Written Answers Nos. 328-347
328. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the detail of all capital expenditure such as extensions, new builds and additional accommodation for all primary schools in County Offaly since January 2011, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37210/17]
View answerThe capital funding expended on new schools, school extensions, additional accommodation, emergency works and the summer works scheme for primary schools in Offaly in the period 2011 - August 2017 follows.
Details of all school capital works that have been funded by my Department may be viewed on my Department's website www.education.ie and this is updated regularly.
|
YEAR |
YEAR |
YEAR |
YEAR |
YEAR |
YEAR |
YEAR |
||
|
SCHOOL NAME |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
|
|
ARDEN BOYS NS |
9,070.50 |
12,378.50 |
8,386.00 |
106,150.50 |
58,412.93 |
8,090.00 |
2,091.00 |
|
|
BALLYKILMURRY NS |
10,458.00 |
9,782.48 |
104,018.66 |
10,661.50 |
10,402.50 |
10,439.50 |
0 |
|
|
BROUGHAL NS |
6,018.00 |
0 |
5,962.50 |
5,888.50 |
5,833.00 |
5,851.50 |
206.36 |
|
|
CARRAIG NS BIRR |
7,294.50 |
0 |
7,162.69 |
6,758.00 |
17,388.00 |
7,807.59 |
0 |
|
|
CHARLEVILLE NS |
57,907.44 |
0 |
7,276.00 |
7,276.00 |
7,257.50 |
7,331.50 |
0 |
|
|
CLARA CONVENT NS |
149,055.75 |
349.2 |
10,381.20 |
9,089.00 |
9,033.50 |
168,883.57 |
18,500.00 |
|
|
CLONAGHADOO NS |
7,350.00 |
0 |
97,542.50 |
53,662.50 |
7,627.50 |
7,627.50 |
3,171.67 |
|
|
CLONBULLOGUE NATIONAL SCHOOL |
30,313.54 |
0 |
7,646.00 |
26,438.05 |
7,516.50 |
7,604.81 |
0 |
|
|
CLONEYHURKE NS |
18,258.50 |
0 |
6,221.50 |
6,166.00 |
6,092.00 |
6,036.50 |
0 |
|
|
COOLANARNEY NS |
9,716.50 |
0 |
6,739.50 |
6,702.50 |
6,721.00 |
214,587.46 |
54,739.74 |
|
|
COOLDERRY CENTRAL NS |
9,236.48 |
35,612.50 |
7,294.50 |
7,165.00 |
156,224.38 |
22,025.00 |
0 |
|
|
CROGHAN NS |
7,331.50 |
4,722.04 |
7,257.50 |
7,350.00 |
7,313.00 |
7,202.00 |
0 |
|
|
CROINCHOILL NS |
768,477.61 |
730,268.17 |
19,054.86 |
60,342.53 |
84,455.43 |
20,312.11 |
9,464.74 |
|
|
DAINGEAN NS |
14,978.00 |
18,499.95 |
86,685.49 |
65,075.16 |
93,083.38 |
13,925.40 |
0 |
|
|
GAELSCOIL EISICIR RIADA |
9,459.00 |
0 |
9,440.50 |
9,403.50 |
116,092.54 |
9,329.50 |
47,755.59 |
|
|
GAELSCOIL BHIORRA |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
95,734.99 |
52,980.11 |
0 |
|
|
GEASHILL 1 NS |
7,794.00 |
0 |
8,354.00 |
8,127.00 |
398,824.40 |
298,970.05 |
0 |
|
|
GORTNAMONA NS |
7,128.00 |
387.45 |
7,035.50 |
6,980.00 |
6,980.00 |
6,832.00 |
18,500.00 |
|
|
GS EADAN DOIRE |
33,337.95 |
16,300.46 |
133,430.27 |
1,378,292.11 |
23,212.17 |
12,228.50 |
13,500.00 |
|
|
HIGH ST MIXED N S |
11,392.00 |
1,773.76 |
6,813.50 |
6,913.03 |
7,227.53 |
119,938.56 |
0 |
|
|
KILCORMAC CONVENT NS |
