Written Answers Nos. 87-101
87. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for the delay in the commencement of a school building project (details supplied); when work will begin; the timeframe for completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36606/16]
View answerMy Department has already resolved a number of complex issues in progressing this project to date. The current position is that we are actively engaged with Meath County Council with a view to resolving outstanding issues that need to be considered in advance of lodging a planning application. We hope to lodge this application at the earliest possible opportunity once these outstanding issues are resolved.
88. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a matter (details supplied) with regard to the Teaching Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36620/16]
View answerUnder the Teaching Council Acts 2001-2015 the Teaching Council is, since 2006, the statutory regulator and standards body for the teaching profession in this state.
The Teaching Council is the designated authority in this State for considering applications for registration from teachers who qualified in other States.
I note that the person who is the subject of the Deputy's question appears to have conditions attached to her registration as a post primary teacher but holds a contract of indefinite duration in a primary school.
Therefore the teacher should continue to liaise directly with the Teaching Council in order to resolve the matters in relation to registration.
89. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to publish draft regulations to accompany the proposed Education Schools Admissions Bill 2016 prior to the Bill going to Committee Stage; the date on which he proposes to publish same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36627/16]
View answerThe Education (Admission to Schools) Bill was published on 6th July 2016 and passed second stage last week.
The Education (Admission to Schools) Bill 2016 is a priority listing on the current legislative programme. The Programme for Government targets enactment of the Bill before September 2017.
Publication of the Bill reflects the commitment in the Programme for Government to publish new School Admissions legislation taking account of current draft proposals and addressing issues including publication of school enrolment policies, an end to waiting lists, introduction of annual enrolment structures, and transparency and fairness in admissions for pupils and their parents.
The Bill provides an over-arching framework to ensure that how schools decide on who is enrolled and who is refused a place in schools is more structured, fair and transparent. The following is an outline of some of its key provisions:
- The Bill will oblige all schools to admit pupils where there are available places. It is important to note that 80% of schools are not oversubscribed.
- The Bill provides for schools to explicitly state in the school's admission policy that it will not discriminate against an applicant for admission on the grounds of disability, special educational needs, sexual orientation, family status, membership of the traveller community, race, civil status, gender or religion while including provision for single sex schools and denominational schools to reflect, in their admission policy, the exemptions applicable to such schools under equality legislation.
- The Bill includes a specific requirement that school enrolment policies must include details of the school's arrangements for any students who do not wish to attend religious instruction.
- The Bill contains a provision prohibiting the charging of fees or seeking payment or contributions for an application for admission to a school or for the enrolment or continued enrolment of a student in a school.
- The Bill also provides for the Child and Family Agency (Tusla) to designate a school for a child with no school place and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) to designate a school for a child who has no school place for reasons related to the child’s special educational needs
The Bill clarifies the power of the Minister to make regulations and sets out clearly matters relating to enrolment that regulations may address.
A draft set of regulations were published with the General Scheme of the Bill in September 2013 and these regulations will be updated and published in draft form for further consultation with the relevant education stakeholders following enactment of the Bill.
90. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will assist with a matter in respect of a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36628/16]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that my Department's National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) provides educational psychology service to all primary and post primary schools through an assigned NEPS psychologist and in some cases through the Scheme for Commissioning Psychological Assessments (SCPA), full details of which are on the Department's website. Under this scheme schools can have an assessment carried out by a member of the panel of private psychologists approved by NEPS, and NEPS will pay the psychologist the fees for this assessment directly.
In common with many other psychological services and best international practice, NEPS has adopted a consultative model of service. The focus is on empowering teachers to intervene effectively with pupils whose needs range from mild to severe and transient to enduring. Psychologists use a problem solving and solution oriented consultative approach to maximize positive outcomes for these pupils. NEPS encourages schools to use a continuum based assessment and intervention process whereby each school takes responsibility for initial assessment, educational planning and remedial intervention for pupils with learning, emotional or behavioural difficulties. Teachers may consult their NEPS psychologist should they need to at this stage in the process. Only in the event of a failure to make reasonable progress, in spite of the school's best efforts in consultation with NEPS, will the psychologist become involved with an individual child for intensive intervention or assessment.
This system allows psychologists to give early attention to urgent cases and also to help many more children indirectly than could be seen individually. It also ensures that children are not referred unnecessarily for psychological intervention.
