Written Answers Nos. 303-326
303. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills when an independent assessment by a person (details supplied) of the redress scheme for survivors of historical child sexual abuse will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45059/18]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, following the original submission on ‘whether the imposition of the condition which required that there had to be evidence of a prior complaint of child sexual abuse on the part of the employee in question to the school authority (or a school authority in which the employee has previously worked), to establish eligibility for a payment under the ex gratia scheme, is consistent with and a correct implementation of the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Louise O’Keeffe v. Ireland’, Mr Justice O'Neill asked the Minister to address in particular ‘the legal status and/or legal effect in domestic law, of decisions/determinations of the Committee of Ministers in relation to the implementation/enforcement of judgments of the ECtHR.’
The submission on this was forwarded to Mr Justice O’Neill on 14 September can be accessed on the Department's website. Mr Justice O'Neill has invited solicitors representing applicants for assessment and other third parties for their views on this submission.
304. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills the process under which a company (details supplied) received contracts to build schools from his Department; the procurement process used; the criteria for awarding the contracts; the officials within his Department who oversaw the process; if his Department was involved in the decision to award the contracts; if not, if the process was conducted by an external agency; and if so, the name of the agency and the process under which the agency was given oversight of the tendering process and awarding of contracts. [45070/18]
View answerSchool building projects which are funded from public monies, including the school projects to which the Deputy refers, are tendered in accordance with EU and national procurement regulations and are required to comply with the Capital Works Management Framework which includes a suite of public works contracts, standard conditions of engagement, model forms, suitability assessment questionnaires and guidance notes published by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP).
The company to which the Deputy refers was appointed on a number of school building projects following competitive tender processes conducted in accordance with those regulations.
Most of the projects were tendered under my Department's Design & Build programme.
Contracts for these schools were awarded under the Design & Build tender process, for which the MEAT assessment method was used. MEAT stands for Most Economically Advantageous Tender. In the case of Design & Build, this means that the criteria for the award of the contract include Technical Merit as well as Price. The award criteria carry weightings and each tender is evaluated against the weighted criteria.
In the case of my Department’s Design and Build programme, the MEAT criteria carries a 60% weighting for Technical Merit and a 40% weighting for Price.
The tender process is conducted by an external Project Management company, which then submits a tender report to my Department for consideration. The tender report is reviewed at Technical Manager level in my Department's Planning and Building Unit and, if acceptable, is approved at Principal Officer level in the Unit.
305. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the pre-qualification of contractors process has been completed and if the project has been progressed to tender stage for a school building project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45093/18]
View answerThe closing date for pre-qualification of contractors was 1 November 2018 at 5pm.
17 potential main contractors have expressed an interest in the project. An assessment of the submissions is to commence this week, arising from which further information may be requested and a short list will be prepared.
Following this process, the pre-qualified contractors will be invited to submit tenders for the major building project.
306. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the assessment of an application for major capital funding by a school (details supplied) has been completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45094/18]
View answerI can confirm that the school referred to by the Deputy has recently submitted a revised application to my Department for additional accommodation.
The application will be considered and a decision will be conveyed to the school authority as soon as the assessment process has been completed.
307. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the assessment of an application by a school (details supplied) for a change of status has been completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45095/18]
View answer357. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a decision has been made on the application by a school (details supplied) to become co-educational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45733/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 307 and 357 together.
I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department has received an application from the Patron of the school in question for a change of status.
The application is currently under consideration and my Department will be in further contact with the Patron once a decision has been reached.
308. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of contracts a company (details supplied) received to build schools; and the year in which each contract was awarded. [45101/18]
View answerA list of the schools constructed by the company in question and detailing the year of completion is attached.
Generally, the contract is awarded in the year the school was completed or in the previous year.
