Written Answers Nos. 150-163
150. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether it is necessary for teachers to have taught the politics course to be employed by the State Examinations Commission to correct the leaving certificate exam; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18818/18]
View answerThe State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations. In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
151. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if funding will be provided to a school (details supplied) to ensure the maintenance of the existing prefabricated structure until the new school building is completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18826/18]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has finalised the project brief for the development of a permanent school building for the school in question and the school has been advised accordingly. The Department will be in further contact with the school shortly relating to the next steps to advance the project through the architectural planning process. The school has also been provided with a point of contact within my Department for the project.
The Deputy will be aware that the site is currently in the ownership of the local authority. My Department is in the process of acquiring this site and officials from both the Department and the local authority are working constructively to finalise this acquisition.
My Department has spoken with the school principal relating to the matter referred to by the Deputy. I understand that the school is currently assessing the nature of the work required. My Department advised the principal that it is open to the school to use its minor works grant, which all primary schools received, to carry out the works in full or on a phased basis as that grant permits if the school considers them to be a priority.
152. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Skills the financial supports and or grant aid available for a student (details supplied) who accepts a college placement in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18836/18]
View answerThe main support available to assist students with the cost of higher education is the student grant scheme. SUSI’s online system for the 2018 Scheme is now open. Students attending college in the academic year 2018/19 are required to submit their grant application to Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) via www.susi.ie to have their eligibility for grant assistance assessed.
Students attending approved undergraduate courses in the UK can apply for a maintenance grant provided they meet the terms and conditions of the Student Grant Scheme.
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 including approved undergraduate and postgraduate courses in EU Member States and in non-EU countries. Further information on this tax relief is available from the Revenue Commissioners on www.revenue.ie .
I understand that a student from another European Union (EU) country studying in the UK can apply for a student loan to cover the cost of tuition fees. Further information is available on https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
Prospective students may also wish to contact the relevant college in the UK for advice on the type and range of supports that are available in that particular college.
153. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Skills the timeframe for the construction of a new school building (details supplied); the stage reached; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18837/18]
View answerThe project to which the Deputy refers is being devolved for delivery to the local Education and Training Board. My Department is in the process of arranging a Service Level Agreement with the ETB in this regard. Once this is in place, the ETB can proceed to appoint a Design Team for the project to move though the various stages of architectural planning and on to tender and construction.
154. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason an application to the Teaching Council by a person (details supplied) to have his or her Canadian degrees recognised here for teaching purposes has been delayed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18850/18]
View answerThe Teaching Council considers applications from teachers who qualified outside the EU/EEA and are deemed fully qualified in their home country. Each application is assessed individually.
A fully qualified teacher will have completed a recognised teacher education qualification and programme of induction and can provide an official letter from the Competent Authority or Ministry of Education in their home country confirming recognition as a fully qualified teacher in that country.
The Council is the independent regulatory body with statutory authority for the professional regulation of teachers in this State. My Department does not have any direct involvement in the registration of teachers by the Council.
Registration decisions are therefore a matter for the Teaching Council and the person referred to by the Deputy should continue to liaise directly with the Council in this matter.
The issues raised by the Deputy will fall to be considered by the Teacher Supply Steering Group, which I recently established with the Secretary General of my Department as Chair. I have asked the Teaching Council to review subject criteria and processes for assessing out of State qualifications.
155. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a school (details supplied) will receive capital funding for refurbishment; if this school is on a list in his Department; the status of the school's application for assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18854/18]
View answerMy Department is in receipt of an application for capital funding from the school referred to by the Deputy to undertake refurbishment works to provide improved accommodation for the school.
My Department is aware of the specific needs of the school and is working with the school to address these needs. In this regard, my Department has arranged to meet with the school authorities in the coming week to discuss the proposed project.
156. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the capital plans for each secondary school in Cork city and county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18855/18]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the current status of all building projects, including those in Cork city and county may be viewed on my Department's website www.education.ie – Schools & Colleges - Building Works.
157. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of new and additional places created and the capital expenditure including summer works, minor works, emergency works and other capital expenditure on school building in each year since 2010, by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18867/18]
View answerThe following table outlines, each year from 2010 to 2017 on a county basis, the capital expenditure incurred under Subhead D.3 - the building, equipment and furnishing of primary and post-primary schools. In addition, the table includes, on a county basis, the number of new and replacement school places provided by the completion of large scale projects over the same period.
Building unit capital spend:
|
Year |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
|
Carlow |
7,991,772.64 |
7,307,294.17 |
9,222,650.89 |
8,556,150.90 |
7,745,688.48 |
7,850,519.26 |
|
Cavan |
10,256,430.92 |
9,637,295.67 |
8,805,051.46 |
4,598,344.95 |
7,340,508.37 |
8,589,538.01 |
|
Clare |
9,183,350.47 |
4,768,765.89 |
3,476,383.43 |
8,965,676.41 |
4,772,961.57 |
4,022,866.24 |
|
Cork |
40,498,153.92 |
31,194,326.17 |
30,827,761.52 |
45,370,230.45 |
53,665,492.44 |
58,875,549.77 |
|
Donegal |
17,868,394.73 |
13,893,148.09 |
10,076,942.43 |
7,268,337.01 |
6,836,123.90 |
12,260,761.60 |
|
Dublin |
133,635,769.00 |
120,933,334.82 |
81,748,576.37 |
86,410,419.61 |
123,021,637.57 |
119,703,799.58 |
|
Galway |
21,280,505.52 |
17,068,524.02 |
13,682,722.79 |
26,579,446.03 |
25,291,906.84 |
30,355,397.80 |
|
Kerry |
12,826,658.06 |
12,690,659.68 |
11,683,014.48 |
5,036,737.62 |
12,692,996.50 |
19,216,299.47 |
|
Kildare |
36,479,331.81 |
51,397,600.44 |
13,133,469.72 |
13,598,068.06 |
31,760,086.10 |
23,802,089.25 |
|
Kilkenny |
6,736,961.77 |
6,607,896.81 |
4,410,479.04 |
10,990,556.66 |
7,097,001.52 |
8,869,557.65 |
|
Laois |
6,134,615.30 |
8,697,729.22 |
6,309,335.31 |
12,347,909.68 |
3,176,236.27 |
6,682,817.52 |
|
Leitrim |
2,372,695.54 |
1,968,342.59 |
447,646.16 |
1,405,261.69 |
1,332,715.73 |
1,670,038.28 |
|
Limerick |
19,525,342.60 |
16,184,335.39 |
9,315,629.71 |
12,692,255.31 |
12,729,358.49 |
12,215,170.82 |
|
Longford |
4,920,665.52 |
2,627,937.31 |
1,233,575.39 |
3,330,841.03 |
4,895,857.40 |
6,063,232.01 |
|
Louth |
16,619,313.79 |
19,818,316.41 |
16,003,027.29 |
12,271,881.40 |
15,740,325.37 |
24,445,106.07 |
|
Mayo |
15,400,768.00 |
9,696,431.65 |
5,769,704.63 |
6,271,087.11 |
9,423,413.32 |
9,050,971.49 |
|
Meath |
23,070,580.66 |
21,985,716.81 |
19,922,822.55 |
41,258,814.42 |
24,072,251.74 |
31,951,875.72 |
|
Monaghan |
11,378,098.52 |
6,589,310.04 |
34,310,401.18 |
3,288,818.39 |
5,465,984.21 |
8,088,547.41 |
|
Offaly |
9,132,403.10 |
12,534,812.02 |
5,658,855.65 |
3,547,400.49 |
11,564,166.73 |
12,975,820.58 |
|
Roscommon |
7,596,990.49 |
3,950,775.98 |
1,894,499.99 |
1,450,104.57 |
2,413,621.09 |
2,322,731.94 |
|
Sligo |
4,807,880.58 |
5,781,548.56 |
