Friday, 16 Sep 2016

Written Replies Nos. 404 to 431

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (404)

Dara Calleary

Question:

404. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of credit cards issued to Ministers and officials working in his Department; the amount spent on credit cards by his Department in 2014 and in 2015; the amount of bank interest paid on credit cards in 2014 and 2015; the controls in place to monitor the issuing of and the expenditure on these cards; the controls in place in each agency to monitor expenditure on personally held credit cards that are subsequently used to recoup work-related expenses; if these controls are being reviewed in view of recent events in agencies funded by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24740/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The Department of Education and Skills has a very strict policy in relation to the use of credit cards. Their use in the Department is restricted to Ministerial Private Secretaries and the Principal Officer responsible for the Department's IT Unit. The Department has a written policy in place which sets out the limited circumstances in which credit cards can be used, namely costs associated with travel on official business and urgent ad hoc expenditure in extremely time-limited circumstances.

All claims for reimbursement of work related expenditure on personally held credit cards must meet the same strict controls as any other type of payment.

All expenditure on credit cards must be certified by a manager as compliant with relevant current financial legislation and guidelines, correctly incurred in relation to official business and all supporting documentation must be provided. The use of credit cards is monitored by the Department's Finance Unit, to ensure compliance with Departmental policy. This written policy is kept under review, and the most recent review was carried out in July 2016.

There are currently three credit cards in use by the Department, all of which are held with the Bank of Ireland. Expenditure in 2014 amounted to €7,111.28 and the equivalent sum was €13,779.68 in 2015. This expenditure included €366 for Stamp Duty and Annual Fee charges, along with interest payments of €44.14 in the two year period. The reason interest payments were incurred in 2014 is that the bank required matching of payments lodged to their account with reference credit card numbers. This facility was not available on the Department's Financial Management System at that point, resulting in some short delays. By 2015, the system for credit card payments was changed to direct debit method which eliminated this issue.

Departmental Agencies Expenditure

Questions (405, 406)

Dara Calleary

Question:

405. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of credit cards issued to staff working in each State agency funded by his Department, in tabular form; the number of cards per funded agency; the amount spent by credit card in 2014 and 2015 by each agency; the amount of bank interest paid on credit cards in 2014 and 2015; the controls in place to monitor the issuing of and the expenditure on these cards; the controls in place in each agency to monitor expenditure on personally held credit cards that are subsequently used to recoup work-related expenses; if these controls are being reviewed in view of recent events in agencies funded by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24755/16]

Dara Calleary

Question:

406. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of credit cards issued to staff working in any third party agency funded by his Department, in tabular form; the number of cards per funded agency; the amount spent by credit card in 2014 and 2015 by each agency; the controls in place to monitor the issuing of and the expenditure on these cards; the controls in place in each agency to monitor expenditure on credit cards that are subsequently used to recoup work-related expense; if these controls are being reviewed in view of recent events in agencies funded by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24770/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 405 and 406 together.

As the information on credit cards sought by the Deputy is not routinely collected, the Department has sought details from each of the 18 State Agencies under its remit. The Department will endeavour to provide the information as soon as possible.

In regard to the the Deputy's question concerning the number of credit cards issued to staff in third party agencies funded by the Department, it is the case that the Department has a wide range of entities which could potentially be encompassed within this question. The Department funds schools, ETBs, Universities, bodies, organisations, Institutes of Education and Higher Education Colleges in addition to other ad hoc organisations and it would place an inordinate administrative burden on the Department to gather and collate this information. If the Deputy has an interest in a particular third party body the Department will endeavour to obtain the information for him.

Schools Establishment

Questions (407)

Noel Rock

Question:

407. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Education and Skills if, in view of recent census data, the decision to refuse a new primary level non-denominational Gaelscoil for the north side of Dublin will be reviewed urgently. [24801/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

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 analyses 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, along with the extent of diversity in the area, are key to decisions in relation to the outcome of the process.

