Thursday, 17 Dec 2015

Written Answers Nos. 570-583

Higher Education Institutions Staff

Questions (570)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

570. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the ratio of senior to junior staff in academic and administrative grades by higher education institution for each year since 2010, with reference to section 9 of the revised employment control framework for the higher education sector 2010 to 2014 (details supplied); the sanctions that have been levied on institutions which have breached these ratios; if, with the lapsing of the employment control framework, these institutions are required to continue to adhere to these ratios; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46231/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available in my Department. Officials of my Department have requested the information from the Higher Education Authority and it will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

Student Grant Scheme Applications

Questions (571)

Robert Troy

Question:

571. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to a previous parliamentary question (details supplied), if she will provide a reply to the question which was set out on two occasions, namely, why she does not accept documents from the Department of Social Protection to prove independent living, given that all checks and examinations would have been carried out by that Department; and if this should be sufficient for Student Universal Support Ireland, as that organisation has informed this Deputy's office that this decision was taken by the Department and not internally. [46235/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

As previously advised, the decision on eligibility for new student grant applications is a matter for the centralised grant awarding authority, SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland). When considering whether a student meets the conditions to be assessed independently of his or her parents, grant awarding authorities are obliged to satisfy themselves beyond doubt that an acceptable degree of proof of independent living in the relevant period has been submitted by the grant applicant.

I understand that, SUSI accepts certain documentation from the Department of Social Protection in order to assist an applicant in proving that he/she is living independently at an address. The documentation must, however, directly relate to the applicant's residence at that address, e.g. a letter from the Department of Social Protection confirming that the applicant is receiving rent allowance at that address. Other forms of correspondence from the Department of Social Protection that may be provided to SUSI by applicants as part of their student grant application do not necessarily require the same level of validation by the Department of Social Protection with regard to the person's residence at a particular address. However, all documentation received by SUSI as evidence of independent residence is reviewed and decisions are made on a case by case basis having regard to the evidential value of the documentation submitted, other available evidence and the specific circumstances of each case.

As previously advised, if an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a student grant, she/he may appeal, in the first instance, to their awarding body. 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 her case, an appeal form outlining the position may be submitted by the applicant to the independent Student Grant Appeals Board.

Teacher Data

Questions (572, 574)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

572. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of employing 100 new secondary school teachers. [46237/15]

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

574. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of employing an entry grade teacher in a primary school, a secondary school and a college of further education. [46239/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 572 and 574 together.

The current estimated cost of employing an entry grade teacher, including the cost of Employer's PRSI, is:

primary school - €46,000;

secondary school - €48,800.

Teachers appointed for the first time to a fixed term or permanent position have generally worked in a casual capacity previously. This is reflected in the rates quoted above.

The current estimated cost of employing 100 new secondary school teachers is approximately €4.5m.

My Department provides grants to Education and Training Boards (ETBs) to pay its teachers, special needs assistants, administrative and maintenance staff. The pay grant covers the cost of sanctioned posts directly on an ETB's payroll at authorised rates of pay. As each ETB runs and maintains its own payroll, information on the cost of employing specific sub-categories of teaching staff is not readily available to the Department.

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Questions (573)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

573. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of reducing the average class size to the European average of 21 pupils. [46238/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The criteria used for the allocation of teaching posts are published annually on the Department 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 schedule operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all similar types of schools equally irrespective of location. The primary staffing schedule currently operates on the basis of a general average of 1 classroom teacher for every 28 pupils, with lower thresholds for DEIS Band 1 schools.

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

At primary level there will be a one point improvement to the primary staffing schedule to be implemented for the 2016/17 school year. This will see the primary staffing schedule operate on the basis of a general average of 1 classroom teacher for every 27 pupils. Lower thresholds apply for DEIS Band 1 schools. The improved staffing schedule is currently available on the Department website.

Each one point adjustment to the current 28:1 schedule at primary level is estimated to cost of the order of 250 posts (estimated €15m full year cost, €5m first year cost).

Question No. 574 answered with Question No. 572.

Disability Support Services Expenditure

Questions (575)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

575. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the annual budget for the disability access route to education in each of the years 2010 to date. [46240/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The Disability Access Route to Higher Education (DARE) scheme is managed by the Irish Universities Association.

Information on annual budgets for the DARE scheme can be sought from the DARE-HEAR shared services unit in the IUA (Tel. [phone]).

