Written Answers Nos. 117-132
117. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills to provide the name of the account in the bank used for school transport funds and to verify independently of Bus Éireann where its funds from school transport are kept; where, in the audited annual reports and financial statements of Bus Éireann, are these funds accounted for since 2005; and to provide the balances and-or surplus on a year to year basis since 2005 in tabular form. [22977/16]
View answerAll financial transactions relating to the School Transport Scheme are reflected in the Annual Report and Financial Statements of Bus Éireann which have been prepared in accordance with (GAAP) Generally Accepted Accounting Practice in Ireland, and have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2014.
The 2015 published Financial Statements included the required report from Auditors, who are independent of Bus Éireann, in relation to the financial statements.
The auditors confirmed that the financial statements include:
The balance sheet as at 31.12.15
The profit and loss account for the year then ended
The statement of comprehensive income for the year then ended
The statement of changes in equity for the year then ended
The cash flow statements for the year then ended
The significant accounting policies
The notes to the financial statements which include other explanatory information.
The main bankers for the CIE Group are Bank of Ireland.
The Audited Accounts for each year are available online on the Bus Éireann website, which includes the annual account for each year as far back as 1999 and showing the balance on a year to year basis.
118. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way workers of a company (details supplied) can access the European globalisation adjustment fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23128/16]
View answerApplications seeking EU co-financing under the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) for labour market activation programmes, in support of workers made redundant by the adverse effects of globalisation or global financial and economic crises, are made by Member States to the European Commission and must be duly approved by the EU budgetary authorities.
In Ireland, EGF applications are made by the Department of Education and Skills and the EGF Managing Authority in the Department considers all collective redundancy notifications and potential cases arising with a view to making applications where considered feasible. The required number of redundancies for which an EGF application may be made under Regulation EU No. 1309/2013 is at least 500 redundancies within a four or nine months period but this number may be lower where exceptional circumstances are deemed to apply under the EU Regulation. Since 2009 the Irish authorities have made 10 successful applications for EGF co-financing and under the seven closed Irish EGF programmes to date almost 10,000 redundant workers have been assisted with guidance, training, education and enterprise supports.
The EGF Managing Authority has duly considered the known facts of the case referred to by the Deputy including the collective redundancy notification issued by the company to the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. On the basis of this information these redundancies do not meet a number of intrinsic requirements, including the scope and intervention criteria, of Regulation (EU) No. 1309/2013 which governs the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF). Rather than the redundancies occurring as a result of adverse globalisation impacts, the reason being cited by the company for these redundancies is a direct consequence of the bringing into force of EU legislation, namely the EU Tobaccos Products Directive 2014/40/EU. The European Commission has been consulted by the Department and has confirmed that this rationale does not constitute eligible grounds for the making of an EGF application. In this context, the Department considers that a feasible application for EGF co-financing support cannot be made in this case.
119. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated full year cost of implementing the early childhood care and education access and inclusion model in primary schools nationwide. [23151/16]
View answerThe new Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) programme of supports was announced on 15th June 2016 by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.
AIM is a child-centred model, involving seven levels of progressive support, moving from the universal to the targeted, depending on the needs of the child and the pre-school. The supports include:
A new Inclusion Charter for the Early Years sector, alongside updated and strengthened Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Guidelines for Early Childhood Care and Education.
A new higher education programme for early years practitioners (LINC) which will commence from September 2016.
A new national specialist service which is based in the Better Start National Early Years Quality Development Service will provide expert advice, mentoring and support to pre-school providers from a team of 50 specialists in early years care and education for children with disabilities.
A new national scheme will provide specialised equipment, appliances and minor alterations which are necessary to support a child's participation in the ECCE programme.
A new national scheme will also provide additional capitation to pre-school providers where this is critical to fund extra support in the classroom and enable a child's participation in pre-school. It is estimated that only 1 to 1.5% of children in pre-school will require, and therefore be eligible for, this scheme of additional capitation.
Details of the supports which will be available under AIM can be found at www.preschoolaccess.ie which contains comprehensive information on the access and inclusion model and on how to apply for the new schemes and supports.
Questions relating to provision of such services in pre-school settings should be addressed my colleague, the Minister for Children & Youth Affairs.
When children transition to primary school they can access supports, including additional resource and learning support teaching, access to special needs assistance and assistive technology where the needs are indicated in professional reports. These resources are allocated annually to schools by the National Council for Special Education which provides these resources in line with my Department's policies.