This process was followed in relation to the decision on the patronage of the new school which opened in September 2016 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 the school is set up to serve. 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. I accepted the recommendation of the NSEG and the school under the patronage of Educate Together opened in September. While there are three Gaelscoileanna already operating in the 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 is continuing to keep the demographic data for the Drumcondra/Marino/Dublin 1 school planning area under ongoing review to take into account updated enrolment and child benefit data and the impact of ongoing and planned capacity increases in this and adjacent school planning areas.

Abbey Theatre

Questions (408)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

408. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pearse Doherty den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna an bhfuair sé an comhfhreagras, an suirbhé innealtóireachta agus na grianghraif a sheol scoil i gContae Dhún na nGall (sonraí leis seo) chuige, ina léirítear drochstaid fhoirgnimh na scoile; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [24812/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

Tá roinnt aighneachtaí ón scoil faighte ag an Roinn seo, lena n-áirítear suirbhéanna agus grianghraf. Maidir leis an mórthionscadal tógála don scoil dá bhfuil tagairt déanta ag an Teachta, tá Foireann Deartha fós le ceapadh chuige. Meastar go gcuirfear tús leis an bpróiseas sin ar ball beag. Déanfaidh Oifigigh ón Roinn seo teagmháil dhíreach leis an mBord Bainistíochta maidir leis na chéad chéimeanna eile den phróiseas. Cuireadh an tionscadal seo ar áireamh sa chlár sé bliana ar fhógair an tAire roimhe é lena gcur ar aghaidh chuig céim na tairisceana agus na tógála.

Residential Institutions Redress Scheme

Questions (409)

Michael McGrath

Question:

409. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 124 of 20 November 2014, if the review of the operation of the fund referred to in the reply and in particular the decision to exclude those who did not seek redress by availing of the Caranua fund, has taken place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24863/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The terms of reference and the arrangements for the review of eligibility for services which are supported by Caranua are being considered at present.

Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Questions (410)

Josepha Madigan

Question:

410. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 117 of 23 June 2016, if a leaving certificate is sufficient for consideration by the admissions office at UCD; if the person is successful in obtaining a college place, if he or she could apply for a grant under the pilot support scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24887/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The Deputy will be aware that universities in Ireland are autonomous institutions and therefore have responsibility for the day to day management of their own affairs, including issues relating to admissions.

The Deputy will appreciate that, in the absence of all of the relevant details that would be contained in an individual's application form and supporting documentation, it is not possible to say whether or not a particular student would qualify for support under the Pilot Support Scheme. To qualify for this scheme, prospective students have to meet a number of criteria, including a requirement to have:- 5 years in the Protection system at the 31st of August 2016;- 5 years in the Irish school system as at the 31st of August 2016; and- have obtained a Leaving Certificate.

The closing date for receipt of applications for the 2016/17 academic year is the 4th of November 2016. Application forms can be accessed at www.education.ie/en/Learners/Services/Pilot-Support-Scheme/.

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Questions (411, 418)

John McGuinness

Question:

411. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 255 of 17 May 2016, if he will approve a special needs assistant for a person (details supplied). [24952/16]

John McGuinness

Question:

418. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the maximum number of resource hours have not been allocated to a person (details supplied); the reason a special needs assistant was not approved; and if this will be reviewed based on the evidence provided. [25221/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 411 and 418 together.

The National Council for Special Education, which is an independent statutory agency, is responsible, through its network of locally based Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for the allocation of Special Educational needs supports, including Special Needs Astsistant (SNA) and Low Incidence Teaching Hours (LITH) support to schools for students with special educational needs (SEN) arising from a disability.

Responsibility for deciding on the quantum of special educational needs supports and resources to be allocated to schools to support individual pupils with special educational needs, rests with the NCSE.

The NCSE allocates SNA support to schools in accordance with the criteria set out in my Department's Circular 0030/2014, in order that students who have care needs can access SNA support as and when it is needed.