Physical Education

Questions (576)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

576. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of employing a physical education teacher; the guidelines her Department provides on the time to be given each week to physical education in primary schools and in secondary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46241/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

In accordance with the Rules and Programme for Secondary Schools, all second level schools should provide Physical Education as part of the curriculum. The junior cycle and senior cycle programme that each school plans and delivers should be based on the Department's approved syllabuses and the teaching hours should be registered on the school timetable. The Rules and Programme provide that a basic minimum of two hours per week is required to implement the programme.

A minimum of one hour PE per week is recommended for all primary school pupils.

A 2012 Lifeskills Survey of Primary Schools found that 97% of Primary Schools for their Third to Sixth Classes provide at least 1 hour per week and approximately 30% provide more than 1 hour. 95% of First and Second Class provide 1 hour or more and 88% of Infant Classes (with their shorter school day) provide 1 hour or more.

The average cost of a post-primary teacher employed before January 2011, is €48,822 pa.

School Curriculum

Questions (577)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

577. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the material change that will occur in schools as a result of the abolition of rule 68 and the reasons for abolishing the rule. [46242/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The Deputy will be aware that the Report of the Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector was published in April 2012. The Report recommended a review and updating of the Rules for National Schools and in particular, Rule 68. As acknowledged in the Report, there is an overall context that many of the Rules are outdated and have been overtaken in whole or in part by legislation and directions in Department circulars.

I accepted this recommendation relating to Rule 68 because I see its value in contributing to how the primary school system as a whole adapts to the reality of a more pluralist Ireland and how all schools can be accommodating of diversity. The practical impact of the rule may be limited, but the repeal of rule 68 is of significant symbolic importance.

Special Educational Needs Staff

Questions (578)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

578. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of changing the role of special needs assistants in schools to give them an educational support role, as opposed to a purely quasi-nursing and carer role in which they are allocated to specific pupils in the classroom, as was the situation that pertained prior to 2012. [46243/15]

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 who have significant special educational care needs, in an educational context, in recognised primary and post primary schools.

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.

Circular 0030/2014 is based on recommendations contained in my Departments Value for Money and Policy Review of the SNA scheme and also the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) Policy Advice on Supporting Children with Special Educational Needs in Schools.

Both reports concluded that the SNA scheme has been highly successful in supporting the care needs of children with special needs in schools and with assisting to facilitate their inclusion. The reports, however, did not recommend a change to the role of the SNA.

There are therefore no plans to amend the SNA role as it is currently provided for in Circular 0030/2014, nor did the Circular fundamentally alter the SNA role from that which existed prior to 2012.

As there is currently no SNA teaching support grade, it is not possible to advise as to the potential cost of changing the role of the existing SNA grade to a new grade, as the cost differential arising would be dependent on any salary scale put in place for a new grade.

Circular 30/2014 states that students with special educational needs can have very complex learning needs and should be taught by qualified and experienced teachers who are equipped with the necessary skills to meet the needs of these students. It is the responsibility of the classroom teacher to ensure that each pupil is taught in a stimulating and supportive classroom environment where all pupils feel equal and valued.

The Circular also notes that many children with significant special educational needs require additional teaching support in schools. In such circumstances, the classroom teacher will be supported by a resource teacher/learning support teacher, who are fully qualified teachers who will have access to additional training in the area of special education.

To provide for this additional teaching support, my Department currently allocates over 11,500 additional teachers to schools to support children with special educational or learning support needs. These allocations are made to schools, either through General Allocation schemes for primary and post primary schools, or through additional allocations made to schools by the NCSE in respect of Low Incidences disabilities, as set out in my Departments Circular DES 02/05.

Such additional teaching support allocations are made to schools in addition to any SNA provision.

In order to provide further clarity in relation to the SNA scheme, my Department also asked the NCSE to prepare an Information Booklet for parents which has now been published and is available on the NCSE website www.ncse.ie.

National Educational Psychological Service Staff

Questions (579)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

579. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of employing 100 additional psychologists in the National Educational Psychological Service. [46244/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I can inform the Deputy that the direct costs of employing an additional 100 psychologists to the National Educational Psychological Service would be approximately €7m per annum.

Home-School Community Liaison Scheme

Questions (580)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

580. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if special schools have access to home-school liaison officers and, if not, the reason why. [46245/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The role of the HSCL is set out in my Department's circular 0056/2013. This is available on my Department's website at http://www.education.ie/en/Circulars-and-Forms/Active-Circulars/cl0058_2013.pdf.

