Written Answers Nos. 107-11
107. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the proposed school for Claregalway Educate Together in County Galway will be built on a site, given her previous confirmation that her Department acquired ten acres of land on this site to provide for educational purposes; and the status of this construction project. [9292/16]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, my Department acquired 10 acres of land in the Claregalway area in 2014 to provide for educational purposes. This is in addition to lands acquired in the area by the GRETB (Galway Roscommon Education & Training Board).
My Department is currently formulating the Schedule of Accommodation and the Brief for the project and has informed the school authority that the new school will be provided on that campus in conjunction with the final phase of building for the Post-Primary school. In that regard, my Department will be in further contact with the school authority shortly.
108. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which optimum pupil-teacher ratios continue to be an objective in primary and secondary level schools, having particular regard to the needs arising from demographic trends; if she takes cognisance of particular areas exceeding the national average in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9300/16]
View answerTeacher allocations to all schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. The staffing schedule operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all similar types of schools equally irrespective of location.
The criteria used for the allocation of teachers to schools is published annually on the Department's website. The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September.
The published staffing arrangements include the provision whereby schools experiencing rapid increases in enrolment can apply for additional permanent mainstream posts on developing grounds, using projected enrolment for the following September. Schools experiencing a rapid increase in enrolment can submit an application to the Primary Allocations Section of the Department for consideration for developing school status.
At post-primary level, schools that are experiencing increased enrolments have notified the Allocations section of their projected enrolments for September 2017. Provisional teacher allocations have been made to these schools in respect of these projected enrolment figures, subject to the schools confirming the enrolment in September.
109. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which she is to combating bullying in schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9301/16]
View answerThe Action Plan on Bullying, which was published in January 2013, sets out my Department's approach to tackling bullying and promoting an anti-bullying culture in schools. It recommended actions that focus on support for schools, teacher training, research and awareness raising and aim to ensure that all forms of bullying are addressed. Implementation of the actions is ongoing and good progress has been made across all areas of the plan.
New National Anti-Bullying Procedures for schools, which were published in September 2013, are currently being implemented by all 4,000 primary and post primary schools in the country. Training materials for parents, teachers and Boards of Management are also being developed and rolled out.
My Department supports a number of anti-bullying initiatives including the Europe-wide Safer-Internet day and the Stand Up! Against Homophobic and Transphobic bullying campaign, organised by BeLongTo. Funding is also provided to the internet safety initiative, Webwise, which has launched the "UP2US" and "My Selfie and the wider world" resources to help to tackle cyberbullying.
Two pieces of research recommended in the Plan have been published. "The Prevalence and Impact of Bullying Linked to Social Media on the Mental Health and Suicidal Behaviour Among Young People", which was commissioned by the Department of Education and Skills and the HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention, was published in May 2014. "Preventing school bullying of children with Special Educational Needs or Disability", was published by the National Disability Authority in May 2015.
In November 2015, I launched the national anti-bullying website, www.tacklebullying.ie, as a single point of information and support for young people, parents and teachers affected by bullying. The website provides advice on how to recognise and deal with bullying behaviour and includes a specific section on cyberbullying.
Most recently, in January 2016, I launched "Being LGBT in School" A Resource for Post-Primary Schools to Prevent Homophobic and Transphobic Bullying and Support LGBT Students. The resource, which was developed by the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (GLEN) with the support of the Department, aims to help schools in addressing homophobic and transphobic bullying and supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students.
110. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will include the improvements to the playground of a school (details supplied) in the summer works scheme, given the urgency of the required works, and the health and safety of the students attending the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9306/16]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that I announced details of the successful applicants under the Summer Works Scheme (SWS) (2016-2017) on 28 April last, details of which are published on my Department's website, www.education.ie. €30 million of the €80 million announced for the multi-annual SWS (2016-2017) is now being allocated for vital gas works and electrical upgrades in schools. 197 primary and post primary schools were included in the first round of successful applicants and I am pleased to advise the Deputy that the school to which he refers was approved funding for electrical works.
The SWS (2016-2017) provides that schools may apply for one small scale project only. It is therefore not possible to consider a further project for the school within the terms of the scheme. The responsibility for identifying the most urgently required project rests with the school authority.
I wish to advise the Deputy that it is open to the school to prioritise its Minor Works grant, which all primary schools received in November 2015, to undertake works of the nature described.
111. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills to support a matter regarding the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9319/16]
View answerOfficials in my Department are familiar with the matter referred to by the Deputy.
The determination by the Appeals Committee, formed under Section 29 of the Education Act, 1998, against a suspension, was issued to both the school and family on 15 April 2016. The determination upheld the parental appeal and the school was directed by my Department to contact the family to arrange for the child's return to school.
My Department has been in contact with the school and the parents since then in an effort to resolve the matter.
