Written Answers Nos. 430-454
430. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will ensure building works can be completed at a school in County Cork (details supplied); if he will provide the necessary additional funding to enable the school to build the carpark it requires; and if his attention has been drawn to the fact that funding for this cannot be obtained from already allocated grant aid in view of the fact it has already been accounted for. [38537/17]
View answerThe proposal from the school to which the Deputy refers for an extension project have been examined in my Department. The part of the proposal relating to a new car parking facility is not acceptable to my Department as this involves works extraneous to the school site which are appropriate to the local authority. The works in question include putting traffic calming measures in place in a housing area through which it is proposed that all school traffic would flow and building a new road.
My Department is of the view that the school has not examined all on-site design solutions to deliver its extension project and car parking requirements. In the circumstances, my Department has requested the school to examine and provide details of three named options in this regard for consideration by the Department.
When this information has been received, the matter can be considered further.
431. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress regarding the schedule being followed in respect of a permanent building (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38546/17]
View answerI am pleased to inform the Deputy that the new permanent school referred to in the question commenced construction on 28th August 2017.
432. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application for a new school building (details supplied); the date on which the application was received; the detail of same; the stage at which it is at; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38575/17]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that a building project for the school to which he refers is included in my Department's 6 Year Construction Programme (2016-2021). The major project will provide for partial roof replacement and electrical works. This project has progressed into architectural planning. In that regard, I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is not in receipt of an application for a new school building.
433. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of special needs assistants employed in primary schools in the Tallaght area, by school, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38582/17]
View answerIn July I announced that 975 additional SNAs will be available for allocation to schools from September 2017 which is a 7.5% increase to meet the demands for the new school year.
A total of 13,990 SNA posts will now be available at a gross annual cost of €458 million. This is more SNAs than we have ever had previously and will ensure that all children who qualify for SNA support can continue to receive access to such support. In total, the number of SNAs available has increased by over 32% since 2011, when 10,575 posts were available.
The NCSE has advised all schools of their allocations for SNA support for the coming 2017/18 school year; details of the SNA allocations which have been made to schools have also been published by the NCSE on their website. Details of the allocations to primary schools, including schools in Tallaght, are available at the following link http://ncse.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/NCSE-17_18-SNA-Allocation-Primary.pdf.
Where a school has received its allocation of SNA support for 2017/18, but wishes new enrolments or assessments to be considered, which were not taken into account when the initial allocation was made, they may continue to make applications to the NCSE.
In circumstances where a school, or parent, is unhappy with the allocation of SNA support which has been made, or considers the level of SNA support allocated is not sufficient to meet the care needs of the pupils concerned, the school or parent may appeal that decision via the NCSE appeals process, details of which are set out at www.ncse.ie. The closing date for receipt of appeals is the 29th September 2017. Where a school submits an appeal the SENO would review the care needs of the children in the school and the allocation of SNA support to meet their care needs.
434. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Skills the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools in Dublin South-West in each of the years from 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017; if there has been an improvement in the pupil-teacher ratio in Dublin South-West primary schools in that time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38583/17]
View answerThe pupil-teacher ratio (PTR) is calculated at each level by dividing the total number of pupils by the total number of allocated posts (classroom teachers and support teachers). This calculation differs from other such calculations (for example the staffing schedule at primary level which is the basis for allocating classroom teachers to each school based on their enrolments).
The Statistics Section of my Department's website contains extensive data relating to schools, including information on pupil teacher ratio at both primary and secondary level.
435. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of non-permanent teaching staff in Dublin South-West in primary and post-primary schools, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38584/17]
View answerThe information as requested by the Deputy is not available in my Department.
436. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 10 of 6 July 2017, if a building project at a school (details supplied) will proceed to construction stage at an early date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38600/17]
View answerThe Stage 2(b) Detailed Design Report for the major building project at the school to which the Deputy refers has recently been reviewed by my Department and comments on the report issued to the Board of Management in July 2017. A response to these comments is awaited from the Board of Management and its Design Team.
In parallel, the Board of Management and its Design Team are currently finalising the assessment of suitably qualified contractors to which the project can be tendered.