Special schools are intended to cater for children with special educational needs from 4 to 18 years of age. All special schools receive enhanced pupil teacher ratios ranging from 6:1, to 12:1, depending on the disability categorisation of pupils attending. These enhanced ratios are provided because pupils attending special schools have significant special educational needs. Special schools also receive very high levels of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) staffing support. My Department also provides enhanced levels of capitation in Special schools as well as specialist School Transport arrangements for pupils with disabilities, additional teacher training for teachers of children with special educational needs and funding for the purchase of specialised equipment, where required.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for the provision of a range of educational services at local and national level for students with special educational needs. This responsibility includes planning and co-ordinating the provision of education and support services to children with special educational needs. Each SENO works in an assigned local area with parents, schools, teachers, psychologists, health professionals and other staff who are involved in the provision of services in that area for children with special educational needs. Schools and parents may contact their local SENO using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.

The Deputy will be aware that a process for the review of the DEIS Programme is currently underway in my Department. This process is being undertaken over the course of the current school year and will consider all issues pertaining to educational disadvantage in order to inform future policy direction in this important area. While this process is underway, I do not intend to make any changes to the current Programme.

Teacher Training Provision

Questions (581)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

581. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills why students training to be teachers can only undertake their teacher probation period in mainstream schools and not in special schools; if she is aware that teacher training colleges do not provide training modules specifically for special schools' teachers; if she is satisfied that training for teachers to work in special schools is appropriate; and her plans to improve the training for these teachers. [46246/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

Under the Teaching Council Act, the Teaching Council, as statutory regulator and standards body for the teaching profession sets criteria and procedures for probation of newly qualified teachers, since 1 September 2012.

Newly qualified teachers are required to undergo a period of post-qualification professional practice before they may be fully registered with the Teaching Council. In the primary sector, this can be done by either completing Probation or Droichead. Both of these processes are available to teachers employed in special education settings as per the Council's procedures. In these settings, the successful completion of either process means that teachers who then wish to work in mainstream settings must complete an additional period of professional practice before achieving full registration.

In relation to the question of modules on special education, I understand from the Council that Inclusive Education (including Special Education, Multiculturalism, Disadvantage etc.) is now a mandatory element of all programmes of Initial Teacher Education in the State. This is a requirement that the Council put in place as part of its Criteria and Guidelines for Programme Providers. All providers of ITE must meet these requirements in order for their programmes to be accredited by the Council. In relation to the appropriateness of the education provided to student teachers in this area, I am advised that all programmes of ITE have been reconceptualised to meet the Council's criteria and each has been reviewed, for professional accreditation purposes, by an independent expert panel. As inclusion is one of the strategic priorities identified by Council, this area received considerable attention during the review process, and many reports contained commendations or recommendations relating to same. All 59 primary and post-primary programmes of ITE have received accreditation from the Council and the reports are available on its website.

The extension and reconceptualisation of the programmes of ITE has taken place against a background of a new policy framework since 2011. I refer in particular to my Department's Literacy and Numeracy Strategy of that year, as well as the Council's Policy on the Continuum of Teacher Education. The latter document makes clear that teachers' learning takes place throughout their careers, not just during one particular phase. Given the complexity of the issues relating to Special Education, and the constantly evolving insights into the best approaches arising from ongoing research in the area, it must be noted that the forthcoming framework for teachers' learning from the Council, Cosán, is seeking to develop the national policy framework further. It will recognise that the Continuum offers the best reassurance we can rely on as to the appropriateness of the many ways in which teachers are already seeking to learn about the needs of some of the most vulnerable learners in our society.

Appointments to State Boards

Questions (582, 583)

Robert Troy

Question:

582. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of appointments to State boards under the aegis of her Department and the number of appointments that have been advertised on her Department's website since March 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46252/15]

Robert Troy

Question:

583. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of chairpersons appointed to State boards under the aegis of her Department who have appeared before the relevant joint Oireachtas committee since March 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46267/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 582 and 583 together.

The information requested on the number of appointments made to State boards, including details relating to chairpersons appointments, is outlined in the following table.

Eleven of the relevant Chairpersons appeared before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Education and Social Protection between March 2011 and November 2015.

Under new guidelines for Appointments to State Boards, which can be viewed on the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's website www.per.gov.ie, the process for filling vacancies on State Boards under the aegis of the Department, is now normally managed by the Public Appointments Service (PAS), whereby applications are made through the dedicated website www.stateboards.ie. An assessment process is undertaken by PAS leading to the creation of a list of candidate deemed suitable for appointment to boards.

