Written Answers Nos. 156-75
156. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the situation whereby students whose parents work in Northern Ireland have been rejected for the Student Universal Support Ireland, SUSI, grant due to the fluctuations of the currency; the action he will take to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33679/16]
View answer157. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department will review a SUSI application in respect of a person (details supplied) who has been refused a grant on the basis of currency fluctuations as their parents work in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33680/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 156 and 157 together.
As part of a comprehensive customer service and communications strategy provided by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) to ensure that all necessary avenues are open to applicants to receive the information they need, a dedicated email and phone line service is provided by SUSI for Oireachtas members. This was established to meet an identified need for applicants who choose to engage the assistance of their public representatives in making enquiries about their grant applications.
This service complements the established channels provided by SUSI which include online application tracking, a dedicated website, a telephone helpdesk, email and social media, including Facebook and Twitter.
Enquiries may be emailed direct to SUSI at oireachtas@susi.ie. Staff in SUSI are responding to email queries within a matter of days.
If an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a student grant or that the rate of grant awarded is not the correct one, she/he may appeal, in the first instance, to SUSI.
Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down in writing by SUSI and remains of the view that the scheme has not been interpreted correctly in his/her case, an appeal form outlining the position may be submitted by the applicant to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board within the required timeframe.
158. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will grant an exemption to a school (details supplied) from circular 32/03; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33681/16]
View answerMy Department's policy in relation to pupils repeating the same grade in primary school is set out in Primary Circular 32/03.
In accordance with this circular, in exceptional cases a Principal teacher, following consultation with the learning support teacher/resource teacher and class teacher and parent(s) of the pupil may conclude that a pupil would benefit educationally by repeating a grade level. In such cases, the pupil may be allowed to repeat the year provided there is an educational basis for it, and there is a clear programme for the pupil to follow.
However, the circular provides that pupils who have completed sixth class must not transfer to another primary school to repeat sixth class and that in the event that a school were to enrol pupils from another school to repeat sixth class the pupils shall not be included as eligible pupils for the purposes of determining staffing and other resources granted the school.
The Primary School curriculum is designed as an eight year course, including a two year infant cycle followed by six years in standards from first to sixth, with children progressing to the next grade at the end of each school year. The curriculum is flexible and child-centred, and can be adapted to meet children's needs. Additional supports by way of learning support and resource teaching is also available to enable pupils to make progress in keeping with their needs and abilities and to move consecutively through the different class levels in the school in keeping with their peers. I have no plans to amend the provisions of or grant exemptions from the requirements of the circular in question.
159. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department has ever conducted an assessment of the demand for an additional second level school in Kildare South; if his Department has consulted with local parents on this issue, particularly in relation to the demand for a multidenominational second level school for the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33682/16]
View answerMy Department uses a Geographical Information System (GIS) to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise. The GIS uses data from the Central Statistics Office, Ordnance Survey Ireland, the Department of Social Protection and my Department's own databases. With this information, my Department carries out nationwide demographic analyses at primary and post-primary level to determine where additional school accommodation is needed.
The most recent demographic analyses showed that, while the school planning areas in South Kildare are experiencing some demographic growth, the level of growth and the rate of year-on-year increase is not to such an extent that would currently warrant the provision of additional new schools at this point. With the addition of both planned and recently-delivered infrastructural provision in areas in South Kildare, the existing schools should between them be able to cater for the overall level of demographic demand for post-primary school places. The areas are continuing to be kept under review by my Department to take account of updated child benefit and enrolment data and the impact of capacity increases in these and adjoining areas.
The patronage assessment process to determine who will operate a new school is a separate process. This process is run after it has been decided that a new school is required. It is open to all patrons and prospective patrons to apply for patronage of a new school under this process. Parental preferences, together with an analysis of the extent of existing diversity in an area, are central to this process and prospective patrons are required to provide evidence of demand for their particular school model.
160. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department has considered proposals from an organisation (details supplied) in respect of employment standards for bricklayers working and seeking work on school building sites; if his Department will implement any of the proposals; his views on reports that a number of workers were locked out of a school building project in Dublin due to their refusal to sign for unemployment benefits while working; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33683/16]
View answerMy Department is not aware of the proposals to which the Deputy refers nor is it the competent authority in this matter. Employment law is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and any proposals in relation to new sectoral standards, the application of which would not be limited to school building projects, are appropriate to her Department in the first instance.
As the Deputy is aware any associated social welfare issues are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Social Protection, while tax issues are a matter for the Revenue Commissioners. Enforcement and prosecution for non-compliance with employment law falls under the remit of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).
