Written Answers Nos. 139-157
139. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Education and Skills the action his Department will take to increase pupil capacity in a school (details supplied) in order that the problems outlined by a person will be addressed. [38419/16]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of an application for major capital works from the Post Primary school referred to.
In this regard, my Department is currently reviewing the demographic demand in the area serviced by the schools referred to. As the Deputy may be aware my Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking places. Once this review is completed my Department will be in contact with the school.
140. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills if employees redesignated as tutors in order to retain posts but avoid the necessity to register with the Teaching Council are required to complete so-called Croke Park hours, or if they are exempt from same with regard to section 30 of the Teaching Council Act 2001, appendix B, section 2.2 specialised posts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38420/16]
View answerAdditional hours requirements were agreed for all public servants as part of recent collective agreements between Government and the Public Services Committee of ICTU, including the employees in question who were re-designated as tutors. The Public Service Stability Agreement 2013 – 2018 (Lansdowne Road Agreement) contains commitments to the continuing delivery of these hours.
141. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a school (details supplied) is entitled to window replacements on the older school building; and if this school may be eligible for a grant. [38432/16]
View answerThe Department has no record of receiving an application for grant aid for the works in question. The Deputy will be aware that the school prioritised its electrical works project under the Summer Works Scheme (2016-2017).
It is open to the school to apply for grant aid for window replacements under future Summer Works Schemes.
In the meantime the school may utilise its minor works in full or on a phased basis as the grant permits.
142. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills when he will provide a response to parents of the children of a school to be closed (details supplied) regarding the future of the school site to be shared among two other schools; his plans to assist parents in finding local school places for their children displaced by the closure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38438/16]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, my Department acquires land for the establishment of new schools where a future demographic and diversity need has been identified. It was for the purpose of providing school accommodation to meet future requirements for school places needs, that my Department acquired the property, in question. In that regard, it is intended that the property in question will be the permanent location for the second school, referred to by the Deputy. In the interim, it is expected that the first school, referred to by the Deputy, will be located on the property concerned on a temporary basis pending the delivery of its permanent accommodation.
To assist parents and in the interests of minimising disruption to pupils, my Department has written to the various school Patrons in the school area concerned advising of the possible enrolment requests that they may receive and the circumstances associated with such requests and requesting that any pupils who apply to their schools be accommodated where this is feasible. As my Department does not operate a centralised application system for schools, the standard school application procedure applies. Data held by my Department indicates that there are sufficient places within the school planning area and locality to accommodate the current cohort of children in the school that is closing. Correspondence outlining the position has issued both to parents and also to public representatives who made representations on behalf of parents in respect of the school closure.
143. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department will liaise with an organisation (details supplied) in regard to an application by a school to provide preschool services; the reason the school has been refused permission to date in view of the fact the school has the facilities to provide the service and, by not providing such a service, is at a distinct disadvantage to other schools which do so, resulting in numbers into the school reducing and ultimately jeopardising the future of the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38463/16]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that, in general, school authorities have a considerable degree of autonomy in relation to how their premises are managed and utilised at local level. It should be noted that the vast majority of primary school buildings in the country are in private ownership, including the school referred to by the Deputy.
The Department has a general policy of encouraging the use of school facilities by community and other groups where this is possible. However, any proposal for the use of school facilities must be approved by the Patron/owner. I understand that the Patron/owner has not granted approval for the operation of a pre-school on the premises in question.
Proposals to the Minister to allow use of accommodation during the school day have been facilitated in the past, provided that the school's current and future accommodation needs are not compromised and the consent of the patron has been received. I understand that the school has been in contact with the Patron in this regard.
144. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will confirm the commitment to the opening of the gaelcholáiste for north Kildare in Maynooth in 2019 as indicated in the school building programme 2016-2021 announced on 17 November 2015 by his predecessor, in view of the fact that it is due to open in 2019; the steps being taken to secure a site; when a design team will be appointed to seek planning permission in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38464/16]
View answerThe new schools which will open in 2017 and 2018 to cater for increased demographic demand nationwide were announced in November 2015. As part of that announcement, it was stated that a Gaelcholáiste to serve the North Kildare area will open in 2019, subject to sufficient viability of the Irish-medium Aonad, which is currently part of Maynooth Community College. The Gaelcholáiste will operate under the patronage of Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board with An Foras Pátrúnachta. In that context, my Department will continue to work closely with the Education and Training Board and An Foras Pátrúnachta in relation to the provision of appropriate accommodation for the establishment of the Gaelcholáiste.
145. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will ensure accelerated delivery of an urgent school building application (details supplied); when the school can expect commencement of the extension for which it has already been waiting 13 years; the criteria the school can provide evidence of in order to ensure prioritisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38466/16]
View answerThe project to which the Deputy refers has reached an advanced stage of architectural planning, Stage 2b, which involves securing the statutory approvals and the preparation of tender documents.
The design team was appointed to the project for the school in question in March 2011. The brief was to provide an extension and refurbishment work on a phased basis with a partial decant of classrooms on the existing site. The project was included in the five year construction programme 2012-16 and was scheduled therein to commence construction in 2014.
Planning permission was granted in January 2014. Since then the Board of Management and its design team have presented a number of proposals to the Department to change the brief to one which involves a single decant and a single phased delivery during construction. This has led to significant delays in the progression of the project. The most recent decant option, which included the provision of significant levels of new temporary accommodation on site involved an additional cost for the project in the region of €2 million – an increase in the overall cost of the project of around 40%.
The additional €2 million cost for the project arising from the Board of Management's single phase decant and construction proposal raised serious questions as to the viability of the project.
A meeting was convened by my Department recently, to which the Board of Management and their Design Team were invited in order to resolve any outstanding issues in this regard to enable Stage 2b to be finalised.
That meeting was held on the 11th November and agreement was reached in relation to a scaling back of the temporary accommodation costs which should now allow the project to progress to the completion of the design stages.
When the revised Stage 2(b) submission has been submitted and approved, my Department will revert to the Board of Management with regard to the further progression of the project to tender and construction stage. As with any project the progression to tender and construction will be contingent on the availability of funding at that time.
146. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will make funding available to allow for the installation of broadband, the provision of computers and the associated computer room set up costs for a school (details supplied) in Dublin 10; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38467/16]
View answerThe overall policy of my Department is to offer the best quality connectivity to all schools in line with technical solutions available in the market and financial constraints. All post primary schools receive at least 100mbts connectivity. The need to improve broadband connectivity to primary schools is recognised in the new Digital Strategy for schools and the Department will collaborate with DCENR to provide enhanced broadband to all primary schools.
In the case of the school referred to by the Deputy, this school is currently receiving at least 100mbs connectivity from Digiweb, one of the providers on the Post Primary Broadband providers framework.
The new Digital Strategy for Schools 2015-2020 (Enhancing Teaching, Learning & Assessment), launched in October 2015, sets out a clear vision for the role of ICT in teaching, learning and assessment in primary and post primary schools. The Strategy is focused on realising the potential of digital technologies to transform the learning experiences of students by helping them become engaged thinkers, active learners, knowledge constructors and global citizens who participate fully in society and the economy.
