Written Answers Nos. 189 -213
189. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills when he will secure a site for a school (details supplied); the expected timeline for completing the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19380/16]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that officials from my Department have been working closely with officials from Donegal County Council under the Memorandum of Understanding for the acquisition of school sites in order to identify and procure a suitable site for the schools to which he refers.
A comprehensive technical assessment of a significant number of identified site options has been undertaken by my Department in conjunction with the Local Authority. A preferred site option has now been identified and officials from the Local Authority have been requested to open negotiations with the relevant landowner.
An official from my Department recently met with representatives of the relevant school authorities in order to appraise them of the current position.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to indicate a timeline for the completion of the acquisition of a site for the school in question as it is dependent on engagement from the relevant landowner with respect to negotiations and also on the complexity of the conveyancing process. I would, however, like to assure the Deputy that the acquisition of a site for this school is a priority for my Department and officials are working to conclude the process as expeditiously as possible.
190. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the leaving certificate results for 2016 could be converted into the new points system which is to come into effect in 2017 as a reference for students when completing college applications later in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19395/16]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, from 2017 a new grading scheme for the Leaving Certificate, which will reduce the number of grade bands from 14 to 8 at each level will be introduced.
Under the revised scale, the maximum points available in each subject is 100, and the overall maximum points available, excluding Bonus Points for Maths, is 600. This is the same as the points available under the current scale.
All students applying through the CAO from 2017 will be awarded points under the new scale, no matter when they sat the Leaving Certificate.
Because of the non-linear design and other features of the new points scale, all students regardless of which level they sit, will on average receive slightly less points than under the current system. This means that it is likely that, on average, the points required for entry to particular courses will also be slightly lower from 2017.
However, it is not expected that this change will be out of line with the natural variation of required points which occurs from year to year in any case.
The new points system has been specifically designed to fairly reward scholastic achievement and I can assure you that very extensive and detailed modelling and testing has been conducted by the higher education institutions, with the assistance of both the CAO and other technical experts, to ensure that the revised scale is fair and equitable to all students.
Further detailed information on the new Leaving certificate grading system can be found at www.transition.ie.
191. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an update on the manner in which complaints are dealt with by Caranua; and the number of complaints received by it during 2015. [19406/16]
View answerCaranua, the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board, is an independent statutory body established pursuant to the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act 2012. Their complaints procedure is in the public domain and can be accessed on their website at www.caranua.ie. I have asked Caranua to respond directly to the Deputy concerning the number of complaints they received in 2015.
192. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount of moneys received by Caranua as interest on money held in accounts by it and the way in which this revenue was spent. [19407/16]
View answerThe previous Government agreed to the use of the cash element of up to €110 million of the congregations' offers to support the work of the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund (now known as Caranua). The Fund is being maintained from an investment account established and managed by the National Treasury Management Agency. Caranua does not manage or maintain an investment account.
193. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way the €220 million payment for the benefit of survivors of institutional abuse received by the previous Government was spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19408/16]
View answerThe Residential Institutions Statutory Fund (RISF) Act was enacted in July 2012 and provided for the establishment of a Statutory Fund to support the needs of victims of residential institutional abuse. This Fund is made up of contributions from the religious Congregations and a total of €110m has been pledged to the Fund. €220 million was never pledged to this fund.
Caranua publish details of how the fund is used to benefit survivors of institutional abuse on their website at www.caranua.ie.
194. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department or the Office of Public Works had a site manager for the building of a school (details supplied). [19417/16]
View answer198. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is aware that the entire roof of a school (details supplied) is leaking and that the roof timbers are completely discoloured due to the amount of water coming in through the roof; if he has received any information or a report on this problem; his proposals and timeline to remedy this matter considering that this is a purpose built primary school constructed circa 2007-2008 and there is concern that the electrics in the building will be affected if the roof is not entirely replaced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19451/16]
View answer199. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education and Skills the name of the architect or architectural firm which designed a school (details supplied); the name of the builder or building company which built the school; the contractual price for this project; the date the contract was signed and the project completed; the amount of money withheld under the retention clause; the final amount actually paid under the contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19452/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 194, 198 and 199 together.
In 2006 the school to which the Deputy refers received devolved funding from my Department to provide a new four-classroom school on a greenfield site.