At present there are no plans to replace this model of support by introducing the AIM model in primary schools and accordingly it is not possible to provide an estimate of the cost of the introduction of this model in primary schools.
120. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Skills the criteria set for obtaining a concessionary bus ticket for students attending second level schools; the number of these tickets that were issued for the academic year 2015-2016 in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22919/16]
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 education centre as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
Children who are not eligible for school transport may avail of school transport on a concessionary basis only subject to a number of terms and conditions including that there are spare seats available on an existing school bus service and payment of the annual charge.
The full terms of the Post Primary School Transport Scheme are available on my Department's website and are applied equitably on a national basis.
Bus Éireann has advised that some 40 children in the Dublin area availed of transport on a concessionary basis for the 2015/16 school year.
121. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Skills when he will restore financial supports for postgraduate students; to what level he intends on restoring the funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22920/16]
View answerThe Programme for Government contains a commitment to increase financial supports for postgraduate students with a particular focus on those from low income households.
The options for progressing this commitment are currently under consideration in my Department within the context of overall budgetary constraints, and the large number of competing demands for available funding.
Decisions in relation to the future funding of student supports will also be informed by the consideration of the options contained in the report by the expert group report on future funding for higher education. I have recently published this report and it will be referred it to the Oireachtas Education Committee as part of the process for formulating a plan for the future funding of the higher education sector.
122. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views that, in Dublin, the shortage of accommodation together with the cost of available accommodation is resulting in a pattern of non-progression to third level, especially for students from outside of Dublin who wish to attend third level in the capital; his plans to make some National Asset Management Agency owned properties available for affordable student accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22921/16]
View answerAlleviating the housing crisis is a cross-Government priority and the available analysis indicates that the lack of suitable rental accommodation for students is driving up rents in the private rental sector, particularly in areas where demand for rental property is high. This is contributing to what we know is already a considerable strain on some students and their families to participate in higher education with knock-on effects on completion rates. The reality is that dealing comprehensively with this issue will only take place as part of a more general programme to address the major housing and homelessness issue.
Accordingly, my colleague Mr. Simon Coveney T.D., Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, yesterday (19 July 2016) published "Rebuilding Ireland – an Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness", following Government approval of this comprehensive and ambitious Plan. The full plan can be accessed at: http://rebuildingireland.ie/Rebuilding%20Ireland_Action%20Plan.pdf.
This Plan provides a multi-stranded, action-oriented approach to achieving many of the Government's key housing objectives, as set down in the Programme for a Partnership Government, to significantly increase the supply of social housing, to double the output of overall housing from the current levels to at least 25,000 per annum by 2020, to service all tenure types, and to tackle homelessness in a comprehensive manner.
This whole-of-Government Plan has been developed in close collaboration with other key Government Departments and Agencies, under the oversight of a dedicated Cabinet Committee chaired by An Taoiseach. The Plan was also informed by the Report of the Special Oireachtas Committee on Housing and Homelessness (published on 17 June 2016), as well as through extensive consultation with stakeholders.
My Department has worked closely with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government in the development of this Action Plan, with a specific focus on Student Accommodation, and the following measures detailed in the Plan are of direct relevance to this issue:
1. The Department of Education and Skills in conjunction with a number of other key stakeholders will prepare and publish a national student accommodation strategy, which will set out a broad framework for delivery of an enhanced level of accommodation and which will inform local authority housing strategies and the land management process in general, in order to provide suitably located and affordable sites. This will be prepared with a view to developing a national policy on specific needs and mechanisms for the development of appropriate on-campus and off-campus student accommodation.
2. My Department will work with stakeholders to prioritise and progress viable projects to provide additional student accommodation in key urban areas. This will be done with a view to bringing onstream proposals capable of delivering an additional 7,000 student accommodation places by end 2019, on or off campus, in addition to projects already committed to.
3. Dedicated delivery structures, such as Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), will be established in the Higher Education Institutions (HEI) sector to access Housing Finance Agency (HFA) funding and complete any required policy, regulatory or legislative changes necessary. This will be done with a view to providing additional funding mechanisms for the HEI sector, in conjunction with the HFA.
4. My Department will help to fund a Student Housing Officer to work with the Union of Students in Ireland, local authorities, AHBs and housing providers to identify and expand short-term capacity enhancing measures in the student accommodation sector. This will be done with a view to assisting students in finding appropriate accommodation.
5. Funding mechanisms will be established for Institutes of Technology to support the development of their student accommodation capacity. This is to facilitate the Institute of Technology sector in developing their potential for on-campus student accommodation through addressing current borrowing capacity and funding constraints.
