances

-	ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS ALLOWANCES	1/1/10	Post-1/1/11 New Entrants to teaching - 1/1/11 to 31/10/13    (Note e)	Post-1/1/11 New Entrants to teaching - 1/11/13 onwards    (Note f)	Post-1/2/12 New Entrants to teaching - 1/2/12 to 31/10/13 (Notes g and h)	Post-1/2/12 New Entrants to teaching - 1/11/13 onwards (Notes g and i)
1	(a) (i)   H. Dip. in Ed. (Pass)	€ 591	€ 532	€ 591
	(ii)  Higher Froebel Cert.	€ 591	€ 532	€ 591
	(b) (i)   H. Dip. in Ed. (1st or 2nd Hons)	€ 1,236	€ 1,112	€ 1,236
	(ii)  Ard Teastas Gaeilge	€ 1,236	€ 1,112	€ 1,236
	(c) Primary Degree (Pass)	€ 1,842	€ 1,658	€ 1,842
	(d) Masters Degree by thesis or exam (Pass)	€ 4,918	€ 4,426	€ 4,918
	(e) Primary Degree (1st or 2nd Hons)	€ 4,918	€ 4,426	€ 4,918
	(f) Masters Degree (1st or 2nd Hons)	€ 5,496	€ 4,946	€ 5,496
	(g) Doctors Degree	€ 6,140	€ 5,526	€ 6,140

Notes on qualification allowances:

(i) Only one of the allowances at (a) or (b) may be held together with one of the allowances (c) to (g)

(ii) Teachers first employed between 5 December 2011 and 31 January 2012 (inclusive) will be assessed for allowances on the basis of their qualifications at entry to the profession to a maximum combined allowance equivalent to that payable for an Honours Primary Degree

-	ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS ALLOWANCES	1/1/10	Post-1/1/11 New Entrants to teaching - 1/1/11 to 31/10/13    (Note e)	Post-1/1/11 New Entrants to teaching - 1/11/13 onwards    (Note f)	Post-1/2/12 New Entrants to teaching - 1/2/12 to 31/10/13 (Notes g and h)	Post-1/2/12 New Entrants to teaching - 1/11/13 onwards (Notes g and i)
2	Diploma for Teachers of Deaf/Blind/ Mentally	€ 2,437	€ 2,193	€ 2,437
	and Physically Handicapped Children
	OTHER ALLOWANCES
3	Teaching through Irish	€ 1,583	€ 1,424	€ 1,583
4	Gaeltacht Grant	€ 3,063	€ 2,757	€ 3,063
5	Island Allowance	€ 1,842	€ 1,658	€ 1,842
6	Allowance payable to teachers of apprentices in Dun Laoghaire and Co. Cork VECs	€ 9,740	€ 8,766	€ 9,740
7	Honorarium Payable to Teachers in the Prison Service	€ 4,773	€ 4,296	€ 4,773	€ 4,296	€ 4,773
8	Secure Unit Allowance/Disturbed Adolescent Allowance	€ 2,195	€ 1,976	€ 2,195	€ 1,976	€ 2,195
		2012/13
9	Supervision and Substitution Allowance (Note j)
	Pre-2011 Entrants to teaching	€ 1,769
	Post-1/1/11 new entrants to teaching	€ 1,592
	Post-1/2/12 new entrants to teaching	€ 1,592

Notes:

(e) rate of allowance for post-1 January 2011 new entrants to teaching which applied from 1 January 2011 to 31 October 2013

(f) current rate of allowance for post-1 January 2011 new entrants - applies since 1 November 2013 (implementation of Clause 2.31 of the Haddington Road Agreement)

(g) certain allowances were withdrawn by Government decision and are no longer payable to new beneficiaries post-1 February 2012

(h) rate of allowance for post-1 February 2012 new beneficiaries which applied from 1 February 2012 to 31 October 2013

(i) current rate of allowance for post-1 February 2012 new beneficiaries - applies since 1 November 2013 (implementation of Clause 2.31 of the Haddington Road Agreement)

(j) the Supervision and Substitution allowance was withdrawn with effect from 1 July 2013 under the Haddington Road Agreement

Emergency Works Scheme Eligibility

Questions (494)

Michael McGrath

Question:

494. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will revisit her decision to refuse funding for essential emergency works to a national school (details supplied) in Cork city; the appropriate funding scheme for such works; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42315/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The scope of works required at the school to which the Deputy refers is outside the terms of my Department's Emergency Works Grant Scheme.