The purpose of the Department's devolved building schemes is to allow individual school authorities the means to address their accommodation and building priorities with a guaranteed amount of funding and with minimal interaction with the Department. In practice, the Department's devolved project schemes empowers school authorities to appoint a Design Team for the project and to enter into a contract with a builder to deliver it. All of these actions are governed by the relevant Departmental Technical Guidance Documents which are made available to schools. The drawdown of funding for projects is subject to certain confirmations provided by a school authority such as that the project has been delivered in accordance with the Department's Technical Guidance Documents, Building Regulations and other statutory approvals.
The Lead Consultant appointed by a Board of Management is, as the competent professional, the site Manager for the project. Given the number of devolved projects underway nationwide at any given time (there are approximately 2,000 such projects currently), it would not be feasible for the Department to act as site manager for these projects nor has the OPW any role in these projects. The need for this, in any event, is obviated by the appointment of a Consultant for the project which is paid for by the Department.
The Board of Management appointed Cosgrave Consults to design its building and it entered into a contract with Gerard McGrath Contractor as the main contractor for the delivery of the project. As with all devolved projects, the delivery contract is held in the school by the Board of Management. Information on the date the contract was signed and on the retention value of the project is accordingly held by the school authority. The project was completed in August 2007. The final cost for the project was €902,705 of which the Department funded €771,356. The school met the remainder of the cost from its own resources.
The final draw down for the approved funding took place in 2007 and the school provided confirmation of all of the necessary compliances in relation to the building to enable the payment. There were two further contacts with the school thereafter – one in 2009 and one in 2011. There was no mention of any issues with the roof in these contacts.
The first record that the Department has of potential problems with the roof is an application for funding under the Summer Works Scheme 2016/17. It is noted that the Consultant's Report accompanying the application was compiled by Cosgrave Consults which was also the firm employed by the school for its new building project. The application was filed by the closing date for the Scheme in December 2015. Due to the level of funding available, it was not possible to reach the roof works category for projects approved for 2016. Valid Summer Works Scheme applications from schools for categories that were not reached under round one approvals will, subject to the overall availability of funding, qualify to be assessed under future rounds of the Scheme. If this arises, the terms and conditions of the Scheme will continue to apply when allocating funding to such projects.
On the 21st of June and the 30th of June 2016, the Deputy set down Parliamentary Questions in relation to an Emergency Works application from the school for roof works. I confirmed to the Deputy in reply to these questions that my Department has no record of receiving this application.
In the details supplied, the Deputy provided an incomplete Emergency Works Scheme application form. It appears from that form that the school has now employed a different Consultant for its proposed roof works project. It is noted that the diagnosis of the issues in the Summer Works Scheme application and what is being prepared for the Emergency Works Scheme application is completely different and widely varying in cost. This will have to be reconciled by the school.
However, from the information available in these applications, it appears that the issues arising relate to the original building project. As such, any defects are a matter for the school, its Design Team and the main contractor. The school, as the client party to the contract involved, must pursue these entities and or their insurances as necessary to remedy them. I am sure that the Deputy will agree that the school, the Department and the tax paying public have the right to expect that a building delivered under contractual protection will be fully functional and can operate as intended. It would not be acceptable for the Department to pay again for works that should have been correctly carried out in the first instance and any assessment of the Summer Works Scheme application on hands or any Emergency Works Scheme application subsequently received will have to be considered in this context.
195. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education and Skills the date on which a school (details supplied) was removed from the major school building projects list to proceed to construction in 2016; the other schools that were removed from this list to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19425/16]
View answerThe school building project referred to by the Deputy is included on the six year programme announced on 17th November 2015 and is listed to proceed to construction in 2016. Neither the project for the school to which he refers nor any other project has been removed from that list.
However, on 1st January 2016 there were 66 major projects under construction. Since the start of this year 14 more major projects have been progressed to construction and there are currently 36 projects authorised to progress through the tender process with a view to starting on site in the coming months. That represents a total of 116 major projects either under construction or progressing to commence construction in 2016. The project for the school referred to was not at a sufficiently advanced stage to be considered for inclusion with those projects when they were authorised to proceed to tender earlier this year. The existing contractual commitments for 2016 now fully account for the funding allocation available in 2016.