4,300.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
KILLEEN NS |
7,220.50 |
0 |
30,896.37 |
17,356.73 |
7,424.00 |
110,602.00 |
0 |
|
|
KINNITTY NS |
12,318.95 |
2,004.80 |
152,513.26 |
38,166.00 |
22,274.00 |
7,627.50 |
0 |
|
|
MARIAN NS OFFALY SCHOOL OF SPECIAL EDUCATION |
7,631.68 |
7,148.50 |
29,499.25 |
15,287.94 |
18,147.72 |
16,448.75 |
16,792.12 |
|
|
MERCY PRIMARY SCHOOL |
11,364.50 |
0 |
9,551.50 |
9,385.00 |
78,828.13 |
8,811.50 |
15,996.65 |
|
|
MONASTERORIS NS |
7,054.00 |
0 |
6,961.50 |
6,850.50 |
6,739.50 |
6,684.00 |
107.59 |
|
|
MOUNTBOLUS NATIONAL SCHOOL |
6,314.00 |
0 |
6,166.00 |
6,203.00 |
6,166.00 |
6,184.50 |
0 |
|
|
NAOMH MHUIRE NS |
7,387.00 |
362,906.20 |
15,461.00 |
42,254.54 |
7,331.50 |
82,885.00 |
68,558.82 |
|
|
POLLAGH NS |
57,926.28 |
0 |
7,257.50 |
7,387.00 |
7,405.50 |
89,279.53 |
0 |
|
|
PORTARLINGTON NS |
54,768.48 |
2,633,558.02 |
19,390.83 |
60,191.50 |
19,742.45 |
34,541.50 |
1,693.48 |
|
|
ROSCOMROE NS |
64,129.97 |
39,865.49 |
6,110.50 |
5,888.50 |
5,925.50 |
5,907.00 |
0 |
|
|
S N BHRIDE |
7,146.50 |
0 |
7,239.00 |
7,128.00 |
7,091.00 |
7,128.00 |
0 |
|
|
S N CHARTAIGH NAOFA |
28,164.00 |
6,500.00 |
18,498.85 |
14,995.50 |
88,225.09 |
16,699.00 |
6,500.00 |
|
|
S N LOMCHLUANA |
15,500.70 |
0 |
6,647.00 |
7,678.50 |
24,328.50 |
13,221.00 |
0 |
|
|
S N MUIRE BAINRION |
14,999.00 |
0 |
11,147.68 |
59,302.41 |
184,208.99 |
13,215.00 |
157,619.90 |
|
|
S N NAOMH BROGAIN |
8,829.50 |
0 |
7,202.00 |
7,183.50 |
9,877.04 |
7,165.00 |
0 |
|
|
S N NAOMH PHILOMENA |
39,796.63 |
0 |
8,460.00 |
21,001.00 |
33,209.00 |
16,663.22 |
0 |
|
|
S N OSMANN |
143,032.18 |
0 |
177,942.22 |
7,276.00 |
7,165.00 |
7,109.50 |
0 |
|
|
S N PEADAR AGUS POL |
28,840.00 |
0 |
12,233.30 |
29,690.97 |
26,412.86 |
5,962.50 |
0 |
|
|
S N SHEOSAIMH NAOFA |
1,703,791.34 |
174,067.95 |
117,290.33 |
10,226.50 |
11,436.95 |
8,904.00 |
2,053.84 |
|
|
SCOIL BHRIDE |
48,812.99 |
0 |
9,070.50 |
8,996.50 |
46,338.95 |
8,959.50 |
0 |
|
|
SCOIL BHRIDE |
79,698.49 |
93,798.24 |
351,868.01 |
5,592,377.70 |
1,555,793.21 |
34,420.87 |
175,148.32 |
|
|
SCOIL CRONAIN NAOFA |
1,078,420.95 |
24,837.73 |
62,677.55 |
56,230.79 |
10,217.50 |
11,281.45 |
2,370.72 |
|
|
SCOIL MHUIRE |
25,813.45 |
41,548.46 |
86,185.59 |
55,533.68 |
96,251.26 |
2,214,958.73 |
2,092,908.12 |
|
|
SCOIL MHUIRE AGUS CHORMAIC |
77,004.50 |
574.98 |
7,257.50 |
10,674.76 |
131,092.80 |
131,182.69 |
106,757.47 |
|
|
SCOIL NAOMH EOIN |
52,427.79 |
0 |
7,407.00 |
7,387.00 |
70,866.00 |
16,516.50 |
7,471.00 |
|
|
SCOIL NAOMH PADRAIG |
7,683.00 |
46,996.50 |
7,775.50 |
7,683.00 |
7,868.00 |
8,201.00 |
0 |
|
|
SHINCHILL NS |
79,551.50 |
37,500.00 |
9,958.50 |
163,576.02 |
80,111.66 |
10,402.50 |
18,500.00 |
|
|
SHINRONE MXD NS |
13,688.20 |
0 |
10,988.00 |
8,090.00 |
9,170.61 |
8,127.00 |
0 |
|
|