The works are appropriate for consideration under my Department's Summer Works Scheme and the school was advised accordingly.

In addition to this, the minor works grant, which was recently paid, can be used by the school to address some of the priority works.

Disadvantaged Status

Questions (495)

Michael Ring

Question:

495. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education and Skills if pupils attending a school that does not have delivering equality of opportunity in schools, DEIS, status (details supplied) following an amalgamation will continue to receive this status; if they will be recognised under the higher education access route scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42328/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

As the Deputy is aware the school in question was established on 1 September 2011 following the amalgamation of a DEIS post-primary school and Non DEIS post-primary school. In line with all such amalgamations, the new school continues to receive the current level of supports in respect of the number of eligible pupils from the former DEIS school until that pupil cohort have left the school. In the case of a post primary school, these supports continue to be supplied for 6 years following the amalgamation.

The Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) is a college and university admissions scheme which offers places on reduced points and extra college support to school leavers from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The scheme is operated by a number of higher education institutions and not by my Department. Admissions to the institutions are regulated by the institutions themselves. Individual students who have queries on this matter can contact HEAR Higher Education Institutions directly or at www.accesscollege.ie.

Schools Establishment

Questions (496)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

496. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the schools listed in the summary of new schools to open in 2017 and 2018 list, Appendix 1, are due to be operational in 2017 with the number of classes and students indicated on the list; if not, if she will provide a new list outlining when each new school on the list is expected to be operational; and the type of temporary accommodation she expects these schools to be housed in. [42337/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The schools included in the list to which the Deputy refers are new schools which will open in 2017 and 2018 to serve specific areas of demographic need. As indicated in the list nine of these schools will open in 2017 and four will open in 2018. In its first year of establishment, every new school starts operation with a class at intake level and then grows incrementally over a number of years to the long-term projected enrolment. In the case of the primary schools on the list, the long-term projections are stated in terms of the number of mainstream classes. In the case of the post-primary schools on the list, the long-term projections are stated in terms of student numbers.

Work is underway in the Department to ensure that suitable accommodation is available for each of these schools.

School Accommodation Provision

Questions (497)

John McGuinness

Question:

497. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will approve the provision of an extension for a school (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and detail the status of the project. [42350/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I can confirm that the school referred to by the Deputy has submitted an application to my Department for capital funding for additional school accommodation. The application is currently being considered and a decision will be conveyed to the school authority shortly.

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Questions (498, 499)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

498. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22 will be provided with a place at a school that meets that person's special needs. [42364/15]

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

499. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide sufficient resources to a school (details supplied) in County Dublin to ensure that it can cater for all the children with special needs who are on its waiting list for a placement in 2016. [42365/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 498 and 499 together.

I wish to advise the Deputy that the policy of my Department is that children with special educational needs, including children with autism, should be included, where possible and appropriate, in mainstream school 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.

Children with autism over the age of four may be eligible for home tuition if a school placement is not available for them.

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. Parents are encouraged to liaise with the local SENO to discuss placement options for their child.

The NCSE will continue to monitor and review the requirement for special class places in particular areas and has capacity to establish such new special classes, where necessary, subject to the willingness of schools to open classes. Where a school opens a special class the NCSE will allocate supports to the class to meet the educational and care needs of the students enrolled.

In addition to the mainstream educational provision provided for, there are over 1,000 special classes throughout the country at primary and post primary level. Each special class for autism at post-primary level has a 6:1.5 pupil teacher ratio.

