Thursday, 14 Apr 2016

Written Answers Nos. 648-664

North-South Ministerial Council

Questions (648)

Brendan Smith

Question:

648. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the issues he discussed at the most recent North-South Ministerial Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7092/16]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The most recent meeting of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) in plenary format was held in Armagh on Friday 11 December 2015. This was the 21st Plenary meeting of the NSMC.

At the meeting Ministers discussed the Fresh Start Agreement and the work to be undertaken by officials to review North South infrastructure projects. The Council also welcomed the commitment in Fresh Start to tackle paramilitarism, criminality and organised crime and to bring to justice those involved in it.

Discussions covered a wide range of financial, economic and EU matters including the economic challenges faced in both jurisdictions and the work being taken forward to promote economic growth and employment. The importance of tourism, trade, investment and of supporting companies in accessing overseas markets was recognised. Ministers also discussed the Progress Report prepared by the NSMC Joint Secretaries on the work of the North South Bodies and in the other NSMC areas for co-operation since the preceding Plenary meeting on 5 June 2015 in Dublin Castle.

The Council welcomed that the EU INTERREG VA funding programme has now opened for funding calls and noted that the PEACE IV Programme was recently adopted by the European Commission. It was noted that discussions are continuing to take place at NSMC Sectoral meetings on collaboration to draw down EU funding and the Council was encouraged by the work that has been undertaken to identify funding opportunities across various EU Funding Programmes. In particular, Ministers welcomed the focus on Horizon 2020, EU LIFE, Connecting Europe Facility, ERASMUS+ and Creative Europe. These discussions will continue throughout the next round of NSMC meetings.

The Council noted that under the EU’s Horizon 2020 programme, €29.67m has been secured in the first year for 22 joint projects involving both jurisdictions and also noted the work of InterTradeIreland and the All-Island Steering Group in raising awareness of this €80bn EU programme.

The Council welcomed the commitment of the Government to provide €2.5 million in funding to a North West Development Fund to support the North West Gateway Initiative which will be complemented by matching funding from the Northern Ireland Executive.

The Council noted the continued engagement between officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister with relevant stakeholders in the region regarding the direction and priorities for the future development of the North West.

The Council further noted the work by Donegal County Council and Derry City and Strabane District Council to produce a collaborative framework aimed at placing cross-border co-operation on a more formal basis within local government structures.

The Government and the Northern Ireland Executive reiterated their commitment to a meeting of Ministers from both jurisdictions to take place in the North West region to consider the strategic approach to the development of the region.

The Council noted the position on the development of new priorities for North/South cooperation and the ongoing review of Work Programmes at Sectoral meetings. The current position on setting up a North South Consultative Forum as envisaged in the Good Friday Agreement was also noted.

The Council approved the appointment of Chairpersons, Vice Chairpersons and members to the Boards of the North South Implementation Bodies and Directors of Tourism Ireland Limited. Ministers expressed their appreciation for the work of outgoing Board members.

The Council also approved a schedule of NSMC meetings proposed by the Joint Secretariat, including the next NSMC Plenary meeting in June 2016.

Overseas Development Aid Expenditure

Questions (649)

Brendan Smith

Question:

649. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the overseas development aid expenditure in 2015; the provision he has made for 2016; the programmes he will fund in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7093/16]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Earlier this week the OECD Development Assistance Committee published the 2015 Official Development Assistance (ODA) expenditure levels for all OECD Donors, confirming that the outturn for Ireland’s total ODA expenditure for last year was €647 million. This represents an increase of some €32 million or 5% on the 2014 levels.

For 2016, the Government has allocated €641 million, an increase of 7% on the allocation for 2015. Of this amount, €486 million is allocated to Vote 27 of my Department, while a further estimated €155 million will come from other Government Departments and Ireland’s share of the EU development Co-operation budget. Based on past experience I am confident the final 2016 outturn will exceed the budget allocation.

Following the Budget announcement, my Department carried out a detailed planning exercise for the allocation under the Irish Aid programme, reviewed existing programme and plans against current and emerging needs. We made detailed financial allocations for the current year against clear and objective allocation criteria.