Once these steps are finalised my Department will then revert to the school with a timeframe to proceed to tender and construction stage.
437. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the new schools to be constructed as a regional solution in 2017 and 2018; the definition of a regional solution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38620/17]
View answerIn order to plan for school provision, my Department carries out demographic exercises based on 314 school planning areas across the country. 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 carries out nationwide demographic exercises at primary and post-primary level to determine where additional school accommodation is needed.
Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of the 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 with a school or schools,
Extending the capacity of a school or schools,
Provision of a new school(s).
In some instances, while projected growth in a single school planning area may not, of itself, warrant provision of a new school, where the combined demographic increases across a number of adjacent school planning areas indicate sufficient demand for a viable school, a regional solution may be put in place to serve these areas.
As the Deputy may be aware, on foot of the last nationwide demographic exercises, the establishment of four new primary schools and nine new post-primary schools to open in 2017 and 2018 was announced. A number of these schools were announced as regional solutions to serve a number of school planning areas under increased demographic pressure as follows:
Carpenterstown & Castleknock, Dublin 15 (post-primary);
Dublin South City Centre (post-primary); and
Dublin South City Centre (primary).
These new schools will open in suitable interim accommodation pending delivery of their permanent accommodation.
438. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the actions taken by his Department to remediate fire safety concerns in a school (details supplied) upon publication of the fire safety compliance report on 5 July 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38638/17]
View answer439. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the supports offered to schools (details supplied) since the discovery that these schools are not fire compliant; the cost that will be incurred to make these schools fire compliant; the target set for completion of these works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38642/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 438 and 439 together.
Since the publication of the reports on Friday 1st September 2017, in addition to written and verbal communication with the schools in question, an official of my Department and the Department’s Fire Consultant have met with the school authorities and briefed them on the progress on the fire safety remediation works.
The relevant Fire Safety Reports have been issued to the Fire Officer and discussed accordingly. A subsequent scope of works as agreed between the Department’s consultants and WBS contractors has issued to the Fire Officer and works to close out the identified issues are now in progress.
The DCC Fire Officer has agreed that the approach the Department is taking with regard to addressing the issues identified in the Reports is appropriate.
Following completion the works will be inspected by the Department’s Consultant. As building owner, WBS will then issue a closing report to the Fire Officer detailing how the works ensure that the buildings then meet the requirements of the Fire Certificate.
The schools were advised of the intended timescale for WBS to complete the remaining fire stopping items over the weekends of the 9th & 10th and 16th & 17th of September.
My Department will then arrange a follow up meeting with the Fire Officer in early October to ensure DCC are in approval and formally close out the issues.
The schools are owned by WBS and the latter will carry the cost of the works being undertaken.
440. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will examine an appeal by a school (details supplied) in connection with its application for an additional teacher for the 2017-2018 school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38669/17]
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 also includes an appeals mechanism for schools to submit an appeal under certain criteria to an independent Appeals Board.
The staffing schedule operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all similar types of schools equally irrespective of location.
The school referred to by the Deputy submitted an application for consideration by the Appeals Board at its upcoming October meeting.
The Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.
441. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the High Court ruling of 24 April 2017 in case No. 2015/4715P relating to the renewal of safety registration cards by SOLAS; if fees and training are still being sought for the renewal of safe pass cards; if so, his plans to end this practice in view of the High Court ruling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38670/17]
View answerThe recent order of the High Court in the proceedings brought against SOLAS concerns renewal of registration cards issued under the Construction Skills Certification and Quarry Skills Certification Schemes. That order had no application in relation to the SafePass scheme and safety awareness training is required to be undertaken by construction workers every 4 years. This is important in maintaining awareness of current and emerging health and safety requirements in the construction sector and in preventing deaths and injuries on construction sites.
442. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of safe pass cards that have been renewed by SOLAS since 24 April 2017. [38671/17]
View answerSOLAS has informed that the information sought by the Deputy in relation to the number of Safepass cards that have been renewed since the 24th April 2017 is not readily available.