6. The Department of Housing Planning and Local Government in conjunction with the Department of Education and Skills will carry out an assessment of scope for provision of additional student accommodation on local authority or other publicly-owned lands with a view to maximising the potential for student accommodation provision on suitable sites as part of mixed developments.
7. The Department of Housing Planning and Local Government will enable student accommodation projects for 100 units or more to go straight to An Bord Pleanála, as well as maximise the opportunities for joint venture projects on local authority sites to proceed through the Part 8 process and prepare guidance on planning policies around student accommodation developments. This will be done to enhance certainty and reduce delivery timescales and costs associated with bringing student accommodation proposals forward.
The Actions in the Plan in relation to Student Accommodation build on the report, Student Accommodation: Demand & Supply, which was published last year by the Minister for Education and Skills and which sets out clearly that the demand for student accommodation outstrips supply in certain areas, and will continue to do so in the coming years.
The full report can be accessed at http://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Education-Reports/Report-on-Student-Accommodation-Demand-and-Supply.pdf.
The previous Minister for Education and Skills introduced two immediate actions following the publication of this report.
Firstly, funding was provided by the HEA to the Union of Students (USI) in Ireland to progress short-term solutions for students in need of accommodation. This funding will allow USI to develop their homes.usi.ie website, to communicate more effectively to student and homeowners, and to carry out research into this important issue.
Secondly, the establishment of an inter-departmental steering group to examine the recommendations contained in the HEA Report and to provide a co-ordinating mechanism to ensure that the higher education institutions have access to information on new potential funding and delivery models.
In addition to this, I should point out that a number of our Higher Education Institutions have Student Accommodation projects ongoing, or in the pipeline, with a number of additional on-campus Student Accommodation bed-spaces to come online from September 2016. Maynooth University has 296 new on-campus bed spaces, and UCD has 350 new on-campus bed spaces, which are due to come onstream in Autumn 2016. Six other Higher Education Institutions are currently engaged in, or going through the planning phases for student accommodation projects, namely, National University of Ireland Galway, Trinity College Dublin, University of Limerick, Dublin City University, University College Cork and Dublin Institute of Technology.
However, an even greater level of provision of student accommodation is required and accordingly this Action Plan commits to the development of a National Student Accommodation Strategy in 2017 by the Department of Education and Skills in conjunction with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government and other stakeholders including the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Department of Finance. This will set out a broad framework for delivery of an enhanced level of accommodation and will inform local authority housing strategies and the land management process in general in order to provide suitably located and affordable sites.
I very much welcome the commitments contained in the plan and I look forward to working with colleagues on a cross-Departmental basis to ensure that the commitments contained in the Plan are implemented as soon as practicable.
123. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he plans to take decisive action to ensure that postgraduate students who are hired as academic staff are afforded the necessary working conditions, incorporating pay and duration of contract, to deliver high quality education to students; if not, if he will put plans in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22922/16]
View answerThose undertaking postgraduate study at Masters and PhD levels are considered as students, not employees. Under the Irish Research Council's Post Graduate Schemes scholars must be full-time students. However, as teaching is an essential means for the dissemination of knowledge and is considered valuable within the Scholar's career, the Council allows Scholars to undertake additional duties such as teaching and supervision, provided certain conditions are met. These include that the Scholar obtains prior approval from their supervisor, the additional duties are not excessive and do not adversely affect them in the carrying out of their research activities.
Contractual and remuneration matters in respect of additional duties are a matter for agreement between the Scholar and the HEI.
124. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is will develop a scheme to encourage Irish persons living abroad to return here and return to education; if he is aware that the current Student Universal Support Ireland criteria exclude Irish citizens who have being living abroad for more than three of the previous five years on date of application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22923/16]
View answerTo be eligible for a grant, a "student", as defined in Section 14 of the Student Support Act 2011, must demonstrate that he/she has been resident in the State for at least 3 years out of the 5 year period ending on the day before the start of his/her approved course of study. The Free Fees Initiative (FFI) has a similar residency requirement.
This requirement takes cognisance of students who wish to take time out to travel or work abroad. However, for student grant purposes, it is possible for students who did not meet the residency requirement at the commencement of their studies, to have their eligibility reviewed if they meet the residency requirement during the course of their studies. Similar and in some cases more restrictive residency requirements apply in other EU Member States.
125. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to alter the manner in which seniority is determined for special needs assistants (details supplied); if he will explain the current system for allocation of hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22930/16]
View answerCircular 0059/2006, which is available on my Department's website at www.education.ie, sets out the factors that should be considered in determining the seniority of special needs assistants employed in primary and post-primary schools. The Board of Management/ETB determines seniority based on the special needs assistant's date of commencement of duty as an SNA in the school/ETB.
In addition, my Department has recently issued a circular regarding the supplementary assignment arrangements for SNAs (Circular 35/2016 can be accessed via the link http://www.education.ie/en/Circulars-and-Forms/Active-Circulars/cl0035_2016.pdf).
The supplementary assignment arrangements for SNAs were established on foot of proposals brought forward by the Labour Relations Commission when the Haddington Road Agreement was being agreed. These supplementary assignment arrangements for SNAs continue to operate under the Lansdowne Road Agreement, and both unions representing SNAs, namely SIPTU and IMPACT, have signed up to that agreement.
Circular 35/2016 details the supplementary assignment arrangements for SNAs for the 16/17 school year and also outlines that where a school/ETB has an additional allocation of SNA hours/posts, then that additional allocation of hours/posts must be offered to any existing part-time SNAs in that employment, in order of seniority, before the employer has recourse to recruitment. This circular builds on the introduction of a supplementary assignment panel process for SNAs which was introduced three years ago, giving SNAs the alternative of redeployment instead of redundancy, giving SNAs greater stability and a better chance of a full-hours contract.
The purpose of these arrangements is to facilitate eligible SNAs who are being made redundant by one employer in filling SNA vacancies that may become available in another school/ETB. Furthermore, it means that, before an employer opts to recruit a further person as an SNA(s), they must ensure that all existing part-time SNAs in their employment, in order of seniority, have been offered a full-time position in the school or, in the case of ETBs, a full-time position in a school within the ETB scheme.
The only exception that can be made to this rule is where a school/ETB has a determination in writing from the NCSE/SENO stating that their allocation must be split amongst a specific number of SNAs and/or stating that the allocation must be implemented in a specific fashion to address the care needs of the pupil(s). In cases where this exception is being invoked by a school/ETB then this written determination from the NCSE/SENO must be provided to the existing part-time SNA(s) affected. It should also be noted that the position in relation to the allocation and distribution of Infant days, which is a distinct and specific feature of the SNA scheme, remains unaffected.
If an SNA believes that Circular 0035/2016 regarding the allocation of extra hours to current SNAs was not adhered to in their school i.e. they were not furnished with information regarding either a written determination from the NCSE/SENO and/or the invocation of the Infant Days principle then they should contact the dedicated e-mail address (snasupplementpanel@education.gov.ie) and my officials will ensure that the relevant information regarding the matter is provided to them by their employer.
The Supplementary Assignment Panel arrangements are reviewed by my Department on an annual basis in consultation with the school management bodies and the two unions representing SNA staff (IMPACT and SIPTU).
Finally, as already outlined, my Department has set up a dedicated e–mail address with all queries in relation to the SNA Supplementary Assignment Panel and any queries in respect of the operation of the Panel can be directed to this dedicated e–mail address: snasupplementpanel@education.gov.ie
126. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a school (details supplied) in County Mayo will soon be issued with a decision in respect of a funding application; if he acknowledges the merits of the proposed project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22975/16]
View answerI can advise that the school referred to by the Deputy submitted an application for significant capital funding.
I am aware that my Department's technical staff visited the school and the outcome of the visit is currently being considered. My Department expects to be in contact with the school authority shortly relating to the matter.
127. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will amend areas of the existing legislation surrounding apprenticeships and traineeships, as per the areas of legislation that have been identified as in need of change and as have been notified to him by a business representative organisation (details supplied) in order to support and promote apprenticeships and traineeships, given that the current legislation is almost 50 years old and therefore impractical, no longer fit for purpose and needs to be amended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22989/16]
View answerThe business representative organisation referred to in the Deputy's Question made a submission on my Department's new Statement of Strategy in which they suggested placing the Apprenticeship Council on a statutory footing but did not include details of other legislative changes sought in this area.
The Review of Apprenticeship Training in Ireland, undertaken by an independent group, recommended that the statutory framework for apprenticeship should be more open and flexible. The Implementation Plan subsequently published by my Department took the approach of moving ahead with the development and roll-out of new apprenticeships and examining any legislative change that might be required in the light of that process. The development process has been progressing well and a number of new apprenticeships will commence recruitment this year. This demonstrates that it has been possible to advance new apprenticeship proposals within the existing statutory framework.
