Written Answers Nos. 185 - 204
185. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application (details supplied) under the summer works scheme 2016 to 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4027/17]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of a Category 10 application, external environment project, under the Summer Works Scheme (2016-2017) from the school to which she refers.
Nearly 50% of schools have applied for inclusion under the scheme which reflects a very high demand. Details of successful school applicants in respect of Categories 1 and 2 were announced in April last and are published on my Department’s website www.education.ie. Assessment of valid projects in further categories is now being undertaken by my Department, subject to the overall availability of funding, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the scheme as outlined in Circular Letter (0055/2015), which may be accessed on my Department's website. The application from the school in question is available to be considered in this context.
187. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the measures he has put in place to arrange for an increased pupil intake as per the demand of incoming school children at a school (details supplied) in north Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4035/17]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that officials from my Department recently met with representatives of the school referred to and it was agreed that a further meeting would be convened within the coming weeks.
It was agreed also that this would allow adequate time for updated demographic data, taking into account overall current and projected pupil numbers in the area, and the enrolment position in the case of the school in question and other schools in the area; the various factors that contribute to the compilation and operation of any waiting lists; the impact of expansion of school capacity in the case of this school on other schools in the area to be clarified and assessed. As part of this process, this further information was supplied by the school to the Department recently. The information is currently being considered and the Department expects to be in further contact with the school authority and Patron in relation to the data assessment process.
188. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has considered the business case for providing an allocation of teachers based on the demand for school places; the innovations he plans to bring to the ongoing issue of demand exceeding supply and the strain this causes on schools administratively and also on families that worry for years regarding the provision of education for their children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4036/17]
View answerThe criteria used for the allocation of teaching posts is published annually on the Department website. The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September.
The staffing schedule operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all similar types of schools equally irrespective of location.
The Staffing Schedule includes the provision where schools experiencing rapid increases in enrolment can apply for additional permanent mainstream posts on developing grounds. The staffing process includes an appeals mechanism for schools to submit an appeal under certain criteria to an independent Appeals Board. This process includes a provision in which schools that are not gaining an additional teaching post under the developing schools criterion can submit an appeal to the independent Appeals Board. This appeal criterion is targeted at those schools that make a significant contribution to the provision of school places and so assist the response to demographic growth within their area.
The Department uses a Geographical Information System (GIS) to identify where the pressure for school places will arise. The GIS uses data from the Central Statistics Office, Ordnance Survey Ireland and the Department of Social Protection, in addition to the Department’s own databases. With this information, the Department carries out nationwide demographic analyses at primary and post primary level to determine where additional school accommodation is needed.
On foot of the last nationwide demographic analyses, the establishment of four new primary schools and nine new post-primary schools to open in 2017 and 2018 was announced. As part of this announcement, it was also stated that a range of areas nationwide are experiencing increased demographic pressure and will be kept under ongoing review by the Department. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that every child has access to a school place - however, this may not always be in the school of their first choice.
Where the demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of this additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may, depending on the circumstances, be provided through either one, or a combination of, the following:
- Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools
- Extending the capacity of a school or schools
- Provision of a new school(s).
In relation to new school provision, four new primary schools and nine new post-primary schools will open in 2017 and 2018 to provide additional school places in areas experiencing significant demographic pressure. My Department is keeping all school planning areas under review to take account of updated data and the impact of ongoing and planned capacity increases in these areas. My Department is focussed on ensuring that every child has access to a school place - however, this may not always be in the school of their first choice.
Budget 2017 sets out the resources available for schools for the 2017/18 school year. This Budget represents the start of a major reinvestment in education, and the first phase of implementation of the Action Plan for Education, aimed at becoming the best education system in Europe within a decade.
The budget provides for over 2,400 additional teaching posts for our primary and post-primary schools in the next school year. This includes additional teaching posts to meet demographic need, curriculum reform, additional resource teaching posts and the strengthening of school leadership.
189. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a group equal to two classes of students in north County Kildare will have been denied access to a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; if he will re-evaluate the need for additional Gaelscoileanna provision in north County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4037/17]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that officials from my Department recently met with representatives of the school referred to by the Deputy and it was agreed that a further meeting would be convened within the coming weeks.
It was agreed also that this would allow adequate time for updated demographic data, taking into account overall current and projected pupil numbers in the area, and the enrolment position in the case of the school in question and other schools in the area; the various factors that contribute to the compilation and operation of any waiting lists; the impact of expansion of school capacity in the case of this school on other schools in the area to be clarified and assessed. As part of this process, this further information was supplied by the school to the Department recently. The information is currently being considered and my Department expects to be in further contact with the school authority and Patron in relation to the data assessment process.
My Department is keeping this area under review to take account of updated demographic data. In the event that a new school is required, to meet demographic needs, my Department runs a separate patronage process to decide who will operate the school. This patronage process incorporates consideration of, and the potential for, Irish-medium provision.
191. Deputy Michael D'Arcy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the application for the new purpose built school at Drumgood, Enniscorthy, County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4046/17]
View answerThe major building project referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning - Stage 2(b), which includes the applications for Planning Permission, Fire Certificate and Disability Access Certificate and the preparation of Tender Documents. All statutory approvals have been secured.
The Design Team have been requested to review the impact of the recently introduced changes to the Public Works Contracts (PWC) and to revert to my Department with an assessment of what, if any, additional works are required to bring the tender documents into line with those changes.
Once the Stage 2b (Detailed Design) submission is received and reviewed by my Department and subject to no further issues arising my officials will revert to the school with regard to the further progression of the project at that time.
192. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills if consideration will be given to a request from a school (details supplied) in County Donegal for the provision of a defibrillator; the funding options and appropriate channels through which such a device may be applied for and sought; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4115/17]
View answerThe decision to install a defibrillator is made at local school level and is a matter for the board of management of each individual school. The question of the need for defibrillators to be made available in places, such as schools, and any training needs arising from same is primarily a public health matter and would therefore be a matter for the Department of Health.