I would advise that if there are children in the school for whom there are particular concerns the Principal should raise these concerns with the assigned NEPS Psychologist with a view to determining what course of action is appropriate to alleviate these concerns
As the Deputy may be aware, a review of the DEIS Programme which commenced last year is currently nearing completion and a new Action Plan for Educational Inclusion will be published before the end of this year. The Review process includes the development of a new identification framework to assess the level of educational disadvantage in schools. This new framework will assess all schools in the country, including the school to which the Deputy refers in his question, and it will not be necessary for school to make an application for assessment. Pending the completion of the Review, it is not my intention to make any changes to the current programme, including the inclusion of additional schools.
In relation to the new SEN model I might explain that the NCSE identified that the current model for allocating resource teachers to schools is potentially inequitable, because access to the range of professional assessments required for the diagnosis of low incident disabilities is not always readily available to those who cannot afford to access them privately. The NCSE has also advised that the current model can lead to unnecessary labelling of children from a young age.The NCSE has proposed a new resource teaching allocation model which will, when introduced, remove the formal requirement for diagnostic assessment to access additional support and which will provide resources to schools based on school profiles.
A pilot of this new model was conducted in 47 primary and post primary schools over the course of the 2015/16 school year. A review of this pilot has been completed and a report of the review is currently being finalised. It is understood that the review will indicate that the new model has been positively received by schools and parents.
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 schools 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.
As part the recent Budget announcements, it was therefore announced that following development and piloting over the past number of years, a new model for the allocation of teaching resources for children with special educational needs will be implemented from September 2017.
An additional €18 million will be provided in 2017 to provide for around 900 resource teacher posts.
Further details regarding implementation of the new model will be announced in the coming months.
91. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of vacancies on boards or agencies within his Department's remit that currently exist; the number that have been filled since 8 May 2016; the number of these that were filled through the Public Appointments Service; the timeline for filling remaining vacancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36645/16]
View answer106. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of vacancies on State boards in his Department; the number filled since he took office; the number filled through the Public Appointments Service; the timelines to fill vacancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36836/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 91 and 106 together.
Since my appointment as Minister, forty two appointments have been made to State Boards of Bodies under the aegis of my Department.
The information requested by the Deputy concerning the number of vacancies as well as the dates the vacancies arose in the State Agencies under the remit of my Department is provided in the attached table, which is publicly available on the Department's website.
The Deputy should note that individuals may be nominated for appointment by various organisations arising from the terms in the relevant Statutes of the Body concerned and accordingly board appointments while made by me are not in all cases made at my discretion.
In line with guidelines for appointments to State Boards the process for the filling of vacancies on State Boards under the aegis of the Department is now typically managed by the Public Appointments Services (PAS), whereby applicants are made through the dedicated website www.Stateboards.ie. An assessment process is undertaken by PAS leading to the creation of a list of candidates suitable for appointments to Boards.