Additional teaching resources are allocated to primary and post-primary schools for the support of individual students with complex and enduring special educational needs and who have been assessed as having a low incidence disability.

Each year the NCSE allocates Low Incidence Resource Teacher posts to schools to support children with a diagnosis of a disability and an assessed level of need, as set out in Circular Sp Ed 02/05.

Where a school wishes to appeal the SNA or resource teaching support allocation which has been made to them, they may do so through the NCSE appeal process, details of which are set out at www.ncse.ie. The option to invoke the NCSE appeals process is open to the school in question.

All schools have the contact details of their local SENO, while Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on the NCSE website.

The NCSE issued a direct response to the Deputy in relation to special educational needs supports for the student concerned on 31st August 2016.

School Staff Appeals Mechanism

Questions (412)

Fiona O'Loughlin

Question:

412. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider an appeal made by a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24965/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The criteria used for the allocation of teaching posts for the 2016/2017 school year is set out in Circular 0007/2016 which is available on my Department's website. The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the 30 September 2015.

The staffing arrangements at primary level also include an appeals mechanism for schools to submit an appeal under certain criteria to the Primary Staffing Appeals Board.

The school referred to by the Deputy submitted an application for consideration by the Appeals Board for its October meeting. The school will be notified of the decision of the Appeals Board in due course.

The Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.

Early Start Programme

Questions (413)

Ruth Coppinger

Question:

413. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 107 of 13 July 2016, if he will provide additional staff in cases of children who require one-to-one care in the early start programme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25021/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

As I noted previously, the Early Start centres funded by my Department are staffed by primary school teachers and a childcare assistant also works with each group. This teacher led staffing arrangement and comparatively favourable staff to child ratio is intended to support a range of special educational needs associated with concentrated disadvantage.

In relation to the issue regarding the access to supports and teacher training that will help teachers in Early Start centres to support students with special educational needs, the Special Education Support Service (SESS) has confirmed that the teachers working in the Early Start Schools are fully qualified probated primary teachers and this means they can apply for support/courses in relation to teaching and learning for pupils with Special Educational Needs through the usual channels, i.e. is through online application at www.sess.ie and their application will be assessed according to the criteria set out on that website.

In addition to the Early Start centres funded by my Department, the Government has invested in a new Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) programme of supports which is now in place to support children who have needs in the universal pre-school scheme (ECCE). My colleague in Government, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs is responsible for the ECCE scheme and the implementation of the AIM programme.

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.

Schools Establishment

Questions (414)

Seán Fleming

Question:

414. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25069/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

On 26 April 2016 applications were invited for the patronage of nine new post-primary schools to be established, six in 2017 and a further three in 2018. The closing date for receipt of applications for this process was 8 June 2016. Prospective patrons submitted with their application a parental preference template in which parents have been requested to declare their preference for their child(ren) to be educated through that patron's school model and also their preference with regard to education through the medium of English or Irish.

Applications received are currently being assessed by my Department. The assessment process is detailed and rigorous and numerous applications have been received in respect of each of the nine proposed new post-primary schools. The final assessment reports will be forwarded for the consideration of the New Schools Establishment Group (NSEG) which will submit a report with recommendations to me for my consideration and final decision. It is expected that a determination in relation to the patronage of the new schools, including the one to which the Deputy refers, will be made in the coming weeks.

The assessment reports and the recommendations of the NSEG will be available on my Department's website following the announcement.

Special Educational Needs

Questions (415)

Catherine Martin

Question:

415. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the pilot programme commenced by his predecessor on the implementation of the National Council for Special Education, NCSE document, delivery for students with special educational needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25125/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department implemented a pilot of the proposed new Resource Teacher allocation model over the 2015/2016 school year.

A review of this pilot has been completed and a report of the review is currently being finalised.

I understand that the review will indicate that the new model has been positively received by schools and parents.