The NCSE has advised that the school referred to by the Deputy opened an ASD class in September 2015. There are a number of vacancies in this class which will be filled in September 2016. The NCSE will continue to liaise with the parent of the child referred to by the Deputy in the context of their application for a placement in this school.

Questions (500)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

500. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of minority faith schools by county, by denomination, by primary or post-primary and by patronage, such as voluntary, comprehensive, community, etc., in tabular form. [42389/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The information requested by the Deputy is available in the attached tables.

Primary

County	Ethos/Religion
	Catholic	Church of Ireland	Inter-Denominational	Multi-Denominational	Presbyterian	Muslim	Jewish	Methodist	Quaker
Carlow	38	3		1
Cavan	65	10		1
Clare	109	1		3
Cork	316	20		8
Donegal	140	22	3	1	9
Dublin	355	33	3	46	2	2	1	1
Galway	221	2		6
Kerry	131	2		1
Kildare	87	6	1	7
Kilkenny	70	2		1
Laois	57	7	1	1
Leitrim	36	3
Limerick	134	3		2
Longford	35	3
Louth	65	2		3	1
Mayo	163	2		1
Meath	103	4	2	5
Monaghan	54	5			3
Offaly	61	3		1
Roscommon	89	2
Sligo	61	4		1
Tipperary	152	6
Waterford	68	3		2					1
Westmeath	67	4	1	1
Wexford	94	6	1	2
Wicklow	58	17	4	4
Total	2829	175	16	98	15	2	1	1	1

Post Primary

County	Post Primary School Type	Ethos/Religion
-		Catholic	Church of Ireland	Inter Denominational	Multi Denominational	Methodist	Jewish	Quaker
Carlow	Community			1
	Secondary	5
	Vocational			5
Cavan	Community			1
	Comprehensive			1
	Secondary	3	1
	Vocational			5
Clare	Community			2
	Comprehensive			1
	Secondary	8
	Vocational			7
Cork	Community			10
	Comprehensive		1	1
	Secondary	45	2
	Vocational			27
Donegal	Community			6
	Comprehensive		1	1
	Secondary	4
	Vocational			14	1
Dublin	Community			20
	Comprehensive	1	2
	Secondary	96	8	3	3	1	1
	Vocational	1		46	6
Galway	Community			6
	Comprehensive			1
	Secondary	24
	Vocational			14	2
Kerry	Community			3
	Comprehensive			1
	Secondary	14
	Vocational			8
Kildare	Community			3	1
	Secondary	12
	Vocational			9	1
Kilkenny	Community			1
	Secondary	6	1
	Vocational			8
Laois	Community			3
	Secondary	2
	Vocational			3
Leitrim	Community			1	1
	Comprehensive			1
	Vocational			3	1
Limerick	Community			2
	Comprehensive			1
	Secondary	15	1
	Vocational			10	1
Longford	Community			1
	Secondary	4
	Vocational			4
Louth	Community			1	1
	Secondary	9	1					1
	Vocational			5	1
Mayo	Community			3
	Secondary	15
	Vocational	1		7	1
Meath	Community			4
Monaghan	Secondary	6
	Vocational			9	2
	Secondary	5	1
	Vocational			6	1
Offaly	Community			2
	Secondary	5
	Vocational			5
Roscommon	Community			1
	Secondary	4
	Vocational			3
Sligo	Community			1
	Secondary	6	1
	Vocational			6
Tipperary	Community			1
	Secondary	19
	Vocational			11
Waterford	Community			1
	Secondary	10		1				1
	Vocational			5
Westmeath	Community			1
	Secondary	9	1
	Vocational			4
Wexford	Community			2
	Secondary	11		1
	Vocational			7	1
Wicklow	Community			1
	Comprehensive		1
	Secondary	8	1
Wicklow	Vocational			10	1
Total:		348	23	332	25	1	1	2