10,989,858.31 |
4,743,524.13 |
2,777,777.28 |
3,505,181.84 |
|
Tipperary |
16,774,061.35 |
15,103,060.41 |
18,611,363.62 |
10,551,532.74 |
13,113,049.90 |
13,793,015.15 |
|
Waterford |
13,608,595.39 |
13,501,570.82 |
4,019,486.99 |
4,600,589.86 |
13,771,965.67 |
12,602,009.97 |
|
Westmeath |
9,293,007.84 |
8,118,038.92 |
5,771,601.86 |
4,507,604.10 |
7,837,917.80 |
9,255,187.54 |
|
Wexford |
24,819,409.94 |
16,304,484.27 |
11,388,457.92 |
8,712,577.09 |
11,724,895.28 |
19,298,293.52 |
|
Wicklow |
14,944,168.29 |
14,155,430.36 |
5,415,802.68 |
12,017,466.46 |
14,235,092.69 |
35,869,468.74 |
Table cont
|
Year |
2016 |
2017 |
Total |
ADDITIONAL PLACES |
REPLACEMENT PLACES |
|
Carlow |
2,793,259.64 |
6,766,036.26 |
58,233,372.24 |
1314 |
280 |
|
Cavan |
16,349,375.81 |
21,501,002.19 |
87,077,547.38 |
1140 |
781 |
|
Clare |
6,435,074.62 |
13,903,774.98 |
55,528,853.61 |
1084 |
936 |
|
Cork |
63,308,520.41 |
61,102,101.02 |
384,842,135.70 |
8978 |
3678 |
|
Donegal |
7,574,986.77 |
13,171,696.34 |
88,950,390.87 |
1901 |
370 |
|
Dublin |
145,758,255.01 |
113,326,321.95 |
924,538,113.91 |
30348 |
2432 |
|
Galway |
35,566,059.64 |
48,574,256.32 |
218,398,818.96 |
5851 |
1956 |
|
Kerry |
7,225,163.37 |
10,387,427.21 |
91,758,956.39 |
548 |
1396 |
|
Kildare |
15,868,942.08 |
27,974,111.06 |
214,013,698.52 |
8084 |
1558 |
|
Kilkenny |
9,557,390.44 |
4,128,743.08 |
58,398,586.97 |
829 |
336 |
|
Laois |
13,771,546.24 |
14,665,033.18 |
71,785,222.72 |
3664 |
2696 |
|
Leitrim |
791,883.03 |
3,118,116.43 |
13,106,699.45 |
100 |
300 |
|
Limerick |
15,216,462.78 |
28,137,073.93 |
126,015,629.03 |
2124 |
2320 |
|
Longford |
4,117,375.45 |
6,245,255.09 |
33,434,739.20 |
364 |
0 |
|
Louth |
17,664,372.82 |
29,670,121.33 |
152,232,464.48 |
4328 |
2548 |
|
Mayo |
11,062,617.27 |
14,315,388.77 |
80,990,382.24 |
558 |
280 |
|
Meath |
42,166,779.97 |
25,096,451.15 |
229,525,293.02 |
11447 |
2432 |
|
Monaghan |
4,534,031.41 |
3,026,486.27 |
76,681,677.43 |
1595 |
168 |
|
Offaly |
12,306,323.09 |
8,245,012.29 |
75,964,793.95 |
1753 |
2341 |
|
Roscommon |
3,175,634.61 |
7,154,093.60 |
29,958,452.27 |
560 |
84 |
|
Sligo |
1,507,882.34 |
1,678,856.82 |
35,792,509.86 |
287 |
837 |
|
Tipperary |
12,084,509.39 |
11,295,805.34 |
111,326,397.90 |
340 |
852 |
|
Waterford |
10,074,253.90 |
12,451,913.97 |
84,630,386.57 |
1962 |
1638 |
|
Westmeath |
3,696,041.34 |
6,819,602.03 |
55,299,001.43 |
934 |
1348 |
|
Wexford |
30,757,997.98 |
19,672,086.85 |
142,678,202.85 |
2832 |
1554 |
|
Wicklow |
15,361,163.97 |
11,887,172.97 |
123,885,766.16 |
2763 |
2336 |
159. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of additional teaching posts provided in 2017; the number of these appointed to meet demographic needs; and the number that arose owing to changes to guidance. [18915/18]
View answerThe 2017/18 school year saw an increase of over 5000 teaching posts in our schools compared to the 2015/16 school year.