My officials will continue to closely monitor expenditure on existing contractual commitments over the coming months and, as funding allows, other projects, including the project for the school in question will be considered for progression through the tender process with a view to starting on site as soon as possible.
196. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19432/16]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the new Programme for Government outlines that this new Government will continue to support the creation of Technological Universities.
This is in line with the National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030 which provides a framework for the development of the higher education sector to 2030. With regard to the institute of technology sector, the Strategy recommended significant reforms to position the sector to meet national strategic objectives. In particular, the Strategy recommended consolidation within the sector and a pathway of evolution for those consolidated institutes of technology, to allow them to demonstrate significant progress against robust performance criteria and to apply to become technological universities.
There are currently four consortia engaged with the process to become designated as TUs. These are TU4Dublin (Dublin Institute of Technology, Institute of Technology Tallaght, Institute of Technology Blanchardstown), Technological University for the South-East (TUSE – consisting of Waterford Institute of Technology and Institute of Technology Carlow), Munster Technological University (MTU – consisting of Cork Institute of Technology and Institute of Technology Tralee) and the Connacht Ulster Alliance (CUA – consisting of Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, Institute of Technology Sligo and Letterkenny Institute of Technology).
Future Funding for landscape reconfiguration in the Higher Education sector: It is recognised that these changes to the landscape of Irish higher education carry some up-front additional costs and the Higher Education Authority (HEA) has provided for a fund to support HEIs with these costs. In terms of additional financial support, having regard to the benefits that will arise for the institutions, students and the higher education system more generally, the HEA has provided funding in 2013, 2014 and 2015 to provide some support to institutions involved in the TU process, the details of which are set out for each consortium below.
In relation to 2016, the HEA have ring-fenced a level of funding to support costs arising from the continuation of landscape reform projects as part of the implementation of the National Strategy for Higher Education. In line with this, the HEA issued a call for submissions for funding support to higher education institutions involved in restructuring projects.
Funding Allocations: Arising from the submissions received and subsequent detailed presentations made to the HEA, all four consortiums that are involved in merger processes with the ultimate aim of becoming Technological Universities have been allocated additional funding as outlined below. Part of this funding arises from a specific €2 million allocated in Budget 2016 to support Technological University projects. Notification of this additional funding was recently provided to the consortiums involved. The funding for 2016 has been allocated as follows:
TUSE: €1.445Million
TU4 Dublin: €1.3Million
MTU: €1.2Million
CUA: €0.757Million
Total: €4.702Million
Costs:
Summary of Overall Costs to date:
Costs incurred to End 2015:
TU4 Dublin €3,113,000
MTU €1,053,026
TUSE €495,655
CUA €400,000
Total €5,061,681
Future projections for the overall costs of all of the projects will only be fully determined as part of the Stage 2 and Stage 4 Application processes.
Position of Technological Universities Bill:
The first Government Legislative Programme of this new Partnership Government was published on 8 June 2016, and the Technological Universities Bill has been restored to the Dáil Order Paper at Committee Stage.
I recognise that there were a significant number of matters raised in respect of the Bill at both Committee and Report Stage. It is my intention to now consult with all of the relevant stakeholders in relation to both the matters raised during the legislative process and the commitments contained in the Programme for Government.
Following the finalisation of this consultation process I will then advance the legislation having determined a position in relation to any matters raised as part of this consultation process.
As part of this consultation process, the General Secretary of the Teachers' Union of Ireland wrote to me in June 2016 seeking a meeting to discuss relevant issues in regard to the Technological Universities Bill. I have now arranged to meet with a delegation from the Teachers' Union of Ireland shortly.
197. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a school (details supplied) will receive an extension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19433/16]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department approved additional accommodation for the school, referred to, in November, 2015. The school, concerned, has since sought additional funding for an extended scope of works. The request is currently being considered and a decision will be conveyed to the school in question when this process has been finalised.
200. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for the delay in the commencement of building a new school (details supplied); the schedule for when he expects planning permission to be applied for and the school to open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19481/16]
View answerThe school building project referred to by the Deputy is included on the six year programme 2016 – 2021 to proceed to tender and construction.