For the Deputy's information, comphrehensive information in relation to the composition of State boards of non-commercial bodies under the aegis of my Department is available on my Department's website at http://www.education.ie/en/The-Department/Agencies/. This information is updated as appointments are made.
|
Body |
Name (Identify Chair) |
Date Appointed |
Date of Reappointment |
Date Appointment Ceases |
Position Type |
Basis of appointment (e.g. Pas Process, Ex-Officio, Employee Representative) |
|
An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG) |
Aodh Mac Craith |
14/09/2016 |
31/12/2018 |
Ordinary Member |
Údarás na Gaeltachta |
|
|
An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG) |
Cathnia Ó Muircheartaigh |
25/06/2015 |
31/12/2018 |
Ordinary Member |
Gaelscoileanna Teoranta |
|
|
An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG) |
Daríona Nic Con Iomaire |
25/06/2015 |
31/12/2018 |
Ordinary Member |
Údarás na Gaeltachta |
|
|
An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG) |
Deirbhile Nic Craith |
25/06/2015 |
31/12/2018 |
Ordinary Member |
Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) |
|
|
An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG) |
Dónal Ó hAiniféin |
25/06/2015 |
31/12/2018 |
Chairperson |
PAS Process |
|
|
An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG) |
Elaine Ní Neachtain |
25/06/2015 |
31/12/2018 |
Ordinary Member |
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) |
|
|
An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG) |
Marina Ní Threasaigh |
25/06/2015 |
31/12/2018 |
Ordinary Member |
Inspectorate |
|
|
An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG) |
Robbie Cronin |
17/11/2010 |
25/06/2015 |
31/12/2018 |
Ordinary Member |
Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland (ASTI) |
|
An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG) |
Séamus Ó Fearraigh |
25/06/2015 |
31/12/2018 |
Ordinary Member |
Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI) |
|
|
An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG) |
Sean Mac Nia |
25/06/2015 |
31/12/2018 |
Ordinary Member |
The Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) |
|
|
An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG) |
Sinéad Nic Giolla Cionnaigh |
25/06/2015 |
31/12/2018 |
Ordinary Member |
Foras Na Gaeilge |
|
|
An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG) |
Yvonne Ní Mhurchú |
25/06/2015 |
31/12/2018 |
Ordinary Member |
Gaelscoileanna Teoranta |
|
|
An tSeirbhís Oideachais Leanúnaigh agus Scileanna (SOLAS) |
Bernadette Brady |
26/10/2013 |
26/10/2018 |
Ordinary Member |
PAS Process |
|
|
An tSeirbhís Oideachais Leanúnaigh agus Scileanna (SOLAS) |
Cathriona Hallahan |
26/10/2013 |
25/10/2018 |
Ordinary Member |
PAS Process |
|
|
An tSeirbhís Oideachais Leanúnaigh agus Scileanna (SOLAS) |
Cecilia Munro |
26/10/2013 |
25/10/2017 |
Ordinary Member |
PAS Process |
|
|
An tSeirbhís Oideachais Leanúnaigh agus Scileanna (SOLAS) |
Vacant |
25/10/2016 |
Ordinary Member |
PAS Process |
||
|
An tSeirbhís Oideachais Leanúnaigh agus Scileanna (SOLAS) |
David Barrett |
26/10/2013 |
26/10/2018 |
Ordinary Member |
PAS Process |
|
|
An tSeirbhís Oideachais Leanúnaigh agus Scileanna (SOLAS) |
Vacant |
25/10/2016 |
Ordinary Member |
PAS Process |
||
|
An tSeirbhís Oideachais Leanúnaigh agus Scileanna (SOLAS) |
Vacant |
25/10/2016 |
Ordinary Member |
PAS Process |
||
|
An tSeirbhís Oideachais Leanúnaigh agus Scileanna (SOLAS) |
Pat Delaney |
26/10/2013 |
26/10/2018 |
Chairperson |
Appointed by Minister for Education and Skills following consultation with the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and the Minister for Social Protection |
|
|
An tSeirbhís Oideachais Leanúnaigh agus Scileanna (SOLAS) |
Patricia Carey |
26/10/2013 |
25/10/2017 |
Ordinary Member |
PAS Process |
|
|
An tSeirbhís Oideachais Leanúnaigh agus Scileanna (SOLAS) |
Paul O'Sullivan |
26/10/2013 |
25/10/2017 |
Ordinary Member |
Nominee of the Minister for Social Protection |
|
|
An tSeirbhís Oideachais Leanúnaigh agus Scileanna (SOLAS) |
Paul O'Toole |
09/10/2013 |
25/10/2018 |
Ex-officio, CEO |
Appointed by Minister for Education and Skills following consultation with the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and the Minister for Social Protection |
|
|
An tSeirbhís Oideachais Leanúnaigh agus Scileanna (SOLAS) |
Seán Burke |
26/10/2013 |