Throughout the pilot my Department gathered information from the participating schools. This information was gathered using surveys, information and training days, self-reflective questionnaires and a formal review undertaken by my Department's Inspectorate.

Through these processes, schools indicated that they welcomed the increased flexibility and autonomy provided by the model to allocate resources based on need. Most schools believe the model allows more scope for team teaching, targeted interventions, mix of in-class and group work, with less focus on withdrawal and one to one teaching. Schools welcome the move away from the unnecessary labelling of children in order to secure resources. Schools also welcomed that they no longer need to wait for diagnosis and that this facilitates intervention at an earlier stage based on the school's identification of need.

In addition schools indicated a belief that they were broadly well supported in meeting the needs of children with Special Educational Needs.

When the full review has been finalised, I will consider its findings and will then consider the next steps for the new model including the timeframe for its introduction.

Question No. 416 answered with Question No. 394.

Comhlachtaí Aistriúcháin

Questions (417)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

417. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna cé na coinníollacha a bhaineann leis an gcaighdeán Gaeilge i ndáil le tairiscintí a lorgaítear ó chomhlachtaí aistriúcháin le hábhar a aistriú go Gaeilge; an éilítear go mbeidh gach aistritheoir cáilithe agus ar an bpainéal a bhunaigh Foras na Gaeilge chuige seo, le tacaíocht ón Roinn Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [25193/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

Tá an Roinn seo tiomanta dá chinntiú go soláthraíonn sí an tseirbhís is fearr is féidir, sa dá theanga oifigiúla, dá cuid geallsealbhóirí agus don phobal i gcoitinne araon. De réir bheartas soláthair an Rialtais agus an Aontais Eorpaigh, d'fhoilsigh an Roinn seo creat ilsoláthraithe sa bhliain 2014 chun freastal ar na riachtanais shonracha aistriúcháin atá aici. Fógraíodh an iarraidh ar thairiscintí chun an creat a fhorbairt ar etenders.gov.ie, arb é an tsaoráid lárnach a úsáidfidh gach údarás conarthach san earnáil phoiblí chun deiseanna soláthair agus fógraí dámhachtana a fhógairt. Fógraíodh an iarraidh in Iris Oifigiúil an Aontais Eorpaigh freisin.

D'fhonn aistriúcháin ar ardchaighdeán a chinntiú, sonraíodh san iarraidh ar thairiscintí nach mór ceann amháin ar a laghad de na cáilíochtaí seo a leanas a bheith ag baill den chreat:1. Cáilíocht iarchéime in Aistriúchán na Gaeilge ó sholáthraí aitheanta oideachais tríú leibhéal nó a coibhéis (Leibhéal 9 ar an gCreat Náisiúnta Cáilíochtaí)

2. Creidiúnú mar aistritheoir Gaeilge ó Fhoras na Gaeilge nó a choibhéis

3. Bunchéim céad onóracha nó dara honóracha ar a laghad dá raibh an Nua-Ghaeilge mar chomhpháirt lárnach agus ar bhronn soláthraí aitheanta oideachais tríú leibhéal í nó a coibhéis (Leibhéal 8 ar an gCreat Náisiúnta Cáilíochtaí).

Ní mór ceann amháin ar a laghad de na cáilíochtaí atá leagtha amach thuas a bheith ag baill den chreat.

Question No. 418 answered with Question No. 411.

School Transport

Questions (419)

Fiona O'Loughlin

Question:

419. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of school bus transport for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25252/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

School transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. During the 2015/16 school year in the region of 114,000 children, including some 10,000 children with special educational needs, were transported in approximately 4,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country, covering over 100 million kilometres annually.

Under the terms of my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for school transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest school as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language. The child referred to by the Deputy is eligible for school transport to the school in question. However, Bus Éireann has advised that payment details were not submitted until after the closing date and at this stage all tickets had been allocated and the service is now operating to capacity.