This project is currently completing early architectural planning, Stage 2A – the Developed Design Stage. Following the Stage 2A Stakeholder's meeting which was held on the 2nd February last, the Design Team has submitted a complete Stage 2A report which is currently being reviewed by my Department's Technical Staff.
Upon the successful completion of Stage 2A, and due to an increase in the scope of works for this project, my Department will tender for a replacement Design Team to take the project forward from Stage 2B – Detailed Design Stage, which includes the applications for Planning Permission, Fire Cert, Disability Access Cert and the preparation of Tender Documents.
Until such time as planning permission has been secured and the project has progressed to and completed the 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.
201. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the annual amount of rent being paid for the rental of a premises at a location (details supplied) for the temporary housing of a school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19482/16]
View answerThe school to which the Deputy refers receives annual funding of some €328,000 for the rental of temporary accommodation.
A major building project for the school is included on my Department's six year programme 2016 – 2021 to proceed to tender and construction. This project is currently completing early architectural planning, Stage 2A – the Developed Design Stage.
202. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount of money allocated to each education and training board for the purposes of youth education in each of the years from 2006 to 2016 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19483/16]
View answerFunding is provided by my Department for a range of Further Education and Training programmes many of which are open to young people aged 16 and over. A breakdown of the amount spent on youth education across these programmes is not available but the amount of funding made available for the Youthreach and Community Training Centre (CTC) programmes which are specifically for young people aged mainly in the 16 to 21 age group is listed in the following tables.
Funding was provided to Vocational Education Committees (VECs) for the Youthreach programme until the setting up of the Education and Training Boards (ETBs) in 2013. Funding was provided by FÁS for the CTC programme until its dissolution in 2013. CTCs are now funded by the 16 ETBs.
|
ETB Area |
VEC |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
|
Cavan |
1,685,830 |
1,930,285 |
2,040,393 |
2,016,394 |
1,976,990 |
2,003,729 |
1,918,638 |
1,838,256 |
|
|
Cavan Monaghan ETB Area |
Monaghan |
788,371 |
1,225,043 |
1,448,038 |
1,249,687 |
1,264,599 |
1,189,495 |
1,130,299 |
1,184,748 |
|
City of Dublin ETB |
Dublin City |
9,422,756 |
9,595,087 |
10,126,357 |
9,806,628 |
10,932,569 |
10,863,609 |
10,701,891 |
9,948,581 |
|
Cork |
3,316,446 |
5,416,985 |
4,598,887 |
5,303,875 |
5,635,776 |
5,537,373 |
5,157,440 |
5,043,767 |
|
|
Cork ETB |
Cork City |
1,757,429 |
1,725,937 |
2,138,475 |
2,475,071 |
2,192,847 |
2,354,725 |
2,379,388 |
2,300,245 |
|
Donegal ETB Area |
Donegal |
2,872,753 |
2,663,327 |
2,888,318 |
3,124,586 |
3,031,021 |
3,238,181 |
3,104,117 |
2,996,883 |
|
Dublin |
4,522,004 |
5,632,414 |
6,525,837 |
6,421,471 |
6,208,787 |
7,202,199 |
