Written Answers Nos. 203-217
203. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Education and Skills to outline the way in which a person (details supplied) in County Louth who has been privately assessed and diagnosed as meeting the DSM V diagnostic criteria of developmental co-ordination disorder dyspraxia can access the educational supports which the assessment recommends, that is, the maximum amount of resource hours available. [11385/17]
View answerOn 18th January last, I announced that a new model for allocating Special Education Teaching Resources to mainstream primary and post primary schools will be introduced from September 2017.
The aim of this new model is to deliver better outcomes for children with special educational needs. Large amounts of research, analysis, consultation with service users and stakeholders, and piloting have gone in to the development of this model and all the evidence points to the fact that this new system will deliver better outcomes for children.
No school will lose supports as a result of the implementation of the new model. In addition, no school will receive an allocation, for the support of pupils with complex needs, less than the allocation they received to support such pupils during the 2016/17 school year. No allocation made for such pupils by the NCSE will be removed from schools as long as that pupil remains in the school.
I also announced that an additional 900 teaching posts will be provided to support the introduction of this new allocation model. The provision of an additional 900 teaching posts is a very significant investment in the provision of additional teaching support for pupils with special educational needs in our schools. This is additional to an increase of 41% in the number of resource teachers allocated to schools annually by the NCSE since 2011, when 5265 teachers were allocated, as opposed to provision for 7542 posts in the current school year.
The additional funding will provide additional supports to over 1000 schools who are identified as needing additional supports as a result of the new model. Supports for children with special educational needs is a huge priority for this Government. We currently spend over €1.6 billion, or one fifth of the total education budget, on supports for children with special educational needs.
This investment will ensure that all schools receive a sufficient allocation of special education needs resources to provide additional teaching support to all pupils who require such support.
Under the new allocation model, schools will be provided with a total allocation which includes a baseline allocation for the school and an allocation based on the school profile.
The provision of a profiled allocation will give a fairer allocation for each school which recognises that all schools need an allocation for special needs support, but which provides a graduated allocation which takes into account the actual level of need and pupils in each school.
Schools will be frontloaded with resources, based on each school's profile, to provide supports immediately to those pupils who need it without delay. This will reduce the administrative burden on schools as they will no longer have to complete an application process annually and apply for newly enrolled pupils, or pupils transferring in to the school, who require resource hours, including those children with developmental coordination disorder dyspraxia.
Children who need support can have that support provided immediately rather than having to wait for a diagnosis.
Schools will therefore no longer have to make applications for newly enrolled pupils, for whom resource teaching hours may have been provided under the old model, as school will now receive a single allocation for all of their special education teaching needs, based on their school size and profile.
Accordingly, the NCSE advised schools that there was no longer a requirement for schools to make applications for special education teaching supports for individual pupils with special education teaching needs, as resources would be provided for schools by the profiled allocation.
For the introduction of the new allocation model, from September 2017, the NCSE ‘Low Incidence’ allocations which had been made for each school during the preceding year 2016/17 school year, have been used to establish the complex needs component of the new allocation model for each school.
A model for the identification of pupils with complex needs in future is being devised by the NCSE, in consultation with the Health Service Executive and National Educational Psychological Services (NEPS). This model will take account of the qualification criteria for the selection of children for access to HSE Children Disability Network Teams.
For the next re profiling of the model, the pupils with newly identified Complex Needs will be included in this revised allocation.
It should be noted that this is a brand new model of allocation and is not comparable to the existing model. By using a broad range of attainment and socio-economic criteria it is expected that allocations made to school will be sufficient to meet both current and future needs as they arise until the next review.
Currently most schools' educational profiles remain relatively constant from year to year. Each year, some students with additional teaching needs will leave and others will enrol, broadly balancing the school profile.
The model will provide, from this year, additional resources to schools where it is expected that there will be additional needs. In protecting resources in schools where the profiles indicate that the levels of need are lower than are currently provided for some additional capacity is also provided for in those schools. Accordingly, all schools should have the capacity to meet the needs of additional children enrolling in the school in the following school year without the need for additional or new resources.
The model will, however, allow for some additional provision for very exceptional circumstances or where a school’s enrolment levels increase very substantially prior to the next review of the model. The Inclusion Support Service, being established under the National Council for Special Education will support schools in managing their special education teaching allocations in the first instance. Only in very exceptional circumstances, where it can be demonstrated that the schools profile has changed very significantly since the allocation was made to the school, may an additional allocation of hours be made to the school.