Body	Name (Identify Chair)	Date Appointed	Date of Reappointment	Position Type
An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG)	Aindrias Ó Muineacháin	25/06/2015		Ordinary Member
An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG)	Cathnia Ó Muircheartaigh	25/06/2015		Ordinary Member
An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG)	Daríona Nic Con Iomaire	25/06/2015		Ordinary Member
An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG)	Deirbhile Nic Craith	25/06/2015		Ordinary Member
An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG)	Dónal Ó hAiniféin	25/06/2015		Chairperson
An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG)	Elaine Ní Neachtain	25/06/2015		Ordinary Member
An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG)	Marina Ní Threasaigh	25/06/2015		Ordinary Member
An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG)	Robbie Cronin	17/11/2010	25/06/2015	Ordinary Member
An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG)	Séamus Ó Fearraigh	25/06/2015		Ordinary Member
An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG)	Seán Mac Nia	25/06/2015		Ordinary Member
An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG)	Sinéad Nic Giolla Cionnaigh	25/06/2015		Ordinary Member
An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG)	Yvonne Ní Mhurchú	25/06/2015		Ordinary Member
An tSeirbhís Oideachais Leanúnaigh agus Scileanna (SOLAS)	Bernadette Brady	26/10/2013		Ordinary Member
An tSeirbhís Oideachais Leanúnaigh agus Scileanna (SOLAS)	Cathriona Hallahan	26/10/2013		Ordinary Member
An tSeirbhís Oideachais Leanúnaigh agus Scileanna (SOLAS)	Cecilia Munro	26/10/2013		Ordinary Member
An tSeirbhís Oideachais Leanúnaigh agus Scileanna (SOLAS)	Darragh J Loftus	26/10/2013		Ordinary Member
An tSeirbhís Oideachais Leanúnaigh agus Scileanna (SOLAS)	David Barrett	26/10/2013		Ordinary Member
An tSeirbhís Oideachais Leanúnaigh agus Scileanna (SOLAS)	Kenneth Whyte	26/10/2013		Ordinary Member
An tSeirbhís Oideachais Leanúnaigh agus Scileanna (SOLAS)	Liz Cassidy	26/10/2013		Ordinary Member
An tSeirbhís Oideachais Leanúnaigh agus Scileanna (SOLAS)	Pat Delaney	26/10/2013		Chairperson
An tSeirbhís Oideachais Leanúnaigh agus Scileanna (SOLAS)	Patricia Carey	26/10/2013		Ordinary Member
An tSeirbhís Oideachais Leanúnaigh agus Scileanna (SOLAS)	Paul O'Sullivan	26/10/2013		Ordinary Member
An tSeirbhís Oideachais Leanúnaigh agus Scileanna (SOLAS)	Paul O'Toole	09/10/2013		Ex-officio, CEO
An tSeirbhís Oideachais Leanúnaigh agus Scileanna (SOLAS)	Seán Burke	26/10/2013		Ordinary Member
An tSeirbhís Oideachais Leanúnaigh agus Scileanna (SOLAS)	William Egenton	26/10/2013		Ordinary Member
Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse (CICA)	Anne Mc Loughlin	23/01/2002		Ordinary member
Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse (CICA)	Fred Lowe	23/05/2000		Ordinary member
Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse (CICA)	Marion Shanley	21/07/2004		Ordinary member
Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse (CICA)	Mary Fennessy	19/04/2002		Ordinary member
Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse (CICA)	Seán Ryan (Judge)	26/09/2003		Ordinary member
Grangegorman Development Agency	Berna Grist (Dr.)	11/09/15		Ordinary member
Grangegorman Development Agency	Damien Kilgannon	15/01/2013	11/09/15	Ordinary member
Grangegorman Development Agency	Deirdre Prince	15/01/2013	11/09/15	Ordinary member
Grangegorman Development Agency	Denise Dunphy	11/09/15		Ordinary member
Grangegorman Development Agency	Elva Duffy	15/01/2013	11/09/15	Ordinary member
Grangegorman Development Agency	Gerry O'Neill	11/09/15		Ordinary member
Grangegorman Development Agency	James Owen Lewis (Prof.)	11/09/15		Ordinary member
Grangegorman Development Agency	Janice Boylan (Cllr)	16/09/2014	11/09/15	Ordinary member
Grangegorman Development Agency	Jim Curran	15/01/2013	11/09/15	Ordinary member
