Written Answers Nos. 735-750
735. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills to consider a more nuanced approach to school transport services where school service buses are full at the point of departure but school buses going past these stops are not full but students are refused access to school transport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7142/16]
View answerUnder the terms of my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
Bus Éireann has advised that the child in question is eligible for school transport but the family was late in submitting their payment details; at that stage all seats on the buses had been allocated.
However, Bus Éireann has further advised that there is currently a spare seat available and the family should contact their local Bus Éireann office at 01 - 8302222 if they wish to avail of school transport for the remainder of this school year.
736. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the training she offers to special needs assistants who work with children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, in particular with regard to training in Lámh, the picture exchange communication system, and in the treatment and education of autistic and related communication-handicapped children; her policy on the necessity of such training for special needs assistants working with autism spectrum disorder children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7148/16]
View answerThe purpose of the Special Needs Assistant (SNA) scheme is to provide schools with additional adult support staff who can assist children with special educational needs who also have additional and significant care needs.
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.
The Circular explains that where pupils have particular care needs, that schools should ensure that SNAs who are recruited to work with such children are equipped with the skills necessary to support the particular needs of these pupils. It is a matter for the Board of Management of a school to ensure that SNAs in the school are in a position to effectively meet the care needs of the pupil/pupils for whom the SNAs have been appointed.
Where specific training may be required, the board should liaise with the Health Service Executive (HSE) in order to ensure that the HSE provides guidance and/or training that enables the SNA to meet the care needs of the pupil in an appropriate manner.
Circular 30/2014 states that students with special educational needs, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), 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. Such additional teaching support allocations are made to schools in addition to any SNA provision.
The Circular therefore notes that although the SNA can provide useful assistance to the teacher in ensuring that the pupil is able to access education, it is the role of qualified learning support/resource teachers to assist the class teacher to provide additional teaching to pupils with special educational needs.
My Department provides for a comprehensive system of continuing professional development (CPD) for teachers in the area of special educational needs including teachers of children with ASD. Central to this is the Special Education Support Service (SESS). The brief of the SESS is to enhance the quality of learning and teaching of students with special educational needs through the provision of CPD and support for teachers in mainstream schools, primary and post-primary, special schools, and special classes.
Reflective of the important role of CPD, my Department, through SESS, has put in place a training programme for teachers in autism-specific interventions including Treatment and Education of Autistic Communication Handicapped Children (TEACCH) and Picture Exchange Communications System (PECS).
The SESS also provides whole school training at the request of schools. At the principal's discretion, SNAs can also access courses during whole school training. There are no current plans to extend the remit of the SESS to provide for SNA training in the future.
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.
737. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of restoring qualification allowances to newly qualified teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7162/16]
View answerI will arrange for the information that is available in my Department in relation to the cost of restoring Qualification allowances to be forwarded to the Deputy.
738. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which she continues to monitor requirements in respect of primary level and secondary level schools in County Kildare, with particular reference to the need to provide facilities and accommodation in line with demographic trends; the extent to which she has identified any particular prioritisation in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7189/16]
View answerIn 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.
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 will be kept under ongoing review by my Department. South Kildare is one of those areas. This ongoing review will take account of updated enrolment data and also the impact of existing and planned capacity increases to existing schools in the area.
My 6-Year Programme includes 310 major school building projects where construction is expected to commence over the six year period, 2016 to 2021. There are 21 projects for County Kildare on the current 6-Year Programme, which have been committed for Major Capital funding.
The positioning of school projects on the Programme, in terms of year to commence construction, is informed by the anticipated progress that each project will make as it progresses through the various stages of the architectural planning process. All projects will, however, continue to be progressed with a view to proceeding to tender and construction stages at the earliest possible opportunity. Details of all projects on the Six Year Construction Programme 2016 – 2021 will be published on my Department's website and this will be updated regularly.
739. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which a Gaelcholáiste for north Kildare, which has been strongly advocated by the Leixlip Support Group, continues to remain a priority, having particular regard to the accentuated demographic trend; if she is aware of the severe shortage of second level places for children from local feeder schools (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7190/16]
View answerIn November 2015, when I announced the new schools which will open in 2017 and 2018 to cater for increased demographic demand nationwide, I stated that a Gaelcholáiste to serve the North Kildare area will open in 2019, subject to sufficient viability of the Irish-medium Aonad, which is part of Maynooth Community College. The Gaelcholáiste will operate under the patronage of Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board and An Foras Pátrúnachta. My Department officials will continue to work closely with the Education and Training Board and with An Foras Pátrúnachta in relation to the establishment of the school.
740. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Education and Skills why students attending private third level education institutions via the Central Application Office system and participating on an approved Quality and Qualifications Ireland degree are ineligible to apply for student maintenance grants via Student Universal Support Ireland. [7196/16]
View answerUnder my Department's student grant scheme, eligible candidates may receive funding provided they are attending an approved course at an approved institution as defined in the scheme.
The definition of an approved institution is set out in Section 7 of the Student Support Act 2011 and Regulation 3 of the Student Support Regulations 2016.
Private colleges operated on a for-profit basis are not listed as approved institutions for student grant purposes. However, tax relief on tuition fees may be available for students attending courses in private colleges. Details in relation to this relief are available from the Revenue Commissioners on www.revenue.ie.
741. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Education and Skills her discussions to date with Ardscoil na Mara in Tramore in County Waterford and local feeder schools including Fenor National School, regarding recent changes to the secondary school’s admissions policy; the proposals she has received with a view to expanding Ardscoil na Mara to cater for increasing demand from within the town and surrounding areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7207/16]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that it is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act,1998. The enrolment policy must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in the area.
My Department has been in ongoing contact with the school, referred to by the Deputy, in relation to the pupil enrolment issues that have emerged in the school. The Department is aware of the position of the feeder schools, also referred to, and is taking account of this in its deliberations. There is a diverse range of issues involved however my Department is currently focusing with the school on the additional accommodation capacity required to provide for increasing pupil enrolments in its feeder area and the ways in which this might best be achieved.
743. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a project (details supplied) in County Cavan; the stage it is at; when it will proceed to the next stage; the timescale for the detailed planning and design work to be undertaken and for commencement of the tendering process; the estimated level of expenditure; if she has made financial provision in her Estimates for this project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7220/16]
View answerThe 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 between the years 2019 to 2021, as outlined in the programme.
744. Deputy Hildegarde Naughton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason she did not accept an application for examination accommodations from a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7224/16]
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 your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
745. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of autism spectrum disorder units attached to primary and secondary schools in the Clondalkin catchment area; if there are sufficient units to meet the need of children in this area; her plans to increase the number of primary and second level units; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7230/16]
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.
Parents can choose to enrol children with autism in an early intervention class from the age of three and where such a placement is not available home tuition may be approved. Children with autism over the age of four may also be eligible for home tuition if a school placement is not available for them.
The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from primary and post primary schools for special educational needs supports, including the establishment of special classes in various geographical areas as required. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.
The NCSE continues to monitor and review the requirement for special class places in particular areas and has capacity to establish such new special classes where necessary subject to the willingness of schools to open classes.
I understand that the number of special classes for students with ASD in the Clondalkin catchment area is 4, 3 of which are at primary level and 1 is an early intervention class. There are a further 25 ASD classes in the broader geographical area including primary level classes in City West, Saggart, Killinarden, Lucan, Kishogue, Esker, Adamstown, Greenhills and Kimmage and post primary classes in Ballyfermot, Lucan, Crumlin and Greenhills.
Full details of all of the special classes that are currently provided is available at www.ncse.ie.
The NCSE have advised that SENOs are also currently liaising with schools regarding the establishment of further classes for 2016/17 school year.
I have arranged for the Deputy's request for specific detail in relation to placement availability in the area referred to, to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.
746. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Education and Skills when he will undertake extension and refurbishment works at a school (details supplied) in County Dublin. [7232/16]
View answerThe school building project referred to by the Deputy is included on the six year programme I announced on 17th November 2015 and is listed to proceed to construction in 2016.
This school building project is at an early stage of the Architectural Planning process, Stage 2A the developed Design Stage. Upon successful completion of Stage 2A the project will progress to complete Stage 2B, Detailed Design, which includes the application for statutory approvals and the preparation of Tender Documents for Contractors.
However, until such time as planning permission has been secured and the project has progressed to and completed tender stage and the appointment of a building contractor, it will not be possible to provide an indicative timeframe for the completion of the construction stage of the project.
747. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the grants available to voluntary organisations for acquiring new equipment in her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7239/16]
View answerI understand that the Deputy is referring to the potential to allocate a grant to a voluntary body to provide equipment to support children with Autism.