25/10/2017 |
Ordinary Member |
PAS Process |
|
|
An tSeirbhís Oideachais Leanúnaigh agus Scileanna (SOLAS) |
William Egenton |
26/10/2013 |
25/10/2018 |
Ordinary Member |
Nominee of the Minister for Social Protection |
|
|
Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse (CICA) |
Anne Mc Loughlin |
23/01/2002 |
When Commission is dissolved by the Minister |
Ordinary member |
Ministerial Appointment |
|
|
Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse (CICA) |
Fred Lowe |
23/05/2000 |
When Commission is dissolved by the Minister |
Ordinary member |
Ministerial Appointment |
|
|
Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse (CICA) |
Marion Shanley |
21/07/2004 |
When Commission is dissolved by the Minister |
Ordinary member |
Ministerial Appointment |
|
|
Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse (CICA) |
Mary Fennessy |
19/04/2002 |
When Commission is dissolved by the Minister |
Ordinary member |
Ministerial Appointment |
|
|
Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse (CICA) |
Sean Ryan (Judge) |
26/09/2003 |
When Commission is dissolved by the Minister |
Ordinary member |
Ministerial Appointment |
|
|
Educational Research Centre (ERC) |
Denise Burns, Dr |
13/07/2016 |
12/07/2021 |
Deputy Chair |
PAS Process |
|
|
Educational Research Centre (ERC) |
Edward Murtagh |
13/07/2016 |
12/07/2021 |
Ordinary Member |
PAS Process |
|
|
Educational Research Centre (ERC) |
Jude Cosgrove, Dr |
13/07/2016 |
12/07/2021 |
Ordinary Member |
PAS Process |
|
|
Educational Research Centre (ERC) |
Michael Martin, Professor |
13/07/2016 |
12/07/2021 |
Ordinary Member |
PAS Process |
|
|
Educational Research Centre (ERC) |
Pauric Travers, Dr |
13/07/2016 |
12/07/2021 |
Chair |
PAS Process |
|
|
Grangegorman Development Agency |
Berna Grist (Dr.) |
11/09/2015 |
08/09/2018 |
Ordinary member |
PAS Process |
|
|
Grangegorman Development Agency |
Damien Kilgannon |
15/01/2013 |
11/09/2015 |
08/09/2018 |
Ordinary member |
PAS Process |
|
Grangegorman Development Agency |
Deirdre Prince |
15/01/2013 |
11/09/2015 |
08/09/2018 |
Ordinary member |
Appointed by Minister for Education and Skills |
|
Grangegorman Development Agency |
Denise Dunphy |
11/09/2015 |
08/09/2018 |
Ordinary member |
Appointed by the Minister for Education and Skills on the Nomination by President, Dublin Institute of Technology |
|
|
Grangegorman Development Agency |
Elva Duffy |
15/01/2013 |
11/09/2015 |
08/09/2018 |
Ordinary member |
Appointed by Minister for Education and Skills |
|
Grangegorman Development Agency |
Gerry O'Neill |
11/09/2015 |
08/09/2018 |
Ordinary member |
Appointed by the Minister for Education and Skills on the Nomination by Minister for Health |
|
|
Grangegorman Development Agency |
James Owen Lewis (Prof.) |
11/09/2015 |
08/09/2018 |
Ordinary member |
PAS Process |
|
|
Grangegorman Development Agency |
Janice Boylan (Cllr) |
16/09/2014 |
11/09/2015 |
08/09/2018 |
Ordinary member |
Appointed by the Minister for Education and Skills on the Nomination by Dublin City Council |
|
Grangegorman Development Agency |
Jim Curran |
15/01/2013 |
11/09/2015 |
08/09/2018 |
Ordinary member |
Appointed by the Minister for Education and Skills on the Nomination by Minister for Health |
|
Grangegorman Development Agency |
John O'Hara |
11/09/2015 |
08/09/2018 |
Ordinary member |
Appointed by the Minister for Education and Skills on the Nomination by Dublin City Council |
|
|
Grangegorman Development Agency |
Ger Casey CEO |
13/07/2016 |
08/09/2018 |
Ordinary member |
Appointed by the Minister for Education and Skills on the Nomination by Dublin City Council. |
|
|
Grangegorman Development Agency |
Noel O'Connor (Dr) |
15/01/2013 |
11/09/2015 |
08/09/2018 |
Ordinary member |
Appointed by the Minister for Education and Skills on the Nomination by President, Dublin Institute of Technology |
|
Grangegorman Development Agency |
Oliver Cussen |
11/09/2015 |
08/09/2018 |
Chairperson |
PAS Process |
|
|
Grangegorman Development Agency |
Penelope Kenny |
11/09/2015 |
08/09/2018 |
Ordinary member |
PAS Process |
|
|
Grangegorman Development Agency |
Alec Darragh |
02/11/2015 |
08/09/2018 |
Ordinary member |
Resident of Grangegorman Neighbourhood |
|
|
Higher Education Authority (HEA) |
Annie Hoey |
01/07/2016 |
30/06/2017 |
Ordinary Member |
President of USI appointed by Government on recommendation of Minister. |
|
|
Higher Education Authority (HEA) |
Bahram Bekhradnia |