Grangegorman Development Agency	John O'Hara	11/09/15		Ordinary member
Grangegorman Development Agency	Michael Hand CEO	22/12/2010	11/09/15	Ordinary member
Grangegorman Development Agency	Noel O'Connor (Dr)	15/01/2013	11/09/15	Ordinary member
Grangegorman Development Agency	Oliver Cussen	09/09/2015		Chairperson
Grangegorman Development Agency	Penelope Kenny	11/09/15		Ordinary member
Grangegorman Development Agency	Alec Darragh	02/11/15		Ordinary member
Higher Education Authority (HEA)	Anthony Staines (Prof)	06/03/2012		Ordinary Member
Higher Education Authority (HEA)	Bahram Bekhradnia	06/03/2012		Ordinary Member
Higher Education Authority (HEA)	Brendan Byrne (Cllr)	07/02/2011		Ordinary Member
Higher Education Authority (HEA)	Brian Thornes (Dr)	06/03/2012		Ordinary Member
Higher Education Authority (HEA)	Declan Walsh	12/03/2014		Ordinary Member
Higher Education Authority (HEA)	Eamonn Grennan	07/02/2011		Ordinary Member
Higher Education Authority (HEA)	Eileen Harkin Jones (Prof)	07/02/2011		Ordinary Member
Higher Education Authority (HEA)	Gordon Ryan	06/03/2012		Ordinary Member
Higher Education Authority (HEA)	Jim Mountjoy (Dr)	06/03/2012		Ordinary Member
Higher Education Authority (HEA)	John Dolan	07/02/2011		Ordinary Member
Higher Education Authority (HEA)	John Hennessy	25/01/2011		Chairperson
Higher Education Authority (HEA)	Kevin Donoghue	01/07/2015		Ordinary Member
Higher Education Authority (HEA)	Maeve Conrick (Dr)	07/02/2011		Ordinary Member
Higher Education Authority (HEA)	Maria Meehan (Dr)	07/02/2011		Ordinary Member
Higher Education Authority (HEA)	Mary Canning (Dr)	01/02/2007	06/03/2012	Ordinary Member
Higher Education Authority (HEA)	Siobhan Harkin	06/03/2012	N/A	Ordinary Member
Higher Education Authority (HEA)	Stephen Kinsella (Dr)	12/03/2014	N/A	Ordinary Member
Higher Education Authority (HEA)	Vacancy due to resignation of Mr Paddy Cosgrave			Ordinary Member
Higher Education Authority (HEA)	Vacancy due to resignation of Prof. Marijk van der Wende			Ordinary Member
Irish Research Council	Alan F. Smeaton (Prof.)	19/03/2012	19/03/2015	Ordinary Member
Irish Research Council	Anita R. Maguire (Prof.)	19/03/2012	19/03/2015	Ordinary Member
Irish Research Council	Caroline Fennell (Prof.)	19/03/2012	19/03/2015	Ordinary Member
Irish Research Council	Eucharia Meehan (Dr.)	n/a		Ex Officio
Irish Research Council	James Gleeson (Prof.)	26/11/2012	19/03/2015	Ordinary Member
Irish Research Council	Sean Ryder (Prof.)	19/03/2012	19/03/2015	Ordinary Member
Irish Research Council	Emma Teeling (Assoc. Prof.)	08/09/2015		Ordinary Member
Irish Research Council	Eithne McCabe (Prof.)	08/09/2015		Ordinary Member
Irish Research Council	Rob Kitchin (Prof.)	08/09/2015		Ordinary Member
Irish Research Council	Felicity Kelliher (Dr.)	08/09/2015		Ordinary Member
Irish Research Council	Jane Ohlmeyer (Prof.)	08/09/2015		Chairperson
Léargas	Des O'Loughlin	26/01/2010	24/04/2013	Ordinary Member
Léargas	Fidelma Collins	12/06/2012	24/03/2014	Ordinary Member
Léargas	Hugh MacConville	12/06/2012	29/04/2015	Ordinary Member
Léargas	James Doorley	23/11/2012	29/04/2015	Ordinary Member
Léargas	John Gilmore	23/11/2012	29/04/2015	Ordinary Member
Léargas	Máire Quinn	23/07/2013		Ordinary Member
Léargas	Maria Lorigan	24/04/2013		Ordinary Member
Léargas	Michael McLoughlin	12/06/2012	24/04/2014	Chairperson
Léargas	Stephen Goulding	12/06/2012	24/04/2014	Ordinary Member
National Centre for Guidance Education (NCGE) Management Committee	Breda Naughton	26/07/2013		Ordinary Member
National Centre for Guidance Education (NCGE) Management Committee	Fidelma Collins	26/07/2013		Ordinary Member
National Centre for Guidance Education (NCGE) Management Committee	Gerry Flynn	26/07/2013		Ordinary Member
National Centre for Guidance Education (NCGE) Management Committee	Jim Mullin	26/07/2013		Ordinary Member