SOLAS are collating this data and I have asked them to forward it directly to the Deputy when compiled.
443. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the development of sectorial response plans to Brexit, the publication date of these plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38692/17]
View answer444. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the issues identified for consideration in the context of Brexit, including opportunities and their prioritisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38708/17]
View answer445. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the details of issues identified for consideration in the context of Brexit, including threats and their prioritisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38724/17]
View answer446. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the scenario planning that has been conducted by his Department for Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38740/17]
View answer447. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the methodology employed in the prioritisation of responses to Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38756/17]
View answer448. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the funds that have been requested in response to threats resulting from Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38772/17]
View answer449. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the funds that have been allocated in response to threats resulting from Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38804/17]
View answer450. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of vacancies in his Department for Brexit-related roles; the expected date for these roles to be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38820/17]
View answer451. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills his Department’s priorities for risk mitigation in response to Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38836/17]
View answer452. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the membership and role of all Brexit-related stakeholder engagement groups working with his Department on Brexit issues; the number of times each stakeholder group has met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38852/17]
View answer453. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the planned meetings with his European colleagues and officials to address Brexit-related issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38868/17]
View answer454. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the Brexit-related research being undertaken by his Department; the topics under consideration; the date this research commenced; the expected date for completion and publication in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38884/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 443 to 454, inclusive, together.
The comprehensive document “Ireland and the negotiations on the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union: The Government’ Approach” published on 2 May outlined in detail the structures put in place by the Government to ensure a strategic and whole-of Government response to Brexit that ensures a coordinated approach to the identification of key priority issues for the EU-UK negotiations and the wider domestic response.
Since the publication of the comprehensive document, the Government has sought to further increase its strategic oversight of Brexit through the addition of a dedicated responsibility for Brexit matters to the role of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. The Cabinet Committee structures have also been reformed and a new Cabinet Committee has been established to deal with EU Affairs including Brexit.
The Government’s National Risk Assessment 2017, which provides a systematic overview of strategic risks facing the country, was published on 29 August following a public consultation process. The National Risk Assessment acknowledges the significance of risk arising from Brexit, and that Brexit represents an overarching theme that could have far-reaching impacts on nearly all aspects of national life. It identifies areas where Brexit poses a specific risk, particularly in relation to the economy.
As set out in comprehensive document of 2 May, the Government’s continuing work to ensure that Ireland’s interests are reflected in the EU’s approach to the ongoing EU-UK negotiations is a central dimension of Ireland’s strategic response to Brexit.
Work is also continuing across Government on Ireland’s wider response to the challenges and opportunities posed by Brexit, building on ongoing cross-Government research, analysis and consultations with stakeholders and encompassing the following themes:
- sustainable fiscal policies to ensure capacity to absorb and respond to economic shocks, not least from Brexit;
- policies to make Irish enterprise more diverse and resilient, to diversify trade and investment patterns, and to strengthen competitiveness;
- prioritising policy measures and dedicating resources to protect jobs and businesses in the sectors and regions most affected by Brexit;
- realising economic opportunities arising from Brexit, and helping businesses adjust to any new logistical or trade barriers arising;
- making a strong case at EU level that Ireland will require support that recognises where Brexit represents a serious disturbance to the Irish economy.
Policy decisions in support of these objectives also arise across a wide range of areas, including the annual budgetary process; the forthcoming National Planning Framework 2040; the new 10-year National Capital Plan; the Review of Enterprise 2025 Policy, and sectoral policies and investment decisions in areas such as agriculture, enterprise, transport, communications and energy.
Adopting a proactive approach from the start, the Irish Government put in place a contingency framework that maps the key issues that will be most important to Ireland in the coming weeks and months. My own Department contributed fully to the preparation of the education components of that framework.
Our work has been facilitated by the EU/International Unit of my Department which, under the leadership of a Deputy Secretary General, has been given overall responsibility for co-ordinating our response to Brexit. This Unit has been prioritising Brexit work to date and will keep staffing requirements under constant review. At this stage, it is anticipated that any additional needs arising can be provided for from within existing Departmental resources.