Budget 2017 set out the resources available for schools for the 2017/18 school year. This Budget represented 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 provided for over 2,400 additional teaching posts for our primary and post primary schools for the 2017/18 school year. This included 680 additional teaching posts to meet demographic need and 100 additional posts for enhancements to guidance provision.
Measures announced by my Department as part of Budgets 2016, 2017 and 2018 mean that 500 of the 600 guidance posts that were withdrawn in Budget 2012, will be restored to schools from September 2018.
160. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of additional resource teacher posts provided in 2017. [18916/18]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that DES Circular 0013/2017 for primary schools and 0014/2017 for post primary schools were published on 7th March 2017.
These Circulars set out the details of the new model for allocating special education teachers to schools.
The revised allocation process replaces the generalised allocation process at primary and post primary school level for learning support and high incidence special educational needs, and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) allocation process which provided additional resource teaching supports to schools, to support pupils assessed as having Low Incidence disabilities.
The new Special Education Teaching allocation provides a single unified allocation for special educational support teaching needs to each school, based on each school’s educational profile.
Allocations based on the school profiles were issued to all schools on 7th March, 2017.
The aim of this new model is to deliver better outcomes for children with special educational needs. Substantial research, analysis, consultation with service users and stakeholders, and piloting have gone in to the development of this model and all of the evidence points to the fact that this new system will deliver better outcomes for children.
No school, has lost supports as a result of the implementation of the new model. In addition, no school received 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.
An additional 900 teaching posts have been provided in the 2017/2018 school year 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.
The additional funding provided additional supports to over 1300 schools who identified as needing additional supports as a result of the new model while ensuring that no school received a reduced allocation.
For the 2017/18 school year to date, 13,306 additional special education teaching posts have been allocated, of which 13,281 have been allocated to schools, with 25 posts having been allocated to the NCSE to develop support services for schools.
Allocations may continue to be made to schools, where exceptional circumstances arise, in accordance with the review criteria set at www.ncse.ie.
161. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress on the building of a permanent school structure at a school (details supplied); the reason the timeframes indicated to parents have not been kept to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18918/18]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has finalised the project brief for the development of a permanent school building for the school in question and the school has been advised accordingly. The Department will be in further contact with the school shortly relating to the next steps to advance the project through the architectural planning process. The school has also been provided with a point of contact within my Department for the project.
The Deputy will be aware that the site is currently in the ownership of the local authority. My Department is in the process of acquiring this site and officials from both the Department and the local authority are working constructively to finalise this acquisition.
162. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pearse Doherty den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna an gcasfaidh sé le toscaireacht ó scoil (sonraí tugtha) i gContae Dhún na nGall chun a cás eisceachtúil ó thaobh soláthar foirne agus maoiniú a phlé; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [18921/18]
View answerRinne mo Roinn breithniú ar an gcomhfhreagras a ndearna an Teachta tagairt dó maidir le Príomhoide Riaracháin a cheapadh agus eisíodh freagra le déanaí.
Foilsítear na critéir a bhaineann le leithdháileadh poist mhúinteoireachta go bliantúil ar shuíomh gréasáin na Roinne. Úsáidtear an sceideal foirne don scoilbhliain ábhartha agus rolluithe na ndaltaí ar an 30 Meán Fómhair roimhe sin mar eochairthoisc chun na hacmhainní foirne a chuirtear ar fáil i ngach scoil faoi leith a chinneadh.
