Written Answers Nos. 44-52
44. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a new build for a school (details supplied); the reason construction has not yet commenced; when construction will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30030/16]
View answerThe major building project for the school to which the Deputy refers is at an advanced stage of architectural planning. An application for planning has been submitted and the Planning authority has requested additional information. The response to this request is being prepared and will be submitted shortly.
My Department is also currently finalising the site acquisition.
Upon receipt of the Planning Permission and completion of the site acquisition the Project will then progress to tender stage.
47. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the Droichead programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30048/16]
View answerTo allow the Teacher complete the Droichead process, school personnel will need to have attended and completed Professional Support Team (PST) training with the NIPT and have commenced the Droichead process in the school with the Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT).
The NQT may then complete the Droichead process if s/he has submitted the DR1 form to Limerick Education Centre and has a minimum of 60 days remaining on his or her teaching contract with the school after the form was submitted.
Alternatively, if the NQT is in a mainstream class setting s/he may submit the necessary forms to Limerick Education Centre and access probation via the inspectorate.
48. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is satisfied with current leave regulations that require teachers who take bereavement or sick leave days before or after the weekend to submit a certificate of leave for these weekend days although they are not scheduled to work on these days (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30056/16]
View answerFollowing a review of sick leave arrangements, a new Public Service wide sick leave scheme was introduced across the Public Service in 2014. The Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) (Amendment) Act 2013, provided the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform with the power to make regulations that set out the specific details of the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme. These regulations are contained in SI 124 of 2014.
Chapter 1 – Sick Leave Scheme, Employment Terms and Conditions for Registered Teachers in Recognised Primary and Post Primary Schools – Edition 1 issued by my Department sets out the detailed conditions for granting of sick leave, to Registered Teachers in Recognised Primary and Post Primary Schools and provides for the following:
- A maximum of 3 months (92 days) on full pay in a year;
- Followed by a maximum of 3 months (91 days) on half pay;
- Subject to a maximum of 6 months (183 days) paid sick leave in a rolling four year period.
A teacher who becomes incapacitated as a result of a critical illness or serious physical injury may be granted extended paid sick leave. Paragraph 1.2 of the Sick Leave Scheme states "A period of illness is defined as any period in which a teacher is medically unfit to carry out his/her full duties irrespective of whether the employing school is open for normal business or not". Where a primary teacher is absent on continuous sick leave of more than three consecutive school days, a medical certificate is required.
Circular Letter 0032/2007 sets out the provisions regarding brief absences for Teachers in Recognised Primary and Post Primary Schools. Special leave with pay is allowed to a teacher in the event of the bereavement of a family member which is defined as follows:
- Immediate family – spouse/partner, father, mother, step-father, step-mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, step-son and step-daughter - Five consecutive days including a weekend.
- Near relative – grandparent, uncle, aunt, niece, nephew, grandchild, first cousin – Maximum of three consecutive days including a weekend.
49. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the capitation grant for schools will be fully restored in line with the action plan for education 2016-2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30057/16]
View answerI do recognise the need to improve capitation funding for primary and post-primary schools having regard to the reductions that were necessary over recent years. Budget 2017 represents the start of a major programme of reinvestment in education, and the first phase of implementation of the Action Plan for Education, aimed at becoming the best education system in Europe within a decade.
The Action Plan outlines hundreds of actions to be implemented over the 3 year period 2016 to 2019. One of the actions as part of the plan is to strengthen the focus on reducing school costs for parents. The plan also integrates with the commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government to increase capitation funding and to set out capitation rates to schools on a rolling 3-year basis, allowing for forward planning by schools.
It was not possible to provide additional funding in Budget 2017 in relation to this element of the Action Plan due to the many competing demands for the available funding. However, this commitment remains a priority for me to address during the lifetime of the Action Plan.
I am determined to continue pressing the case for increased investment including grant funding in education.
52. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will intervene and allow for an appeal of school transport in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30061/16]
View answerSchool 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.
As the child in question is not attending his nearest post primary school he may only apply for transport on a concessionary basis subject to a number of terms and conditions that are detailed in the scheme.
Bus Éireann has advised that there are still seats available on a service to the school in question. In this regard the family should liaise with their local Bus Éireann office in Tralee at 066 7164750.
While it is the prerogative of parents to send their children to the school of their choice, eligibility for school transport at post primary level is to the nearest education centre/school.