In discharging its Brexit-related functions, the EU/International Unit participates in the Inter-Departmental Senior Officials Group, chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach, which coordinates the whole-of-Government response to the outcome of the UK referendum, and supports the Cabinet Committee on Brexit. This is further underpinned by the Unit's active engagement with other Departments in Brexit Workgroups on the Economy and Trade; the Common Travel Area; and European Union Programmes - three of the six sectoral workgroups established to provide key sectoral or thematic advices to the Cabinet Committee and Government. The Unit also chairs the Education and Research Subgroup under the Economy and Trade strand of co-ordination. The Subgroup includes relevant areas within the Department and relevant Agencies of the Department and other Departments/Agencies.
Meetings of the Education and Research Subgroup of the Economy and Trade Group took place on 28th October 2016, 15th February and 24th May 2017 and principally reflected on stakeholder consultations input and research collaboration. The next meeting of the sub-group is planned for September.
It is my priority to continue to engage actively on a number of fronts in dealing with the impact of Brexit on the Education sector. Consultation has been fundamental to my Department’s preparations for Brexit. We have consulted extensively with our stakeholders. Between December and January both I and Minister of State Halligan have led consultations with stakeholders from right across the higher education, further education and training; and primary and post-primary education sectors. More recently, on the 3rd July 2017, the Tánaiste, and Minister for Enterprise and Innovation Frances Fitzgerald TD, and I co-hosted a joint stakeholder dialogue on enterprise skills needs and Brexit. A further joint stakeholder dialogue on research with the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation is also being planned.
Among the key challenges and risks identified in these consultations are Brexit's likely impact on the future of the Common Travel Area and its implications for students, teachers, academic staff and researchers; mutual recognition of qualifications; our enterprise skills base; UK/Ireland research collaboration and partnerships between education institutions and enterprise; as well as the implications for EU funding for research and the impact on EU funding programmes such as Horizon2020, PEACE IV and Erasmus+.
All of these issues will be factored in to my Department’s overall approach to future discussions and negotiations and our input to Government's preparations for EU-UK negotiations including the finalisation of our sectoral response plan. Both I and my Department will continue to consult with the sector interests as necessary through the period ahead.
I have attached particular importance to engagement at political and institutional level on our Brexit agenda. I have met counterparts Peter Weir and Simon Hamilton of the NI Executive, and the UK’s Secretary of State for Education, Justine Greening. Meetings were also held with the former Minister of State for Exiting the EU, David Jones, the UK’s Opposition Spokesperson on Brexit, Keir Starmer, as well as members of the All Party Parliamentary Group on the Irish in Britain. Meetings have also taken place with Ministers from other EU Member States and with representatives of the EU Commission including Commissioner Navracsics.
All of this work is ongoing and must also respond to the emerging developments in the Brexit negotiations. My Department will work to ensure appropriate timely inputs to the current negotiations including the work of the Barnier taskforce.
While Brexit presents numerous challenges, it is likely to bring opportunities too. There may be opportunities for researchers and companies in Ireland to secure a greater percentage of EU funding due to the decrease in competition. Ireland already has well-diversified research partnerships across member states other than the UK.
There may be new research opportunities for Ireland as a remaining member of the EU and participant in the Horizon 2020 programme to build new collaborations with other EU universities/HEIs and industry. These opportunities will be maximised. The Government will work constructively to maintain the greatest possible links and co-operation between the EU and the UK in access to EU programmes.
With a view to leveraging potential opportunities the Action Plan for Education 2017 includes an action to develop a strategy to attract world-leading researchers to Ireland in the context of Brexit. Funding of €1.5m was provided in Budget 2017 for the Irish Research Council’s Frontier Research Programme, one of the key actions to be delivered under Innovation 2020; Ireland’s strategy for research and development, science and technology.
There may also be opportunities to increase the numbers of international students choosing Ireland in the wake of Brexit and this is factored into the implementation work underway led by my Department, working with the sector, in the delivery of the actions in the International Education Strategy 2016-2020.
I will keep under review the necessity for further allocations of funds as circumstances develop.