A new Circular will be issued to schools shortly which will provide details of how the scheme will operate while details of the allocations for each school will also be provided to schools.
205. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Education and Skills to set out the number of schools in Dublin mid-west that have applied for the 2017 summer works scheme; when decisions on applications for the summer works scheme will be returned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11397/17]
View answer207. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Education and Skills to set out in tabular form the details of schools that are included in the six-year construction programme 2016 to 2021 in Dublin mid-west; the status of each school's stage in the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11399/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 205 and 207 together.
I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department does not hold information on the basis of the geographic area that he has outlined.
However, with regard to the Summer Works Scheme (SWS) 2016/2017, details of all successful school applicants, including schools in Dublin, in respect of Categories 1 and 2 for Gas and Electrical works, were announced last April and may be accessed on my Department’s website www.education.ie.
Assessment of valid projects in further categories of the SWS 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), and can also be accessed on my Department's website. It is my intention to publish a list of successful applicants in due course.
With regard to the Deputy's second question relating to the schools included in the 6 Year Construction Programme 2016-2021, I have set out in tabular form a list of schools in the Lucan, Dublin 22 and Dublin 24 areas including details of the current status of each project.
|
County |
Roll Number |
School Name and Address |
School Type |
Status Notes |
|
Co Dublin |
76454S |
New Post Primary School - Lucan, Co Dublin |
Post Primary |
New school opening September 2017. Site to be acquired |
|
Co Dublin |
19542R |
St Thomas Junior NS, Lucan, Co. Dublin |
Primary |
Stage 2b -- Detailed Design Stage |
|
Co Dublin |
19676P |
Scoil Aine NS, Lucan, Co. Dublin |
Primary |
Stage 2b-- Detailed Design Stage |
|
Co Dublin |
19865S |
Archbishop Ryan Junior, Lucan, Co Dublin |
Primary |
Stage 2b-- Detailed Design Stage |
|
Co Dublin |
20187H |
Archbishop Ryan Senior, Lucan, Co. Dublin |
Primary |
Stag2 2b -Detailed Design Stage. |
|
Co Dublin |
60263V |
St. Joseph's College, Lucan, Co. Dublin |
Post Primary |
Stage 2b-- Detailed Design Stage. |
|
Co Dublin |
70080T |
Lucan CC, Esker Drive, Lucan, Co Dublin |
Post Primary |
Stage 2A-- Developed Design Stage |
|
Co Dublin |
91301D |
Holy Family Community School , Rathcoole, Co Dublin |
Post Primary |
Stage 2b---Detailed Design Stage |
|
Dublin 22 |
19590F |
Scoil Mochua Clondalkin, Dublin 22 |
Special School |
Schedule of accommodation being developed |
|
Dublin 22 |
19855P |
Gaelscoil na Camóige, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 |
Primary |
Stage 2A - Developed Design Stage |
|
Dublin 22 |
19991A |
Gaelscoil Chluain Dolcáin, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 |
Primary |
Stage 2A -Developed Design Stage. |
|
Dublin 24 |
19462T |
Naomh Maolruain (Jnr), Oldbawn, Tallaght, Dublin 24 |
Primary |
Stage 2A - Developed Design stage |
|
Dublin 24 |
19463V |
Naomh Maolruain (Snr), Oldbawn, Tallaght, Dublin 24 |
Primary |
Stage 2A - Developed Design stage |
|
Dublin 24 |
19702N |
St Thomas Junior NS, Jobstown, Tallaght, Dublin 24 |
Primary |
Architectural planning to be initiated |
|
Dublin 24 |
76293U |
Kingswood Post Primary, Tallaght, Dublin 24 |
Post Primary |
At tender Stage |
|
Dublin 24 |
To be determined |
New Post Primary School - Firhouse/Oldbawn Dublin 24 |
Post Primary |
New school opening September 2018. Site to be acquired |
206. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Education and Skills to set out in tabular form the number of planned new primary schools in Dublin that are due to open in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 by area; the number of extra places these schools will add to the current number of school places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11398/17]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy regarding details of the new primary schools due to open in 2017 and 2018 in Dublin is set out in the following table.