If the Deputy is aware of any breaches of social welfare rules and regulations on a school building site, she should report these to the Department of Social Protection as the competent authority in this particular aspect of the matter.
161. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the State funding that may be available to an Irish student undertaking clinical work placement as part of their studies, either here or abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33684/16]
View answerThe main support available to students is the statutory based Student Grants Scheme.
A student who is attending an undergraduate course in another EU Member State can apply for a maintenance grant in respect of an approved course which is being pursued in an approved institution.
Article 15 of the Student Grant Scheme 2016 states that where a student is required as part of an approved undergraduate or postgraduate course to attend a higher education institution outside the State for a period of up to one year, a maintenance grant may continue to be paid where the period abroad does not extend the normal duration of the approved course. Furthermore, a maintenance grant may continue to be paid, where a student is required to participate in an off-campus placement as a compulsory part of his/her course, as long as the off-campus placement does not extend the normal duration of the course.
162. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills his proposals for a school building which is to close (details supplied); the timeframe for when his proposals are likely to be executed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33685/16]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, my Department has acquired the school campus to which he refers and it is intended to use it for school purposes. There are several school needs arising in the area and the acquisition of this site will assist in addressing those needs. Officials from my Department are consulting with the patrons of those schools prior to proposals being executed.
163. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to increase the number of autism spectrum disorder, ASD, units in primary schools in south County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33691/16]
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 are unable to learn effectively in a mainstream class for most or all of the school day even with appropriate supports, they may be enrolled in special classes or special schools where more intensive and supportive interventions are provided.
Special classes for children with ASD within mainstream primary schools have a lower pupil–teacher ratio of 6:1 and also have Special Needs Assistant support normally amounting to 2 Ss for a class of 6 students.
The NCSE, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), in consultation with the relevant education partners, is responsible for the establishment of special classes in various geographical areas as required. The NCSE continually engage with schools in opening special classes where there is an identified need for special class provision.
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 762 are for children with Autism.
The NCSE recently published a list of special classes for the 2016/17 school year. In total there are 1,153 special classes available, 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 current 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.
With regard to County Kildare, there are 4 special schools and 66 special classes attached to mainstream schools for the 2016/17 school year (up from 64 in 15/16). 59 classes are for students with ASD, including 6 early intervention classes, 41 primary ASD classes and 12 ASD classes. In addition there are 1 mild General Learning Disability (GLD), 4 moderate GLD classes and 2 severe/profound GLD classes in County Kildare.
Details of all special classes for children with special educational needs, are available on www.ncse.ie in county order, and with new classes identified.
164. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application for Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools, DEIS, status for a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33693/16]
View answerA process to review DEIS, which began last year, is nearing completion and I have already announced my intention to publish a new Plan for Educational Inclusion before the end of this year.
As the Deputy may be aware, no new school has been included in DEIS since 2009. A new assessment framework is currently being developed using centrally held CSO and DES data for the identification of new schools for inclusion. The number of schools to be included in the programme will be determined by this proposed new identification process, which will assess all schools in the country, including the school to which the Deputy refers and other schools not currently participating in DEIS. It will not be necessary for schools to make an application.
Among the measures to be included in the plan are a series of pilot schemes aimed at introducing measures which have been shown to work well in improving results for disadvantaged children and students. The plan is expected to include targeted measures in the area of:
- School leadership
- School networks and clusters
- Teaching methodologies
- Integration of schools and other State supports within communities
- Greater use of Home School Community Liaison services
Implementation of actions arising from the Plan for Educational Inclusion will begin in the 2017/18 school year, and will be a continuing theme in our wider Annual Action Plan for Education.
Further details on the Review process can be found at: http://www.education.ie/en/Schools-Colleges/Services/DEIS-Delivering-Equality-of-Opportunity-in-Schools-/.
165. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he or his Department assessed the need for a secondary school in the Citywest area of Dublin 24; if he has taken into account that there are four primary schools in the area and no secondary school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33703/16]
View answerIn identifying the requirement for additional school places in a school planning area, 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 Department's own databases. With this information, my Department carries out nationwide demographic analyses to determine where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and at post-primary level.
For school planning purposes, Citywest falls within the Tallaght school planning area. A new 1,000 pupil post-primary school in the Kingswood area of Tallaght opened in September 2016 to serve the needs of the students in the school planning area, which includes the Citywest area.
In addition, among the 13 new schools (4 primary and 9 post-primary) announced to open in 2017 and 2018 to cater for increased demographic needs is a new post-primary school which will open in 2018 in the Firhouse/Oldbawn school planning area, which is adjacent to the Tallaght area. When fully developed, this school will provide 1,000 pupil places.