National Centre for Guidance Education (NCGE) Management Committee	Joe Cunningham	24/09/2015		Ordinary Member
National Centre for Guidance Education (NCGE) Management Committee	Kathy Finnegan	23/04/2015		Ordinary Member
National Centre for Guidance Education (NCGE) Management Committee	Linda Neary	24/09/2015		Ordinary Member
National Centre for Guidance Education (NCGE) Management Committee	Orla Christle	24/09/2015		Ordinary Member
National Centre for Guidance Education (NCGE) Management Committee	Paul King	26/07/2013		Chairperson
National Centre for Guidance Education (NCGE) Management Committee	Paul King	26/07/2013		Ordinary Member
National Centre for Guidance Education (NCGE) Management Committee	Shane Rooney	24/09/2015		Ordinary Member
National Centre for Guidance Education (NCGE) Management Committee	Shira Mehlman	26/07/2013		Ordinary Member
National Centre for Guidance Education (NCGE) Management Committee	Stephen Fitzgerald	24/09/2015		Ordinary Member
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA)	Bríd Uí Riordán	01/04/2012	25/06/2015	Ordinary Member
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA)	Brigid McManus	01/04/2012	25/06/2015	Chairperson
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA)	Clive Byrne	01/04/2012	25/06/2015	Ordinary Member
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA)	David Duffy	25/06/2015		Ordinary Member
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA)	David Leahy	25/06/2015		Ordinary Member
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA)	Declan Kelleher	01/04/2012	25/06/2015	Vice-Chairperson
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA)	Deirbhile Nic Craith	01/04/2012	25/06/2015	Ordinary Member
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA)	Don Myers	25/06/2015		Ordinary Member
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA)	Emma Dineen	25/06/2015		Ordinary Member
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA)	Joanne Irwin	25/06/2015		Ordinary Member
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA)	John Gearty	25/06/2015		Ordinary Member
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA)	Kevin Marshall	25/06/2015		Ordinary Member
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA)	Máire Ní Chiarba	25/06/2015		Ordinary Member
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA)	Maria Spring	25/06/2015		Ordinary Member
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA)	Marie Therese Kilmartin	01/04/2012	25/06/2015	Ordinary Member
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA)	Michael Delargey	25/06/2015		Ordinary Member
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA)	Michael Redmond	01/04/2012	25/06/2015	Vice-Chairperson
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA)	Pádraig MacFhlannchadha	01/04/2012	25/06/2015	Ordinary Member
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA)	Pádraig Ó Duibhir	25/06/2015		Ordinary Member
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA)	Philip Irwin	01/04/2012	25/06/2015	Ordinary Member
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA)	Rose Malone	01/04/2012	25/06/2015	Ordinary Member
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA)	Rosemary Eager	01/04/2012	25/06/2015	Ordinary Member
National Council for Special Education (NCSE)	Eamonn Stack	01/01/2013		Chairperson
National Council for Special Education (NCSE)	Eithne Fitzgerald	01/01/2013		Ordinary Member
National Council for Special Education (NCSE)	Helen Guinan	01/01/2013		Ordinary Member
National Council for Special Education (NCSE)	James O'Grady	01/01/2013		Ordinary Member
National Council for Special Education (NCSE)	Jenny Ennis	01/01/2013		Ordinary Member
National Council for Special Education (NCSE)	Joan Russell	01/01/2013		Ordinary Member
National Council for Special Education (NCSE)	Mary Friel	01/01/2013		Ordinary Member
National Council for Special Education (NCSE)	Maureen Costello	01/01/2013		Ordinary Member
