Written Answers Nos. 157-178
157. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 102 of 26 May 2016, if he monitors payments to Bus Éireann under state aid rules; if Bus Éireann is market oriented; and how he defines market oriented. [16668/16]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that payments made to Bus Éireann, which operates the School Transport Scheme on behalf of my Department are in line with the Summary of Accounting Arrangements relating to the Transport Scheme for Primary and Post-Primary School Children dated 1 January 1975.
My Department receives an Annual Statement of Account in respect of the School Transport Scheme, which includes an audit opinion provided by independent external auditors.
For 2015 and prior years the opinion states that the financial information of Bus Éireann's School Transport Scheme is prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with the Summary of Accounting Arrangements relating to the Transport Scheme for Primary and Post-Primary School Children dated 1 January 1975. The auditors have stated that they believe that the audit evidence they have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for their audit opinion.
School transport services operated by Bus Éireann are provided using a mix of publicly owned buses and private vehicles supplied by private operators under contract to Bus Éireann. About 90% of the vehicles used to provide school transport services each day under the School Transport Scheme are sourced from private contractors.
158. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the outcome of meetings between his Department officials and representatives of the Wake Up SUSI campaign who are seeking grants for low-income students attending Quality and Qualifications Ireland degree courses in recognised private colleges from autumn 2016, as well as access to the Higher Education Authority hardship fund; and if he has taken any decision on their request that will ensure they will be able to continue their studies. [16703/16]
View answerOfficials in my Department met with representatives from the 'Wake up SUSI' campaign on 25th. May. A proposal in relation to extending student supports to students in certain private colleges was subsequently submitted to my Department on 8th. June. This proposal is currently being considered by officials in my Department, in the context of overall budgetary constraints.
An Expert Group chaired by Peter Cassells was established to examine funding arrangements for higher education and to present options for developing a sustainable long term funding strategy for the sector. The Expert Group has completed its work and its report will allow for a real and meaningful discussion on the funding requirements of the sector and how those requirements should be met. As signalled in the Programme for Government, it is my intention to publish the report shortly and to refer it to the cross-party Oireachtas Committee for consultation as part of the process for formulating a plan for the future of this sector. This will ensure that all views can be heard and considered on the most appropriate way forward for the Irish higher education system.
159. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the plans he is putting in place to create equal supplementary panel rights for regulation 2 and regulation 3 teachers (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16725/16]
View answerThe core function of the redeployment arrangements is to facilitate the redeployment of all surplus permanent teachers to other schools that have vacancies.
Thereafter, schools are required under the panel arrangements to fill permanent vacancies from supplementary panels comprised of eligible fixed-term (temporary/substitute) and part-time teachers.
The supplementary panel application process for eligible fixed-term (temporary/substitute) and part-time teachers for the 2016/17 school year is set out in Circular 0058/2015.
The Supplementary Special National Panel is in the process of being phased out since the end of the 2012/13 school year and is used only for filling permanent teaching posts in special schools that are not otherwise required for the redeployment of surplus permanent/CID holding teachers. No new applications have been accepted to the Special Supplementary National Panel since 2012.
Arrangements for the Supplementary Panel will be reviewed with the relevant education stakeholders later this year to determine what adjustment, if any, is required for the 2017/18 school year.
160. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the removal of rule 68 from the Rules for National Schools; the progress he hopes to make in amending the rules to reflect the changes here since they were written; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16726/16]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware Rule 68 of the Rules for National Schools was rescinded by Circular 0009/2016 in January of this year in accordance with a recommendation in the Report of the Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector.
The Report of the Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector was published in April 2012 and recommended a review and updating of the Rules for National Schools and in particular, Rule 68. The Report acknowledged that many of the Rules are outdated and have been overtaken in whole or in part by legislation and directions in Department circulars. In addition to rescinding Rule 68, Circular 0009/2016 outlined that the Department would proceed to identify other Rules for rescinding particularly where primary legislation deals with the subject matter of the rule in question.
In relation to the education sector generally, the Programme for Government recognises that Government, working in conjunction with the Oireachtas must introduce measures that, inter alia, will modernise our education system and address the demands and pressures that face school leaders. In light of this and in line with Circular 0009/2016, my Department will be examining the issue of identifying further Rules for rescinding.
161. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Education and Skills the current policy towards the opening and facilitation of preschools in existing primary schools where there is adequate space to provide a facility and a demonstrated need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16737/16]
View answerThe Governance Manual for Primary Schools 2015 - 2019 specifies that the use of school premises during the school day, for purposes other than regular school business, must have the prior approval of the Minister.
Proposals to the Minister to allow use of accommodation during the school day have been facilitated in the past, provided that the school's current and future accommodation needs are not compromised and the consent of the patron has been received. In general, future accommodation needs for the primary school intake will take precedence over the needs of the preschool. A proposal from the school concerned will be considered in that regard.
In facilitating the establishment of preschools in schools or co-located with schools, my Department looks favourably on the establishment of preschool facilities on school sites. However, there are a number of complex issues that need to be considered in respect of such arrangements. These issues, including property, governance, insurance and liability, are being considered as part of a review within my Department of the requirements to be established around the use of school premises/property for preschool services and the preparation of guidelines in relation to same.
My Department is seeking legal advice in relation to certain aspects and when this advice is received, it will be considered by officials in my Department with a view to putting arrangements in place to facilitate this matter.
My Department is also working closely with the Department of Children and Youth Affairs in relation to the Programme for Government commitment to facilitate the use of school premises outside of the school day for afterschool care and other community purposes.
162. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will appoint a new chair of the Higher Education Authority as a matter of urgency given that the authority has been without a chair since January 2016; and if and when he will fill the vacancies that currently exist on the board of the Higher Education Authority. [16761/16]
View answerThe term of office of the previous Chair of the Higher Education Authority expired at the end of January 2016. The process for the recruitment of his replacement was undertaken by the Public Appointments Service (PAS). This was done in line with the procedure put in place in September 2014 by the previous Government, which gave the PAS responsibility for putting in place an open, accessible, rigorous and transparent system to support Ministers in making appointments to State Boards.
The PAS process has recently concluded and a short-list of suitable candidates have been put forward for consideration following the process undertaken by the PAS.
A decision in relation appointing a new Chair of the Higher Education Authority will now be taken as soon as practicable.
163. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of universities that currently provide a residence for their president; if he is aware of any universities in the process of purchasing such properties; if such expenditure is an appropriate use of public funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16762/16]
View answerAt present four Universities provide residences for their Presidents. I am not aware of any University in the process of or planning to purchase such properties. The use of a residence for official purposes was dealt with by the Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Sector, and the provision of residences by Universities is operated in line with the recommendations of that Body.
164. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a school transport service will be provided to a primary school (details supplied); if he will ensure that a scheme is put in place given the circumstances of the school and its enrolment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16813/16]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that a minimum number of 10 eligible children residing in a distinct locality, as determined by Bus Éireann, is required before consideration may be given to the establishment of a school transport service, provided this can be done within reasonable cost limits.
In this regard, Bus Éireann has advised that a sufficient number of children, who are eligible for school transport, have applied for transport for the 2016/17 school year and it is envisaged that a new service will be established provided these families submit ticket payment details to Bus Éireann by the closing date of 29th July 2016.
The families, in question, should liaise with their local Bus Éireann office regarding the timetabling and routing of this proposed new service.
165. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills why he did not put in place proper individual education and care plans and make provision for physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and so on at a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16814/16]
View answer166. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills why a school (details supplied) that is specifically built for autism has fewer resources available than a standard school; if he is aware of the huge pressure placed on the school to provide the basic resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16815/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 165 and 166 together.
I wish to advise the Deputy that the provision of health therapy supports for children with disabilities, including speech, language, physical and sensory therapy supports are provided by the Health Service Executive (HSE).
The HSE, which has statutory responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services, is currently engaged in a reconfiguration of existing health related therapy resources for children with complex needs, into multi-disciplinary geographically based teams as part of its National Programme on Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People (0-18 years).
The aim of this programme is to achieve a national, unified approach to delivering disability health services so that there is a clear pathway to services for all children, regardless of where they live, what school they go to or the nature of their disability.
The education sector, which is working very closely with Health, is fully involved in the development of the Programme, to ensure that, from the children's and parents' perspective, the services provided by each sector are integrated, in so far as is possible.