06/03/2012 |
31/01/2017 |
Ordinary Member |
Appointed by Government on recommendation of Minister |
|
|
Higher Education Authority (HEA) |
Brian Thornes (Dr) |
06/03/2012 |
31/01/2017 |
Ordinary Member |
Appointed by Government on recommendation of Minister |
|
|
Higher Education Authority (HEA) |
Darina Kneafsey |
27/07/2016 |
26/07/2021 |
Ordinary Member |
Appointed by Government on recommendation of Minister. PAS process. |
|
|
Higher Education Authority (HEA) |
Declan Walsh |
12/03/2014 |
31/01/2017 |
Ordinary Member |
Appointed by Government on recommendation of Minister |
|
|
Higher Education Authority (HEA) |
Gordon Ryan |
06/03/2012 |
31/01/2017 |
Ordinary Member |
Appointed by Government on recommendation of Minister |
|
|
Higher Education Authority (HEA) |
Jim Mountjoy (Dr) |
06/03/2012 |
31/01/2017 |
Ordinary Member |
Appointed by Government on recommendation of Minister |
|
|
Higher Education Authority (HEA) |
John Wall (Dr) |
27/07/2016 |
26/07/2021 |
Ordinary Member |
Appointed by Government on recommendation of Minister. PAS process. |
|
|
Higher Education Authority (HEA) |
Judith Eaton |
27/07/2016 |
26/07/2021 |
Ordinary Member |
Appointed by Government on recommendation of Minister. PAS process. |
|
|
Higher Education Authority (HEA) |
Lynn Ramsey (Dr) |
27/07/2016 |
26/07/2021 |
Ordinary Member |
Appointed by Government on recommendation of Minister. PAS process. |
|
|
Higher Education Authority (HEA) |
Mary Canning (Dr) |
01/02/2007 |
06/03/2012 |
31/01/2017 |
Ordinary Member |
Appointed by Government on recommendation of Minister. PAS process. |
|
Higher Education Authority (HEA) |
Michael Horgan |
27/07/2016 |
26/07/2021 |
Chairperson |
Appointed by Government on recommendation of Minister. PAS process. |
|
|
Higher Education Authority (HEA) |
Orla Feely (Prof) |
27/07/2016 |
26/07/2021 |
Ordinary Member |
Appointed by Government on recommendation of Minister. PAS process. |
|
|
Higher Education Authority (HEA) |
Pól Ó Móráin |
27/07/2016 |
26/07/2021 |
Ordinary Member |
Appointed by Government on recommendation of Minister. PAS process. |
|
|
Higher Education Authority (HEA) |
Sharon Feeney (Dr) |
27/07/2016 |
26/07/2021 |
Ordinary Member |
Appointed by Government on recommendation of Minister. PAS process. |
|
|
Higher Education Authority (HEA) |
Sinéad O'Flanagan (Dr) |
27/07/2016 |
26/07/2021 |
Ordinary Member |
Appointed by Government on recommendation of Minister. PAS process. |
|
|
Higher Education Authority (HEA) |
Siobhan Harkin |
06/03/2012 |
31/01/2017 |
Ordinary Member |
Appointed by Government on recommendation of Minister. PAS process. |
|
|
Higher Education Authority (HEA) |
Stephen Kinsella (Dr) |
12/03/2014 |
31/01/2017 |
Ordinary Member |
Appointed by Government on recommendation of Minister |
|
|
Higher Education Authority (HEA) |
Tony Donohoe |
27/07/2016 |
26/07/2021 |
Ordinary Member |
Appointed by Government on recommendation of Minister. PAS process. |
|
|
Irish Research Council |
Alan F. Smeaton (Prof.) |
19/03/2012 |
19/03/2015 |
18/03/2018 |
Ordinary Member |
Ministerial Appointment |
|
Irish Research Council |
Debra Laefer (Dr.) |
01/09/2016 |
31/08/2019 |
Ordinary Member |
PAS Process |
|
|
Irish Research Council |
Ursula Kilkenny (Prof.) |
01/09/2016 |
31/08/2019 |
Ordinary Member |
PAS Process |
|
|
Irish Research Council |
Eucharia Meehan (Dr.) |
n/a |
n/a |
Ex Officio |
Director of IRC |
|
|
Irish Research Council |
James Gleeson (Prof.) |
26/11/2012 |
19/03/2015 |
18/03/2018 |
Ordinary Member |
Ministerial Appointment |
|
Irish Research Council |
Kiernan Conboy (Dr.) |
01/09/2016 |
31/08/2019 |
Ordinary Member |
PAS Process |
|
|
Irish Research Council |
Emma Teeling (Assoc. Prof.) |
08/09/2015 |
06/09/2018 |
Ordinary Member |
PAS Process |
|
|
Irish Research Council |
Eithne McCabe (Prof.) |
08/09/2015 |
06/09/2018 |
Ordinary Member |
PAS Process |
|
|
Irish Research Council |
Rob Kitchin (Prof.) |
08/09/2015 |
06/09/2018 |
Ordinary Member |
PAS Process |
|
|
Irish Research Council |
Felicity Kelliher (Dr.) |
08/09/2015 |
06/09/2018 |
Ordinary Member |
PAS Process |
|
|
Irish Research Council |
Jane Ohlmeyer (Prof.) |
08/09/2015 |
06/09/2018 |
Chairperson |
PAS Process |
|
|
Irish Research Council |
Daniel Carey(Prof.) |
01/09/2016 |
31/08/2019 |
Ordinary Member |
PAS process |
|
|
24/04/2013 |
||||||
|
Léargas |
Des O'Loughlin |
26/01/2010 |
and 21 Sept 2016 |
20/09/2019 |
Ordinary Member |