National Council for Special Education (NCSE)	Pat Kinsella	01/01/2013		Ordinary Member
National Council for Special Education (NCSE)	Philip O’Callaghan	01/01/2013		Ordinary Member
National Council for Special Education (NCSE)	Seán Ó Murchú	01/01/2013		Ordinary Member
National Council for Special Education (NCSE)	Sheelagh Drudy (Prof.)	11/09/2013		Ordinary Member
National Council for Special Education (NCSE)	Tom O'Sullivan	14/10/2014		Ordinary Member
Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI)	Ann Louise Gilligan (Dr.)	06/11/2012		Ordinary Member
Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI)	Barbara Brittingham (Dr.)	06/11/2012		Ordinary Member
Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI)	Gordon Clark	06/11/2012		Chairperson
Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI)	Jack Leahy	01/07/2015		Ordinary Member
Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI)	James Moore	06/11/2012		Ordinary Member
Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI)	Joanne Harmon	06/11/2012		Ordinary Member
Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI)	Mary Danagher	06/11/2012		Ordinary Member
Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI)	Padraig Walsh (Dr.)	06/11/2012		Ordinary Member
Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI)	Thomas McDermott	15/06/2015		Ordinary Member
Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI)	Una Buckley	06/11/2012		Ordinary Member
Residential Institutions Redress Board (RIRB)	Ann O'Brien	01/06/2014		Ordinary Member
Residential Institutions Redress Board (RIRB)	Dariona Conlon	01/06/2014		Ordinary Member
Residential Institutions Redress Board (RIRB)	Esmond Smyth (Judge)	07/01/2008		Chairperson
Residential Institutions Redress Board (RIRB)	Fionnuala O'Loughlin (Dr)	01/06/2014		Ordinary Member
Residential Institutions Redress Board (RIRB)	Harry Bugler (Dr)	01/06/2014		Ordinary Member
Residential Institutions Redress Board (RIRB)	Helen Cummiskey (Dr)	01/06/2014		Ordinary Member
Residential Institutions Redress Board (RIRB)	John Campbell	01/06/2014		Ordinary Member
Residential Institutions Redress Board (RIRB)	Mary Bluett (Dr)	01/06/2014		Ordinary Member
Residential Institutions Redress Board (RIRB)	Ruth Pilkington (Dr)	01/06/2014		Ordinary Member
Residential Institutions Redress Board (RIRB)	Samantha Cruess Callaghan	01/06/2014		Ordinary Member
Residential Institutions Redress Board (RIRB)	William Delaney (Dr)	01/06/2014		Ordinary Member
Residential Institutions Review Committee (RIRC)	Brendan Gogarty	01/06/2014		Ordinary Member
Residential Institutions Review Committee (RIRC)	Colm Gaynor	01/06/2014		Ordinary Member
Residential Institutions Review Committee (RIRC)	Francis D. Murphy (Judge)	31/05/2014		Chairperson
Residential Institutions Review Committee (RIRC)	Ita Mangan	01/06/2014		Ordinary Member
Residential Institutions Review Committee (RIRC)	John Dalton	01/06/2014		Ordinary Member
Residential Institutions Review Committee (RIRC)	John F. Buckley (Judge)	01/06/2014		Ordinary Member
Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board (RISF) Caranua	Austin Currie	25/03/2013		Ordinary Member
Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board (RISF) Caranua	Damian Casey	25/03/2013		Ordinary Member
Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board (RISF) Caranua	David Lane	25/07/2013		Ordinary Member
Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board (RISF) Caranua	David O’Callaghan	25/02/2014		Chairperson
Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board (RISF) Caranua	Frances Harrington	30/01/2014		Ordinary Member
Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board (RISF) Caranua	Katherine Finn BL	25/03/2013		Ordinary Member
Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board (RISF) Caranua	Phyllis Morgan	25/03/2013