As with the other school planning areas nationwide, the demographic data for the Tallaght area is being kept under review by my Department to take account of updated enrolment data and capacity increases in this and adjoining school planning areas.
166. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there will be a minor works grant scheme in 2017 for primary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33786/16]
View answerThe normal practice is for the Minor Works Grant to be announced late in the year if funding permits. The issue of the Minor Works Grant 2016/2017 will be considered in the context of my Department's overall capital position later this year.
167. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to make financial provision for a school (details supplied) in respect of the proposed extension with particular reference to the demographics of the area and requirements of the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33850/16]
View answerThe school referred to by the Deputy was approved 1 mainstream classroom, WC for assisted users and 3 SET rooms under my Department’s Additional Accommodation Scheme in February 2015.
The school subsequently submitted an application for extra funding to provide additional accommodation over and above what was approved (principal’s office, library, replacement of floor covering and mechanical & electrical works in existing school building).
The school authority has since advised my Department that the scope of works would be scaled back to the original approval and my Department is satisfied that the level of grant aid provided is sufficient to cover the cost of these works.
168. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position in relation to the building of a school (details supplied); when construction is likely to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33865/16]
View answerThe building project for the school to which the Deputy refers is at an advanced stage of architectural planning, Stage 2b – Detailed Design, which includes the applications for Planning Permission, Fire Cert and Disability Access Cert and the preparation of tender documents. All statutory approvals have been obtained.
In September 2016, the Design Team was requested to review the impact of the recently introduced changes to the Public Works Contracts (PWC) and to revert to my Department with an assessment of what, if any, additional works are required to bring the tender documents into line with those changes.
Once the Stage 2b (Detailed Design) submission is received and reviewed by my Department and subject to no further issues arising my officials will revert to the school with regard to the further progression of the project at that time.
This project was included in the 6 Year Programme announced on 17th November 2015 to progress to tender and construction.
169. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the progress of the consultative review of the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010; if he will make available the text of the first draft of that review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33282/16]
View answerIn late 2015, my Department agreed to begin a process of review of the current Dog Breeding Establishment Guidelines, undertaken by an expert Working Group. The Working Group is representative of my Department, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Department of Agriculture Northern Ireland, the Local Authority Veterinary Services (LAVS), the ISPCA and the DSPCA. All of these bodies have a formal regulatory role and the requisite expertise in this area. Meetings to review the Guidelines commenced last January.
The Working Group concerned has produced a first draft revision of the guidelines. The Canine Breeders of Ireland and the Hunt Association of Ireland have been consulted as part of the review process. The draft revision is currently under consideration in my Department and I expect that the matter will be submitted for my consideration shortly so that the revised guidelines may be published.
As the deliberative process is currently under way, it would be inappropriate of me to release this draft document at this time.
170. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the cost to the Exchequer of first-time buyers' grants in each of the years since 1990. [33468/16]
View answerThe New House Grant Scheme, which was administered by my Department, was terminated on 14 November 2002. The Scheme provided for a grant of €3,810 to be paid to first time buyers, where a contract to purchase or to build a house was entered into on or before 14 November 2002 and where an application had been received in my Department on or before 4 December 2002. Exchequer funding paid under this scheme to first time buyers since 1990 is set out in the following table.
|
Year |
Amount |
|
1990 |
€11,894,924 |
|
1991 |
€12,600,900 |
|
1992 |
€12,303,781 |
|
1993 |
€15,155,098 |
|
1994 |
€29,321,529 |
|
1995 |
€38,252,597 |
|
1996 |
€40,602,116 |
|
1997 |
€39,340,252 |
|
1998 |
€39,348,886 |
|
1999 |
€34,731,107 |
|
2000 |
€38,079,911 |
|
2001 |
€38,750,078 |
|
2002 |
€39,272,494 |
|
2003 |
€43,817,918 |
|
2004 |
€17,703,976 |
|
2005 |
€346,690 |
|
2006 |
€80,004 |
|
2007 |
€11,430 |
|
2008 |
€22,858 |
|
2009 |
€3,810 |
|
2010 |
€0 |
|
2011 |
€30,475 |
|
2012 |
€11,428 |
|
2013 |
€129,516 |
|
2014 |
€50,000 |
|
2015 |
€0 |
|
2016 |
€0 |
171. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government when the new guidelines for the erection of wind turbines will be published. [33638/16]
View answer173. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his views on the erection of industrial size wind turbines that exceed 150 m in height; and the minimum distance such structures should be erected in proximity to homes. [33714/16]
View answer174. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his views on the contention that a minimum set-back distance of 500 m for industrial size wind turbines from habited homes is wholly inadequate considering issues associated with noise pollution and light flick emanating from such massive structures. [33715/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 171, 173 and 174 together.