One of our key priorities for 2016 is to ensure Ireland continues to play a leading role in responding to the unprecedented humanitarian crises facing the international community, by using our humanitarian and development assistance in a more coordinated way and building resilience within communities for the future. In 2016 we have increased our direct funding for emergency humanitarian assistance to €92 million, an increase of 21% on the 2015 level. This funding will be delivered through the UN system and trusted Irish and International NGOs to meet the acute needs of people caught up in those crisis.

We are determined our aid programme will continue its rigorous focus in addressing the root causes of poverty, inequality and hunger in particular in our key partner countries in sub-Saharan Africa. For 2016 year we have allocated almost €160 million directly to bilateral country programmes, supporting programmes which build resilience, address emerging humanitarian needs, and meet the basic needs of poor and marginalised communities in our key partner countries.

€86 million is allocated directly to our main NGO partners and Missionary Organisations, supporting their development programmes to provide essential services and build the capacity and resilience of vulnerable communities to participate in the development process as equal citizens and hold their Governments to account.

We will continue to provide core financial support to a number of key UN partners and other International Organisations, whose priorities and policies fit well with ours and who have a proven track record of delivery. These voluntary contributions allow Ireland to participate in development co-operation at a global level in key areas of need and in countries outside our bilateral programme. For 2016, we plan to provide €77 million to UN and other International Organisations to support their development programmes, and a further €41 million is planned for key international partners delivering global programmes in the priority sectors of Essential Services, Health and HIV/AIDS, Education and Inclusive Economic Growth.

Question No. 650 answered with Question No. 630.

Question No. 651 answered with Question No. 644.

Visa Waiver Programme

Questions (652)

Brendan Smith

Question:

652. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he discussed changes to the J1 visa programme during his visit to the US for the recent Saint Patrick's Day celebrations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7096/16]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The US J1 Summer Work and Travel programme has been a tremendously successful part of the Irish-US bilateral relationship for almost 50 years, with 150,000 Irish third level students having experienced the US through the programme over that time.

This year, the independent US sponsoring bodies managing the great majority of Irish J1 participants introduced a requirement for citizens of Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) countries, such as Ireland, the UK, France and the Czech Republic to have a job pre-arranged for the summer 2016 programme.

In his contact with President Obama in the White House for St Patrick’s Day, the Taoiseach stressed the importance of keeping the number of Irish students taking part in the programme at as high a level as possible and noted that the government continued to work closely with the State Department, the US Embassy in Dublin and relevant agencies to encourage that.

Both I and Minister Deenihan have discussed the change to the J1 programme with US authorities on numerous occasions and there have also been contacts through our Embassy in Washington. I addressed the changes to the J1 programme in contacts with the US Ambassador, during my visit to Washington last October and in a letter to the US Secretary of State, John Kerry, in November. In December and January, the US Ambassador and I exchanged letters in which we discussed ways of advising students of the changes to the J1 programme and assisting them in meeting the new application requirements.

The Government’s focus is on maximising Irish participation in the amended programme and I have instructed our missions in the US to inform their contacts of these changes and encourage those who can to assist potential Irish J1 students in their search for jobs. My Department also supported the publication of a guide for prospective J1 students, produced in conjunction with the Union of Students of Ireland. This was launched by Minister Deenihan in January, in the presence of the US Ambassador.

I would strongly encourage prospective Irish J1 students to move forward as soon as possible to complete the application process so that they can have a rewarding J1 experience in summer 2016. I would also encourage those in the US in a position to do so to assist in finding suitable jobs for prospective J1 students. We remain in close contact with the US authorities and with all relevant agencies and bodies as preparations continue for the summer 2016 programme.

Human Rights

Questions (653)

Seán Crowe

Question:

653. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is aware that 30 civilians have been assassinated in Colombia over a 30-day period from 21 February to 18 March 2016; that the Justice for Colombia Group compiled the information; and if he will raise these cases with the Colombian Government. [7166/16]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I am aware of the deaths to which the Deputy refers. These incidents are stark reminders that Colombia still faces significant challenges in overcoming decades of violence in order to secure a lasting peace.

Ireland condemns unreservedly the killings of all human rights defenders and other civilian activists. We regularly discuss human rights issues in Colombia as part of our bilateral dialogue and in various multilateral fora. At the Human Rights Council in Geneva on 23 March, Ireland expressed strong support for the renewal of the mandate of the Colombia Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights beyond 31 October 2016.