As the Deputy may be aware, my Department uses a Geographical Information System (GIS) to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise. The GIS uses data from the Central Statistics Office, Ordnance Survey Ireland, the Department of Social Protection and my Department's own databases. With this information, my Department carries out nationwide demographic exercises at primary and post-primary level to determine where additional school accommodation is needed.
A range of areas nationwide are experiencing increased demographic pressure and will be kept under review by the Department. This review takes account of updated enrolment and child benefit data and also the impact of existing and planned capacity increases to existing schools in the area.
Once this review has been completed my Department will publish details of any new schools that may be established from 2019.
|
Year of Opening |
School Planning area to be served |
Indicative school start-up sizes (Junior Infant intake) |
Maximum number of places for complete school (junior infants to sixth class) |
|
2017 |
Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin |
Up to 2 Junior Infant classes |
432 |
|
2017 |
Pelletstown, Dublin 7 (Scribblestown/ Finglas West school planning area) |
Up to 2 Junior Infant classes |
432 |
|
2018 |
Dublin South City Centre (Regional Solution for Dublin 2/4 and Dublin 6/ Clonskeagh school planning areas) |
Up to 3 Junior Infant classes |
648 |
208. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if, in the case of the family of a person with special needs on the home tuition scheme that is offered a placement in a religious school or a school with an ethos contrary to their own and they reject the placement offer, his department will withdraw funding for home tuition. [11407/17]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that 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.
A school placement can be a place in a special school which enrols children with ASD; a place in a special class for children with ASD attached to a mainstream school; a place in an early intervention class for children with ASD or a place in a mainstream class – with additional resources allocated by the NCSE where necessary.
In the event that school placement is not available, my Department may provide a grant to fund Home Tuition provision for the child as a compensatory measure until such time as a placement is available. The Home Tuition Grant is an interim measure to provide for education until an educational placement is becomes available. When a school placement becomes available the Home Tuition Grant will be discontinued.
The religious ethos of a school is not considered when determining the availability of a school placement.
Article 44 of the Constitution and Section 30 of the Education Act 1998, provides that parents have a right to have their children opt out of religion classes if they so wish. The manner in which any school ensures that the right to opt out of religion classes is upheld is a matter for the school concerned.
Each individual school must determine the particular arrangements which are most appropriate in its individual circumstances having regard to local issues such as available space, supervision requirements and how the school concerned organises classes etc.
The Education (Admission to Schools) Bill 2016, 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. This is an important measure which will help ensure transparency from the outset as to how a school will uphold the rights of parents in this regard.
The operation of all other recognised schools, is subject to ongoing inspection and evaluation. My Department's school inspectorate inspects the schools on an ongoing basis and this has included a Whole School Evaluation in certain cases. The findings of such Whole School Evaluations are published on my Department's website. In addition, the schools all engage in school self-evaluation, the findings of which are published on school websites. In addition, the schools all engage in school self-evaluation, the findings of which are published on school websites.
209. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills to outline the action a person (details supplied) can take in a situation. [11412/17]
View answerThe Deputy may be aware that under the Education Welfare Act 2000 all primary and post primary schools are required to have an anti-bullying policy. The attention of the parents/guardians of the pupil concerned in this question should be drawn to the terms of this policy in the particular school and the process for pursuing investigation of any bullying allegations enshrined therein.
In relation to psycho-educational assessment my Department’s National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) provides an educational psychological 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 in the NEPS section of my 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. This process is moderated through the school.
I have made enquiries in the matter and can confirm that NEPS has not been contacted by the school regarding the child in question. I would advise therefore that the parents/guardians of the child should raise the matter, in the first instance, with the principal of the school concerned with a view to his / her discussing the matter with the assigned NEPS psychologist.
The Deputy may be aware that an extended absence from school is a matter for the local Educational Welfare Service. The parents/guardians of the child in this case should make contact with Tusla to seek advice on how the child can best pursue or recommence their Second Level education.
My Department's NEPS service is available to assist as appropriate, if requested by either the School Principal or the Educational Welfare Service.
210. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Skills to set out the amount the Department has spent on public relations consultants and all matters relating to public relations costs in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11427/17]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy in respect of the year 2016 is set out in the following table.
|
Name of Firm |
Purpose |
Cost in 2016 |
|
Career Zoo |
Cost of stand space at Career Zoo, IFSC |
€7,257.00 |
|
Carr Communications |
Communication/Interview Skills Training |
€430.50 |
|
Carr Communications |
Communication/Interview Skills Training |
€676.50 |
|
Carr Communications |
Communication Workshop |
€799.50 |
|
Public Relations Institute Of Ireland |
Public Relations Institute of Ireland Certificate for Civil Service Press Officers |
€1,890.00 |
|
Zoo Digital D2 |
ToolTip Skills to Work website pop-up installation |
€2,435.40 |
|
TOTAL |
€13,488.90 |
211. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will put in place appropriate courses for the local community of north Kilkenny to assist persons to prepare for the employment potential at a nursing home and retail outlets currently under construction at Urlingford, County Kilkenny; if a resource centre (details supplied) will be approved for such courses by SOLAS; if the funding will be provided to SOLAS to provide the courses locally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11439/17]
View answerThrough the annual service planning process that takes place each year between SOLAS and each Education and Training Board (ETB), ETBs are primarily responsible for the identification and planning of provision to meet the identified needs of learners, enterprise and communities within their regions.
Since 2014, SOLAS and the ETBs work together to produce annual service plans that are informed by national policies and strategies and are grounded in an analysis of local skills demand and labour supply. In the context of this process, funding of the relevant resource centre is primarily a matter for Kilkenny Carlow ETB, currently completing its 2017 Funding Allocation Request to SOLAS. I have asked the Education and Training Board to follow up on this matter directly with the Deputy.
212. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Skills to set out the number of portacabins in use in schools here; the length of time each portacabin is in place; the total cost involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11452/17]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that there are in the region of 950 prefabricated units rented at Primary and Post Primary schools across the country, with some schools having multiple units. In the region of 458 units were installed between 2010 and 2016 with 440 units installed between 2003 and 2009.
The cost of rentals prior to 2009 is not readily available, however, information requested by the Deputy in relation to the cost of rented accommodation from 2009 is contained in the following table.
I also with to advise the Deputy that prior to 2013, separate information on the rental of prefabs, buildings and land was not compiled by my Department so that the information provided for the years, 2009 to 2012 inclusive, relates to expenditure on all types of rented accommodation. The information provided for the years 2013 and onwards relates to the rental of prefab accommodation only.
In this regard it is my intention over the lifetime of my Department's Capital Programme, to replace all purchased temporary accommodation with permanent accommodation, where the need is established. To enable this development, my Department will be carrying out an assessment of the number of prefabs being used in schools to deliver the curriculum. This will also determine whether or not individual prefabs need to be replaced in the context of the long-term accommodation needs of each individual school. When completed, this assessment will quantify the number of prefabs to be replaced.
|
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
|
€38,903,960 |
€29,309,300 |
€28,963,380 |
€24,672,145 |
€24,463,515 |
€15,130,375 |
€16,874,955 |
€23,354,175 |
€3,222,715 |
213. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills to outline his plans to combat the accommodation crisis for students attending UCD in 2017-18; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11483/17]
View answer215. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills to outline the timeframe for the increase in student accommodation for students attending UCD; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11485/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 213 and 215.
Alleviating the housing crisis is a cross-Government priority. Accordingly, my colleague Mr. Simon Coveney T.D., Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, on 19 July 2016 published “Rebuilding Ireland – an Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness”, following Government approval of this comprehensive and ambitious Plan. The full plan can be accessed at: http://rebuildingireland.ie/Rebuilding%20Ireland_Action%20Plan.pdf.
My Department worked closely with the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government in developing this Plan, with a specific focus on student accommodation, and I very much welcome the commitments contained in the plan and I look forward to working with colleagues on a cross-Departmental basis to ensure that the commitments contained in the Plan are implemented as soon as practicable.
As outlined in the Action Plan for Education 2017 which was published on 6 February 2017 and in the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan, my officials have been working closely with officials from the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government and with other relevant stakeholders with a view to implementing all of the relevant actions in relation to student accommodation that were detailed in Rebuilding Ireland. This includes the development of a national student accommodation strategy which is due for completion in Q2 2017 and which will set out a broad framework for delivery of an enhanced level of student accommodation.
In addition to this an inter-departmental steering group on student accommodation has been established which is chaired by the Deputy Secretary General of my Department. This steering group is comprised of officials from my Department in addition to representatives from the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the Department of Finance, the Higher Education Authority, the Irish Universities Association, the Technological Higher Education Association, the Union of Students in Ireland, the University of Limerick, Trinity College Dublin and the National Treasury Management Agency.