SN CAOIMHIN NAOFA |
7,350.00 |
0 |
7,405.50 |
8,850.35 |
7,239.00 |
7,128.00 |
0 |
|
|
SN CHIARAIN NAOFA |
12,870.51 |
0 |
6,887.50 |
43,708.70 |
22,600.23 |
6,906.00 |
0 |
|
|
SN MHUIRE |
7,461.00 |
4,519.00 |
673,316.80 |
36,367.00 |
7,738.50 |
9,442.20 |
0 |
|
|
SN MHUIRE BAINRIOGHAN |
8,926.50 |
0 |
6,702.50 |
6,647.00 |
6,554.50 |
58,316.98 |
0 |
|
|
SN MHUIRE NAOFA |
11,490.00 |
0 |
10,615.78 |
9,181.50 |
8,978.00 |
8,719.00 |
14,601.93 |
|
|
SN NAOMH CHOLUMCHILLE |
13,001.90 |
2,694.72 |
9,366.50 |
9,963.50 |
393,779.34 |
10,645.75 |
0 |
|
|
SN PHADRAIG |
14,914.65 |
0 |
7,812.50 |
7,812.50 |
7,683.00 |
7,664.50 |
0 |
|
|
ST BRENDANS MONASTERY |
164,365.19 |
0 |
9,773.50 |
16,033.00 |
64,734.87 |
10,549.58 |
20,671.70 |
|
|
ST CALLINANS NS |
6,462.00 |
6,666.94 |
6,499.00 |
6,680.50 |
7,836.23 |
6,684.00 |
0 |
|
|
ST CIARANS MIXED NS |
7,535.00 |
0 |
7,442.50 |
23,690.00 |
121,692.20 |
32,724.06 |
6,500.00 |
|
|
ST COLMANS NS |
122,132.02 |
211,717.97 |
120,376.68 |
119,593.00 |
11,216.50 |
12,365.59 |
0 |
|
|
ST COLMANS NS |
9,139.26 |
474.82 |
7,276.00 |
7,405.50 |
42,940.50 |
7,516.50 |
0 |
|
|
ST CORMACS NS |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
ST CRONANS NS LUSMAGH |
12,043.98 |
0 |
6,758.00 |
6,610.00 |
6,591.50 |
6,739.50 |
0 |
|
|
ST CYNOCS NATIONAL SCHOOL |
19,761.72 |
0 |
14,792.50 |
19,626.25 |
14,792.50 |
14,644.50 |
0 |
|
|
ST FRANCIS BNS |
11,701.00 |
38,966.17 |
9,440.50 |
30,012.30 |
30,294.35 |
766,425.00 |
252,720.75 |
|
|
ST JOSEPHS NS |
17,916.24 |
973.31 |
18,689.50 |
47,278.22 |
20,317.50 |
437,346.09 |
123,543.90 |
|
|
ST KIERANS NS |
8,860.81 |
0 |
6,684.00 |
6,702.50 |
6,480.50 |
6,591.50 |
0 |
|
|
ST MARYS BOYS |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
ST MARYS NS |
19,274.50 |
0 |
61,851.80 |
190,376.25 |
29,784.64 |
13,344.00 |
0 |
|
|
ST MARYS NS |
24,770.88 |
0 |
6,850.50 |
6,887.50 |
14,591.00 |
7,146.50 |
0 |
|
|
ST PATRICKS BNS |
34,940.79 |
0 |
53,835.50 |
24,662.65 |
58,267.59 |
66,064.83 |
39,979.09 |
|
|
ST. JOSEPHS NS |
7,126.00 |
0 |
6,499.00 |
41,723.18 |
6,702.50 |
6,795.00 |
25,038.30 |
|
|
ST. RYANAGH'S NS |
21,214.50 |
792.12 |
10,754.00 |
10,569.00 |
10,754.00 |
10,587.50 |
0 |
|
|
TULLAMORE EDUCATE TOGETHER NS |
23,503.22 |
4,257.40 |
8,996.50 |
68,584.33 |
2,632,850.67 |
474,154.54 |
73,363.45 |
|
|
Total |
5,454,955.02 |
4,572,443.83 |
2,828,985.47 |
8,821,408.15 |
7,239,500.59 |
5,905,593.02 |
3,396,826.25 |
38,219,712.33 |
329. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has explored the possibility of a secondary school in the Togher area of Cork. [37211/17]
View answerIn order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas. Togher falls into the Glasheen Cork City school planning area which is currently served by nine post-primary schools.