Human rights must be central to the imminent peace agreement in Colombia. This is something we have consistently advocated and will continue to advocate. Since 2014, Ireland has provided a total of €410,000 of funding to the OHCHR in the areas of human rights, transitional justice and supporting the implementation of Colombia’s peace process.

With respect to the specific cases referred to by the Deputy, officials from our Embassy in Mexico raised the case of Mr. William Castillo Chima, and threats against his colleagues and other human rights defenders in recent months, during a meeting in Bogotá with the human rights division of the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

EU Special Envoy to the Colombia Peace Process, Mr. Eamon Gilmore, raised the matter in a meeting last month with the Colombian Interior Ministry, who confirmed that they are in discussions with the Prosecutor’s office to ensure a speedy and thorough investigation.

I believe that our policy of regular engagement, dialogue, and scrutiny within the structured framework of the EU-Colombia Human Rights Dialogue is the best way to promote human rights in Colombia.

Ireland will continue to support efforts towards a lasting peace agreement in Colombia, with assurances of human rights protections at its core.

Emigrant Support Services

Questions (654)

Jim Daly

Question:

654. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the grants available to voluntary organisations for acquiring new equipment in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7241/16]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

My Department’s Emigrant Support Programme (ESP) provides funding to not-for-profit organisations and projects to support Irish communities overseas and to facilitate the development of more strategic links between Ireland and the global Irish.

In 2016 an allocation of €11,595,000 is available for funding under this Programme, matching the funding which was available in 2015. Applications for ESP funding are made under 4 categories: Welfare; Heritage; Business Networks and Capital.

Any application for new equipment would typically be considered under the Capital category which allows for the construction, refurbishment or purchase of capital assets benefitting Irish communities. The purchase of new equipment will only be considered if it is deemed to be central to the ongoing work of the organisation and will benefit members of the Irish diaspora.

Capital funding allocated in each year depends on the overall availability of funds and the priority of the projects submitted. Additional documentation is required for capital funding and such funding is subject to additional conditions including the possible reimbursement of funding if an asset is sold within a designated timeframe.

The focus of the Emigrant Support Programme is on initiatives that:

- address the needs of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable Irish emigrants;

- enhance access for Irish emigrants and Irish community organisations to local statutory and voluntary services;

- foster a more vibrant sense of community and Irish identity amongst the Irish abroad; and,

- encourage closer links between Irish communities abroad and Ireland, to the benefit of both.

My Department’s Reconciliation Fund also gives grants to civil society organisations to support reconciliation and to create better understanding between people and traditions on the island of Ireland and between Ireland and Britain, however it does not generally give grants for capital costs or equipment.

Teachers' Remuneration

Questions (655)

Jack Chambers

Question:

655. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a teacher who resumes working, having previously worked prior to the introduction of the 2011 new entrants pay scales, and then worked abroad, can qualify for the old pay scale or must start again on the new scale; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6955/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to set out the sequence of policy and budgetary measures in relation to appointees to teaching and their pay entitlements that have occurred over the last number of years.

The first measure took effect on 1st September 2010. It requires that, in order to be eligible to receive the qualified rate of pay and allowances, a person on their first appointment to teaching must be registered with the Teaching Council and appropriately qualified for that position. This was introduced for the purpose of ensuring quality and promoting professional standards in teaching and this goal has been strongly supported by the teacher unions.

The second measure was taken as part of Budget 2011. The Government applied a reduction in the pay of new entrants to the public service. In the case of new teachers a reduction of 10% was applied to pay and certain allowances and all new teachers were required to start on the first point of the scale rather than the third point as had previously been the case for most teachers. The new pay rates applied to all teachers who were new appointees or who became qualified on or after 1st January 2011.

In 2012 a public service-wide review of allowances was also carried out by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and, pending its outcome, the payment of qualification allowances was suspended with effect from 1st February 2012. As a result of the review, the Government abolished qualification allowances with effect from that date and a new salary scale was created with a starting point equivalent to the fourth point of the previous scale for all entrants to teaching. This reduced the impact of the ending of the qualification allowances and ensured a broad consistency across the public service.

The effect of the above measures with regard to salary for teachers is explained below.