The Deputy will be aware that the Programme for Partnership Government includes a commitment to introduce a new in-school speech and language service creating stronger links between parents, teachers and speech and language therapists. This Government has also committed to increase the number of HSE speech and language therapists by some 25%, bringing the number up to 1,102.
Officials of my Department will meet counterparts in the Departments of Health, Children and Youth Affairs and the HSE in the coming weeks to consider the proposals and to commence the development of an implementation plan to give effect to the commitment.
Schools are currently encouraged to use Individual Education Plans (IEP) through policy guidance, support, training and inspection. The DES Inspectorate's advice is that the majority of schools are now using some form of individual education planning for children with special needs.
DES Circular 30/2014 in relation to the SNA scheme also requires schools to provide personalised pupil plans for new pupils for whom SNA support is being applied for.
As the Deputy is aware each special class for autism at primary level has a 6:1 pupil teacher ratio and also have Special Needs Assistant support normally amounting to 2 SNAs for a class of 6 children.
Scoil Cara has 10 classes with 60 students enrolled for 2016/2017 school year supported by an Administrative Principal, class teachers and SNAs. The NCSE has also allocated additional SNAs to this school to meet the complex needs of the students enrolled. This level of educational support significantly exceeds the resource allocation provision currently available to any mainstream school in the State and is fully consistent with the resource levels provided for other special schools in the State.
I am confident that the proposed development of in-school provision, supported by the proposed additional resources and the re-configuration of HSE multi-disciplinary geographically based teams in all regions across the country, will ensure that services for children with disabilities will be significantly improved.
167. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna cad iad na torthaí atá ar fáil ó na cineálacha éagsúla scoileanna iar-bhunoideachais sa chóras oideachais idir mheánscoileanna saorálacha, phobalscoileanna, Ghaelcholáistí agus scoileanna cuimsitheacha; agus an ndéanfaidh sé an t-idirdhealú eatarthu a lua. [16822/16]
View answerTá sonraí ar na ngnóthachtáil choibhneasta ag mic léinn 15 bliana d'aois in iar-bhunscoileanna deonacha, i scoileanna pobail agus cuimsitheacha, agus i scoileanna faoi phátrúnacht na mBord Oideachais agus Oiliúna i Litearthacht na Léitheoireachta, sa Mhatamaitic agus san Eolaíocht ar fáil ó na tuarascálacha náisiúnta a d'eascair mar thoradh ar an anailís ar shonraí a bailíodh mar chuid den Chlár Idirnáisiúnta um Measúnú Daltaí (PISA) agus atá foilsithe ag an bhForas Taighde ar Oideachas (ERC). In 2014, foilsíodh na torthaí ar an staidéar PISA a tharla in 2013 agus tá fáil orthu ar láithreán gréasáin an ERC. Bailíodh na sonraí do PISA 2015 in earrach na bliana 2015 agus foilseofar na sonraí ón staidéar sin i mí na Nollag 2016.
In earrach na bliana 2015 bailíodh sonraí den chineál céanna, a bhaineann leis an ngnóthachtáil choibhneasta sa Mhatamaitic agus san Eolaíocht ag mic léinn dara bliana na scoileanna seo, sa Staidéar ar Threochtaí Idirnáisiúnta ar Mhatamaitic agus ar Eolaíocht (TIMSS 2015) agus táthar ag súil go ndéanfar iad seo a fhoilsiú ag deireadh na bliana 2016. Cruthóidh na sonraí deis comparáide idir ghnóthachtálacha na mac léinn i ngach ceann de na trí chineál iar-bhunscoileanna. Níl fáil i PISA ná i TIMSS ar shonraí ar leith don ghnóthachtáil ag mic léinn i nGaelcholáistí.
168. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the provision of permanent buildings for schools (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16827/16]
View answerOfficials from my Department have worked closely with officials from South Dublin County Council under the Memorandum of Understanding for the acquisition of school sites towards procuring a suitable site for this building project. A suitable site has been identified and the conveyancing process in respect of this is under way.
In tandem with the site acquisition process, the design work for the schools has been advanced so the application for planning permission can be submitted as the site acquisition is closed.
Once the site has been acquired and planning permission secured, the project will then be progressed to tender and construction stages.
169. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is aware of difficulties being experienced by students of post-primary teaching qualification courses in finding suitable work experience places for 2017 given that it is now a two-year course; the role his Department can play in this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16875/16]
View answerThe Teaching Council is the statutory body that reviews and accredits programmes of initial teacher education. The school placement experience is integral to all initial teacher education programmes and is governed by the Council's accreditation criteria, published in June 2011 (Initial Teacher Education: Criteria and Guidelines for Programme Providers) which must be adhered to by all providers of initial teacher education providers.
An extended and enhanced school placement component is a particular feature of all programmes of initial teacher education. The new placement process is based on the development of a partnership approach between Higher Education Institutions and schools. Much progress has been made towards the development of that partnership approach. Based on engagement with the Higher Education Authority, the Teaching Council has identified the need for a forum that includes all HEIs providing programmes of ITE in Ireland, and a clear, time bound commitment to agreeing practical measures, including a national IT-based system, that will enhance the school placement experience for all parties to the process, and facilitate access by students to opportunities for same. I understand that the HEA and the Council will meet shortly to progress this matter.
170. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills to consider co-location as an option to resolve the situation whereby parents in north County Dublin cannot access a school through the medium of the Irish language following the decision to grant patronage of the new school in Drumcondra to Educate Together; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16915/16]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, since 2011 new schools are generally only established in areas of demographic growth. 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 own Department's databases. With this information, nationwide demographic exercises are carried out to determine where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary levels.
When it is decided that a new school is required to meet demographic needs in an area, the Department runs a separate patronage process to decide who will operate the school. It is open to all patrons and prospective patrons to apply for patronage of the school under this process and the level of parental preference for each patron is key to decisions in relation to the outcome of the process.
With regard to the decision on the patronage of the new school which will open this September to serve the Drumcondra/Marino/Dublin 1 area, my Department assessed the applications received from the prospective patrons, including examining the parental preferences received in the applications to ensure they represented children living within the school planning area which will be served by this school. My Department prepared an assessment report for the consideration of the New Schools Establishment Group (NSEG) which then submitted a report with recommendations to me for consideration and final decision. The patronage assessment report which is published on my Department's website, while indicating substantial support for an Irish medium school, reflects nearly twice as many valid preferences for an Educate Together school in this area as for a Gaelscoil under the patronage of An Foras Pátrúnachta. I accepted the recommendation of the NSEG and the patronage of the new school remains as announced.
As the Deputy may be aware, there are currently three Gaelscoileanna operating within the school planning area.
The NSEG, in their report to me, noted the strong level of demand from parents for Irish medium education in the area and recommended that this should be kept under review in the context of future demographic exercises. My Department continues to keep the demographic data for the area under ongoing review to take into account updated child benefit data and enrolment data and the impact of ongoing and planned capacity increases in this and adjacent school planning areas.
171. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will carry out a projection of the future demand among parents for the provision of education through the medium of the Irish language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16916/16]
View answerMy Department uses a Geographical Information System (GIS) to identify where the pressure for school places will arise nationwide. The GIS 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 demographic analyses to determine where additional school places are required nationwide.
When it is decided that a new school is required to meet demographic needs in an area, my Department runs a separate patronage process to decide who will operate the school. It is open to all patrons and prospective patrons to apply for patronage of the school under this process and the level of parental preference for each patron, including for those providing Irish-medium education, is key to decisions in relation to the outcome of the process.
The criteria used in assessing the patronage applications received from prospective patrons place a particular emphasis on parental demand for plurality and diversity of provision, with parental preferences at the centre of the process. In this regard, prospective patrons must collect and demonstrate evidence of the level of parental demand for their preferred model of provision and medium of instruction, English or Irish, as part of their application under this process.
In this context, I recently announced the patronage of the three new primary schools which will open in September of this year. The outcome of the patronage process is that, Educate Together, a multi-denominational provider, is patron of the two new schools to serve the Cabra/Phibsborough/Dublin 7 area and the Drumcondra/Marino/Dublin 1 area and An Foras Pátrúnachta is the patron of the new school to serve the Goatstown/Stillorgan school planning area, providing education through the medium of Irish.
