Written Answers Nos. 618 - 647
618. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the support he provides through the embassy network and consular services to assist Irish persons in pursuing civil matters in the European Union, for example, where property transactions have not been completed correctly and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6032/16]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and its network of Embassies and Consulates provides a range of consular services to Irish citizens.
These services include Apostille certification and legalisation of certain documents. Full details of the services available are on the Department’s website: www.dfat.ie.
Irish missions abroad do not provide legal advice or have any role in local civil legal proceedings. In relation to such matters, the support that the Department and its Embassy and Consulate network offers to citizens is generally limited to providing information on competent local authorities or lists and contact details of relevant professional or legal experts. Within the European Union a number of instruments have been adopted to assist private parties in the pursuit of civil law matters in other member states.
619. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his efforts to secure the release of a person (details supplied) detained in Egypt; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6051/16]
View answerThe Government is pursuing every viable avenue to secure the release of this citizen and will continue to bring all of our influence to bear on his behalf through all appropriate channels.
As Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade I have engaged extensively on this citizen’s case with my Egyptian counterpart, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Sameh Shoukry, and with Egypt’s Ambassador to Ireland, Ms. Soha Gendi. The Taoiseach has raised this case at the highest level with the Egyptian President, Mr. Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Officials from my Department and our Embassy in Cairo are in regular and frequent contact with the relevant Egyptian authorities.
The Government has also raised the case at senior levels with the European Union and the European External Action Service (EEAS). I have raised the case directly on a number of occasions with High Representative and Commission Vice President Mogherini, and she in turn has discussed the case with senior Egyptian Government interlocutors.
The Egyptian Government is in no doubt about the Irish Government’s position and our desire to see this Irish citizen released as soon as possible.
Significant resources continue to be deployed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, both in Cairo and in Dublin, in the provision of comprehensive consular assistance to both the citizen concerned and his family. A number of interventions related to this citizen’s treatment and welfare in detention have been made on his behalf with the Egyptian authorities, and we continue to pay close attention to all aspects of his welfare. The most recent consular visit took place on 11 February and was undertaken by the Dublin-based Director of the Consular Division in my Department, accompanied also by officials from our Embassy in Cairo. Embassy officials have attended all court hearings so far – a clear demonstration of the importance we attach to this case.
The Government will remain resolute in pursuing what we firmly believe to be in this citizen’s best interests and to be most likely to contribute to a positive outcome for him.
620. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of any recent discussions at political or official level with the authorities in the United States of America in relation to immigration reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6052/16]
View answerAchieving relief for undocumented Irish migrants in the US and agreement on a facility for future legal migration between Ireland and the US are priority issues in the Government’s relationship with the United States. Our Embassy in Washington and Consulates elsewhere in the US are active in advocating immigration reform and the issue is also the subject of high level political contacts between Ireland and the US Government.
During the Taoiseach’s recent visit to Washington for St. Patrick’s Day, he met with President Obama, Vice President Biden, Speaker Ryan, Senator Schumer and other key Congressional contacts from both sides of the aisle. At these meetings the Taoiseach raised the situation of the Irish undocumented in the US and encouraged them to work towards a comprehensive package of immigration reform measures. The Taoiseach also took the opportunity to address the issue of immigration reform in his speech at the Speaker’s lunch at Capitol Hill, where he urged Republicans and Democrats to work together to find a way to resolve the plight of the undocumented Irish in the United States. I also raised this issue during my visit to Washington and New York for St. Patrick’s Day.
Following my visit to Washington DC in September 2015, a Bill was tabled by Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner in the US House of Representatives. The Bill is aimed at providing access to several thousand E3 visas for Irish citizens. Although I warmly welcome this positive step towards meeting the desire of many Irish people to live and work in the US for a time, I would also point out that there is much work to be done in both Houses of Congress before this Bill might become law. While this particular measure would advance our objective of securing improved legal migration channels, it would not address the concerns of undocumented citizens currently in the US. These remain a key priority and continue to be the subject of ongoing contacts with the US authorities.
The judicial case on President Obama’s Executive Action on immigration reform has now been referred to the US Supreme Court, with a decision expected by the early summer. If the appeal succeeds and the measure is implemented, President Obama’s Executive Action could benefit a significant number of our citizens by lifting the threat of deportation and allowing work and travel more freely within the United States to those undocumented immigrants who meet its conditions.