6,668,027 |
6,200,551 |
|
|
Dublin Dun Laoghaire ETB |
Dun Laoghaire |
319,680 |
371,096 |
476,695 |
406,795 |
403,434 |
403,854 |
397,326 |
435,015 |
|
Galway City |
424,037 |
611,834 |
785,390 |
684,631 |
797,160 |
876,972 |
832,223 |
794,597 |
|
|
Galway |
1,960,294 |
2,276,236 |
2,629,782 |
2,372,537 |
2,846,336 |
3,338,834 |
2,900,797 |
3,107,379 |
|
|
Galway Roscommon ETB Area |
Roscommon |
947,875 |
947,132 |
1,287,541 |
1,387,436 |
1,547,264 |
1,540,213 |
1,478,555 |
1,508,627 |
|
Kerry ETB |
Kerry |
2,232,664 |
1,906,016 |
2,095,669 |
2,027,031 |
2,699,841 |
2,625,439 |
2,469,424 |
2,485,599 |
|
Kildare |
1,270,340 |
1,308,362 |
1,495,568 |
1,444,747 |
1,627,038 |
1,589,449 |
1,589,032 |
1,546,663 |
|
|
Kildare Wicklow ETB Area |
Wicklow |
1,896,049 |
2,129,644 |
3,146,546 |
2,524,671 |
2,336,991 |
2,708,287 |
2,550,016 |
2,625,236 |
|
Kilkenny |
547,746 |
444,128 |
706,878 |
646,288 |
561,297 |
605,871 |
694,609 |
550,221 |
|
|
Kilkenny Carlow ETB Area |
Carlow |
0 |
316,016 |
420,338 |
387,206 |
458,714 |
571,362 |
489,339 |
488,776 |
|
Laois |
848,531 |
827,117 |
892,276 |
814,199 |
945,397 |
874,373 |
845,735 |
882,467 |
|
|
Laois Offaly ETB Area |
Offaly |
865,847 |
977,929 |
1,220,997 |
1,289,758 |
1,330,361 |
1,376,031 |
1,201,493 |
1,214,865 |
|
Limerick |
972,940 |
1,177,175 |
1,218,156 |
1,466,685 |
1,414,695 |
1,292,162 |
1,203,735 |
1,419,396 |
|
|
Limerick City |
1,444,148 |
2,057,031 |
2,275,498 |
2,291,896 |
2,265,066 |
2,550,961 |
2,344,711 |
2,361,527 |
|
|
Limerick Clare ETB Area |
Clare |
1,769,969 |
1,746,465 |
1,736,542 |
1,815,307 |
1,822,421 |
1,784,313 |
1,702,588 |
1,733,904 |
|
Longford |
963,637 |
947,101 |
1,066,599 |
1,303,855 |
1,039,616 |
1,154,192 |
1,175,539 |
1,048,142 |
|
|
Longford Westmeath ETB Area |
Westmeath |
253,865 |
546,015 |
662,945 |
488,587 |
674,929 |
899,879 |
1,005,543 |
956,219 |
|
Louth |
1,592,060 |
1,524,913 |
1,543,375 |
1,275,321 |
1,576,273 |
1,685,890 |
1,590,754 |
1,519,331 |
|
|
Louth Meath ETB Area |
Meath |
2,445,864 |
2,490,884 |
3,187,596 |
3,954,309 |
3,131,547 |
3,497,262 |
3,312,144 |
3,186,163 |
|
Mayo |
1,758,371 |
2,106,899 |
2,056,769 |
2,276,464 |
2,297,906 |
2,135,553 |
2,004,061 |
2,090,196 |
|
|
Sligo |
535,452 |
662,544 |
660,871 |
429,595 |
541,117 |
726,823 |
686,039 |
681,052 |
|
|
Mayo Sligo Leitrim ETB Area |
Leitrim |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Tipp N.R. |
925,155 |
1,124,492 |
1,042,352 |
1,005,912 |
1,114,654 |
1,101,359 |
1,135,057 |
1,103,086 |
|
|
Tipperary ETB Area |
Tipp S.R. |
400,451 |
509,967 |
489,463 |
463,210 |
510,165 |
539,374 |
630,678 |
611,641 |
|
Waterford City |
738,755 |
1,241,469 |
1,378,043 |
1,478,027 |
1,603,223 |
1,656,559 |
1,475,058 |
1,510,945 |
|
|
Waterford |
392,100 |
532,188 |
729,134 |
653,528 |
855,893 |
872,020 |
884,919 |
883,073 |
|
|
Waterford Wexford ETB Area |
Wexford |
2,143,270 |
2,371,262 |
2,335,452 |
2,818,297 |
2,751,646 |
2,630,194 |
2,769,711 |
2,781,940 |
|
TOTAL Youthreach |
52,014,689 |
59,342,993 |
65,306,780 |
66,104,004 |
68,395,572 |
71,426,536 |
68,428,885 |
67,039,091 |
|
|
TOTAL Community Training Centres |
42,435,000 |
46,793,000 |
49,756,000 |
48,580,000 |
44,134,000 |
44,112,000 |
43,311,000 |
34,189,000 |
|
|
Total Youthreach & CTC |
94,449,689 |
106,135,993 |
115,062,780 |
114,684,004 |
112,529,572 |
115,538,536 |
111,739,885 |
