Written Answers Nos. 124-133
124. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which the school building programme at primary and second level in County Kildare continues to proceed as planned having particular regard to the urgent requirement of school places. [35491/16]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that it is my Department's intention to fully implement the 6 Year Capital Plan (2016-2021).
As the Deputy is aware, the 6 Year Capital Plan (2016-2021), announced last November, as part of the Government's €2.8 billion schools capital investment programme, details the major school building projects that are scheduled to proceed to tender/construction over the lifetime of the Plan. It is my Department's intention to progress these projects, including those listed for County Kildare, though the various stages of the architectural planning and construction process as outlined in the Plan.
The programme aims to prioritise new building projects and major extensions, including special schools, in areas where significant demographic need has been established. The Deputy will also be aware that the Capital Programme also progresses school projects that were announced under my Department's 5 Year Plan (2012-2016). In addition, the Capital Programme also provides for devolved funding for additional classrooms for schools, where an immediate enrolment need has been identified, such as the appointment of an additional teacher.
I set out for the Deputy's information details of the school projects in County Kildare that are listed on my Department's 6-Year school building programme.
6-Year Capital Programme 2016-2021
|
County |
Roll Number |
School Name & Address |
School Type |
|
Kildare |
16706G |
St Joseph’s BNS, Kilcock |
Primary |
|
Kildare |
18288B |
Scoil Mhichil Naofa, Athy |
Primary |
|
Kildare |
19796C |
St Patrick’s BNS, Clane |
Primary |
|
Kildare |
20428D |
Gaelscoil Mhic Aodha, Kildare Town |
Primary |
|
Kildare |
61702D |
St Paul’s Secondary School, Monasterevin |
Post-Primary |
|
Kildare |
15769C 16707I |
Scoil Eimhinn Naofa & St Peter’s NS, Monasterevin |
Primary |
|
Kildare |
17341U |
Maynooth BNS |
Primary |
|
Kildare |
17872F |
St Conleth’s/St Mary’s, Newbridge |
Primary |
|
Kildare |
17873H |
St Conleth’s Infant School, Newbridge |
Primary |
|
Kildare |
19277B |
St Anne’s Special School, Ballymany Cross, Curragh |
Special School |
|
Kildare |
76194S |
Naas Community College, Naas |
Post-Primary |
|
Kildare |
17254C |
St Corban’s NS, Naas |
Primary |
|
Kildare |
18988G |
St Raphael’s Special School, Celbridge |
Special School |
|
Kildare |
19455W |
St Mark’s Special School, Newbridge |
Special School |
|
Kildare |
20292E |
Maynooth ETNS |
Primary |
|
Kildare |
61690W |
Cross & Passion College, Kilcullen |
Post-Primary |
|
Kildare |
70650L |
Athy Community College |
Post-Primary |
|
Kildare |
70720G |
St Farnan’s Post Primary, Prosperous |
Post-Primary |
|
Kildare |
13902O |
Hewetson NS, Clane |
Primary |
|
Kildare |
61681V |
Patrician Post-Primary, Newbridge |
Post-Primary |
|
Kildare |
61730I |
St Mary’s Girls Post-Primary, Naas |
Post-Primary |
125. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which the use of precast building methods can be incorporated into the school building programme thereby facilitating rapid construction without reduction in specification including heat conservation capacity and life expectancy of the buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35492/16]
View answerPrecast concrete building methods are already being used on school building projects, primarily the Departments “RAPID” Design & Build programme, and have been for a number of years. A precast concrete structure offers programme advantages in that the structural frame is quickly erected following which the roof can be constructed and remaining trades can then proceed under cover, protected from weather. However, a precast concrete frame can be more expensive than the concrete blockwork construction traditionally used on school buildings.
Economies in using precast concrete can be achieved in building types where there is a lot of repetition of identical wall panels. This is not always possible with school buildings due to site constraints. Contractors tendering for school building projects may propose to use precast concrete in lieu of blockwork on a cost neutral basis. A precast concrete solution can only be shown to be economical when it is in competition with other structural solutions (e.g. loadbearing blockwork, structural steel frame, etc.).