My Department is currently carrying out an analysis of the applications received for the patronage of the nine new post-primary schools which will open in coming years - six in September 2017 and three in September 2018. In line with the arrangements referred to above, prospective patrons were required to submit with their application a parental preference template in which parents have been requested to state their preference for their child(ren) to be educated through the medium of English or Irish. On completion of this assessment, my Department will draft a report for the consideration of the New Schools Establishment Group who will submit a report with recommendations to me for consideration and final decision.
172. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he provides any type of grant towards the costs of courses in the Gaeltacht for students who attend them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16917/16]
View answerMy Department does not provide any type of grant towards the costs of courses in the Gaeltacht for primary or post-primary students. My Department does provide funding towards the cost of Campaí Samhraidh which are summer courses in Irish for primary school children in designated disadvantaged schools.
173. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools that currently have no special needs unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16918/16]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department's policies focus on ensuring that all children can have access to an education appropriate to their needs, preferably in mainstream school settings through the primary and post-primary school network.
Section 2 of the Education of Persons with Special Educational Needs Act provides that a child with special educational needs shall be educated in an inclusive environment with children who do not have such needs, unless the nature or degree of the needs of the child is such that it would be inconsistent with the best interests of the child, or children with whom the child is to be educated.
Accordingly, most children with special educational needs will attend mainstream schools with additional resources provided to assist the child in that setting.
For pupils who have needs which require more specialist interventions, my Department provides for special classes and special school placements.
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 recently published a list of special classes for the 2016/17 school year, details of which are available at www.ncse.ie.
In total there will be 1153 special classes available next year, which is an increase of almost 100% in the number of special classes which were available in 2011, which was 548.
There will be 842 special classes in 421 primary schools from September 2016, which means that approximately 13% of primary schools now have one, or more, special classes.
There will be 311 special classes in 193 post-primary schools from September 2016, which means that approximately 26% of post-primary schools now have one, or more, special classes.
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.
Full details of all special classes are available at www.ncse.ie.
174. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of children currently being taught in classes that have fewer than 25 pupils, have between 25 and 28 pupils, and have over 28 pupils, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16919/16]
View answerProvisional results from the 2015/2016 National School Annual Census showing the information requested by the Deputy are shown in the following table. Final figures will be published at the end of June. Further details on individual school class size are available on my Department's website at www.education.ie/en/Publications/Statistics/Data-on-Individual-Schools/. Due to the moveable nature of classes at post-primary level depending on subject choices, class size data are not available at post-primary level.
Provisional Data - Number of Pupils In Mainstream Chasses classified by class size and County, 2015/2016 National School Annual Census
|
- |
0-25 |
25-28 |
OVER 28 |
OVERALL TOTALS |
||||
|
COUNTY |
PUPILS |
CLASSES |
PUPILS |
CLASSES |
PUPILS |
CLASSES |
PUPILS |
CLASSES |
|
Dublin |
40,877 |
2038 |
46,809 |
1750 |
46,602 |
1544 |
134,288 |
5332 |
|
Cork |
21,438 |
1071 |
18,508 |
698 |
21,139 |
681 |
61,085 |
2450 |
|
Galway |
12,234 |
639 |
8,335 |
315 |
8,994 |
289 |
29,563 |
1243 |
|
Kildare |
6,830 |
317 |