Tá na critéir a bhaineann le Príomhoide Riaracháin a cheapadh i scoil, a bhaineann le rollú, leagtha amach in Aguisín B de Chiorclán 0010/2018. Ní shásaíonn an scoil dá dtagraíonn an Teachta na critéir sin. Ní féidir na socruithe sin a athrú.
Feidhmítear an sceideal foirne go soiléir agus go trédhearcach agus caitear le gach scoil den chineál céanna ar an mbealach céanna beag beann ar an áit ina bhfuil said.
163. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of school building projects (details supplied). [18929/18]
View answerThe current status of the school building projects referred to by the Deputy is as follows:
Holy Family Special School, Charleville – Roll No. 19433M
An extension to the existing school building providing 6 classrooms, GP Hall and ancillary accommodation, was handed over on 16th September 2016.
Stewards Hospital Special School – Roll No. 19032R
Construction of a new 28 classroom school commenced on 2nd May 2017 and subject to no issues arising is due to be completed in March 2019.
St Marys Special School Roll No. 19560T
The building project for this school is currently at an early stage of architectural planning, Stage 2a (Developed Design Stage) where the preferred option design is developed to a stage where the project is fully cost planned and can be prepared to lodge for statutory approvals.
The Stage 2a Stakeholders meeting for the project was held recently and comments will issue shortly to the Board of Management and LMETB. If there are no issues outstanding from the Stage 2a meeting the project will be authorised to progress to Stage 2b (Detailed Design Stage).
St Martin’s Special School – Roll No. 19108B
A new 14 classroom school was completed in October 2017
Benincasa Special School – Roll No. 18863J
This school was approved a devolved grant under the Department’s 2015 Additional Accommodation Scheme for a refurbishment and extension project. The project is currently at stage 2b of the architectural planning process. The school recently submitted the stage 2b report. This report is currently being evaluated and the Department will be in contact with the school authority as soon as possible in relation to the outcome
St Michaels House Special School Grosvenor School, Leopardstown Roll No. 18671A
The major building is at an early stage of architectural planning, Stage 2a (Developed Sketch Scheme), where the preferred option design is developed to a stage where the project is fully cost planned and can be prepared to lodge for statutory approvals.
The project is currently on hold as the School Patron informed the Department of a proposal to relocate St Michael’s House. The Department has contacted the Patron seeking clarification on their proposal and a response is awaited.
Rosedale Special School, Renmore - Roll No. 20070J
The major building project is at an early stage of architectural planning, Stage 2a (Developed Sketch Scheme), where the preferred option design is developed to a stage where the project is fully cost planned and can be prepared to lodge for statutory approvals
The Design Team are currently finalising the Stage 2a submission. Upon receipt and review of this report the Department will revert to the Board of Management with regard to the further progression of the project at that time.
St. Oliver’s Special School, Tuam – Roll No. 20330J
The building project is for a new 6 classroom special needs school on a Greenfield site.
The project is currently at Stage 2B of Architectural Planning. Planning Permission has been received and the Disability Access Certificate and Fire Safety Certificate have been granted.
The Stage 2B report has been received and is under review by the Department. A letter has recently issued to the school with regard to a timeframe for progression to tender.
St Anne’s Special School – Roll No. 19277B
The major building project for this school is currently at an early stage of architectural planning, Stage 2a (Developed Design Stage) where the preferred option design is developed to a stage where the project is fully cost planned and can be prepared to lodge for statutory approvals.
A Stage 2a Stakeholders meeting will take place on Monday 30th April at which the Design Team will present the Stage 2a submission.
Following this meeting and providing that the Stage 2a documentation is in order the Department will issue a letter to the Board of Management with regards the further progression of the project.
St. Bríd’s Special School – Roll No. 19375B
The building project for this school is included on the Department’s Capital Programme.
The school is currently located in St. Hubert’s Day Centre, Pavilion Road, Castlebar, Co. Mayo. The Department has approved in principle, subject to contract, to acquire this property from the Owners, Western Care Association and the acquisition is currently at conveyancing stage.
Once the conveyancing has been completed subject to no issues arising, the project will progress into the architectural planning process.