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 a range of sources, including the Central Statistics Office, Ordnance Survey Ireland, the Department of Social Protection and my Department's own databases. With this information, my Department is currently carrying out nationwide demographic exercises at primary and post-primary level to determine where additional school accommodation is needed.
Following the completion of the 2017 demographic exercises, additional schools may open. It is anticipated that decisions based on these exercises will be announced later in 2017.
330. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost his Department incurred in each of the past five years due to debit and credit card payment services and banking fees; the financial institutions to which the payments were made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37223/17]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy is set out in the attached table. This table lists the total amount paid in fees and negative interest in respect of all accounts for each of the past five years and to the end of June 2017.
My Department operates a number of commercial bank accounts all of which are held in the Bank of Ireland and one investment account which is held in the Central Bank in respect of the National Training Fund. Bank of Ireland introduced transactional fee charges effective from January 2017 and negative interest charges effective from March 2017 on all bank accounts. Prior to this date, fees were applied only to the commercial bank account of the National Training Fund and negative interest applied to the investment account in the Central Bank.
My Department operates three credit card and has a very strict policy in relation to their use. Their use is restricted to the Ministerial Offices and to the Department’s IT Division. Fees include Government Stamp Duty, Interest and the Bank’s own Annual Fee.
There are no debit cards in operation in my Department.
|
Year |
Transaction Fees Paid on Department Accounts |
Negative Interest Paid on Department Accounts |
Fees Paid on Department Credit Cards |
|
2012 |
6,232.78 |
- |
123.18 |
|
2013 |
7,667.64 |
- |
235.29 |
|
2014 |
6,833.88 |
- |
220.82 |
|
2015 |
6,000.00 |
223,000.00 |
183.00 |
|
2016 |
12,753.85 |
232,531.28 |
183.00 |
|
YTD June 2017 |
77,061.18 |
7,670.96 |
180.16 |
|
Total Paid |
116,549.33 |
463,202.24 |
1,125.45 |
331. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the information and communications technology grant for schools covers the procurement of educational social media platforms. [37232/17]
View answerThe Digital Strategy for Schools 2015-2020 Enhancing Teaching Learning and Assessment, sets out the Department's vision for embedding ICT in teaching learning and assessment in primary and post-primary schools. The Strategy recognises the issues schools face in relation to ICT infrastructure, and funding of €210m is committed to address these requirements over the period of the Strategy. The first tranche of funding of €30m in respect of the 2016-2017 school year issued to 3,158 primary schools and 667 post-primary schools earlier this year.
The purpose of this funding is to ensure that schools can support the embedding of digital technologies in teaching and learning. In considering how to allocate this funding, schools are advised to consider their Digital Learning Plan (also known as eLearning Plan), to ensure that any investment made in digital technologies aligns with that. Schools should consider why they might make a particular acquisition, and in particular how such an acquisition can support teaching and learning in their school. Having considered those questions, schools have flexibility regarding what to invest in to progress their digital learning objectives.
Details of the Grant Scheme for ICT Infrastructure, including eligibility criteria, the methodology applied to calculating the payments and examples of what the funding may cover, can be found on the Department's website at http://www.education.ie/en/Circulars-and-Forms/Active-Circulars/cl0001_2017.pdf.
332. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a transport grant for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37308/17]
View answerSchool transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
During the 2016/17 school year almost 116,000 children, including some 12,000 children with special educational needs, were transported in over 4,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually.
Under the terms of the Department's Primary School Transport Scheme children are generally eligible for transport where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school.
Children who are eligible for school transport but for whom no transport service is available may, following an application for transport within prescribed time limits, receive a Remote Area Grant towards the cost of private transport arrangements.