12,079 |
454 |
10,125 |
334 |
29,034 |
1105 |
|
Meath |
5,402 |
255 |
9,778 |
367 |
11,140 |
364 |
26,320 |
986 |
|
Limerick |
7,272 |
370 |
6,939 |
261 |
8,031 |
259 |
22,242 |
890 |
|
Donegal |
7,262 |
385 |
5,584 |
211 |
6,010 |
195 |
18,856 |
791 |
|
Tipperary |
7,392 |
371 |
5,818 |
220 |
5,198 |
169 |
18,408 |
760 |
|
Wexford |
5,872 |
283 |
6,276 |
237 |
6,218 |
198 |
18,366 |
718 |
|
Wicklow |
4,411 |
213 |
6,879 |
258 |
6,180 |
201 |
17,470 |
672 |
|
Louth |
5,504 |
268 |
5,308 |
200 |
5,938 |
192 |
16,750 |
660 |
|
Kerry |
6,496 |
335 |
4,671 |
176 |
4,698 |
152 |
15,865 |
663 |
|
Mayo |
6,466 |
357 |
3,960 |
150 |
3,892 |
125 |
14,318 |
632 |
|
Waterford |
4,095 |
199 |
4,926 |
184 |
5,116 |
168 |
14,137 |
551 |
|
Clare |
5,721 |
300 |
3,778 |
144 |
4,101 |
131 |
13,600 |
575 |
|
Westmeath |
3,755 |
188 |
3,371 |
126 |
3,920 |
130 |
11,046 |
444 |
|
Kilkenny |
3,323 |
164 |
3,753 |
141 |
3,800 |
122 |
10,876 |
427 |
|
Laois |
3,631 |
178 |
3,802 |
143 |
3,262 |
106 |
10,695 |
427 |
|
Offaly |
4,322 |
212 |
3,053 |
115 |
2,460 |
79 |
9,835 |
406 |
|
Cavan |
4,002 |
198 |
3,333 |
125 |
2,234 |
73 |
9,569 |
396 |
|
Monaghan |
2,832 |
140 |
2,265 |
86 |
2,464 |
79 |
7,561 |
305 |
|
Carlow |
1,758 |
84 |
2,882 |
109 |
2,881 |
94 |
7,521 |
287 |
|
Roscommon |
3,158 |
176 |
2,186 |
83 |
2,056 |
67 |
7,400 |
326 |
|
Sligo |
3,109 |
163 |
1,835 |
69 |
2,420 |
78 |
7,364 |
310 |
|
Longford |
2,150 |
108 |
1,417 |
54 |
1,573 |
50 |
5,140 |
212 |
|
Leitrim |
1,563 |
81 |
1,250 |
48 |
833 |
27 |
3,646 |
156 |
|
Grand Total |
180875 |
9093 |
178795 |
6724 |
181285 |
5907 |
540955 |
21724 |
175. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the closing date for the submission of final claims and documentation for the 2007-2013 Human Capital Investment Operational Programme; if he will draw down all of the moneys available under this programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16920/16]
View answerThe closing date for the submission to the European Commission of the final claim for European Social Fund (ESF) funding under the 2007-2013 Human Capital Investment Operational Programme is 31 March 2017. It is expected that Ireland's allocation of just over €375 million of ESF funding under this programme will be drawn down in full.
176. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount of money he has allocated for each of the years 2006 to 2016 to date for the provision of adult literacy services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16921/16]
View answerSome €23 million in funding was provided by my Department in 2006 for the provision of adult literacy services. Funding in the region of €30 million was provided by my Department for each of the years 2007 to 2013. At the beginning of 2014 SOLAS took over the allocation of monies for all further education and training programmes, including the literacy service, with funding provided by my Department. SOLAS provided funding in the region of €30 million for the provision of adult literacy services for each of the years 2014 and 2015.
It is expected that this level of funding will be maintained for the current year.
177. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount of money he has allocated for each of the years 2006 to 2016 to date under the student assistance fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16922/16]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is contained in the table.
|
Academic Year |
Student Assistance Fund |
|
2006-07 |
6.0m |
|
2007-08 |
6.2m |
|
2008-09 |
5.0m |
|
2009-10 |
5.0m |
|
2010-11 |
5.0m |
|
2011-12 |
9.0m |
|
2012-13 |
11.0m |
|
2013-14 |
8.35m |
|
2014-15 |
6.6m |
|
2015-16 |
6.34m |
|
2016-17 *** |
7.99m |
|
*** Provisional - funding not allocated to individual |
|
|
Institutions until into the 2016 academic year. |
178. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount of money he has allocated for each of the years 2006 to 2016 to date under the fund for students with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16923/16]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is provided in the following table.
|
Academic Year |
Fund for Students with Disabilities |
|
2006-07 |
9.9m |
|
2007-08 |
13.5m |
|
2008-09 |
11.7m |
|
2009-10 |
12.0m |
|
2010-11 |
13.7m |
|
2011-12 |
10.8m |
|
2012-13 |
10.6m |
|
2013-14 |
10.3m |
|
2014-15 |
10.4m |
|
2015-16 |
10.4m |
|
2016-17 *** |
10.3m |
*** Provisional - funding not allocated to individual institutions until into the 2016 academic year.