Ministerial appointment |
|
Léargas |
Fidelma Collins |
12/06/2012 |
24/03/2014 |
Apr-17 |
Ordinary Member |
Ministerial appointment |
|
Léargas |
Hugh MacConville |
12/06/2012 |
29/04/2015 |
Apr-18 |
Ordinary Member |
Ministerial appointment |
|
Léargas |
James Doorley |
23/11/2012 |
29/04/2015 |
Apr-18 |
Ordinary Member |
Ministerial appointment |
|
Léargas |
John Gilmore |
23/11/2012 |
29/04/2015 |
Apr-18 |
Ordinary Member |
Ministerial appointment |
|
Léargas |
Vacant |
Jul-16 |
Ordinary Member |
Ministerial appointment |
||
|
Léargas |
Maria Lorigan |
24/04/2013 |
14/04/2015 |
28/04/2018 |
Ordinary Member |
Ministerial appointment |
|
Léargas |
Michael McLoughlin |
12/06/2012 |
24/04/2014 |
Apr-17 |
Chairperson |
Ministerial appointment |
|
Léargas |
Stephen Goulding |
12/06/2012 |
24/04/2014 |
Apr-17 |
Ordinary Member |
Ministerial appointment |
|
National Centre for Guidance Education (NCGE) Management Committee |
Vacant |
07/07/2016 |
Ordinary Member |
Department of Education and Skills (1 admin) |
||
|
National Centre for Guidance Education (NCGE) Management Committee |
Vacant |
07/07/2016 |
Ordinary Member |
Léargas |
||
|
National Centre for Guidance Education (NCGE) Management Committee |
Vacant |
07/07/2016 |
Ordinary Member |
Institute of Guidance Councillors |
||
|
National Centre for Guidance Education (NCGE) Management Committee |
Vacant |
07/07/2016 |
Ordinary Member |
Léargas |
||
|
National Centre for Guidance Education (NCGE) Management Committee |
Vacant |
07/07/2016 |
Ordinary Member |
Education and Training Boards Ireland |
||
|
National Centre for Guidance Education (NCGE) Management Committee |
Vacant |
07/07/2016 |
Ordinary Member |
National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals |
||
|
National Centre for Guidance Education (NCGE) Management Committee |
Vacant |
07/07/2016 |
Ordinary Member |
Department of Education and Skills (1 inspector) |
||
|
National Centre for Guidance Education (NCGE) Management Committee |
Vacant |
07/07/2016 |
Ordinary Member |
Higher Education Authority (HEA) |
||
|
National Centre for Guidance Education (NCGE) Management Committee |
Vacant |
07/07/2016 |
Chairperson |
Minister for Education and Skills |
||
|
National Centre for Guidance Education (NCGE) Management Committee |
Vacant |
07/07/2016 |
Ordinary Member |
Nominated by the Minister to represent the Directors of Post-Graduate Guidance Training Courses |
||
|
National Centre for Guidance Education (NCGE) Management Committee |
Vacant |
07/07/2016 |
Ordinary Member |
Adult Education Guidance Association |
||
|
National Centre for Guidance Education (NCGE) Management Committee |
Vacant |
07/07/2016 |
Ordinary Member |
SOLAS Representative |
||
|
National Centre for Guidance Education (NCGE) Management Committee |
Vacant |
07/07/2016 |
Ordinary Member |
Nominated by Dept. Social Protection |
92. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will examine the rules surrounding teacher experience hours; if his Department will allow any leeway for a teacher who finds it difficult to meet the required experience hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36659/16]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the Teaching Council is the body with statutory authority under the Teaching Council Acts 2001-2015 for the professional regulation, including registration, of teachers in the State. The work of the Teaching Council is grounded in the values of professionally-led regulation, shared professional responsibility and collective professional confidence.
The period between qualification and fully independent practice as a teacher is a vital stage of the newly qualified teacher's career. During this phase the newly qualified teacher's development as a practising professional is facilitated by coherent and supportive induction and probation processes specified by the Teaching Council, which all teachers must successfully complete to achieve full registration. The Teaching Council works closely with the Department to ensure appropriate supports for newly qualified teachers are in place and the Department funds the national induction programme for teachers, NIPT.
A number of measures have been taken in recent years to facilitate newly qualified teachers in achieving full registration with the Teaching Council. The minimum service requirement for probation for primary teachers has been reduced from 170 days to 100 days.