101,228,091 |
|
ETB Area |
VEC |
Youthreach 2014 |
Youthreach 2015 |
CTCs 2015 |
Youthreach 2016 Budget |
CTCs 2016 Budget |
|
Cavan |
||||||
|
Cavan Monaghan ETB Area |
Monaghan |
2,777,000 |
2,273,454 |
0 |
2,716,536 |
0 |
|
City of Dublin ETB |
Dublin City |
10,478,000 |
9,329,691 |
11,329,662 |
10,111,002 |
11,287,476 |
|
Cork |
||||||
|
Cork ETB |
Cork City |
7,398,000 |
5,686,260 |
2,530,909 |
7,101,696 |
2,160,936 |
|
Donegal ETB Area |
Donegal |
3,118,000 |
2,981,170 |
0 |
3,088,536 |
0 |
|
Dublin |
||||||
|
Dublin Dun Laoghaire ETB |
Dun Laoghaire |
7,125,000 |
7,017,331 |
2,871,878 |
6,826,380 |
2,685,966 |
|
Galway City |
||||||
|
Galway |
||||||
|
Galway Roscommon ETB Area |
Roscommon |
5,342,000 |
4,995,371 |
832,513 |
4,874,736 |
866,280 |
|
Kerry ETB |
Kerry |
2,489,000 |
2,094,891 |
797,722 |
2,505,684 |
814,002 |
|
Kildare |
||||||
|
Kildare Wicklow ETB Area |
Wicklow |
4,328,000 |
4,017,644 |
1,130,417 |
4,165,296 |
1,131,000 |
|
Kilkenny |
||||||
|
Kilkenny Carlow ETB Area |
Carlow |
1,126,000 |
1,131,076 |
2,790,150 |
1,138,056 |
2,768,178 |
|
Laois |
||||||
|
Laois Offaly ETB Area |
Offaly |
2,287,000 |
2,176,911 |
1,034,555 |
2,351,358 |
1,158,948 |
|
Limerick |
||||||
|
Limerick City |
||||||
|
Limerick Clare ETB Area |
Clare |
5,720,000 |
5,934,917 |
2,824,721 |
5,586,048 |
2,842,608 |
|
Longford |
||||||
|
Longford Westmeath ETB Area |
Westmeath |
2,205,000 |
1,472,194 |
2,223,341 |
1,945,092 |
2,160,504 |
|
Louth |
||||||
|
Louth Meath ETB Area |
Meath |
4,741,000 |
3,752,366 |
1,544,298 |
4,501,332 |
1,170,000 |
|
Mayo |
||||||
|
Sligo |
||||||
|
Mayo Sligo Leitrim ETB Area |
Leitrim |
2,831,000 |
2,397,704 |
1,624,372 |
2,889,408 |
1,636,224 |
|
Tipp N.R. |
||||||
|
Tipperary ETB Area |
Tipp S.R. |
1,681,000 |
1,846,345 |
2,467,366 |
1,794,144 |
2,518,668 |
|
Waterford City |
||||||
|
Waterford |
||||||
|
Waterford Wexford ETB Area |
Wexford |
4,834,000 |
4,689,997 |
1,902,727 |
4,624,998 |
1,991,334 |
|
TOTAL Youthreach |
68,480,000 |
61,797,322 |
66,220,302 |
|||
|
TOTAL Community Training Centres |
40,327,711 |
35,904,631 |
35,192,124 |
|||
|
Total Youthreach & CTC |
108,807,711 |
97,701,953 |
101,412,426 |
203. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of funding for a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19485/16]
View answerThe building project for the school in question is at an advanced stage of architectural planning. All statutory approvals have been obtained and the Stage 2b submission was approved by my Department on 1st June 2016. This means that since this date it has been ready to proceed to tender.
However, on 1st January 2016 there were 66 major projects under construction and since the start of this year 14 more major projects have been progressed to construction and there are currently 36 projects authorised to progress through the tender process with a view to starting on site in the coming months. That represents a total of 116 major projects either under construction or progressing to commence construction in 2016. The project for the school referred to was not at a sufficiently advanced stage to be considered for inclusion with those projects when they were authorized to proceed to tender earlier this year. The existing contractual commitments for 2016 now fully account for the funding which was allocated for 2016 under the previous Minister.