|
County |
Roll No |
School |
Contractor |
Year Completed |
|
|
1 |
Dublin |
20166W |
Griffeen Valley Educate Together National School |
Western Building Systems |
2003 |
|
2 |
Westmeath |
20188J |
Mullingar Educate Together National School |
Western Building Systems |
2008 |
|
3 |
Wicklow |
20301C |
Gaelscoil na gCloch Liath (also now occupying former ETNS Building on same campus) |
Western Building Systems |
2008 |
|
4 |
Dublin |
20176C |
Rush & Lusk Educate Together National School |
Western Building Systems |
2008 |
|
5 |
Dublin City |
20304I |
St. Francis of Assisi, Belmayne |
Western Building Systems |
2008 |
|
6 |
Dublin City |
20308Q |
Belmayne Educate Together National School |
Western Building Systems |
2008 |
|
7 |
Cork |
15597W |
Macroom Boys National School |
Western Building Systems |
2009 |
|
8 |
Dublin Fingal |
76129H |
Ardgillan Community College |
Western Building Systems |
2009 |
|
9 |
Dublin |
20201V |
Tyrrelstown Educate Together National School |
Western Building Systems |
2011 |
|
10 |
Meath |
20215J |
St Pau'ls National School, Ratoath |
Western Building Systems |
2011 |
|
11 |
Kildare |
16705E |
Scoil Phadraig Naofa (New School) |
Western Building Systems |
2011 |
|
12 |
Kildare |
06209J |
Athy Model School |
Western Building Systems |
2011 |
|
13 |
Kildare |
20192A |
Gaelscoil Atha Í |
Western Building Systems |
2011 |
|
14 |
Dublin |
20303G |
Lucan East Educate Together National School |
Western Building Systems |
2011 |
|
15 |
Dublin Fingal |
16675V |
St. Luke's NS Hollywood Road, Tyrrelstown |
Western Building Systems |
2012 |
|
16 |
Dublin Fingal |
n/a |
Castlemills Education Centre (formerly occupied by RN20269J Scoil Chormaic CNS) + Flemington Community Centre Balbriggan |
Western Building Systems |
2012 |
|
17 |
Laois |
15556I |
Portarlington Convent National School |
Western Building Systems |
2012 |
|
18 |
Dublin Belgard |
20223I |
Gaelscoil Eiscir Riada, Lucan |
Western Building Systems |
2012 |
|
19 |
Cork County |
20006A |
Gaelscoil Chloich na Coillte, Clonakilty renamed GS Mhichíl Uí Choileáin |
Western Building Systems |
2013 |
|
20 |
Cork County |
20310D |
Carrigaline Educate Together National School |
Western Building Systems |
2013 |
|
21 |
Cork |
20335T |
Scoil Phadraig Naofa, Rochestown |
Western Building Systems |
2013 |
|
22 |
Dublin |
20241K |
Scoil Choilm, Diswellstown,Porterstown (linked to Luttrellstown CC) |
Western Building Systems |
2013 |
|
23 |
Dublin |
76130P |
Luttrellstown Community College |
Western Building Systems |
2013 |
|
24 |
Laois |
14838N |
Maryborough National School |
Western Building Systems |
2013 |
|
25 |
Laois |
20081O |
Gaelscoil Portlaoise |
Western Building Systems |
2013 |
|
26 |
Laois |
20347D |
Portlaoise Educate Together National School |
Western Building Systems |
2013 |
|
27 |
Cork City |
20354A |
Cara Jnr (Special) School |
Western Building Systems |
2014 |
|
28 |
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown |
20425U |
Gaelscoil Shliabh Rua |
Western Building Systems |
2015 |
|
29 |
Dublin City |
20453C |
Broombridge Educate Together National School |
Western Building Systems |
2016 |
|
30 |
Dublin Belgard |
20426W |
Lucan Community National School , Balgaddy Road, Lucan |
Western Building Systems |
2016 |
|
31 |
Dublin Belgard |
20422O |
Scoil Aoife Community National School, City West |
Western Building Systems |
2016 |
|
32 |
Dublin Belgard |
19872P |
Scoil Chaitlin Maude |
Western Building Systems |
2016 |
|
33 |
Meath |
20082Q |
Gaelscoil Tulach na Og, Dunboyne |
Western Building Systems |
2016 |
|
34 |
Meath |
76196W |
De Lacy College, Ashbourne |
Western Building Systems |
2016 |
|
35 |
Meath |
20382F |
Gaelscoil na Mí, Ashbourne |
Western Building Systems |
2016 |
|
36 |
Meath |
20396Q |
Ashbourne Educate Together National School |
Western Building Systems |
2016 |
|
37 |
Donegal |
20235P |
Letterkenny Educate Together National School |
Western Building Systems |
2017 |
|
38 |
Dublin Belgard |
20411J |
Firhouse Educate Together National School |
Western Building Systems |
2017 |
|
39 |
Kildare |
20428D |
Gaelscoil Mhic Aodha |
Western Building Systems |
2018 |
|
40 |
Wexford |
18280I |
St Joseph's National School, Gorey |
Western Building Systems |
2018 |
|
41 |
Galway |
20000L |
Galway Educate Together National School |
Western Building Systems |
2018 |
|
42 |
Dublin Belgard |
20412L |
Gaelscoil Teach Giuise |
Western Building Systems |
2018 |
309. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will accommodate two schools (details supplied) that cannot use their building due to building defects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45102/18]
View answer310. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the way in which the costs of remedial works for building work at two schools (details supplied) will be met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45103/18]
View answer311. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Skills the expected timeframe for the completion of remedial works for two schools (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45104/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 309 to 311, inclusive, together.