In December 2013, my Department published proposed “draft” revisions to the noise, setback distance and shadow flicker aspects of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines. These draft revisions proposed:
- the setting of a more stringent day- and night-time noise limit of 40 decibels for future wind energy developments,
- a mandatory minimum setback distance of 500 metres between a wind turbine and the nearest dwelling for amenity considerations, and
- the complete elimination of shadow flicker between wind turbines and neighbouring dwellings.
A public consultation process was also initiated on these proposed draft revisions to the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines, which ran until 21 February 2014. My Department received submissions from 7,500 organisations and members of the public during this public consultation process.
As outlined in the Programme for a Partnership Government, the Government is committed to finalising the revisions to the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines within the first six months of coming into office. The revisions to the Guidelines will be informed by the public consultation process and by best international practice. My Department is continuing to advance work on the Guidelines, in conjunction with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, in order to bring the matter to a conclusion as early as possible.
The revisions to the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines, when finalised, will be issued under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. Planning authorities, and, where applicable, An Bord Pleanála are required to have regard to such guidelines, issued under Section 28, in the performance of their functions under the Planning Acts.
172. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his views on criticism that persistent challenges to local government decisions and ruling against industrial wind farms in the form of ministerial directions is eroding the role of local authorities as the planning authority and undermining the democratic principles and mandate of county councillors; his further views on whether it is time that a specific definition is given to the term "cognisant" in this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33711/16]
View answerThere is a statutory duty on planning authorities to reflect Government policy in their policy making and decision making functions under planning legislation.
In relation to wind energy, the Planning Guidelines issued under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act (as amended) are clearly aimed at ensuring that planning authorities maximise the contribution that wind energy can make in meeting overall binding EU commitments in relation to renewable energy generation.
Where local authorities fail to adopt policies that reflect the overall national policy position or breach statutory requirements, the Oireachtas has provided the Minister with powers to direct a planning authority to amend a statutory development plan under procedures set out in Section 31 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). Section 31 is essentially a safeguarding mechanism that follows on from statutory consultation by planning authorities with the Minister in drawing up or amending their statutory development or local plans.
It must also be noted that Ministerial directions have issued in relation to a broad range of planning issues, including excessive or inappropriate land use zoning objectives and failure to take account of flood risk assessment in preparing development plans and local area plans.
With regard to directions that have issued in relation to wind energy policy content of development plans, such directions have been focused on ensuring broad alignment between settled Government policy and local development plans and where, without such directions, there would be marked inconsistencies between local authorities as regards the treatment of this specific form of development, which would also be unacceptable in relation to other categories of development.
Mindful of the considerable focus on planning policy aspects of wind energy developments in relation to location, set-back, height and related aspects that underscore much of the development plan debates that have taken place across the country, my Department is continuing to advance work on a focused review of the statutory guidelines on wind energy development, in conjunction with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment and in line with the relevant commitments under the Programme for a Partnership Government.
When finalised, the updated Guidelines will be issued under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. I expect that, taking on board the extensive debate and analysis undertaken, planning authorities and, where applicable An Bord Pleanála, will utilise such updated Guidelines in the performance of their functions under the Planning Acts. I will continue to keep under review the translation of Government policy by planning authorities to local planning policies and use the powers available to me in line with the legislation passed by the Oireachtas.
Questions Nos. 173 and 174 answered with Question No. 171.
175. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if national lottery funding is available at present through his Department to support the work of community groups; if so, if there are specific programmes eligible for grant assistance; the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33271/16]
View answerResponsibility for the allocation of National Lottery funding to Departmental expenditure programmes, generally, is a matter for the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The surplus generated by the National Lottery for good causes is transferred annually to the Exchequer and is applied to part-fund the Exchequer allocations to a specified range of expenditure subheads across a number of Departments, including my Department.
The amount transferred to the Exchequer from the National Lottery surplus, together with details of the total Exchequer allocations to the relevant Lottery supported subheads, is published each year by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in Appendix 1 of the Revised Estimates Volume for Public Services (REV).
The relevant programmes part-funded by National Lottery funding in my Department are:
- A.4 - Voluntary and Co-Operative Housing
- A.7 - Private Housing Grants
- E.3 - Supports for Community and Voluntary Sector
- E.4 - Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme
Details of the allocations part funded by the National Lottery in respect of 2009-2015 are published on my Department’s website at the following link: http://www.housing.gov.ie/corporate/finance/national-lottery-funding/national-lottery-funding.