1. A person first appointed to an Oireachtas funded teaching post before 1 January 2011 whose date of first qualified Oireachtas funded teaching service is –

(a) before 5 December 2011, will be paid on the pre-2011 qualified pay scale and the qualification allowances applicable to that scale,

(b) between 5 December 2011 and 28 April 2013, will be paid on pre-2011 pay scale and qualification allowances applicable to that scale subject to the maximum value of the honours primary degree allowance applicable to that scale, or

(c) on or after 29 April 2013, will be paid on the 1 February 2012 pay scale with no qualification allowances.

2. A person first appointed to an Oireachtas funded teaching post between 1 January 2011 and 31 January 2012, whose date of first qualified Oireachtas funded teaching service is –

(a) before 5 December 2011, will be paid on the 1 January 2011 qualified pay scale and the qualification allowances applicable to that scale,

(b) between 5 December 2011 and 28 April 2013, will be paid on the 1 January 2011 pay scale and qualification allowances applicable to that scale subject to the maximum value of the honours primary degree allowance applicable to that scale, or

(c) on or after 29 April 2013, will be paid on the 1 February 2012 pay scale with no qualification allowances.

3. A person first appointed to an Oireachtas funded teaching post on or after 1 February 2012 whose date of first qualified Oireachtas funded teaching service is on or after that date will be paid on the 1 February 2012 pay scale with no qualification allowances.

If the Deputy has a specific query in relation to an individual teacher he should forward the details to my Department.

School Transport Provision

Questions (656)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

656. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills when transport provisions will be restored to children and adults attending special schools who require supervised transport facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7194/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

I wish to advise the Deputy that Special Schools funded by my Department are intended to cater for children and young persons with special educational needs from 4 years until the end of the school year in which they reach their 18th year.

At that point, the Department of Health/Health Service Executive assumes direct responsibility for young adults with special educational needs.

Under the terms of my Department's School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, children are eligible for transport where they are attending the nearest recognised school that is or can be resourced to meet their special educational needs.

Eligibility is determined following consultation with the National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers.

My Department also provides funding to schools for the employment of escorts to accompany children whose care and safety needs require this level of support while they travel to and from school.

Should the Deputy have queries regarding specific services for children with special educational needs I will be happy to provide more detailed information.

State Examinations

Questions (657)

Michael D'Arcy

Question:

657. Deputy Michael D'Arcy asked the Minister for Education and Skills why she has removed reasonable accommodations for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford prior to the leaving certificate mock examinations 2016. [6293/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations. It does not have responsibility for mock examinations; they are the sole responsibility of the school.

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 your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.

School Accommodation Provision

Questions (658, 742)

Fiona O'Loughlin

Question:

658. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on the need for another secondary school in the Newbridge and Kildare town areas of County Kildare. [6313/16]

Martin Heydon

Question:

742. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the review of demographic data supplied by a group (details supplied) in County Kildare on the need for a further second level school in the Kildare and Newbridge area; when she will issue a response; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7218/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Jan O'Sullivan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 658 and 742 together.

Since 2011 new schools are established where the current and projected future demographics of an area require it.

In identifying the requirement for additional school places, my Department uses a Geographical Information System to identify the areas under increased demographic pressure nationwide. The system uses data from the Central Statistics Office, Ordnance Survey Ireland, the Department of Social Protection and information from my Department's own databases. As part of the demographic analyses considering the potential additional post-primary school accommodation requirements of a school planning area, account is taken of the location and capacity of other post-primary schools in the school planning area and the wider area to ensure that all of the schools in an area can between them cater for the students requiring places.

With this information, my Department carries out nationwide demographic exercises to determine where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and at post-primary level. The outcome of the latest demographic exercises was that in November 2015, I announced that 4 new primary schools and 9 new post-primary schools will open in 2017 and 2018 to cater for increased demographic needs.

A range of areas nationwide are experiencing increased demographic pressure and these are being kept under ongoing review by my Department. This ongoing review takes account of updated enrolment data and also the impact of existing and planned capacity increases to existing schools in the area. The areas referred to by the Deputies are included among these.

With the addition of both planned and recently delivered infrastructural provision in the areas referred to by the Deputies, the existing schools should between them be able to cater for the overall level of demographic demand for post-primary school places.

The patronage process for new schools is a separate process, which is run after it is decided that, based on the demographic data, a new school is required.