The Department considers that the balance between precast concrete building methods and other alternative systems for building schools is reasonable at present and will continue to monitor the marketplace for any changes that might be required in order to maintain equilibrium between quick delivery and value for money.
127. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which his Department continues to examine the need for new building at a school (details supplied); when he expects an evaluation to be completed; the extent to which the project continues to be examined in the relevant section of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35494/16]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the school in question contacted my Department in March 2015 regarding its accommodation. My Department subsequently provided the school with an application form. To date, my Department has no record of receiving a completed application form. In that regard, a further communication issued to the school earlier this year. Any application received will be assessed in the context of current competing priorities and the need to prioritise available funding for essential classroom accommodation where additional teachers are being appointed.
128. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which favourable consideration and support will be given to the provision of extended facilities at a school (details supplied) which might double for indoor recreational purposes; the extent to which the project continues to be examined in the relevant section of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35495/16]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that my Department's priority is to ensure that each child will have access to a physical school place. In October 2015, my Department advised the school in question that its application for a PE hall could not be grant-aided due to the need to prioritise the limited funding available for essential classroom accommodation to meet demographic demand.
Given the need to meet demographic growth, the delivery of new schools, together with extension projects, to meet future demand will be the main focus of the Department's budget for the coming years. In this context, it is not possible to indicate at this point when a project for school referred to by the Deputy can be progressed.
129. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he has received submissions from the school authorities at a school (details supplied) requesting a top up of funding to complete the project; when he expects to be in a position to meet the request; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35496/16]
View answerThe school to which the Deputy refers was allocated funding under my Department's Additional Accommodation Scheme 2015 to provide 3 mainstream classrooms.
The school subsequently applied for additional funding for the project. My Department has been in communication with the school authority about this application to ascertain how and why the additional funding request arises.
My Department expects to be able to take a decision on the request shortly and this will issue directly to the school authority.
130. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which revised procedures in respect of detection and addressing the problem of school bullying continue to be examined with current effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35497/16]
View answerThe Action Plan on Bullying sets out my Department's approach to tackling bullying and promoting an anti-bullying culture in schools. It recommended actions that focus on support for schools, teacher training, research and awareness raising and aim to ensure that all forms of bullying are addressed. Implementation of the actions is ongoing and good progress has been made across all areas of the plan.
The Deputy will be aware that as part of the implementation of the Action Plan on Bullying, my Department published new anti-bullying procedures for all primary and post primary schools at the beginning of the 2013/14 school year.
The procedures are designed to give direction and guidance to school authorities and school personnel in preventing and tackling school-based bullying behaviour amongst its pupils. They include specific requirements in relation to the use of prevention and education strategies and the consistent investigation, follow up and recording of bullying behaviour.
The procedures for schools include important oversight arrangements that involve the school principal reporting regularly to the Board of Management and a requirement for the Board to undertake an annual review of the school's anti-bullying policy and its implementation. Confirmation that the annual review has been completed must be provided to the Parents' Association and published on the school website.
In addition, my Department's Inspectorate, as part of its inspection work, places a stronger focus on the actions schools take to create a positive school culture and to prevent and tackle bullying.
132. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress to date in regard to the provision of proposed two new schools (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35499/16]
View answerThe project to which the Deputy refers is currently out to tender. The closing date for the receipt of tenders is 12 December 2016.
133. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which it is expected to match the skill requirement of industry with the skills and qualifications of those exiting education in the current year based on previous years’ experience; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35500/16]
View answerMy Department has already developed and will continue to develop ambitious strategies and actions in the education and training sector to meet the existing and future skills requirements of industry as well as sustaining economic success and converting economic success into building strong communities.
I launched the first Action Plan for Education with the Taoiseach and Minister of State Halligan in September. The central vision contained in the Plan is to make the Irish Education and Training system the best in Europe over the next decade. The plan contains hundreds of actions to be implemented with particular focus on disadvantage, skills, and continuous improvement within the education system.
In addition, the new National Skills Strategy 2025 launched earlier this year by my Department aims to provide a framework for skills development that will help drive Ireland’s growth both economically and societally over the next decade. The Strategy underlines the importance of meeting the key skills needs of enterprise.