Precautionary internal and external measures were completed on Sunday, 4 November at the two schools in question.
Arising from a meeting between Department officials and the schools authorities, further work is currently being undertaken to minimise the impact of the precautionary measures on the smooth running of the school and to address other operational and logistical issues, such as traffic management.
The Department is working closely with the school authorities to facilitate the reopening of both schools later in the week. This will initially be at ground floor level only. Off-site interim accommodation has been arranged for the classes which will temporarily be displaced.
Further detailed structural investigations will be required to determine the nature and scale of the permanent remediation works required at the schools, as well as the timeframe for implementation.
The overriding priority of the Department has been, and continues to be, the safety of school students and staff.
312. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there will be a review of tendering processes in which companies with a poor record in fire safety and building standards will be excluded from future tenders for school building projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45105/18]
View answerMy Department is aware of the issue raised by the Deputy.
The EU Procurement Directives set the parameters for tendering processes and possible exclusion of contractors from same.
My Department will continue to liaise with and be advised by the Chief State Solicitors Office on such matters.
The Department of Education and Skills at all times acts in accordance with public procurement legislation. Under the EU Procurement Directives, it is very difficult to exclude a contractor from a tendering process.
In terms of future contracts, the Department will at all times act in accordance with the legislation governing public procurement and will take legal advice as necessary.
313. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) may not have a place to start in the ASD unit in a school (details supplied) in County Cavan; if the unit will be open in September 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45113/18]
View answerIt is the policy of my Department that all children with Special Educational Needs, including those with Autism (ASD), 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.
The greater proportion of children with Autism attend mainstream classes, but some require the environment of a special class or special school. This decision is based on a recommendation contained within a professional assessment and in consultation with the NCSE.
Students enrolling in special classes must have a report from a relevant professional or team of professionals stating that:
- S/he has a disability (in line with the designation of the special placement in question) and
- S/he has significant learning needs that require the support of a specialised setting and the reasons why this is the case.
The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Education Needs Organisers (SENO’s), for the development, delivery and co-ordination of education services to children with Special Educational Needs, including the establishment of special class and special school placements, in consultation with the relevant education partners and the Health Service Executive (HSE).
The NCSE is aware of emerging need from year to year, and where special provision is required in an area it is planned and provided for.
Since 2011, the NCSE has increased the number of special classes from 548 in 2011 to 1,459 across the country now, of which 1,196 are Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) special classes.
124 special schools provide specialist education for those students with the most complex special educational needs, including students diagnosed with ASD.
The local SENOs are available to assist parents to identify appropriate educational placements for children with special educational needs and to discuss their child's special educational needs. The local SENO contact details are available on www.ncse.ie.
As the matter raised by the Deputy refers to a particular child, I have arranged for the Deputy's question to be forwarded to the National Council for Special Education for their attention and direct reply. My Department has no role in such cases.
314. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if school secretaries and bus drivers are paid their wages during the summer holidays; if not, if they have to sign for jobseeker's benefit during school holidays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45119/18]
View answerThough schemes were initiated in 1978 and 1979 for the employment of Clerical Officers and Caretakers in primary and secondary schools, where staff employed on these schemes are paid directly by the Department, these schemes have been largely phased out and have been superseded by the more extensive capitation grant schemes.
Under these schemes, the majority of primary and voluntary secondary schools in the Free Education Scheme now receive assistance to provide for secretarial, caretaking and cleaning services. Within the schemes, it is a matter for each individual school to decide how best to apply the grant funding to suit its particular needs. Where a school uses the capitation grant funding to employ a secretary, such staff are employees of individual schools. The terms and conditions of employment are a matter for agreement between the school and the individual employee and my Department has no role in this.