Parental preferences are central to this process and prospective patrons are required to provide evidence of demand for their particular type of school. It is open to all patrons and prospective patrons to apply for patronage of a new school under this process.

Teachers' Remuneration

Questions (659)

Fiona O'Loughlin

Question:

659. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding pay equalisation for teachers. [6314/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

As a consequence of the financial crisis, there was a need to enact a number of measures to reduce public expenditure so as to stabilise the country's public finances. The previous Government decided to reduce the salaries and allowances payable to all new entrants to public service recruitment grades (including teachers) by 10% with effect from 1 January 2011. This decision also required that such new entrants would start on the first point of the applicable salary scale, which in the case of teachers had the effect of reducing their starting pay by a further 4-5%. Later in 2011, the Government placed a cap on the overall level of qualification allowances that could be earned by teachers.

Subsequently in 2012, following the public service-wide review of allowances, the Government withdrew qualification allowances for new teachers altogether. However, the Government partially compensated for this by deciding that new entrant teachers would henceforth commence on a new salary scale which had a starting point higher than the starting point of the old scale. Overall, the removal of qualification allowances had the effect of further reducing the pay of new entrant teachers by between 5 and 7 percent.

The measures above – which applied to new entrants only and which were in addition to the pay reductions imposed on public servants generally - were implemented at a time of extraordinarily difficult financial and budgetary circumstances for the State. It is estimated that some 6,700 teachers who entered the profession since 2011 have been affected by the measures.

The Haddington Road Agreement re-aligned the pay scale for teachers who entered teaching between 1 January 2011 and 31 January 2012 with that of pre-2011 entrants. An improved pay scale for post-1 February 2012 entrants was also agreed and implemented under the terms of that Agreement. The Lansdowne Road Agreement will begin the process of restoring the reductions to public service pay which were implemented over recent years. The flat-rate increases contained in the Agreement are proportionately more favourable to new entrants to teaching (who are lower on the pay scale) than to longer serving teachers.

Capitation Grants

Questions (660)

Finian McGrath

Question:

660. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of increasing the capitation grant from €170 to €180 per pupil; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6326/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The cost of increasing the capitation grant from €170 to €180 per pupil in primary schools would be €5.7million.

I have previously indicated that education should be prioritised for investment in the coming years, and I believe that increasing the staffing and funding of our schools should be priorities for such investment.

Autism Support Services

Questions (661)

Finian McGrath

Question:

661. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of autism education services (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6332/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

My Department's policy is to promote a child-centred approach to education of all children with special educational needs including those with autism. This policy is based on research and evidence outlined in the report of the Irish Task Force on Autism (2001) and the Evaluation of Educational Provision for Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (2006), both of which are available on my Department's website.

The Deputy will be aware that my predecessor requested the NCSE to prepare updated policy advice on the Educational Provision for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

The NCSE has submitted their Policy Advice to my Department. In developing this policy advice, the NCSE has consulted widely with parents, professionals and other stakeholders and interested parties while also conducting research. The advice is intended to identify the nature and extent of educational intervention/s, teaching practices and other supports which should be provided to enable children with autism to achieve educational outcomes appropriate to their needs and abilities. The policy advice is currently under consideration in my Department.

The Deputy will be aware that the Government's commitment is to ensure that all children with special educational needs, including those with Autism, can have access to an education appropriate to their needs, preferably in school settings through the primary and post primary school network.

My Department provides for a range of placement options and supports for schools which have enrolled pupils with autism in order to ensure that, wherever a child is enrolled, they will have access to an appropriate education.

Children with autism can enrol in an early intervention class from the age of three and, if they are assessed younger, home tuition can be provided from the age of two and a half.

Children with autism may be enrolled in a mainstream school and can attend all mainstream classes. In such cases these children will receive additional teaching support through the learning support and/or the resource teacher and where appropriate will receive access to Special Needs Assistance and assistive technology if required.

In respect of children with autism who cannot be accommodated in mainstream education, they may be enrolled in special classes or special schools where more intensive and supportive interventions are provided. This will normally include a pupil teacher ratio of 6 to 1 and Special Needs Assistant support normally amounting to 2 SNAs for a class of 6 children.

