Thomas Byrne
Question:224. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide for a scheme for schools to employ secretaries separate to capitation payments. [37464/16]
View answerSchool Services Staff
Questions (224)
Written answers
A scheme was initiated in 1978 for the employment of Clerical Officers in primary and secondary schools. While a small number of these staff remain in schools, the scheme is being phased out and has been superseded by a more extensive capitation grant scheme.
The majority of primary and voluntary secondary schools in the Free Education Scheme now receive capitation grant assistance to provide for secretarial (and caretaking and cleaning services). Within the capitation grant schemes, it is a matter for each individual school to decide how best to apply the grant funding to suit its particular needs.
My Department has no plans to develop an alternative scheme for schools to employ secretaries separate to the current system of capitation grant assistance.
National Educational Psychological Service Data
Questions (225)
Thomas Byrne
Question:225. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the schools throughout the State which do not currently have a National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, psychologist assigned to them in tabular form. [37466/16]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy may be aware my Department’s National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) provides an educational psychological service to schools through the direct assignment of a NEPS psychologist and in some cases through by providing schools access to the Scheme for Commissioning Psychological Assessments (SCPA) where 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 respect of NEPS staffing, NEPs psychologists are recruited via regional panels formed from national recruitment competitions administered by the Public Appointments service. In the case of some schools, NEPs psychologists may no longer be assigned to those schools as a result of retirement, resignation or transfer to another NEPs region, and while every effort was made to recruit a replacement from the existing PAS panels sometimes this is not successful.
However it is important to point out that in these cases, these schools continue to have access to a psychologist through the Scheme for Commissioning Psychological Assessments which is also run by NEPS.
A new national recruitment competition was has been put in place by PAS to fill vacancies within all NEPS Regions. The closing date for applications is now passed and work is currently ongoing in relation to the examination of applications and short-listing of candidates for interview. It is envisaged, following interviews, that recruitment panels will be formed and active filling of vacancies will commence in the New Year.
The list of schools which do not currently have a NEPs psychologies assigned to them under the assigned NEPS psychologist assigned to them under the assigned NEPS psychologist scheme, and which therefore are relying on the Scheme for Commission Psychological Assessments, is contained in the following link.
It is also important to point out that all schools are able to access full NEP supports in the event of a critical incident.
Question No. 226 answered with Question No. 220.
DEIS Review
Questions (227)
Seamus Healy
Question:227. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the criteria for Delivering Equality of Opportunities in Schools, DEIS, status and funding going forward with regard to the review of DEIS; if there are changes to the component of DEIS; the most relevant information in supporting a submission; the timeframe for the roll out of the new DEIS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37515/16]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy may be aware, a process to review the DEIS Programme which began last year is nearing completion and it is my intention to publish a new Action Plan for Educational Inclusion in the coming weeks.
The review process is looking at all aspects of DEIS, including the range and impact of different elements of the School Support Programme, the potential for innovation within and between schools and its scope for increased integration of services provided by other Departments and Agencies, in order to improve effectiveness.
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
Overall resources under the new School Support Programme, including funding, will be informed by the outcome of this review process.
A new assessment framework is also 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. Schools will not be required to submit an application for assessment as the methodology being applied involves the use of centrally held data already available to my Department.
Funding will be considered as part of the Action Plan.
Implementation of actions arising from the Action 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 information on the DEIS Review process is available on my Department’s website at http://www.education.ie/en/Schools-Colleges/Services/DEIS-Delivering-Equality-of-Opportunity-in-Schools-/DEIS-Review-Process-Information-Note.pdf
DEIS Review
Questions (228)
Seamus Healy
Question:228. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the rank that Tipperary town has regarding the review of Delivering Equality of Opportunities in Schools, DEIS, in view of the fact that no primary school in Tipperary town has DEIS status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37516/16]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy may be aware, a process to review the DEIS Programme which began last year is nearing completion and it is my intention to publish a new Action Plan for Educational Inclusion in the coming weeks.
The review process is looking at all aspects of DEIS, including the range and impact of different elements of the School Support Programme, the potential for innovation within and between schools and its scope for increased integration of services provided by other Departments and Agencies, in order to improve effectiveness.
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
A new assessment framework is also being developed using centrally held CSO and DES data for the identification of schools for inclusion in a new School Support Programme. The relevant CSO data is based on information drawn from the National Census of Population and includes socio-economic variables that are known predictors of poorer educational outcomes. The number of schools to be in a new School Support Programme, including schools in Tipperary, will be determined by this proposed new identification process which will assess all schools in the country. Schools will not be required to make an application for assessment as the methodology to be applied involves the use of centrally held data already available to my Department.
Implementation of actions arising from the Action 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 information on the DEIS Review process is available on my Department’s website at http://www.education.ie/en/Schools-Colleges/Services/DEIS-Delivering-Equality-of-Opportunity-in-Schools-/DEIS-Review-Process-Information-Note.pdf
School Accommodation Provision
Questions (229)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:229. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will address matters in respect of a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37524/16]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has no record of receiving an application from the school in question for capital funding for the works referred to in the details supplied.
I can however advise the Deputy that all applications for capital funding must be considered in the context of the significant challenge facing my Department in ensuring that every child has access to a physical school place and that the limited funding available is expended on meeting demographic demand and providing classroom accommodation where an additional teacher is being appointed.
The details supplied also made reference to works that the school wish to have undertaken outside of the vested school site, including road safety measures and the availability of a Lolipop attendant. My Department has no function in this area. These are matters that the school may wish to take up directly with the local authority.