My Department has recently made significant efforts to improve the pay of school secretaries who are employed using capitation grant assistance. In 2015 my Department engaged with the Unions representing school secretaries on negotiations and agreed to enter an independent arbitration process on the issue. The Arbitrator recommended a cumulative pay increase of 10% between 2016 and 2019 for school secretaries comprehended by the terms of the arbitration process and that a minimum hourly pay rate of €13 for such staff be phased in over the period 2016 to 2019. Following the arbitration process, grant funding used by schools to fund the salaries of ancillary staff is being improved on a phased basis between 2016 and 2019 in order to enable schools to implement the arbitration outcome.
With regard to bus drivers, Bus Éireann operates the school transport scheme on behalf of the Department, and issues regarding the terms and conditions and employment status of bus drivers under that scheme is a matter for Bus Éireann.
315. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills the site visits to building sites for school projects conducted by his Department or by other agents on his behalf, specifically all visits to sites operated by a company (details supplied) since 2008; and the reports and or observations submitted as a result of these visits. [45129/18]
View answerUnder my Department;'s Design Team Procedures, when a contract is awarded the Contractor must provide the Employers Representative, before the Starting Date, a detailed programme, in the form set down in the Contract, that will permit effective monitoring of the works.
The Contractor is obliged to submit to the Employer’s Representative monthly progress reports, in the form set down in the Contract, within 7 days after the end of the month.
The Employer’s Representative must schedule regular meetings attended by the Contractor’s Representative and the Employer’s Representative and attended by the Employer’s and Contractor’s personnel, as required. The standard approach on school building projects is to schedule such site meetings on a fortnightly basis through the construction period.
Separate to the role of Employer’s Representative, which is an external party appointed by the Department under the Public Works Contract, the Department’s own technical staff act as client liaison on school building projects constructed under the Design & Build process. The responsibilities of the client liaison include reporting on progress to the Department; bringing any potential programme delays to the attention of the Department; keeping the school community awaiting completion of the building informed of progress; involving the School Authorities in selecting of internal colour schemes, and ensuring that the contractor is aware of any particular project or school requirements. The client liaison is not involved in the certification of the works.
Under the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations introduced in 2014, an Assigned Certifier must be appointed. Since 2014, the Department has appointed an independent qualified third party to act as Assigned Certifier on all Design and Build school projects.
On school projects designed by the Employer, the lead Architect on the design team usually acts as the Assigned Certifier.
The Assigned Certifier coordinates and implements an inspection plan through the construction process.
At project completion, the Assigned Certifier gathers the ancillary certificates, which are provided by the contractor, its subcontractors and design team, and executes a Certificate of Compliance on Completion.
The Assigned Certifier is not, however, responsible for the supervision of the builder.
Since September 2017, in addition to the Assigned Certifier, the Department now appoints a full-time resident Clerk of Works on all major school construction projects. The role of a Clerk of Works is to represent the interests of the client with regard to ensuring that the quality of both materials and workmanship is in accordance with the architect’s/engineer’s drawings and specifications. This includes inspection of materials and workmanship through the construction process.
316. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application for funding by a school (details supplied); if funding will be provided for more office space, a new entrance area and two new classrooms; if consideration has been given to the lack of space in the classrooms there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45142/18]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has approved funding to the school in question to facilitate the construction of two mainstream classrooms. The project has been devolved to the school authority for delivery.
It will be a matter for the school to consider how it will utilise the totality of its accommodation when the new classrooms have been constructed.
317. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the structural assessment of a school (details supplied) will commence and cease; the status of the proposed interventions and safety measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45148/18]
View answerThe structural assessment has been conducted on the school in question and the outcome is available on the Department's website at www.education.gov.ie.
I wish to assure the Deputy that the safety of school students and staff has been, and will continue to be, the Department’s overriding priority during this process.
318. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if certification will be required in the event that a successful candidate does not have a high degree of competence in Irish with regard to positions advertised through the Public Appointments Service for CEOs of Kilkenny and Carlow Education and Training Board, Cork Education and Training Board and Tipperary Education and Training Board; the certification which will be required; if a deadline for completion of this certification will be enforced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45153/18]
View answerEducation and Training Boards (ETBs) are statutory bodies with their own corporate status established under the Education and Training Boards Act 2013, and are responsible for a range of reserved and executive functions under that Act.