The family in question were late in submitting their application for school transport for the 2016/17 school year and therefore can only claim the grant from the beginning of the 2017/18 school year.
The terms of the scheme are applied equitably on a national basis.
333. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills the funding available for persons wishing to complete a masters in primary education. [37320/17]
View answerThere are a number of possible support options available to persons wishing to complete a masters in primary education.
The Deputy will be aware of the Action Plan for Education commitment to increase financial supports for postgraduate students with a particular focus on those from low income households.
In response to this commitment, I secured additional funding of €4 million in Budget 2017 to facilitate the reinstatement of full maintenance grants, from September 2017, for the most disadvantaged postgraduate students. This will benefit approximately 1,100 post graduate students who meet the eligibility criteria for the special rate of maintenance grant.
The Student Grant Scheme is now open for applications for the 2017/18 academic year.
Postgraduate students who meet the qualifying conditions for the special rate of grant under the Student Grant Scheme are eligible for the Postgraduate Special Rate of Maintenance grant, the income threshold for this grant is €23,000, also postgraduate students are eligible to have their post graduate tuition fees paid up to the maximum fee limit of €6,270.
Alternatively a postgraduate student may qualify to have a €2,000 contribution made towards the cost of his/her fees. The income threshold for this payment is €31,500 for the 2017/2018 academic year.
Students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. This Fund assists students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Information on the fund is available through the Access Officer in the third level institution attended. This fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis.
Tax relief at the standard rate of tax may be claimed in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education. Further information on this tax relief is available from the Revenue Commissioners at www.revenue.ie.
Some higher education institutions operate their own benevolent schemes. Prospective students should contact the access office in the college attended, for advice on the specific supports that might be available.
334. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Education and Skills the details of the way in which post-primary schools in County Leitrim are funded; the top-up, if any, that applies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37339/17]
View answerThe funding arrangements made by my Department for post-primary schools, including schools in Co Leitrim, reflect the sectoral division of our second-level system. At the core of all arrangements is reliance upon capitation as the principal determinant of funding.
My Department provides funding to voluntary secondary schools by way of per capita grants. Funding is provided to Community and Comprehensive schools on a budget basis that is based mainly on student numbers, but also takes into account additional factors which vary from school to school such as condition of buildings, size of school etc.
With regard to the Education and Training Board (ETB) sector, financial allocations are made to ETBs as part of a block grant. ETBs are given a high level of autonomy in the management and appropriation of this grant and each ETB is allowed to distribute its allocations in line with its priorities and perceptions of need.
The salaries of Teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) employed in Voluntary Secondary, Community and Comprehensive schools are paid through payrolls that are centrally operated by my Department. In the case of the ETB Sector my Department provides grants to each ETB to pay its teachers and SNAs.
Other financial supports are given to post-primary schools such as grants towards the cost of employing ancillary staff, ICT Infrastructure, Programme Grants, Capital projects, etc.
335. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Education and Skills the details of the annual budget for a post-primary school (details supplied) in County Leitrim, in particular, special needs funding and its specific purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37340/17]
View answerThe school referred to by the Deputy is an ETB school.
ETB schools are not funded directly by my Department but are funded via budget allocations provided to each ETB. ETBs are responsible for allocating funding to each of the schools under their remit.
Each Education and Training Board (ETB), including the ETB of the school concerned, has a responsibility to ensure that maximum value is obtained from the funding provided to them. ETBs are afforded considerable flexibility in the use of resources to meet the needs of individual schemes. Current funding payments are made to ETBs as part of a block grant that also covers ETB overheads and other activities apart from the second-level programme.
Separate to the block grant funding and with regards to special needs funding there are two relevant grants; the Special Class Grant and an Assistive Technology Grant.
With regard to the Special Class Grant, enhanced capitation payments are made for all students attending special classes in mainstream schools and is issued from the ETB Non Pay subhead.
Students enrolled in special classes must have a formal assessment of disability. Special class sizes are based on the pupil-teacher ratios as recommended in the SERC Report 1993 ranging from 11:1 to 6:1. The enhanced capitation grant for Special Classes is provided to the ETB for the approved students and the ETB in-turn disburse the grant to the schools. The approved numbers apply on a school by school basis and are not transferable to other schools within the ETB.