School Transport

Questions (420)

Fiona O'Loughlin

Question:

420. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of school bus transport for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25253/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

School transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.

During the 2015/16 school year in the region of 114,000 children, including some 10,000 children with special educational needs, were transported in approximately 4,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country, covering over 100 million kilometres annually.

Under the terms of my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for school transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest school as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.

Bus Éireann has advised that the child referred to by the Deputy is not eligible for school transport. Bus Eireann has also advised that the number of applicants for concessionary seats on the service was greater than the number of seats available and the child in question was not successful in obtaining a seat.

School Transport Data

Questions (421, 422)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

421. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of concessionary bus tickets available to students for each of the academic years 2014-2015, 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 as part of the primary school transport scheme, by county and by bus route, in tabular form; the number of applications received for such tickets with respect to each of these routes for each of these years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25301/16]

Pearse Doherty

Question:

422. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of concessionary bus tickets available to students for each of the academic years 2014-2015, 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 as part of the post-primary school transport scheme, by county and by bus route, in tabular form; the number of applications received for such tickets with respect to each of these routes for each of these years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25302/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 421 and 422 together.

The detailed information requested by the Deputy is not readily available and will involve a very significant amount of administrative time to compile.

In this regard I have requested Bus Éireann to liaise directly with the Deputy.

Special Educational Needs Staff

Questions (423)

Paul Murphy

Question:

423. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review the policy of not permitting special needs assistants, SNAs, who took redundancy prior to 1 May 2014 to be employed in full-time SNA positions, especially in view of the fact that the option of taking panel rights instead of a redundancy payment was available to these workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25329/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The supplementary assignment arrangements for Special Needs Assistants (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. As set out in the LRC proposals, the supplementary assignment arrangements for SNAs only apply to current SNAs who are notified that they are to be made redundant. Accordingly, 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.

Once an SNA with a minimum of one year's service (service in a substitute capacity i.e. covering for maternity leave, sick leave, career breaks, job-sharing etc. does not count) is notified by his/her employer that s/he is to be made redundant then s/he shall be deemed to be a member of a supplementary assignment panel for SNAs. The detailed supplementary assignment arrangements for SNAs for the 2016/2017 school year are set out in Departmental Circular 0035/2016 which issued on 20 May 2016 and which is available on the Department's website at the following address: http://www.education.ie/en/Circulars-and-Forms/Active-Circulars/cl0035_2016.pdf.

The operation of this panel is described and outlined in Circular 0035/2016 and it is designed to be as flexible as possible which enables all eligible SNAs, who have the requisite Panel Form 1 completed by their former employer, to apply for any SNA position that is advertised by a school or an ETB with no sectoral, diocesan or geographical limitations imposed. Every eligible SNA will remain on the panel for two years with a view to getting further employment. If they are not successful over that period of time in obtaining a further SNA position then they will be eligible for a redundancy payment. Furthermore, an SNA may opt out of this supplementary assignment panel at any point in time triggering the processing of his/her redundancy payment in line with the terms set out in the SNA redundancy scheme (DES Circular 58/06) or any revision of same that is applicable at that time.

It should be noted that this does not prevent any person, including SNAs who were employed prior to 1 May 2014 as referenced by the Deputy, from applying for SNA vacancies but employers are obliged to give precedence to applicants who are members of the SNA Supplementary Assignment Panel.

It is important to note that when an employer has a vacancy to fill, they must undertake the recruitment process in accordance with the provisions outlined in Circular 0035/2016. My Department has set up a dedicated e-mail address to deal 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:[e-mail].

School Funding

Questions (424)

David Cullinane

Question:

424. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is aware of the serious funding and resources shortfall at a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25332/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I am pleased to advise the Deputy that the school was granted funding under the Summer Works Scheme 2016/2017 earlier this year for works to its electrical installation. These works were completed during the summer.

The school in question has also made an application to my Department for significant capital funding for additional accommodation. I understand that this is a two teacher school and is expected to remain a two teacher school for the forseeable future.

