Wednesday, 20 Jan 2016

Written Answers Nos. 146-151

Schools Building Projects Status

Questions (146)

Shane Ross

Question:

146. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Education and Skills the nature and conclusion of discussions with the developer of the strategic development zone lands at Adamstown in Lucan in County Dublin regarding the provision of the sports hall requirement in the current phase; the discussions to date with South Dublin County Council regarding the joining of the sports hall element with the equally required community hall element to create a larger, more cohesive joint sports and community hall, which is the desired outcome of the council, councillors and residents of Adamstown, while also not being objected to by the board or parents association of Adamstown Community College; if she will engage in a process to facilitate the timely completion of such a shared facility; the timeframe for likely design and construction in that eventuality; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2397/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

As the Deputy is aware officials from my Department are engaged in discussions with the developer in question with a view to ensuring that the sports facilities for the school are delivered. Officials in my Department received a proposal from the developer which would possibly facilitate the delivery of the facilities. The proposal was assessed by my Department and my officials have reverted to the developer regarding this. Discussions are ongoing in this regard.

The Deputy will appreciate that in the context of these discussions it would not be appropriate for me to disclose specific information regarding the proposal.

My officials are working closely with officials from South Dublin County Council towards the achievement of a satisfactory solution.

The Department is aware that South Dublin County Council is interested in pursuing a project where a combined sports hall and community facilities can be provided, and that South Dublin County Council has provided a sum of €750,000 in their recently prepared 3 year capital programme 2016-2018.

The Department has informed officials in South Dublin County Council that they will revert to them in due course regarding a possible contribution from the Council towards a community facility element and the potential inclusion of community additional space as part of any development.

However in the first instance the current discussions with the developer must be brought to a satisfactory conclusion and my officials are currently working to achieve this.

Schools Building Projects Status

Questions (147)

Shane Ross

Question:

147. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for the long-standing delay in giving the go-ahead for the much needed extension at a school (details supplied) in County Dublin; if she will give a commitment to include it in the final list of school building programmes to be announced during the lifetime of this Government, expected in the coming days; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2398/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

As the Deputy may be aware, in the management of a capital programme, periodically it is necessary to review the scheduling of construction projects within the overall programme. In this context, my Department is currently conducting an expenditure profiling exercise, which will determine when projects, including the project referred to by the Deputy, can advance to site. When the expenditure profiling is complete, the Department will be in contact with the school in relation to the further progression of the project.

School Transport Administration

Questions (148)

Shane Ross

Question:

148. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Education and Skills the channels available to enable drivers who were working prior to the introduction of the new certificate of professional competence regulations, but who subsequently lost their jobs, to upskill at a nearby training centre, without incurring a cost while on social protection, given that there are certified courses nationwide which cost money for training and which might not be affordable for this group; if a one-off free course will be provided to help such drivers get back into the jobs market, or a subsidy provided for doing the paid courses; if such a proposal will be forwarded to SOLAS, the Road Safety Authority and any other relevant agency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2399/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport is responsible for the Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) regulations for commercial drivers. I understand that training is provided by a range of Road Safety Authority approved providers. SOLAS, the Further Education and Training Authority has informed me that the Education and Training Boards provide the following training programmes in the commercial driving area:

- Heavy Goods Vehicle (Rigid) Driver;

- Heavy Goods Vehicle (Artic) Driver;

- Bus Driving D Licence;

- Coach Driver with Guiding;

- Delivery Driver;

- Fuel Efficient Truck Driver; and

- Fuel Efficient Bus Driver.

These courses are provided free of charge to participants who are referred to them by the Department of Social Protection.

Unemployed people who undertake paid training courses may qualify for a Training Support Grant, which is administered by the Department of Social Protection. More broadly, they can contact their local Intreo Office to discuss the various options that are available to them.

School Accommodation

Questions (149)

Martin Ferris

Question:

149. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of two applications from a school (details supplied) made in November 2015, one of which is an emergency works and the other of which is an application for additional school accommodation, both of which are to accommodate a new pupil who uses a wheelchair and who will start school in 2016. [2405/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

My Department's Planning and Building has received both applications from the school in question. The application of additional accommodation is currently being considered and a decision will be conveyed to the school authority shortly. In relation to the Emergency Works application the school authority have been requested to submit revised proposals and costing for the minimum works necessary to enable the pupil enrol. As soon as this information is received and considered the school authority will be informed of the outcome.

School Staffing

Questions (150)

Martin Ferris

Question:

150. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will allocate a resource teacher to a school (details supplied) in County Kerry. [2412/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The criteria used for the allocation of teachers to primary schools is published annually on the website of the Department of Education and Skills. Staffing Circular 0005/2015 which is available on the Department website sets out the staffing arrangements for primary schools for the 2015/16 school year and includes the allocation process for schools to meet their NCSE approved resource hour requirements. The staffing and redeployment arrangements for all schools for the 2016/17 school year will be published shortly. 82% of all NCSE approved resource teaching hours in the 2015/16 school year were allocated to schools that had permanent resource base posts. Schools with less than 25 resource hours (a full-time post) can join with neighbouring schools to form a cluster of 25 hours, with a temporary post being based in one of these schools for the 2015/16 school year. The school referred to by the Deputy was approved for one full-time permanent base resource post and one temporary shared post for the current 2015/16 school year.

The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has recommended the introduction of a new resource allocation model for schools, which will allow schools to allocate resources to pupils taking into account their individual learning needs, as opposed to being based primarily on a diagnosis of a particular disability. It is also designed to factor in the educational profile of the student cohort in the school. A pilot of this new resource allocation model is currently taking place in a number of schools.

Emergency Works Scheme

Questions (151)

Jim Daly

Question:

151. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will make funding available for the completion of an emergency access area to a special needs school (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2430/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

My Department's Planning and Building Unit has no record of receiving an application for funding from the school referred to by the Deputy. If the school in question considers that there are works of an emergency nature requiring attention it is open to the school authority to submit an application for funding under my Department's Emergency Works Scheme.

Details of the scheme, together with an application form for grant assistance, can be accessed on my Department's website.