Table continuing

Body	Name (Identify Chair)	Date Appointed	Date of Reappointment	Position Type
Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board (RISF) Caranua	Rosemary Adaser	11/03/2015		Ordinary Member
Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board (RISF) Caranua	Tom Daly	25/03/2013		Ordinary Member
Skillnets Ltd	Brendan McGinty	08/09/2004		Chairperson
Skillnets Ltd	David Delaney	12/02/2015		Ordinary Member
Skillnets Ltd	Eamonn Devoy	08/12/2011		Ordinary Member
Skillnets Ltd	George Hennessy	04/02/2010		Ordinary Member
Skillnets Ltd	Henry Murdoch	01/02/1999		Ordinary Member
Skillnets Ltd	Ian Talbot	11/09/2008		Ordinary Member
Skillnets Ltd	Kara McCann	12/02/2015		Ordinary Member
Skillnets Ltd	Karl McDonagh	08/12/2011		Ordinary Member
Skillnets Ltd	Mairead Divilly	01/02/1999		Ordinary Member
Skillnets Ltd	Nuala Keher	01/02/1999		Ordinary Member
Skillnets Ltd	Peter Rigney	01/02/1999		Ordinary Member
Skillnets Ltd	Terry Hobdell	01/02/1999		Ordinary Member
Skillnets Ltd	Vacancy	07/06/2012		Ordinary Member
State Examinations Commission	David McGarry	15/05/2015		Ordinary Member
State Examinations Commission	Mary Ryan	15/05/2015		Deputy Chairperson
State Examinations Commission	Patrick Burke	15/05/2015		Chairperson
State Examinations Commission	Richard Thorn (Dr.)	15/05/2015		Ordinary Member
State Examinations Commission	Teresa O’Doherty (Prof)	15/05/2015		Ordinary Member
The Teaching Council	Áine Lynch	28/03/2012		Ordinary Member
The Teaching Council	Andrew McGrady (Dr.)	28/03/2012		Ordinary Member
The Teaching Council	Anne McElduff	28/03/2012		Ordinary Member
The Teaching Council	Bernadine O'Sullivan	28/03/2012		Ordinary Member
The Teaching Council	Bernie Ruane	28/03/2012		Ordinary Member
The Teaching Council	Brendan McCabe	28/03/2012		Ordinary Member
The Teaching Council	Brid Ní Raghallaigh	28/03/2012		Ordinary Member
The Teaching Council	Christopher Maginn	28/03/2012		Ordinary Member
The Teaching Council	Declan Kelleher	28/03/2012		Ordinary Member
The Teaching Council	Deirdre Mathews	28/03/2012		Ordinary Member
The Teaching Council	Derbhile De Paor	28/03/2012		Ordinary Member
The Teaching Council	Diarmuid Ó Murchú	28/03/2012		Ordinary Member
The Teaching Council	Don Ryan	26/11/2013		Ordinary Member
The Teaching Council	Dympna Mulkerrins	28/03/2012		Ordinary Member
The Teaching Council	Eileen Flynn	28/03/2012		Ordinary Member
The Teaching Council	Eimear Marie Cole	28/03/2012		Ordinary Member
The Teaching Council	Elaine Devlin	28/03/2012		Ordinary Member
The Teaching Council	Eleanor Petrie	28/03/2012		Ordinary Member
The Teaching Council	Fergal McCarthy	28/03/2012		Ordinary Member
The Teaching Council	Frank Turpin	28/03/2012		Ordinary Member
The Teaching Council	Joan Russell	28/03/2012		Ordinary Member
The Teaching Council	Joe O'Hara (Dr.)	28/03/2012		Ordinary Member
The Teaching Council	John Conlon	28/03/2012		Ordinary Member
The Teaching Council	Kathleen O'Connor	28/03/2012		Ordinary Member
The Teaching Council	Ken Fennelly (Dr.)	28/03/2012		Ordinary Member
The Teaching Council	Kieran Christie	28/03/2012		Ordinary Member
The Teaching Council	Lily Cronin	28/03/2012		Ordinary Member
The Teaching Council	Marie Clarke	28/03/2012		Ordinary Member
The Teaching Council	Marie Humphries	28/03/2012		Ordinary Member
The Teaching Council	Marie McLoughlin	28/03/2012		Ordinary Member
The Teaching Council	Mary Kelly	26/11/2013		Ordinary Member
The Teaching Council	Michael Barry	28/03/2012		Ordinary Member
The Teaching Council	Michael Hayes (Prof.)	28/03/2012		Ordinary Member
The Teaching Council	Michael Ó Gríofa	28/03/2012		Chairperson
The Teaching Council	Milo Walsh	28/03/2012		Ordinary Member
The Teaching Council	Noel Buckley	28/03/2012		Ordinary Member
The Teaching Council	Patrick McVicar	28/03/2012		Ordinary Member

Details of former Chairpersons who appeared before the Joint Oireachtas Committee from 1 March 2011 to date

The former Chairperson of the Grangegorman Development Authority Mr John Monahan appeared before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection on 24/10/2012

The former Chairperson of the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board (Caranua) Ms. Sylda Langford appeared before the Joint Committee on Education and Social Protection on 20/02/2013