I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department makes provision to support the educational needs of children with special educational needs through its Assistive Technology scheme. The criteria for the provision of technology support, under this scheme, is set out in my Department's Circular 0010/2013. In order to qualify for equipment under the assistive technology scheme, a child must have been diagnosed with a physical or communicative disability and must also have a recommendation in a professional assessment that the equipment is essential in order to allow the child to access the curriculum. It must also be clear that the existing I.T. equipment in the school is insufficient to meet the child's needs.
The National Council for Special Education through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) is responsible for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports, including specialist equipment required to support the education of children with special educational needs.
SENOs make recommendations to my Department where assistive technology is required, in accordance with my Department's criteria.
As the provision for assistive technology to support children with special educational needs is made directly to schools, subject to application under the above criteria, my Department does not allocate funding directly to Voluntary bodies for the provision of equipment under the Assistive Technology scheme.
748. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the action he is taking to eradicate the practice engaged in by certain landlords whereby students and, to a lesser extent, young professionals are being actively denied the opportunity to enter into lease agreements in order to secure accommodation within the private rental sector; if she is aware of the impact which this discriminatory practice is having on this demographic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6787/16]
View answerThe Residential Tenancies Act 2004 sets out the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants in the private residential rented sector covering, inter alia, security of tenure and the termination of tenancies. The provisions of the Act do not extend to the circumstances under which a landlord seeks a tenant for a property.
The Equal Status Acts 2000 – 2004, which come under the remit of my colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality, provide protection against direct and indirect discrimination outside of employment on a range of grounds.
749. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government why persons who need housing adaptation grants have to wait approximately six months on average to have an occupational therapist conduct the assessment, which delays the processing of the grant; if he will accelerate the processing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6960/16]
View answerThe detailed administration and implementation of the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability scheme is a matter for the local authorities. However, I understand that both the HSE and private occupational therapists are routinely engaged by local authorities to assess the needs of applicants for grants under the Scheme. While I understand that some local authorities do experience delays in processing applications due to the difficulties in engaging occupational therapists, an applicant can engage a private sector occupational therapist and have the cost refunded to them as part of the total grant paid, subject to a limit of €200 per assessment.
It is in the interests of the applicant and the local authority to ensure that adaptation works are appropriate to the long-term circumstances of the applicant and the assessments of occupational therapists play a key role in the process.
750. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to ensure that the scripts of the An Bord Pleanála oral hearing on the planning application for the North-South interconnector are available to the public within 48 hours of testimony being delivered. [7003/16]
View answerAn Bord Pleanála is the independent statutory body assigned responsibility for the determination of planning appeals and certain other matters under the Planning and Development Act, 2000, as amended, and for the determination of applications for strategic infrastructure development including major roads, railways and power transmission lines. Section 134 of the Act provides that the Board may, at its own discretion, hold oral hearings in relation to any cases (appeals, referrals, applications for strategic infrastructure development etc) being considered by it for the purposes of making a determination. As a general rule, the Board normally holds oral hearings in respect of all strategic infrastructure development applications unless the application can be readily assessed by way of written submissions. The purpose of such hearings is to allow further necessary elaboration, discussion and examination of relevant issues over and above written submissions. Section 135(2) of the Act provides that the person assigned by the Board to conduct an oral hearing shall have discretion as to the conduct of the hearing.
Under section 30 of the Act, I am specifically precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any particular planning case with which a planning authority, including An Bord Pleanála, is or may be concerned.
In addition to the provisions relating to oral hearings in the Planning and Development Act, 2000, as amended, and the Planning and Development Regulations 2001-2105, An Bord Pleanála has published a document entitled “Guidelines on Procedures at Oral Hearings” which is available from the Board’s website - www.pleanala.ie.
These Guidelines indicate that in certain cases, the Inspector or the Board may arrange for the recording of an oral hearing by a professional stenographer or by audio tape/CD to facilitate and aid the Inspector, and the Board, which will not be made available to the relevant parties during the oral hearing. The Guidelines also indicate that after the Board’s decision is made, copies of the Inspector’s report and the Board’s direction and decision and all other documents relating to the case will be made available for public inspection. Where a recording is made of the oral hearing, this will also be made available at that time.
This is an operational matter for the Board and I have no function in the matter.