School Accommodation Provision
Questions (230)
Seamus Healy
Question:230. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application for additional school accommodation by a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37533/16]
View answerWritten answers
The application for additional accommodation by the school referred to by the Deputy has been assessed and a decision will be conveyed to the school authority shortly.
Departmental Reports
Questions (231)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:231. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reports commissioned by his Department since 2006 which while completed or are in final draft form have not been published; the reason they have not been published; the expected publication date; the cost to date of each such report; if tenders were invited; if it is not intended to publish any such report the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37546/16]
View answerWritten answers
The Department does not record or compile information in the format requested by the Deputy and it is consequently unavailable. Since 2011, the Department publishes details of consultancy engagements on its website and this includes information in relation to the status of reports that were produced through the consultancy process http://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Corporate-Reports/Financial-Reports/Expenditure-on-Consultancy/. Details in respect of consultants engaged in 2016 will be compiled and published in early 2017.
Should the Deputy have a particular interest regarding any of the items in the published lists or in relation to any other specific subject matter, officials will endeavour to supply further details.
School Curriculum
Questions (232)
Carol Nolan
Question:232. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason history is being considered as a non-core subject at junior certificate level; his views on this proposal; the timeframe for the introduction of this proposal; if concerns have been expressed by stakeholders; if his Department plans to hold a public consultation process in respect of the proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37582/16]
View answerWritten answers
In line with the philosophy of the Framework for Junior Cycle, no subject or short course will be deemed compulsory apart from Irish, English and Mathematics, and the new area of learning of Wellbeing. Thereafter schools will have the flexibility and autonomy to choose from 18 other subjects, including History. Schools will be given flexibility to shape their own junior cycle programme by including a selection of subjects, short courses and other learning experiences that will allow their students to meet the requirements of the twenty-four statements of learning outlined in the Framework.
Overall, I am in favour of leaving the decision on what is offered at the discretion of the school. Curriculum choice is important in motivating students to learn and to remain in school to completion of senior cycle. The vast majority of schools already offer History and Geography and the vast majority of students choose these subjects although they are currently compulsory in only half our schools. The popularity of subjects depends on the quality of teaching, the passion of the teachers for their subjects and the engagement of their students. I see no reason why the popularity of History will change in the future.
History will begin implementation in schools from September 2018, with the new specification being made available in mid 2017.
My Department met with representatives of the History Teachers' Association of Ireland in early 2012 and the discussion at that meeting helped to inform the design of the JC Framework. I have every confidence that the changes envisaged in Framework will ensure that the place of historical study will be retained and given a new impetus across the junior cycle curriculum. Such an impetus should help to improve take up of History at senior cycle also.
National Training Fund
Questions (233, 234)
Carol Nolan
Question:233. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there is a current surplus in the national training fund; the expected increases in the fund; if there is a surplus projected in the fund; if there is further projected spending of the fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37583/16]
View answerCarol Nolan
Question:234. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the details of the spend from the national training fund and the projected spend in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37584/16]
View answerWritten answers
The amount collected by the employment levy for the National Training Fund (NTF) varies due to changes in numbers of people in employment. Receipts went from a high of €413m in 2008 to €299m in 2012. Receipts then increased to €364m in 2015 and are expected to be up to €383m this year. It is expected that there will be a surplus of €217m in the fund at year end and €272m at the end of 2017.
A total of €362million was allocated from the National Training Fund for training and services this year and a similar amount has been provided for 2017. It should also be noted that NTF funding forms part of the Department’s annual overall expenditure ceiling and any increase in NTF expenditure would have to be offset by reductions in expenditure elsewhere.
In 2016 the allocation from the NTF is almost €83 million for training for the employed and almost €279 million for training for unemployed people. There will be a rebalancing of this funding in 2017, with greater provision for programmes for people in employment such as apprenticeship and programmes run by Skillnets. Demand for these programmes are rising as apprenticeship registrations rise, new apprenticeships are developed and greater numbers of employers engage with Skillnets. Demand for training for unemployed people is reducing as unemployment continues to fall.
In accordance with the NTF Act the surplus remains in the accounts of the National Training Fund. In the past, the accumulated surplus in the fund has been important in maintaining expenditure levels, particularly in the provision of training for the unemployed, in periods when receipts fell.
Third Level Institutions
Questions (235)
Carol Nolan
Question:235. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the actions taken by his Department to address the concerns outlined in the special report of the Comptroller and Auditor General in February 2012 entitled, Matters Arising out of Education Audits; if any of these concerns are outstanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37585/16]
View answerWritten answers
A number of matters were raised by the Comptroller and Auditor General in his report of February 2012, Matters Arising out of Education Audits. The majority of the matters raised have been addressed, some have been overtaken by events since the publication of the report. The issue regarding the payment of contributions for the 'pay-as-you-go' model pension schemes in the University sector has been the subject of discussions with the Higher Education Authority and the Comptroller and Auditor General and I understand has been satisfactorily resolved.
Higher Education Institutions Expenditure
Questions (236)
Carol Nolan
Question:236. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the audited accounts of higher education institutions in receipt of public funds are made public; the latest date for which the audited accounts of such institutions have been completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37586/16]
View answerWritten answers
The financial statements of all of the Universities and Institutes of Technology are audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) and are laid by my Department before the Houses of the Oireachtas.
Once audited by the C&AG the Universities and Institutes are obliged to submit to my Department their audited accounts, along with the C&AG audit certificate within one month of completion of the audit by the C&AG. My Department must then lay the accounts before the Houses of the Oireachtas within two months of them being received.