The Strategy recognises that schools require public investment in their ICT equipment and infrastructure and accordingly a fund of €210m to support the implementation of this Strategy has been committed beginning with an investment of €30m in the current school year (2016/2017) rising to €50m annually towards the end of the Strategy. Oversight and consultative structures for the implementation of the strategy have been finalised and the status of implementation will be communicated to schools and stakeholders on a regular basis. For further information please refer to the Digital Strategy page on the Department website at: http://www.education.ie/en/Schools-Colleges/Information/Information-Communications-Technology-ICT-in-Schools/Digital-Strategy-for-Schools/Digital%20Strategy%20Information.html./
147. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Carol Nolan den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna an dtabharfaidh sé sonraí maidir le líon iomlán na ndaltaí atá ag freastal ar iarbhunscoileanna Gaeltachta agus atá ag fáil díolúine ón nGaeilge ó thaobh scrúduithe stáit de; an dtabharfaidh sé briseadh síos ar líon na ndaltaí i ngach iarbhunscoil Ghaeltachta faoi leith a bhfuil an díolúine sin acu; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [38477/16]
View answerNíl aon cheanglas ann scrúdú a dhéanamh i nGaeilge mar chuid de na scrúduithe stáit don Teastas Sóisearach nó don Ardteistiméireacht. Mar sin féin, is gá do dhaltaí atá rollaithe i mbunscoileanna atá aitheanta ag an Roinn seo staidéar a dhéanamh ar Ghaeilge, seachas sa chás go bhfuil díolúine ag an dalta ó dhéanamh amhlaidh.
I gcora eisceachtúla, féadfar díolúine ó staidéar a dhéanamh ar Ghaeilge ag an leibhéal iar-bhunscoile a dheonú de réir imlitir M10/94 ón Roinn. Tá socruithe den chineál céanna i bhfeidhm ag an leibhéal bunscoile de réir imlitir 12/96 ón Roinn. Leanadh díolúintí a deonaíodh roimhe sin de bheith i bhfeidhm tar éis don dalta aistriú idir scoileanna nó aistriú ón mbunscoil go dtí an iar-bhunscoil.
Is ann do 28 iar-bhunscoil sa Ghaeltacht a raibh 6,212 dhalta san iomlán rollaithe iontu sa scoilbhliain 2015/16. I gcás 204 duine de na daltaí sin, deonaíodh díolúine ó staidéar a dhéanamh ar Ghaeilge dóibh roimhe sin nó deonaíodh díolúine dóibh den chéad uair riamh.
Níl sé beartaithe agam miondealú de réir scoile a thabhairt ar dhaltaí ag a raibh díolúintí mar go bhfuil na figiúirí do na daltaí lena mbaineann chomh beag sin go bhféadfadh go n-aithneofaí daltaí aonair de thimpiste.
Is mar a leanas atá an miondealú ar na díolúintí a bhí ag daltaí sna 28 scoil sin sa scoilbhliain 2015/16:-
Ní raibh dalta ar bith ag a raibh díolúine ó staidéar a dhéanamh ar Ghaeilge ag 13 scoil.
Bhí dalta amháin ag a raibh díolúine ó staidéar a dhéanamh ar Ghaeilge ag 7 scoil.
Bhí triúr daltaí ag a raibh díolúine ó staidéar a dhéanamh ar Ghaeilge ag scoil amháin.
Bhí idir 10 daltaí agus 15 dhalta ag a raibh díolúine ó staidéar a dhéanamh ar Ghaeilge ag 2 scoil.
Bhí idir 25 dhalta agus 45 dalta ag a raibh díolúine ó staidéar a dhéanamh ar Ghaeilge ag 5 scoil.
De na hocht scoil ag a raibh triúr daltaí nó níos mó ag a raibh díolúintí, is trí mheán an Bhéarla amháin a theagascann sé cinn agus teagascann an dá scoil eile roinnt daltaí trí mheán an Bhéarla.
Ceadaítear díolúintí ó fhoghlaim na Gaeilge de réir na soláthairtí atá luaite in Imlitir M10/94, ar a n-áirítear:
- daltaí a fuair oideachas go dtí aon bhliain déag (11) d’aois i dTuaisceart na hÉireann nó lasmuigh d’Éireann
- daltaí a bhí cláraithe cheana féin mar dhaltaí aitheanta i mbunscoil nó in iar-bhunscoil agus iad ag athchlárú tar éis tréimhse a chaitheamh thar lear, ar an gcoinníoll go bhfuil tréimhse 3 bliana ar a laghad ón uair dheireanach a cláraíodh an dalta sa Stát, agus go bhfuil aon bhliain déag, ar a laghad, slánaithe ag an dalta agus
- catagóirí áirithe de dhaltaí a bhfuil riachtanais speisialta oideachais acu.