The school's application must be considered in the context of the very significant challenge facing my Department in meeting demand for extra school places. All applications for capital funding must be considered in the context of the available funding which must, of necessity, be prioritised for this purpose and where an additional teacher is being appointed. I am aware that my Department has been in contact with the school in this regard.

Student Grant Scheme

Questions (425)

Ruth Coppinger

Question:

425. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Skills the annual cost of restoring grants for postgraduate education and paying the equivalent of the back to education allowance as maintenance to those eligible for it. [25365/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The Deputy will be aware of the difficult expenditure reduction measures taken in recent budgets as a consequence of the challenging economic circumstances. A decision in Budget 2012 removed maintenance payments for new students entering post graduate courses from the 2012/13 academic year onwards. However, eligible students can still qualify for limited fee support. If maintenance grants were reintroduced for post-graduate students along similar lines to under-graduate students, the estimated cost would be in the region of €50 million. This costing assumes that the number of post-graduate grant holders in receipt of SUSI grants would increase to the level prior to the removal of post-graduate maintenance grants in Budget 2012.

The Deputy will be aware that the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) is administered by the Department of Social Protection. Further enquiries in respect of the BTEA should be referred to the Department of Social Protection.

The Programme for a Partnership Government contains a commitment to "increase financial supports for post graduate students with a particular focus on those from low income households". All proposals made in relation to education expenditure, including changes to post graduate student grants, will be considered in the context of Budget 2017.

Third Level Fees

Questions (426)

Ruth Coppinger

Question:

426. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Skills the annual cost of abolishing undergraduate and postgraduate fees, bearing in mind the reduction in tax relief on tuition fees. [25366/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The costs associated with the abolition of fees would be dependent on varying factors associated with study type, i.e. full-time or part-time, undergraduate or post-graduate, varying fees associated with different course types and higher fees for international students.

The position is that the Exchequer meets the cost of tuition fees, through my Department's free fees schemes, in respect of full-time undergraduate students who meet the terms of the scheme, including those relating to nationality and residency. Some 130,000 students qualified for free fees in the 2014/15 academic year at a cost of over €263 million. Students who qualify for free fees must pay the student contribution directly to their higher education institution which will stand at €3,000 for the current academic year. Some 50% of of students who qualify for free fees have the student contribution paid on their behalf by the Exchequer under my Department's Student Grant Scheme at a cost of 196 million. The costs in relation to tax relief on fees is a matter for the Department of Finance.

Schools Building Projects

Questions (427, 428)

Imelda Munster

Question:

427. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the proposed upgrade to a school (details supplied), including any reviews or studies of suitable sites that may have been undertaken by his Department or received by his Department from Louth County Council. [25386/16]

Imelda Munster

Question:

428. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will confirm that the feasibility study undertaken by Louth County Council regarding a proposed site for a school (details supplied) has been received by his Department. [25387/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 427 and 428 together.

As the Deputy may be aware, the building project for the school in question is included in the 6 year programme that was announced last November and is listed to proceed to tender and construction in 2019/21.

Officials from my Department have been working closely with Louth County Council under the Memorandum of Understanding for the acquisition of school sites in order to identify and procure a suitable site for the school.

The Council has recently submitted a report on a number of potential site options and this is currently under consideration.

Home Tuition Scheme

Questions (429)

Fiona O'Loughlin

Question:

429. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review recent changes to the home tuition grant affecting children with autism spectrum disorder, ASD, between 2.5 and 3 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25388/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

My Department's Home Tuition Grant Scheme provides funding towards the provision of early educational intervention for children between 2.5 and 3 years of age with an ASD diagnosis. Children who receive tuition under the Department’s Home Tuition scheme typically receive this tuition in their home. The scheme also provides parents with an option to enter into a group arrangement with other parents of children for whom home tuition has been approved. Parents wishing to enter into such an arrangement must notify my Department in advance for approval and providers selected by these parents must comply with additional terms and conditions which reflect the general provision of the scheme and which apply equally to all such providers. These terms and conditions include the requirement that eligible children must be over the age of 3.