Under Section 30 of the Teaching Council Act applicants for teaching posts in recognised schools are required to be registered with the Teaching Council.
While the recruitment and appointment of teachers to fill teaching posts is a matter for the individual school or Education and Training Board, subject to procedures agreed under Section 24(3) of the Education Act 1998 (as amended by the Education (Amendment) Act 2012), Circular 31/2011 details a number of measures for recruitment of teachers.
My Department has directed managerial authorities of schools to recruit unemployed teachers ahead of retired ones. Each principal must report to his or her board of management on a regular basis that a list of unemployed registered teachers is being maintained, and the circumstances, where relevant, that a registered teacher in receipt of a public service pension or an unregistered person has been engaged.
The Deputy should also note that, this September, 2,260 additional teaching posts were available in our primary and post primary schools due to additional funding secured in Budget 2016. In addition, further provision has been made in Budget 2017 for 2,400 additional posts. These posts, together with the measures outlined above, will enhance the opportunities for newly qualified teachers to obtain post qualification teaching experience to achieve full registration with the Teaching Council.
The Deputy should note also that a newly qualified teacher who is unable to complete a condition for registration within the specified period may apply to the Teaching Council for an extension to that period.
93. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will change the rules surrounding the Garda vetting process for teachers which currently means that a substitute teacher must complete a separate Garda vetting for each school that they work in; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36660/16]
View answerIn April of this year, the Minister for Justice and Equality commenced the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012 to 2016 (the Vetting Act) which put in place statutory vetting requirements for the Garda vetting of persons involved in working with children and vulnerable persons, including those working in schools.
Prior to the Act’s commencement, my Department published (in April 2015) a circular which outlined the advance preparations and actions to be taken by all school authorities and registered teachers so as to facilitate, as far as possible, a smooth transition to the statutory vetting requirements once they became operational. These included specific steps to be taken both by school authorities and registered teachers as to help ensure that teachers would be readily employable in substitute teaching positions arising in schools post commencement of the statutory requirements.
When the vetting requirements were commenced in April of this year, my Department published a further circular which set out the statutory vetting requirements applicable to schools along with the practical arrangements in place to support the vetting procedures. This circular (0031/2016) contains information about the limited exemptions to the requirement under Section 12(1) of the Vetting Act to obtain a vetting disclosure from the National Vetting Bureau prior to commencing an employment, including information about the exemptions that apply in certain circumstances to substitute teaching positions.
Amendments to the Teaching Council Act enacted in 2015 also made provision for the Teaching Council to put in place a streamlined electronic mechanism for school employers to meet the requirements of the Vetting Act in respect of registered teachers. This mechanism ensures that once a vetting disclosure is obtained by the Teaching Council in respect of a registered teacher, that disclosure can, with the consent of the teacher concerned, be made available electronically to any school employer that requires it for the purposes of the Vetting Act, including where required in respect of substitute teaching positions.
94. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills the average per capita spending allocation to universities and institutes of technology; and the basis on which different per capita allocations are made. [36686/16]
View answerMy Department allocates the total recurrent funding allocation to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) for direct disbursement to the HEA designated higher education institutions (HEIs) including the Universities and Institutes of Technology. The HEA allocates the funding (block grant funding) to institutions and it is then a matter for the individual institution as to how that funding is allocated internally. The HEA allocates the available funding based on a Recurrent Grant Allocation Model which is driven primarily by student numbers weighted by the relative costs of providing education in different disciplines with additional performance mechanisms built in to reflect outcomes such as those relating to access, skills-based provision and research.
Total core funding available to HEIs includes the block grant funding, student contributions, tuition fees and other income sources e.g. private funding. In 2015 funding per student amounted to an estimated €9,500 per full-time student.
95. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the draft schedule of fees submitted by the design team to his Department in October 2016 in respect of the work that needs to be completed with regard to the development of an education campus (details supplied) in County Cork. [36690/16]
View answer96. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the timeframe for the delivery of the planned education campus at Ballinrea, Carrigaline, County Cork; when he expects the project to go to tender, the commencement of construction and the occupancy of the three new school buildings; if the capital funding is in place for the delivery of this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36691/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 95 and 96 together.
The delivery of the new education campus at Ballinrea, Carrigaline has been devolved to Cork Education & Training Board (CETB). Planning permission has been received for the campus.
To comply with recent changes to the Public Works Contract, the Design Team was requested to assess the additional work that needs to be carried out to bring the project to tender ready stage. The Design Team has completed this assessment and it has submitted a fee proposal for the additional work. This is currently being assessed in my Department.