My officials will continue to closely monitor expenditure on existing contractual commitments over the coming months and, as funding allows, other projects, including the project for the school in question, will be considered for progression through the tender process with a view to starting on site as soon as possible.
204. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to introduce Mandarin Chinese as a leaving certificate examination subject; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19491/16]
View answerThe Programme for a Partnership Government commits to a range of new subjects and this is something I will work on over the coming years.
As part of the new Framework for Junior Cycle, schools can decide to include a short course in Chinese language and Culture, prepared by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, in their junior cycle programme.
There is also currently a Transition Year module on Chinese, which was taken by 4,825 students in 2015.
My Department is currently considering the findings from a consultation process based on a policy document on Languages in Education published last year. Among the topics being considered in this context is the possibility of offering additional languages for the Leaving Certificate. It is expected that a languages strategy will be finalised in the second half of this year.
205. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application by a primary school (details supplied) to develop a play area for the children in its new ASD unit; his views on the importance of this matter for the children concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19504/16]
View answerThe school to which the Deputy refers applied for funding under my Department's Emergency Works Scheme to create a play area.
As the scope of works is outside the terms of this scheme, the application was refused. The mechanism for applying for funding for works of this nature is the Summer Works Scheme and the school may, accordingly, apply under a subsequent Summer Works Scheme for them.
206. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the names, locations and values of school rebuilding projects (details supplied) that were previously to commence in 2016 and have now deferred commencement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19509/16]
View answerThe names and location of six school building projects to which the deputy refers are set out in the following table.
There are 29 primary school building projects on the 2016 Construction Programme announced in November 2015 which are currently at stage 2B of the architectural planning process. The school authorities on three of those primary school projects have recently been informed of delays in progressing their projects to tender and construction stage. The other 26 projects are currently progressing to the completion of stage 2(b). The pre-tender cost estimates of such projects are deemed to be commercially sensitive and as such cannot be disclosed.
However, as the Deputy will be aware, on 1st January 2016 there were 66 major projects under construction and since the start of this year 14 more major projects have been progressed to construction and there are currently 36 projects authorised to progress through the tender process with a view to starting on site in the coming months. That represents a total of 116 major projects either under construction or progressing to commence construction in 2016. These projects were authorised to proceed under previous Minister O'Sullivan, and this means that the existing contractual commitments for 2016 now fully account for the funding which was allocated for 2016 by the previous Minister.
My officials will continue to closely monitor expenditure on existing contractual commitments over the coming months and as funding allows, other projects, including the projects referred to, will be considered for progression through the tender process with a view to starting on site as soon as possible.
|
List |
County |
Roll Number |
School Name & Address |
|
2016 |
Co. Dublin |
19545A 19636D |
Corduff NS (St Patricks Jnr & Snr) Dublin 15 |
|
2016 |
Limerick |
19336O |
Scoil Phoil Naofa, Dooradoyle, Limerick |
|
2016 |
Louth |
16208N |
Termonfeckin Mixed NS |
|
2016 |
Mayo |
64660F |
Sancta Maria College, Louisburg |
|
2014 |
Westmeath |
18864L |
Coosan NS, Castlequarter, Coosan, Athlone |
|
2015 |
Westmeath |
20188J |
Mullingar ETNS, Rathgowan |
207. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary school projects at stage 2B and the number of these which will commence as previously planned for 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19510/16]
View answerThere are 29 primary school building projects on the 2016 Construction Programme announced in November 2015 which are currently at stage 2B of the architectural planning process. The school authorities on three of those primary school projects have recently been informed of delays in progressing their projects to tender and construction stage. The other 26 projects are currently progressing to the completion of stage 2(b).
However, as the Deputy will be aware, on 1st January 2016 there were 66 major projects under construction and since the start of this year 14 more major projects have been progressed to construction and there are currently 36 projects authorised to progress through the tender process with a view to starting on site in the coming months. That represents a total of 116 major projects either under construction or progressing to commence construction in 2016. These projects were authorised to proceed under previous Minister O'Sullivan, and this means that the existing contractual commitments for 2016 now fully account for the funding which was allocated for 2016 by the previous Minister.
My officials will continue to closely monitor expenditure on existing contractual commitments over the coming months and as funding allows, other projects, including the projects referred to, will be considered for progression through the tender process with a view to starting on site as soon as possible.
208. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will sanction funding for emergency works which need to be carried out at a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19520/16]
View answerMy Department understands that the school to which he refers may be in the process of submitting an Emergency Works Grant application. When this is received, it will be fully considered in the context of the terms and conditions governing that Scheme.
209. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of Chinese nationals who attended schools here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19537/16]
View answerThe definitive source of statistics on pupils in primary schools for the 2015/2016 academic year is the National School Annual Census. The data shows that of the 553,380 pupils enrolled in 2015/2016, 8,580 defined their nationality as being from a country in Asia. The Primary Online Database (POD) will replace the National School Annual Census as the definitive source of statistics from the 2016/2017 academic year onwards.
At post-primary level there were 345,550 pupils enrolled in second level programmes in the 2015/2016 academic year. Of these 342 pupils indicated that their country of birth was China in the 2015/2016 academic year.
210. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Skills the stage which plans to introduce the teaching of Mandarin as a language on the leaving certificate are at; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19538/16]
View answerThe Programme for a Partnership Government commits to a range of new subjects and this is something I will work on over the coming years.
As part of the new Framework for Junior Cycle, schools can decide to include a short course in Chinese language and Culture, prepared by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, in their junior cycle programme.
There is also currently a Transition Year module on Chinese, which was taken by 4,825 students in 2015.
My Department is currently considering the findings from a consultation process based on a policy document on Languages in Education published last year. Among the topics being considered in this context is the possibility of offering additional languages for the Leaving Certificate. It is expected that a languages strategy will be finalised in the second half of this year.
211. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he and the education welfare office will take to secure a school place for September 2016 for a person (details supplied). [19585/16]
View answerThe selection and enrolment of pupils in schools is the responsibility of the authorities of the individual school. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in an area. However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice. As schools may not have a place for every applicant, a selection process may be necessary. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory, and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. I would like to point out, however, that 80% of schools are not over-subscribed at all.
Under section 15 (2) (d) of the Education Act, 1998, each school is legally obliged to disclose its enrolment policy and to ensure that, as regards that policy, principles of equality and the right of parents to send their children to a school of the parents' choice are respected.
Section 29 of the Education Act, 1998 provides for an appeal by a parent or guardian to the Secretary General of my Department or, - in the case of an Education and Training Board (ETB) school, - to the ETB in the first instance, where a Board of Management of a school, or a person acting on behalf of the Board, refuses to enrol a student in a school, expels a student, or suspends a student for 20 or more days in any school year. My Department has no authority to compel a school to admit a pupil, except in the case of an appeal under section 29 of the Education Act, 1998 being upheld.
Application forms for taking a section 29 appeal are available on this Departments website at the following link: http://www.education.ie/en/Parents/Services/Appeal-against-Permanent-Exclusion-Suspension-or-Refusal-to-Enrol/Section-29-Appeals-Application-Form.doc, or by contacting Section 29 Administration Unit, Friars Mill Road, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, phone 0761 108588.
The Educational Welfare Service (EWS) of the Child and Family Agency (TUSLA) is the statutory agency which can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The relevant office can be contacted at: Educational Welfare Service, Child and Family Agency, Floors 2-5, Brunel Building, Heuston South Quarter, Dublin 8.
212. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of plans for a new school (details supplied); if it is ready to go to tender and if there is a date for completion of this project; the number of pupils it will cater for once completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19591/16]
View answerThe project referred to by the Deputy is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning. In December 2015 approval was given for an additional five classrooms for this school. Planning Permission was received in April 2016 for the project including this additional permanent accommodation. A report on the revised design is currently under review by my Department.
Upon completion of the review of this submission, the Board of Management and their Design Team will be authorised to complete Stage 2B – Detailed Design Stage, which includes the applications for Fire Cert, Disability Access Cert and the preparation of Tender Documents.
Until such time as all statutory approvals have been secured and the project has progressed to and completed Stage 2B, it will not be possible to provide an indicative timeframe for the completion of the construction stage of the project.
213. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide additional accommodation for a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19606/16]
View answerI can confirm that the school referred to by the Deputy has submitted an application to my Department for additional accommodation. The application concerned is currently being assessed and a decision will be conveyed to the school authority shortly.