The Government as a whole, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Dublin and our Embassy in Washington, will continue to actively pursue all opportunities to advance immigration reform that would benefit our citizens with the US Administration, Congress, the Republican leadership and the US Embassy in Ireland. In addition, the Government continues to provide significant financial support, €1,592,627 in 2015, to assist the work of various Irish immigration centres across the US.
622. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of his consultation with persons (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [6122/16]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has been providing consular assistance to the family at the centre of this tragic case through our Embassy in New Delhi, the Honorary Consul in Mumbai and the Consular Assistance Unit in Dublin, and we are in ongoing direct contact with the family. My Department assisted in obtaining the additional toxicological report in the case recently, and this was forwarded to the family. My Department has not received any official notification that the police have formally closed the case but the Department had understood that the post mortem report was the only evidence the police were awaiting in their investigation. Let me assure the Deputy that my Department will continue to offer all appropriate consular assistance to the family and continue to keep them updated on developments while also remaining engaged with the relevant Indian authorities on this matter.
623. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he had discussions with the British Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Ms Theresa Villiers, regarding the serious issues concerning collusion outlined in a publication (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6129/16]
View answerCases where there is alleged collusion, such as those discussed in the aforementioned publication, must be adequately addressed if we are to achieve a genuinely reconciled society. Successive Irish Governments, in our ongoing bilateral relations with the UK and through the European Court of Human Rights at Strasbourg, have consistently raised the issue of collusion with the British Government.
Many families, including those bereaved by incidents in which collusion has been alleged, continue to deal not only with the awful pain of losing a loved one, but with the struggle for answers decades after these traumatic events. I understand and acknowledge the frustration of families who for too long have had to contend with inadequate mechanisms for addressing their cases.
I remain convinced that the provisions of the Stormont House Agreement for dealing with the legacy of the past offer the best possible way of bringing whatever healing is possible to those affected by the Troubles, including those affected by collusion. When discussing the past in Northern Ireland and its legacy of loss and hurt, tragedies such as the attack on the Rock Bar remain central to our work. I believe these new institutions can help to deliver truth and justice to families who have waited too long. It is therefore vitally important that the new institutions have the trust and confidence of the victims and survivors and their families. Their needs will therefore remain central to the Government’s work in this area.
Earlier this year I wrote to a number of Victims’ Groups inviting them to submit their perspectives on how best to progress the establishment of the legacy institutions and to put forward their views on possible solutions to outstanding issues, including on the issue of onward disclosure and national security. Over the last two months, Senior Officials in my Department have consulted with these groups and taken note of their input on this crucial issue.
I believe that the sharing of such perspectives and ideas will make a valuable contribution to resolving all outstanding issues and securing an agreed basis among the political parties in Northern Ireland for the establishment of the new legacy institutions. I have of course also discussed the crucial need to deal with the legacy of the past with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on a number of occasions, most recently by telephone on 24 March.
624. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of recent discussions he had with the British Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Ms Theresa Villiers, or with the British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Mr Philip Hammond, regarding the need for the British Government to release files and papers pertaining to the Dublin and Monaghan bombings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6130/16]
View answerDealing with the legacy of the past relating to the conflict in Northern Ireland has been a major priority for me as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. I am particularly conscious of the two all-party motions of this House on the Dublin Monaghan bombings and I hope that we will continue to work collectively to advance their implementation in this new Dáil term.
In relation to Dublin/Monaghan, the Government fully supports the all-party Dáil motions of July 2008 and May 2011 urging the British Government to allow access by an independent international judicial figure to all original documents in their possession relating to the Dublin-Monaghan bombings. I have raised this issue with the British Government on a number of occasions, including most recently on 14 January with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. The Taoiseach has also raised this issue with Prime Minister Cameron emphasising the Government’s continued support for the Dáil motions.
I am disappointed to report that despite our urging, the British Government is still considering how to respond to the Dáil motions. However, I have received assurances from Secretary of State Villiers that the issue remains under consideration by the British Government. I have made clear to the Secretary of State that there is a pressing need to provide answers to the families of the victims and underlined the fact that this will remain firmly on the political agenda of the Irish Government given that there is an all-party agreement as set out in the Dáil motions of 2008 and 2011.