With regards to the Assistive Technology grant, the purpose of the Assistive Technology scheme is to provide grant-aid to schools to allow them to purchase the type of specialist equipment which has been recommended by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) as being essential for pupils who have been diagnosed as:
(i) having a serious physical disability
(ii) and/or sensory or communicative disability to the extent that their ability to communicate through the medium of speech or writing is materially curtailed
(iii) where it is clear that existing equipment in the school is insufficient to meet the child's needs without unduly depriving other children of access to the equipment.
(iv) where without such equipment it will not be possible for such children to access the school curriculum.
Where a school is under a particular ETB, payment is made directly to the ETB in question who will then forward the payment to the relevant school.
If the Deputy requires further information the ETB may be contacted directly for further details.
336. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason students in a post-primary school (details supplied) in County Leitrim are not provided the option of the leaving certificate applied programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37341/17]
View answerThe Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA) programme is one of a number of options made available by my Department for Senior Cycle students which schools can choose from, based on the education needs and interests of their student.
It is the responsibility and choice of each individual school to decide to put in place the LCA programme, based on the educational needs and interests of their students. It is also for schools to decide on the admittance of a student to the programme, in their school. Schools are encouraged to provide maximum access to these options and to have clear procedures in place regarding how the available places are allocated to students.
Schools that choose to organise the LCA programme are entitled to an additional fixed allocation of 0.5 of a teaching post, over the standard allocation. There is no minimum number of LCA pupils required for schools to secure the additional teaching allocation from my Department.
My Department is committed to supporting this programme, which is appropriate for members of the student cohort whose needs, aptitudes and learning styles are not fully catered for by the other two Leaving Certificate programmes (Leaving Cert Established and Leaving Cert Vocational Programme). That is why I have asked the NCCA to consider the LCA, as part of its review of Senior Cycle which commenced in 2017. This review will help to ensure curriculum development continues to respond to the changing needs of learners, society and the economy.
337. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a comparative expenditure analysis of the ETB's proposal for the provision of an equivalent to the leaving certificate applied programme in a town (details supplied) in County Leitrim versus the cost of the introduction of the LCA programme in the post-primary school in the same town has been carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37342/17]
View answerA proposal has not as yet been received by my Department. It would be expected that any such proposal would include an identification of local need and a consideration of options for addressing it.
339. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna cén fáth nach bhfuil cead á thabhairt do scoil (sonraí tugtha) naíonra a thógáil ar thalamh na scoile cé gurb amhlaidh gur tugadh cead don scoil in 2014 cead pleanála a lorg do naíonra ar thalamh na scoile agus go bhfuarthas an cead sin in 2016, ag féachaint go háirithe don leas a dhéantar d’iompar teanga gasúr i nGaelscoileanna nuair a bhíonn naíonra ceangailte leis an nGaelscoil; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [37504/17]
View answer340. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna cad é an líon Gaelscoileanna a raibh cead pleanála faighte acu do naíonraí ach a bhfuil an cead sin coinnithe siar anois orthu de bharr an athbhreithnithe atá á dhéanamh ag an Aire ar an mbeartas maidir le cead a thabhairt do Ghaelscoileanna naíonraí a thógáil ar a gcuid tailte; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [37505/17]
View answer341. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna cén uair a chríochnófar an t-athbhreithniú ar an mbeartas maidir le cead a thabhairt do Ghaelscoileanna naíonraí a thógáil ar thailte a gcuid scoileanna; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [37506/17]
View answerTá sé i gceist agam Ceisteanna Parlaiminte 339 go 341 a thógáil le chéile.
Scríobh mo Roinn chuig Príomhoide na scoile dá raibh tagairt déanta ag an Teachta i mí Iúil 2016 ina n-áiríodh go mbreathnaíonn an Roinn go dearfach de ghnáth ar iarratais ar chóiríocht a chur ar fáil do Naíonraí, ach nuair a cuireadh an t-iarratas áirithe seo isteach, bhí saincheisteanna ann a bhí á meas sa chomhthéacs i gcoitinne maidir le soláthar naíonraí ar réadmhaoin scoileanna. San áireamh sna saincheisteanna seo bhí comhaontuithe réadmhaoine agus dlíthiúla, rialachas, árachas agus cúrsaí dliteanais. Bhí comhairle dlí á meas.