Turning specifically to UCD, I welcomed the launch of a new Student Accommodation Block in UCD in September 2016 which provided an additional 350 new student accommodation bed spaces on campus bringing total student accommodation now available on campus to 3,164.
The university also plans to develop this area of the campus as a vibrant residential sector and hopes to double resident numbers to just over 6,000 in the coming years.
UCD also provides a dedicated off-campus support office to its students to give advice and actively identify and register private individuals and companies who are interested in renting out rooms, apartments, and houses to UCD students. Students can also seek advice from their Students Union, and other state organisations such as the PRTB and Threshold.
In addition to this, €30,000 was provided to USI by the HEA to fund their 2016 #HomesForStudy campaign. A Final Report on the 2016 campaign published by USI showed that at least 2,258 students accessed “DIGS” accommodation directly as a result of the campaign spearheaded by USI. This is a significant win – win situation, as students get accommodation and homeowners can now earn up to €14,000 a year tax - free providing this service. The Government provided for an increase in the ceiling for exemption from income tax under the Rent-a-Room scheme in Budget 2017. The ceiling has increased from €12,000 to €14,000 from 2017.
Funding for a full-time Student Housing Officer for the 16/17 academic year has also been provided by the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government to the Union of Students in Ireland.
214. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills to set out the number of students attending UCD from outside County Dublin for the each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11484/17]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is outlined in the following table. The total student numbers from outside Dublin include international students.
|
Year |
2011/12 |
2012/13 |
2013/14 |
2014/15 |
2015/16 |
|
Domicile outside Dublin |
12,935 |
13,393 |
14,346 |
14,773 |
15,396 |
216. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills to set out the details of the staffing levels at a school (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11489/17]
View answerThe criteria used for the allocation of teachers to primary schools is published annually on the website of the Department of Education and Skills. 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.
Following a review of the staffing allocation for Small Primary Schools, Budget 2017 announced two adjustments in relation to one teacher schools. Where the school is the sole primary school on an island the school will be able to appoint a second teacher.
In relation to single teacher schools generally with an enrolment of 15 or more pupils, the school can apply to the staffing appeals board for a second post where the single teacher has pupils across 6 or more class groups. This new measure is in recognition of the challenges faced by the teacher having to teach 6 class groups or more.
These arrangements will be effective from September 2017 and will be set out in the staffing schedule circular for the 2017/18 school year which will be available on my Department's website in the coming weeks.
The school referred to by the Deputy had an enrolment of 15 on 30th September 2015. This allows for a mainstream staffing of 1 teacher (Principal) for the current school year.
217. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills to outline the level of construction inflation that has been experienced by his Department in each of the past six years and to date in 2017 in respect of construction projects and other capital projects; the way in which he monitors construction inflation and the mechanisms he employs to establish this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11534/17]
View answerAccording to the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland tender index, tender levels peaked in the first half of 2007, dropped by about 33% to their lowest level in 2010 and 2011 and had recovered to a level approximately 17% below the peak by the first half of 2016, the most recent index published.
The Department publishes a Basic Building Cost limit for primary and post primary schools which provides a guideline to Design Teams as to the level of specification and design that is appropriate for school buildings. The Basic Building Cost along with site specific Abnormal Costs, External Works costs and Fitted Furniture costs are used to calculate the predicted construction cost of a project ahead of a tender exercise.
The Department’s Basic Building Cost limit was first introduced in 1975 (€136/m2). It reached a peak of €1,230/m2 in June 2006. The cost limit was reduced for the first time ever in November 2009 to €990/m2 (a 19.5% reduction) and again in January 2011 to €930/m2 (a further 6% reduction). The Basic Building Cost limit has undergone three increases since then – April 2014 (€1,050/m2, +12.9%), June 2105 (€1,150/m2, +9.5%) and February 2016 (€1,210/m2, +5.2%) and currently stands at €1,210/m2. It should be noted that a significant proportion of the recent increases relate to improvements in building standards and not just construction inflation.
The Basic Building Cost limit is regularly adjusted to take account of construction inflation and changes in building standards. The Department continuously monitors tender details across all major school building projects, as well as trends in labour and materials costs, and periodically adjusts its Basic Building Cost limit accordingly. Figures in relation to each of the past 6 years are not readily available. However, the overall level of increase in the Basic Building Cost Limit since January 2011 was +30%.