I met Justice for the Forgotten on 27 January and updated the group on the Government’s more recent discussions with the British Government. I agreed that the Government will consult the group on any response from the British Government to the Dáil motions. Given the All-Party nature of the Dáil motions, it will also be important to consult the parties in this House on any such response.
625. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills to address a matter (details supplied) regarding Irish Sign Language. [5715/16]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that Section 2 of the Official Languages Act 2003 states that "the official languages" of the State are (a) the Irish language (being the national language and the first official language) and (b) the English language (being a second official language) as specified in Article 8 of the Constitution. I can also advise the Deputy, however, that Irish Sign language (ISL) has formal recognition in the Education Act, 1998. Under the Act, it is a function of the Minister for Education and Skills to ensure, subject to the provisions of the Act, that there is made available to each person resident in the State, including a person with a disability or who has other special educational needs, support services and a level and quality of education appropriate to meeting the needs and abilities of that person. This includes provision for students learning through ISL. There are a number of specific supports in place for students who learn through Irish Sign Language (ISL) and a number of initiatives which seek to promote, develop and implement ISL in order that it will achieve greater recognition and use in the education system. These include:
- the special schools for the deaf have been encouraged in relation to the use of sign language in class.
- funding for an ISL weekly home tuition service through which deaf tutors visit the homes of deaf pre-school children and deaf school-going pupils to provide training in ISL for the deaf children, pupils, their siblings and parents.
- funding is also made available through the Special Education Support Service (SESS) to enable individual teachers and whole school staff to undertake courses in Irish Sign Language which are available throughout the country through a variety of providers.
- DES Circulars 0071/2011 and 30/2014 in relation to Special Needs Assistant (SNA) restated the role of the SNA to ensure that it includes the necessary duties that are required to support the care needs of Deaf and hard of hearing students, including in relation to provision of ISL support and assistance.
In addition, the Visiting Teacher Service for Children and Young People with a Hearing Impairment is provided by my Department from the time of referral through to third level education. The Visiting Teacher service provides advice and support to ensure that the needs of children and young people with hearing impairment are met. This service is available at pre-school, primary and post-primary levels. Specifically, the service works in partnership with parents of pre-school children with hearing impairment, visiting their homes and/or meeting them in groups to inform, advise and offer guidance in matters pertaining to their education and overall development and in helping their children to derive maximum benefit from the educational opportunities available. My Department, through the Higher Education Authority (HEA), has established and funds a Centre for Deaf Studies in Trinity College, Dublin which provides diploma courses for ISL/English interpreters, deaf tutors and in deaf studies. The course modules deal with issues such as sign linguistics, bi-lingualism and socio-linguistics of sign language. The course is delivered in seminar sessions/group work and the award of the diploma is based on continued assessment and a project and course design. Sign language is an option in the Leaving Certificate Applied. There is also an opportunity for students to learn sign language in the course of Transition Year. In addition, the Post-Primary Languages Initiative has developed a specification for a short course in Irish Sign Language (ISL) which is available as part of the new Junior Cycle. The emphasis is on developing communication skills in ISL at level A1 (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). This course develops students' ability to understand ISL in live and in recorded situations, to produce the language and to interact with other signers in a simple way and on familiar topics. A link to the course is available at: http://languagesinitiative.ie/images/ISL/MFL_Gen_Spec_ISL_28_May__Short_Course.pdf. I wish to advise the Deputy that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) published its Policy Advice on the Education of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children in Ireland which makes a number of recommendations for the improvement of educational provision for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children, including recommendations relating to ISL provision. This policy advice is available on the NCSE's website www.ncse.ie. A number of the recommendations contained in the policy advice on the Education of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children have been, or are currently in the process of being implemented. My Department will continue to implement the recommendations in conjunction with other Departments and agencies where necessary, subject to the availability of resources. The National Council for Special Education has also published a parental information leaflet for parents of children who are Deaf of Hard of Hearing, which provides details of the supports which are available for such children. Finally, the Deputy may be aware that assessment, rehabilitation and information services for children with hearing impairment and their families are funded by the Health Service Executive (HSE), either directly or indirectly. Services provided include communication therapy and lip reading classes as well as sign language classes.
626. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application by a school (details supplied) in County Kerry under the summer works programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5354/16]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has no record of receiving an application from the school to which he refers under the Summer Works Scheme (SWS) 2016 and 2017. While the school did not apply for any works under the recent SWS, it will be open to the school, if it so decides, to make an application under a future scheme. The Circular Letter (0055/2015) relating to the terms and conditions of the scheme, is available on my Department's website www.education.ie.
627. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of emergency funding for a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5355/16]
View answerThe application from the school to which the Deputy refers is currently under consideration in the context of additional information requested and recently received. The Department will be in contact with the school directly when a decision has been taken in this matter.
628. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna cén uair a cheadófar togra tógála scoile (sonraí tugtha); cén chúis atá le moill a dhéanamh ó tharla tógálaí a bheith ceapaithe don obair; cén uair atáthar ag súil go mbeidh conraitheoir tógála ar an láthair; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [5356/16]
View answerTá Scoil na bhForbacha sna céimeanna deiridh den phróiseas tairisceana le haghaidh Scoil nua 8 Seomra Ranga a chur ar fáil agus an foirgneamh atá ann faoi láthair a leagan. Cuireadh tuarascáil tairisceana don togra faoi bhráid na Roinne le déanaí agus tá measúnú á dhéanamh uirthi faoi láthair. Nuair a bheidh an measúnú curtha i gcrích déanfaidh an Roinn teagmháil le húdaráis na scoile maidir leis an togra a chur chun cinn a thuilleadh.
629. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills to reverse the decision to close Muine Bheag vocational school in County Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5357/16]
View answer630. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills to facilitate a meeting with the Oireachtas Members from the constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny to brief them on the status of the decision to close a school (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5358/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 629 and 630 together.
My Department was advised by Kilkenny and Carlow ETB that in light of the number of students that have enrolled for the school year 2016/17 and due to the declining enrolments over a number of years, that the ETB will not be proceeding with the enrolment of new first year students in Muine Bheag Vocational School for the coming school year, 2016-17. The ETB has indicated that this position has been reached following detailed deliberations concerning the viability of the school.
Following contact with the ETB, my Department has since been advised that the ETB is proposing to set up a review group representative of local stakeholders, to look into all aspects of the situation in the school and to consider possible solutions for the future. The process of establishing this group will start immediately and the ETB has undertaken to advise my Department of any further proposals in relation to the future of the school. My Department can review the position following the outcome of the review group's work.
631. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills to allocate funding to a school (details supplied) in County Donegal under the summer works scheme; when she will announce those schools that will be allocated funding under this scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5359/16]
View answerI wish to confirm to the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of an application from the school in question under the Summer Works Scheme. Commensurate with the level of funding available for the Scheme, applications including that from the school concerned, 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 due course.
632. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if first-aid training should be included in the curriculum for second level students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5360/16]
View answerThe Social Personal and Health Education curriculum, which is currently mandatory for junior cycle students, is focused on promoting their health and well-being, helping them to create and maintain supportive relationships and to become active responsible citizens in society. The curriculum deals with issues such as making decisions, developing self-confidence, growing and changing, personal safety. Where teachers see it as appropriate they can include first-aid, as part of their programme but it is not a mandatory requirement.
Schools are encouraged to engage actively with community groups and a wide range of stakeholders to provide for extra-curricular learning opportunities. Many schools invite organisations such as the Red Cross or the Order of Malta to provide some first aid training, or to give talks to students. Among the duties which may be assigned by a school board of management or principal to holders of posts of responsibility in schools is that of first aid and safety officer. Training in first aid for teachers is among the range of programmes supported by the network of Education Centres throughout the country to meet local priority needs.
633. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of reversing cuts that were made in the previous Government's term for a community (details supplied) in County Kerry that wishes to restore resources for education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5361/16]
View answerMy Department's policy in relation to Traveller Education is informed by the Report and Recommendations for a Traveller Education Strategy which was launched in 2006, following wide ranging consultation with Traveller representative groups and other relevant stakeholders. The principle of inclusion is at the core of the Strategy. The focus of both current and future provision is on the development of an inclusive school environment through the whole school planning process, teaching practice, admissions policies, codes of behaviour and whole school evaluation. In keeping with this principle, additional resources provided in the education system for children are allocated on the basis of identified individual educational need. This includes Traveller children who require additional resources based on need and not on their identity as Travellers. The cuts to which the Deputy refers relate to the reduction in funding for segregated Traveller specific programmes such as Resource Teacher for Travellers, Visiting Teachers Service and the phasing out of Senior Traveller Training Centres. A portion of the funding previously allocated to segregated education provision for Travellers has been redeployed to mainstream programmes in line with the principle of inclusion. My Department continues to spend in the region of €10m annually on the implementation of the recommendations of the Strategy to complete the transition to full integration of supports for Travellers within the education system.
634. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills the arrangements she has made for the provision of school transport for primary school students from Sherkin Island to attend school on the mainland; the consideration she has given to the submission made by the local community regarding this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5394/16]
View answerUnder the terms of my Department's Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language. Bus Éireann has advised that some children who reside on Sherkin Island are currently availing of a school transport service. Other children who wish to avail of school transport should, in the first instance, submit an application form for school transport for the 2016/17 school year before Friday 29 April; these applications can be accessed online at buseireann.ie.
635. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna cén fath nach bhfuil an dara múinteoir á cheapadh do Scoil Náisiúnta Inis Meáin do Mheán Fómhair seo chugainn ó tharla go raibh ochtar scoláirí sa scoil i Meán Fómhair seo caite agus gur scoil oileánda í; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [5400/16]
View answerFoilsítear na critéir a úsáidtear chun múinteoirí a leithdháileadh ar scoileanna ar shuíomh idirlín na Roinne Oideachais agus Scileanna gach bliain. Is é an príomhchritéar lena gcinntear an leibhéal acmhainní foirnithe a sholáthraítear ag leibhéal na scoile aonair ná an sceideal foirnithe don scoilbhliain chuí agus an líon daltaí ar an rolla ar an 30 Meán Fómhair roimhe sin. Tá na socruithe foirnithe don scoilbhliain 2016/17 leagtha amach i gCiorclán 0007/2016. Bhí ochtar dalta ar an rolla ag an scoil dá dtagraíonn an Teachta ar 30 Meán Fómhair 2015. Is é 15 an líon daltaí a theastaíonn chun an dara múinteoir a cheapadh. Tá próiseas achomhairc ar fáil do scoileanna beaga sa chás go mbíonn siad in ann a léiriú gur leor an líon réamh-mheasta daltaí a bheidh ar an rolla acu chun ligean dóibh an múinteoir rangsheomra a choinneáil sa bhfadtéarma. Tá achomharc foirnithe faighte ag an Roinn ó Scoil Náisiúnta Inis Meáin a bhreithneofar ag cruinniú mhí Bhealtaine de Bhord na nAchomharc um Fhoirniú Bunscoile. Feidhmíonn Bord na nAchomharc go neamhspleách ar an Roinn agus ní bhíonn dul thar a bhreith.
The criteria used for the allocation of teachers to primary schools is published annually on the website of the Department of Education and Skills. 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. Staffing arrangements for the 2016/17 school year are set out in Circular 0007/2016. The school referred to by the Deputy had an enrolment of 8 pupils on 30 September 2015. The enrolment required to appoint the second teacher is 15. An appeals process is available to small schools in the event that they can show that their projected enrolments are sufficient to allow them to retain their classroom teacher in the longer term. The Department has received a staffing appeal from SN Inis Meadhoin which will be considered at the May meeting of the Primary Staffing Appeals Board. The Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.
636. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on secretaries working in primary schools who are paid out of the ancillary grant, many of whom have been in employment for 16 years and have not received any salary increase in that time as they are not direct employees of her Department, despite circulars having been issued that state they should be paid by the hour; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5421/16]
View answerMy Department provides capitation funding to all recognised primary schools. Where a school uses the grant funding to employ a secretary or caretaker, such staff are employees of individual schools. My Department therefore does not have any role in determining the pay and conditions under which they are engaged. These are matters to be agreed between the staff concerned and the school authorities. Notwithstanding this, my Department agreed an arbitration process in relation to the pay of grant-funded school secretaries and caretakers. The detailed arrangements are set out in Circular 0076/2015 that was published in December 2015 on the Department's website. In 2016 the ancillary grant is being increased by €6 from €147 to €153 per pupil.
637. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Education and Skills to review an application for increased funding to extend a national school (details supplied) in County Clare, given its enrolment projections; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5442/16]
View answerI can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers has submitted an application for additional funding in respect of its building project to provide a mainstream classroom and two resource rooms. The application is currently being examined and when a decision has been made the school will be notified accordingly.
638. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills to accept an application from a school (details supplied) in County Sligo under the emergency funding scheme along with its application under the summer works scheme for 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5444/16]
View answerMy Department has no record of receiving an application from the school to which he refers under the Summer Works Scheme 2016/2017. It is open to the school to make an application under the Emergency Works Grant Scheme for the works outlined. Any such application will be considered in the context of the terms and conditions of that Scheme.
639. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she has approved a third autism spectrum disorder class at a primary school (details supplied) in County Cork; if she will provide a purpose-built autism spectrum disorder unit for the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5446/16]
View answerI 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 placements with additional supports provided. In circumstances where children with Special Educational Needs require more specialised interventions, special school or special class places are also available. The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from primary and post primary schools for special educational needs supports, including the establishment of special classes in various geographical areas as required. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. The NCSE have advised that SENOs are currently liaising with schools in Cork City and County regarding the establishment of classes for the 2016/17 school year. As the matter referred to in this question relates to a specific school, I will arrange to have the Deputy's request referred to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.
640. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Skills where the Shellybanks Educate Together national school in Dublin 4 will be located; and when she will make the announcement. [5454/16]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that a site acquisition process for Shellybanks Educate Together National School is underway. However, due to commercial sensitivities associated with site acquisitions generally, I am not in a position to provide further details, but I can assure the Deputy that the patron body, Educate Together, will be informed of the location for the school as soon as it is possible to do so.
641. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills to accept an application by a school (details supplied) in County Roscommon under the emergency funding scheme along with its application under the summer works scheme for 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5463/16]
View answerI wish to confirm to the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of an application from the school in question under the Summer Works Scheme. Commensurate with the level of funding available for the Scheme, applications including that from the school concerned, 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 due course. The school to which the Deputy refers also applied for funding under my Department's Emergency Works Scheme (EWG). As the scope of works was considered to be outside the terms of this scheme, the application was refused. However, the school has since revised the application and this is currently under consideration. A decision will be conveyed to the school authority as soon as the assessment process has been concluded.
642. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim can appeal a decision not to grant access to a scribe for the Leaving Certificate examination; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5465/16]
View answerThe State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations. The State Examinations Commission operates a scheme of Reasonable Accommodations in the Certificate Examinations. Full details of the scheme are available from their website: www.examinations.ie/candidates/reasonableaccommodations. In view of this I have forwarded the Deputy's query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to him.
643. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application under the summer works scheme by a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5466/16]
View answerI wish to confirm to the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of an application from the school in question under the Summer Works Scheme. Commensurate with the level of funding available for the Scheme, applications including that from the school concerned, 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 due course.
644. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills why a person (details supplied) in County Cork is not being granted additional resource hours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5474/16]
View answerThe National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for allocating resource teaching support to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. The NCSE has published details of the resource teaching allocations made to each school for the 2015/2016 school year on its website, www.ncse.ie. All schools have the contact details of their local SENO. 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. Details of the manner in which a school or parent may appeal the level of Resource Teaching allocation which has been made to support a child in school, to the NCSE are set out on the NCSE website. As the Deputy's question relates to the consideration of an application for resource teaching support by the NCSE for an individual pupil, I have referred this question to the NCSE for their consideration and direct reply to the Deputy.
645. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she is aware of the delays and difficulties St. Marks Gaelic Athletic Association Club and St. Marks Community School in Tallaght, Dublin 24, are experiencing regarding a pitch development project on lands owned by her Department; if she will resolve the delay in the project receiving permission, which will benefit the club, school and the adjoining local community. [5490/16]
View answerI can confirm that my Department has received correspondence from the club referred to by the Deputy. This correspondence is under consideration and a response will issue shortly.
646. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills to consider an application under the summer works scheme by a school (details supplied) in County Leitrim; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5501/16]
View answerI wish to confirm to the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of an application from the school in question under the Summer Works Scheme. Commensurate with the level of funding available for the Scheme, applications including that from the school concerned, 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 due course.
647. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she is aware of the decision of the State Examinations Commission regarding a person (details supplied) in County Cork; why the commission delivers decisions on the closing date for appeals; if she will ensure this decision is reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5508/16]
View answerThe State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations. The State Examinations Commission operates a scheme of Reasonable Accommodations in the Certificate Examinations. Full details of the scheme are available from their website: www.examinations.ie/candidates/reasonableaccommodations. In view of this I have forwarded the Deputy's query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to him.