I intend to keep this area under review as the new apprenticeships become operational but no specific legislative proposals are currently being developed.
128. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a school (details supplied) is expected to move into the refurbished building that has been allocated to it to replace its current inadequate premises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22992/16]
View answerI can confirm that the school referred to by the Deputy was approved funding for the refurbishment of an existing school building to provide suitable accommodation for the school referred to.
Responsibility for delivery of the project has been devolved to the school authorities. I understand the works are nearing completion, with 80% of the approved funding drawn down by the school authority concerned at this stage.
129. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the timescale expected for the construction of extra classrooms for a school (details supplied); if sanction has been given to move classes from that school to a temporary location to facilitate the work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22993/16]
View answerThe major school building project to which the Deputy refers is at an advanced stage of architectural planning - Stage 2(b). All statutory approvals have been secured.
However, following the appointment of a replacement Quantity Surveyor the Design Team are working on a revised Bill of Quantities and the Design Team has advised my Department that they expect to resubmit the Stage 2(b) report in September 2016. My Department will revert to the school with regard to the further progression of the project following consideration of that report.
The school building project for this school was included on the six year programme announced on 17th November 2015.
The decant option to facilitate the school during construction is approved in principle. However, the Board of Management has been advised by my Department not to enter into any contract or lease arrangement from which it cannot resile as it is not possible at this stage to give an indicative timeline for when construction will commence and the duration of the works.
130. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made on securing extra places in south County Kildare for children diagnosed with autism scheduled to start primary school in September 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23008/16]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that this Government is committed to ensuring that all children with Special Educational Needs, including those with autism, can have access to an education appropriate to their needs, preferably in school settings through the primary and post primary school network.
Such placements facilitate access to individualised education programmes which may draw from a range of appropriate educational interventions, delivered by fully qualified professional teachers, with the support of Special Needs Assistants and the appropriate school curriculum.
There are approximately 14,000 students with ASD in the school system.
- 63% are educated in mainstream classes
- 23% are educated in special classes in mainstream primary and post-primary schools; and
- 14% are educated in special schools.
In respect of children with ASD who cannot be accommodated in mainstream education, they may be enrolled in special classes or special schools where more intensive and supportive interventions are provided.
The Deputy will also be aware that it is the role of the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) to make appropriate arrangements to establish special classes in schools in communities where the need for such classes has been identified.
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.
Progress in developing this network has been significant and in addition to the special school placements there are currently over 1,000 special classes throughout the country at primary and post-primary level of which 765 are for children with Autism.
The NCSE recently published a list of special classes for the 2016/17 school year. In total there will be 1,153 special classes available next year, which is an increase of over 100% in the number of special classes which were available in 2011, which was 548. The NCSE has advised that for the coming school year there will be 127 early intervention classes, 525 primary ASD classes and 237 post-primary ASD classes, which represents an increase of approx. 16% on 2015/16 classes for children with autism.
Of these, there will be 59 ASD classes in Co. Kildare, including 6 Early Intervention Classes for children who are not yet school going age, 41 primary school classes and 12 at post-primary level in mainstream schools. 2 of these classes are new classes due to open in September 2016, 1 at primary level and 1 at post-primary level.
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.
Details of all special classes for children with special educational needs, including those in Co. Kildare, are available on www.ncse.ie in county order, with new classes identified.
131. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a transport grant will be approved for a person (details supplied); if he will expedite this grant as it is urgently required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23009/16]
View answerThe child referred to by the Deputy is eligible for school transport under the terms of my Department's School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs. In this regard my Department has sanctioned a Special Transport Grant for the family to cover the cost of private transport arrangements.
In general, this grant is payable at the end of the school year upon receipt of a correctly completed Statement of Attendance Form.
132. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills to ensure that stage 2B of the permanent school building project for a school (details supplied) will be completed without further delay and that the project move to tender as a matter of urgent priority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23014/16]
View answerThe major building project which the Deputy refers to is at an advanced stage of architectural planning - Stage 2(b). All Statutory approvals have been secured and the Design Team are completing the preparation of Tender Documents.
The school building project for this school was included on the six year programme announced on 17 November 2015. The design team will submit the stage 2(b) report to my Department when it is completed and my Department will revert to the school with regard to the further progression of the project following consideration of that report.
It is not possible at this stage to give an indicative timeline for when construction will commence and the duration of the works.