The Chief Executive is responsible for performing the executive functions of the board and is accountable to the board for the due performance of his or her functions. The Chief Executive is responsible for ensuring the ETB achieves its strategic aims and objectives including the provision, in an efficient and effective manner, of the many and diverse services and activities of the ETB in accordance with best practices and is accountable to the board and also to the Public Accounts Committee and to other Oireachtas Committees;
Candidates for the role of Chief Executive must be able to demonstrate the following competencies:
- strategic leadership of, or a significant strategic contribution to, a business or organisation in one or more of the following sectors – Primary, Secondary, Further Education and Training or Third level education - significant experience of governance, administration and financial management - significant organisational change management experience at both strategic and operational levels - experience of building, leading, motivating and developing successful teams - well-developed networks within the education, training and skills environment and/or across Government or the wider public sector - experience of embedding the principles of equality of opportunity, diversity and inclusiveness within the policies and practices of an organisation
In order to ensure that suitability qualified candidates are available for role of the Chief Executive, they must be in a position to demonstrate the above competencies. The Chief Executive may also have to conduct some of his/her business through the medium of Irish so a high degree of Irish is desirable but not essential.
It will ultimately be a matter for the Public Appointment Services to determine the most suitably qualified person(s) based on the criteria outlined.
319. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated first and full year cost of abolishing third-level fees. [45168/18]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, under my Department’s free fees schemes, the Exchequer provides funding toward the tuition fee costs of eligible students with students paying an annual student contribution of €3,000.
It is estimated that the net additional cost to my Department of abolishing the Student Contribution is as follows:
|
Year * |
First year Cost |
Full year cost |
|
2018/19 |
€67m |
€203m |
* It should be noted that the figures presented incorporate the resulting reduction to my Department's Student Grant Scheme budget based on the assumption of 49% of students who may be in receipt of 100% of the SUSI grant including the student contribution. The first year figures are taken as a third of the full year figures.
It is important to recognise that there has been no increase in the Student Contribution since 2015. The exchequer pays this contribution (or part of it) on behalf of almost 50% of undergraduate students who are in receipt of student grant assistance.
Tax relief provisions may also be available so that second and subsequent siblings do not have to bear the full cost. details are available at www.revenue.ie.
In addition, higher education institutions have provisions in place to allow students to pay the contribution in two moieties.
320. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the measures in place at Caranua to deal with the influx of applications since the announcement of the cessation date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45172/18]
View answerCaranua is an independent statutory body established under the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act 2012. My understanding is that there hasn't been an influx of applications since the announcement of the cessation date. Under the protocol for the provision of information to Members of the Oireachtas by State Bodies under the aegis of Government Departments/Offices (Reference DPE 022/026/2016), Caranua operate a dedicated e-mail address oireachtas@caranua.ie for queries from members of the Oireachtas which I would refer the Deputy to for a response to her query. As set out in that same protocol, Ministers are not directly accountable for the day to day operational matters of State bodies.
321. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of persons offered one to one meetings with Caranua by month to date in 2018; the number of such meetings that took place by month to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45173/18]
View answerCaranua is an independent statutory body established under the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act 2012. From the last meeting my officials had with Caranua, I understand that Caranua reported that a number of face to face meetings had taken place with applicants in Caranua’s office. It is, however, an operational matter and under the protocol for the provision of information to Members of the Oireachtas by State Bodies under the aegis of Government Departments/Offices (Reference DPE 022/026/2016), Caranua operate a dedicated e-mail address oireachtas@caranua.ie for queries from members of the Oireachtas. As set out in that same protocol, Ministers are not directly accountable for the day to day operational matters of State bodies. I will, however, ask Caranua to respond directly to the Deputy with this information.
322. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a school building project (details supplied) in County Mayo; the timeframe for allowing the project to go to tender; the reason for the delay in allowing the project to go to tender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45174/18]
View answerThe major building project referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning, Stage 2(b) Detailed Design which includes the application for Planning Permission, Fire Cert and Disability Access Cert and the preparation of tender documents. All statutory approvals have been secured.
The stage 2(b) submission has been reviewed by my Department and the school and its Design Team have recently been authorised to commence the pre-qualification of contractors process to select short-lists of contractors for the main and reserved specialist contracts. Pre-qualification normally takes between 8 and 12 weeks to complete.
When pre-qualification is complete the project will then be progressed to tender stage. A tender stage normally takes between 7 and 8 months to complete.
323. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a company (details supplied) has undertaken work within his Department's remit to build or renovate projects over the past ten years; if so, the project name and location; the year in which it was built; if building fire safety inspections have been carried out on the projects since construction; the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45198/18]
View answerThe full list of schools built by the company in question is available on my Department's website at www.education.ie.
A fire safety assessment programme was initiated in 2017 on 30 schools constructed by the company in the details supplied. This follows previous fire safety assessments of all schools constructed in 2008 by the same company.
324. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the EU Erasmus+ education and training programme is now being used for training in complex weapon systems and ballistics (details supplied); and if he will request the Higher Education Authority and all higher education institutes here to withdraw from all activities relating to this programme in view of the fact that Ireland is a neutral state. [45213/18]
View answerErasmus+ is the EU’s flagship programme for Education, Training, Youth and Sport for 2014-2020. It aims to make a contribution to meeting the key challenges facing Europe to boost growth and jobs and to foster social equity and inclusion. Erasmus+ will provide opportunities for over 4 million Europeans to study, train, gain work experience and volunteer abroad. The Programme aims to boost skills and employability, while supporting the modernisation of education, training and youth systems. The programme is of huge significance to Ireland, with an allocation of €169m over the seven year duration. The funding for 2017 was in excess of €19m with significant increases expected annually to 2020.
The section of the Erasmus+ 2019 programme guide referred to, relates to the sector skills alliances supporting the design and delivery of joint vocational training curricula, programmes and teaching and training methodologies, drawing on evidence of trends in a specific economic sector and skills needed in order to perform in one or more professional fields. These actions under Erasmus+ are managed on a centralised basis by the Erasmus Executive Agency in Brussels.
The HEA and Léargas, as National Agencies for Erasmus+, are responsible for administering de-centralised funding, and therefore have no role in allocating funding under the section of the programme guide that the Deputy refers to.
The EU provides funding for education, training and skills development of its citizens, many areas of which are transversal in nature that may be applied to many areas of employment and enterprise. It is for each Member State to identify its own priorities in its education and training policies, and to apply EU funding accordingly. The funding of such education, training and upskilling seeks to improve the employability and competitiveness of EU citizens and does not imply any support for particular downstream uses of those skills or qualifications in the labour market.
With regard to the Deputy's reference to the fact that Ireland is a neutral state, the Irish Government is fully committed to Ireland’s longstanding policy of military neutrality, which is characterised by non-participation in military alliances.
325. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will sanction funding through the NTA initially on a pilot basis for the provision of a school bus service to schools (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45217/18]
View answerThe purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school. School transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of my Department.
In the 2017/18 school year over 117,000 children, including over 12,000 children with special educational needs, were transported in over 4,500 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually at a total cost of almost €190 million in 2017.
Children are eligible for school transport if they satisfy the distance criterion and are attending their nearest school.
A minimum number of 10 eligible children residing in a distinct locality, as determined by Bus Éireann, are required before consideration may be given to the establishment or retention of school transport services, provided this can be done within reasonable cost limits.
Families of eligible children, for whom there is no school transport service available, are eligible for the remote area grant towards the cost of making private transport arrangements.
It is not within my remit to sanction funding to the organisation referred to by the Deputy under the School Transport Scheme.
The terms of the scheme are applied equitably on a national basis.
326. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if approval will be given to the recruitment of a secretary post for a school (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to the significant increased administrative burden at the school due to its size; if his attention has been further drawn to the retirement of its second school secretary at the end of the last academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45228/18]
View answerMy Department provides funding for 1 Clerical Officer, 2 Caretakers and 4,978 annual cleaning hours to the school referred to by the Deputy. This is in addition to funding the salary of the Secretary who has now retired.
Under current arrangements schools are permitted to fill Clerical Officer and Caretaker vacancies up to a max of 1 Clerical Officer and 1 Caretaker. In this regard my Department is not in a position to sanction the replacement of the Secretary that retired in the school referred to by the Deputy.
My Department acknowledges the need to improve the arrangements with regard to the replacement of Secretaries and Caretakers, particularly for the larger schools. However, progress on this is dependent on the availability of additional budgetary funding. While Budget 2019 has provided for improvements in basic arrangements, the Department is not yet in a position to fund the employment of additional secretaries.
Schools are permitted discretion in the use of the Schools Services Support Fund in accordance with their own needs and priorities. However, the provision of secretarial and maintenance services is a particular focus of this fund which is a significant resource for schools in regard to employing additional administrative and maintenance staff. The grant paid to the school in question for the 2017/18 school year amounted to €107,547.
The Schools Services Support Fund was increased by €2 to €113 per pupil in 2016 and by €3 to €116 per pupil in 2017 and by €2.50 to €118.50 per pupil in 2018 to enable schools implement pay increases for ancillary staff arising from the unwinding of FEMPI.