In addition, the Public Spending Code requires that a Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) be carried out for projects of the scale involved for the Carrigaline Campus. I understand that the CETB is currently procuring consultants to carry out this CBA. As soon as this work is completed and a stage 2(b) cost report is submitted to my Department for approval, the project will then be considered for progression to tender stage.
97. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application submitted in June 2016 by a school (details supplied) in County Cork for temporary prefabricated accommodation for the school years 2017-2018 and 2018-2019; when he will make a decision on the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36692/16]
View answer98. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application submitted by a school (details supplied) in County Cork for temporary prefabricated accommodation for the school years 2017-2018 and 2018-2019; when he will make a decision on the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36693/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 97 and 98 together.
My Department is in receipt of applications for additional accommodation from both of the schools referred to by the Deputy. The applications concerned are currently being assessed and my Department will be in contact with the school Patrons in the matter shortly.
99. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an extra special needs assistant, SNA, will be provided in a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36703/16]
View answerThe 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.
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.
Responsibility for deciding on the quantum of educational supports and resources to be allocated to schools to support individual pupils rests with the NCSE.
It should 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.
Where a school wishes to appeal the SNA 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.
Where a school wishes to make a new application for SNA support for a pupil who is due to enrol to the school they should contact their local special educational needs organiser (SENO).
All schools have the contact details of their local SENO. Contact details are also available on the NCSE website. The local SENO is also available to discuss any concerns that parents have about the present or future educational needs of their child.
As the question raised by the Deputy relates to an application for SNA support for an individual child, I have arranged for this question to be forwarded to the NCSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
100. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of autism spectrum disorder units in the State in second level schools. [36706/16]
View answer104. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students at second level in the State that access an autism spectrum disorder unit. [36830/16]
View answer105. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of pupils at primary level in the State that access an autism spectrum disorder unit. [36831/16]
View answerI propose to takes Questions Nos 100 and 104 to 105, inclusive, together.
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.
The Department of Education and Skills invests over €300m annually in providing additional resources specifically to support students with autism in schools enabling:
- 63% of students to attend mainstream schools
- 23% to attend special classes in mainstream primary and post-primary schools, and
- 14% to attend special schools.
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. Special classes are part of a continuum of educational provision that enables students with more complex special educational needs to be educated, in smaller class groups, within their local mainstream schools.
They offer a supportive learning environment to students with ASD who are unable to access the curriculum in a mainstream class, even with support, for most or all of their school day. Special class for students with ASD are staffed with a lower pupil - teacher ratio of 6:1 at primary level and 6:1.5 at post primary level, and also have Special Needs Assistant support normally amounting to 2 Ss for a class of 6 children.
Students enrolled in special classes should be included in mainstream classes to the greatest extent possible, in line with their abilities.
Progress in developing this network has been significant and in addition to the special school placements 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.
This includes a total of 889 classes for children with autism; 127 are ASD 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.
The NCSE have observed a growth in the numbers of children with autism in schools over the past two years, however the specific details on these numbers are not yet available from the NCSE. The NCSE's Autism Policy Advice report noted that there were almost 14,000 students diagnosed with autism in schools in 2014. The Advice further stated that there were 1,974 students attending autism classes in primary schools, 699 attending Early Intervention classes in special and primary schools, and 733 students attending autism classes at post primary level.
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.
The NCSE continues to review the special class placement requirements and is currently engaging with schools with regard to opening new special classes in areas where there is an identified need for special class provision.
The Education (Admission to Schools) Bill was published on 6th July 2016. The Admissions Bill provides that where a school has places available it must admit all applicants. The Bill contains a provision for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) to designate a school for a child who has no school place for reasons related to the child’s special educational needs and for the Child and Family Agency to designate a school for a child who has no school place (other than a child with special educational needs).
Furthermore, it is general practice to include a Special Needs Unit in the accommodation brief for new school buildings, unless local circumstances indicate that it will not be required. In addition, the Department may also provide capital funding to schools to establish special needs provision e.g. re-configure existing accommodation to provide a special class where this has been approved by the National Council for Special Education through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers.
The NCSE recently launched guidelines for Boards of Management and Principals of Primary and Post Primary schools which provide information on setting up and organising special classes. These guidelines are available to download from www.ncse.ie.
101. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding major capital works at schools (details supplied). [36710/16]
View answerThe building project for the schools 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. This information has recently been submitted to my Department for consideration.
The Design Team has also recently submitted the Stage 2b submission to my Department for review. Once the Stage 2b submission has been reviewed my Department will be in further contact with the Boards of Management regarding the progression of the project at that time.