Cuireadh in iúl don Phríomhoide go raibh na saincheisteanna seo á meas mar chuid den athbhreithniú i gcoitinne laistigh den Roinn maidir leis na riachtanais atá le bheith bunaithe maidir le húsáid réadmhaoin na scoile do sheirbhísí naíonraí agus iarscoile agus maidir le hullmhúchán na dtreoirlínte a bhaineann leis seo.
Is féidir liom a dheimhniú go bhfuil na treoirlínte maidir le húsáid foirgneamh scoile curtha i gcrích agus go bhfuil siad le foilsiú go luath. Beidh na treoirlínte seo i bhfeidhm i ngach scoil agus ní bhaineann siad le gaelscoileanna amháin. A luaithe agus a fhoilseofar na treoirlínte seo, beidh mo Roinn i dteagmháil le húdaráis na scoile chuí i dtaca leis an scoil a ndearna an Teachta tagairt di.
Níl taifid láraithe de na gaelscoileanna a fuair cead pleanála do naíonraí ag an Roinn. Ach, más mian leis an Teachta eolas a lorg maidir le scoil ar leith, tabharfaidh oifigigh ó mo Roinn cuidiú duit maidir le ceist ar leith.
342. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding plans to build a new school for a school (details supplied) which was promised in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37532/17]
View answer391. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress of the rebuild of a school (details supplied); the stage it is at; the timeframe of construction; when groundworks will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38073/17]
View answer395. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the stage the redevelopment and new buildings for a school (details supplied) is at; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38077/17]
View answerI propose to answer Questions Nos. 342, 391 and 395 together.
The major school building project to which the Deputy refers is at an advanced stage of architectural planning - Stage 2(b). All statutory approvals have been secured.
However, following the necessary appointment of a replacement Mechanical & Electrical Engineer the Design Team in association with the newly appointed Engineer are working on a revised MandE report which will be submitted to the Department when it is completed.
Upon receipt and review of the report my Department will revert to the Board of Management with regard to the further progression of the project at that time.
343. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review an application for extra funding for a national school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37539/17]
View answerI am pleased to inform the Deputy that my Department considered the application for additional capital funding from the school to which she refers to have merit and, consequently, the additional funding was approved in full. The school authority was informed of my Department's decision.
344. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for a reversal in decision to grant a concessionary ticket for school transport to a person (details supplied) and if he will review this decision. [37574/17]
View answerSchool transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
During the 2016/17 school year almost 116,000 children, including some 12,000 children with special educational needs, were transported in over 4,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually.
Under the terms the Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann.
Bus Éireann has advised that the family in question are not eligible for school transport as they do not meet the distance criterion.
Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only which is subject to a number of terms and conditions including the availability of spare seats on an existing service and payment of the annual charge.
In this case, the number of applications for transport on a concessionary basis exceeded the number of spare seats available.
The child in question was not allocated a seat during the subsequent selection process and the family have been refunded their payment.
The terms of the School Transport Schemes are applied equitably on a national basis.
345. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37602/17]
View answerSchool transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
During the 2016/17 school year almost 116,000 children, including some 12,000 children with special educational needs, were transported in over 4,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually.
Under the terms the Primary School Transport Scheme Children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann.
Bus Éireann has advised that the family in question are not eligible for school transport as they reside less than 3.2 kilometres from their school of attendance.
Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only which is subject to a number of terms and conditions including the availability of spare seats on an existing service and payment of the annual charge.
In this case, the number of applications for transport on a concessionary basis exceeded the number of spare seats available. However, the family in question were allocated seats during the subsequent selection process and are availing of transport.
The terms of the School Transport Schemes are applied equitably on a national basis.
346. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the most recent figure for school completion rates in DEIS schools. [37692/17]
View answer347. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the most recent national average figure for school completion rates. [37693/17]
View answerI propose to answers Questions Nos. 346 and 347 together.
National school completion rates are published by my Department in the reports titled Retention Rates of Pupils in Second Level Schools. These reports can be found on my Department's website at https://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Statistics/Statistical-Reports/Other-Statistical-Reports.html.
The most recently published data, for the cohort who entered post-primary education in 2009 and sat the leaving certificate in either 2014 or 2015, shows a national retention rate to the Leaving Certificate of 90.2%. The retention rate in DEIS schools was 82.7%.