Notwithstanding this, my Department has facilitated the inclusion of individual children in such settings under the home tuition scheme where requested by parents and with the consent of the providers. The Department has continued to facilitate such requests this year.

There have been no changes to the scheme's eligibility criteria for children between 2.5 and 3 years of age. In addition, the formal terms and conditions which apply to both home based tuition and provision under grouped arrangements have not been changed.

Special Educational Needs

Questions (430)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

430. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Skills the correct procedure for parents who seek the support of a special needs assistant for their son or daughter in primary school. [25391/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The Special Needs Assistant (SNA) scheme is designed to provide recognised schools with additional adult support staff to cater for the care needs of pupils with disabilities in an educational context, where the nature of these care needs have been outlined in professional reports as being so significant that a pupil will require adult assistance in order to be able to attend school and to participate in education and also to minimise disruption to class or teaching time for the pupils concerned, or for their peers, and with a view to developing their independent living skills.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE), which is an independent statutory agency, is responsible, through its network of Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports, including SNA support. Responsibility for deciding on the quantum of educational supports and resources to be allocated to schools to support individual pupils rests with the NCSE.

The NCSE allocates SNA support to schools in accordance with the criteria set out in my Department's Circular 0030/2014, which is available on my Department's website at www.education.ie, in order that students who have care needs can access SNA support as and when it is needed. In making allocations to schools, the NCSE will take into account the assessed individual needs of all children with identified needs in the school. It should also be noted that SNA allocations are not made to individual children, but are made to schools to support the care needs of children with assessed special educational needs in the school.

The NCSE requests schools in Spring each year to submit applications for SNA support to the NCSE in respect of applications for such support for the coming school year. Having considered all of the applications received, the NCSE advises schools of their SNA allocation for the coming school year, taking into account the number of valid applications for SNA support and the assessed care needs of the children concerned.

Whereas the NCSE will continue to consider applications throughout the school year in cases where schools have enrolled new pupils with care needs, where new assessments have been forthcoming, or in cases of emergencies, the main allocation of SNA support is now made to schools on an annual allocation basis.

When making an application for SNA support, schools are asked to consider the importance of balancing the need of the child for necessary care support and the right of the child to acquire personal independence skills. A school's application for the services of an SNA must be based on a report from the professional who diagnosed the child's special care needs and evidence that describes the child's special care need, the reasons why the support of an SNA is necessary and the benefits that the child would gain from such care support in a school setting.

While a parent of a child with special educational needs should, in the first instance, contact the school to which the child is enrolled, to discuss the child's special educational needs and supports available, the local SENO is available to discuss any concerns that parents have about the present or future educational needs of their child. SENOs recognise that parents/guardians are the key stakeholders with regard to the child and are committed to forging good relationships with parents and parent groups.

All schools have the contact details of their local SENO. Contact details are also available on the NCSE website at www.ncse.ie.

The NCSE has a range of Information Booklets available on its website for parents of children with special educational needs, which are written for parents to answer key questions they may have about special education, both generally and as it relates to their child: http://ncse.ie/information-booklets-pamphlets-2.

School Transport

Questions (431)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

431. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is aware of the distress the nearest school rule is causing to families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25392/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

School transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.

During the 2015/16 school year in the region of 114,000 children, including some 10,000 children with special educational needs, were transported in approximately 4,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country, covering over a hundred million kilometres annually.

The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.

In general, children are eligible for school transport if they meet the distance criterion and are attending their nearest school.

While it is the prerogative of parents to send their children to the school of their choice, it makes sense that eligibility for school transport is to the nearest school or education centre.

The terms of the School Transport Schemes are applied equitably on a national basis and I am satisfied with the current criteria for determining eligibility.