As an 28 scoileanna atá lonnaithe sa Ghaeltacht
- tá 20 scoil ag teagasc go hiomlán trí mheán na Gaeilge
- tá 6 scoil ag teagasc go hiomlán trí mheán an Bhéarla
- tá 2 scoil ina ndéantar roinnt daltaí a theagasc trí mheán an Bhéarla.
Mar a léiríonn na sonraí, cás eisceachtúil a bhíonn ann nuair a bhíonn díolúine ón nGaeilge ag dalta a bhíonn ag freastal ar scoil sa Ghaeltacht ina mbíonn an teagasc trí mheán na Gaeilge, ach d’fhéadfadh a leithéid tarlú.
Baineann an díolúine le staidéar na Gaeilge ach ní díolúine ó pholasaí teanga na scoile a bhíonn i gceist.
D’fhéadfadh go raibh díolúine faighte ag dalta i scoileanna ina raibh sé/sí cheana. Ina lán ceantair Ghaeltachta, áfach, d’fhéadfadh – i ngeall ar iargúltacht an cheantair - nach bhfuil rochtain ag an dalta ach aon iar-bhunscoil amháin. Oibreoidh scoileanna i gcomhpháirt le daltaí chun a gcumas Gaeilge a fheabhsú ach beidh sé mar rogha ag an dalta gan staidéar a dhéanamh ar an nGaeilge mar ábhar má bhíonn díolúine aige/aici. Mar shampla, daoine atá tagtha go hÉirinn as an nua agus nach bhfuil Béarla mar chéad teanga acu, nó daltaí le riachtanais speisialta oideachais.
Mar thoradh ar athruithe sa daonra tá roinnt mhaith daoine a bhfuil cónaí orthu anois sa Ghaeltacht agus nach í an Ghaeilge an mháthairtheanga acu, mar shampla, daoine a bhfuil cónaí orthu i mbruachbhailte chathair na Gaillimhe, agus na bruachbhailte sin lonnaithe sa Ghaeltacht. D’fhéadfadh, freisin, roinnt daoine atá tagtha go nua go hÉirinn a bheith ina gcónaí sa Ghaeltacht.
148. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the amalgamation of national schools in Cahir, County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38487/16]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that I understand the amalgamation process involving the schools, referred to, will be finalised with the delivery of the major school building project. In that regard, the project concerned is currently at Stage 2(a) of the architectural planning process. Following a successful completion of this stage, the project will proceed to Stage 2(b), Detailed Design, which includes the application for planning permission and other statutory approvals and the preparation of tender documents.
149. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of all applications for DEIS status for schools in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38488/16]
View answer150. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will include Tipperary town and schools (details supplied) in the DEIS programme 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38498/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 149 and 150 together.
As the Deputy may be aware, a process to review the DEIS Programme, which began last year is nearing completion and it is the 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 Programme. The number of schools to be included will be determined by this proposed new identification process, which will assess all schools in the country, including schools in Co. Tipperary. 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.
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 the wider Annual Action Plan for Education.
Further information on the DEIS Review process is available on the 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
151. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education and Skills if Waterford Institute of Technology was running a surplus or a deficit in each of the years 2007 to 2016 to date; the plans in place to deal with the current deficit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38518/16]
View answerThe position with regard to the accounts of Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) is that for the academic years 2007/08 to 2009/10, the Institute was in surplus while for the period 2010/11 to date the accounts are showing a deficit.
The Higher Education Authority (HEA) has been closely monitoring the financial position of all of the Institutes of Technology (IoTs), including WIT, and has agreed measures with WIT to achieve financial stability through targeted strategic changes within the institute. It is expected that with the implementation of these measures WIT will return the financial position to one of operational breakeven by the end of the academic year 2017/18.