Progress in developing this network has been significant and in addition to the special school placements there are now approximately 762 special classes nationwide in mainstream schools for children with Autism, 116 of which are early intervention settings, 452 at primary level and 194 at post primary level.

The Deputy will also be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for allocating resource teachers and special needs assistants to schools to support students with Special Educational Needs, including Autism.

It is also the role of the NCSE to make appropriate arrangements to establish special classes in schools in communities where the need for such classes has been identified.

SENOs engage with schools annually in order to plan for, and to open, new special classes each year in order to ensure there are sufficient special class placements available at primary and post primary school level to meet demand in a given area.

The NCSE also provides information for Parents of Children with Special Education Needs through its website www.ncse.ie and Pamphlet Series which inform parents and guardians of supports and services available for children and young people with ASD and their families.

Also for children with autism the school year is extended to include the month of July. This is commonly referred to as 'the July Provision Programme'. This is typically delivered in the child's school, but where the school is not in a position to deliver this, it can be provided as home tuition.

My Department supports the professional development of staff working with children with special educational needs, including those with Autism, through the Special Education Support Service (SESS).

Further support is provided to children and their families by the Middletown Centre for Autism in Co. Armagh. This centre is jointly funded by my Department and the Department of Education in Northern Ireland. The Centre provides a comprehensive nationwide training service for parents and educational professionals. Parents can view the range of courses which the Centre has available through the website www.middletownautism.com.

Schools Building Projects Status

Questions (662)

Darragh O'Brien

Question:

662. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the provision of a new location and premises for a school (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6339/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The Deputy will be aware that a project for the school to which he refers was included in my Department's 6 Year Capital Programme which I announced last November. The project will be progressed with a view to proceeding to tender and construction stages in 2018, as outlined in the programme. In that regard, I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department met with the school authority in recent days to discuss progressing the project in question.

Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Questions (663)

Willie O'Dea

Question:

663. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education and Skills if persons who receive the housing assistance payment and who take up full-time educational courses can receive the Student Universal Support Ireland maintenance grant if they meet the qualifying criteria; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6359/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

With regard to the Deputy's specific query, I can confirm that persons in receipt of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) are not precluded from qualifying for the "Student Universal Support Ireland Maintenance Grant", provided they meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.

HAP was introduced as an income disregard in the 2015 Scheme and is therefore not included when calculating reckonable income.

Special Educational Needs Staff

Questions (664, 704)

Frank O'Rourke

Question:

664. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of special needs assistants employed and the number of hours of special needs teaching provided in schools in County Kildare in each of the years 2008, 2010 and in each of the years 2013 to 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6361/16]

Frank O'Rourke

Question:

704. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of special needs assistants employed and the number of hours of special needs teaching provided in schools in County Kildare in each of the years 2008 to 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6828/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 664 and 704 together.

The policy of my Department is that children with special educational needs 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 National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for allocating special educational needs supports including Special Needs Assistants (SNAs), resource teaching support to mainstream schools, staffing in special schools and the establishment of special classes in mainstream schools, to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.

In July 2015, 610 additional SNA posts were provided to the end of 2015, while Budget 2016 provided an additional 100 SNA posts to meet additional demand to June 2016, bringing the total SNA number available for allocation to 12,040. This is a higher level of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support than ever before, which will ensure that children with special educational needs can continue to participate in education and be supported in a manner appropriate to their needs.

All State-funded primary and post primary schools have a permanent allocation of additional teaching supports to provide for children whose educational psychological assessment places them in the high incidence, or less complex, disability category. There are in excess of 5,000 Learning Support Teacher posts at present.

Separately, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) allocates additional resource teaching hours to schools for children who have been assessed within the low incidence, or more complex, category of special need. Budget 2016 made additional provision, increasing the number from 6705 at the end of 2015 to 6852 at the end of June 2016 and to 7452 Posts to the end of 2016.

In addition, provision has been made for placement options in some 125 special schools with over 1,100 teachers and over 1,000 special classes are located in mainstream schools around the country.

The NCSE has published details of resource teaching, SNA allocation and special classes for all schools, including schools in County Kildare, from 2012 to 2015 inclusive, on its website at www.ncse.ie.

I will arrange for the NCSE to reply directly to the Deputy in relation to applications for support sanctioned by the NCSE prior to 2012.