These measures are in line with the HEA's policy framework for vulnerable IoTs. This policy requires an IoT carrying a deficit to produce a three-year financial plan which will implement a range of actions to return the Institute to a balanced budget position within a three-year period.
152. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has given recent consideration to providing capital funding for an engineering block at Waterford Institute of Technology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38519/16]
View answer153. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education and Skills if consideration is being given to provide funding to extend laboratory space for science based subjects at Waterford Institute of Technology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38520/16]
View answerI propose to takes Questions Nos. 152 and 153 together.
The Department of Education and Skills is aware of the infrastructural challenges faced by Waterford Institute of Technology. The proposed facilities referred to by the Deputy are among the many competing demands on the Department’s capital budget for higher education.
The Department has provided over €17m in capital Exchequer funding to Waterford Institute of Technology since 2010. Of this total, €5.4m was allocated to the Institute by means of devolved grants. The purpose of the devolved grant is to facilitate institutions in undertaking small-scale building works, refurbishment works and equipment upgrade and renewal.
Funding for the proposed facilities will be considered within the context of competing demands. I am not in a position to commit to a funding allocation at this point.
154. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education and Skills the money spent by Waterford Institute of Technology through public procurement contracts in each of the years 2007 to 2016 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38521/16]
View answerThe details sought by the Deputy are not readily available in my Department. Officials of my Department have requested the Higher Education Authority to seek to collate the information and I will arrange for it to be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
155. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way in which a technological university differs from existing universities or institutes of technology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38522/16]
View answer156. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to rationalise services as part of the merging of institutes of technology and the formation of technological universities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38523/16]
View answer157. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education and Skills the unique offering that will be provided by technological universities here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38524/16]
View answer172. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is giving consideration to a change in sequencing to the process of merging institutes of technology as part of an application to become a technological university; if consideration is being given to introduce the international panel of experts work earlier in the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38731/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 155 to 157, inclusive, and 172 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, the new Programme for Government outlines that this new Government will continue to support the creation of Technological Universities.
This is in line with the National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030 which provides a framework for the development of the higher education sector to 2030. With regard to the institute of technology sector, the Strategy recommended significant reforms to position the sector to meet national strategic objectives. In particular, the Strategy recommended consolidation within the sector and a pathway of evolution for those consolidated institutes of technology, to allow them to demonstrate significant progress against robust performance criteria and to apply to become technological universities.
A Technological University will be distinguished by a mission and ethos that is aligned and consistent with the current mission and focus of institutes of technology with an emphasis on programmes at levels 6 to 8 and industry focused research. A Technological University will also be expected to play a pivotal role in facilitating access and progression particularly through relationships with the further education and training sector. They will also have a strong regional focus.
The development of technological universities has the potential to deliver greater opportunity to students in these regions, to staff working in the institutions, and to the broader local economy and society.
I would also like to underline that this is much more than a rebranding exercise – the institutions concerned are required to achieve high standards across a range of areas before being designated as technological universities. These include standards relating to the qualifications of staff, the quality of research output, the proportion of students engaged in lifelong learning, and other relevant issues.
The mission and vision for each proposed technological university is developed by the consortia, in consultation with stakeholders including staff and students, and is contained in the implementation plans subsequently developed.
In relation to the legislation, the second Government Legislative Programme of this new Partnership Government was published on 27 September 2016, and the Technological Universities Bill is listed on the Dáil Order Paper and is awaiting Committee Stage.
I recognise that there were a significant number of matters raised previously in respect of the Bill at both Committee and Report Stage, including matters related to the sequencing of the process of merging institutes of technology. It is my intention to consult with all of the relevant stakeholders in relation to both the matters raised during the legislative process and the commitments contained in the Programme for Government.
Following the finalisation of this consultation process I will then advance the legislation having determined a position in relation to any matters raised as part of this consultation process.
