Written Answers Nos. 264-281
264. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Skills the documentation a person (details supplied) can send to his Department in view of the fact that a university (details supplied) does not award students with letters or certificates on a percentage basis and only acknowledges pass or fail on letters. [49253/18]
View answerThe issue referred to by the Deputy relates to a Post Graduate Certificate of Education (PGCE). The position is that post primary PGCE is awarded on an unclassified pass/fail basis and the associated allowance is paid at pass Higher Diploma level. In order for the allowance to be upgraded to honours Higher Diploma level the teacher concerned must present her employer with a letter from the awarding University stating “that had the PGCE been awarded on a percentage basis, the overall result would have been equal to or higher than 55%”.
266. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills when will the repair of the of the two schools (details supplied) will be completed; the estimated costs for same; if a supplementary estimate will be required to fund repairs; the way in which they will be funded; and when the restoration will be fully completed. [49293/18]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, over the course of the mid-term break my Department undertook structural assessments on all 42 school buildings constructed by the Western Building Systems since 2003 which were part of the Department's Design and Build school building programme. The safety of school students and staff has been and will continue to be my Department's overriding priority.
The two schools referred to by the Deputy opened at ground floor level initially following internal precautionary measures which were carried out over the mid-term break. Works to the upper floor areas are now underway and it is anticipated that these works will be completed to allow the schools in question to open to receive all students in the next few weeks. This is the immediate priority for my Department.
My Department will now be moving as quickly as possible to the next phase, which is to initiate more detailed structural investigations at the 42 schools and, following on from this, to implement the permanent remediation works required. This will enable an implementation plan to be put in place which will include, as appropriate, projected timelines and expected remediation costs. Until such time as this work is completed, a robust cost estimate cannot be formulated. Therefore there are currently no plans at this stage for an additional supplementary estimate. The Department fully intends to pursue the company through all contractual and legal channels for the cost of the precautionary measures and the remediation work.
267. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review an application for an SNA by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49318/18]
View answerThe National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible for allocating a quantum of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support for each school annually taking into account the assessed care needs of children qualifying for SNA support enrolled in the school.
The NCSE allocates SNA support to schools in accordance with the criteria set out in Department Circular 0030/2014, which is available on my Department's website at www.education.ie, in order that students who have care needs can access SNA support as and when it is needed.
My Department’s policy is to ensure that every child who is assessed as needing SNA support will receive access to such support.
As this question relates to a particular child, I have referred the question to the NCSE for their direct reply. I do not have a role in making determinations in individual cases.
268. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 241 of 18 September 2018, if the accommodation needs of a school (details supplied) have been agreed; when a design team will be appointed for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49330/18]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, a building project for the school to which he refers is included in my Department's 6-Year Construction Programme. In the context of progressing the building project, my Department undertook a technical site visit to the school. Following the site visit, my Department is now considering how the school's accommodation needs will be met. When this process has been finalised, my Department will be in further contact with the school authority.
In the context of the school's immediate accommodation needs, the school authority has been advised that my Department is willing to approve rental of temporary accommodation should this be required.
269. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department has received the pre-qualification report in relation to the building of a new school (details supplied); if his Department has received the report; if it has been approved; when tenders will be invited for the project from the shortlist of contractors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49331/18]
View answerThe major building project referred to by the Deputy is currently at Stage 2b – Detailed Design.
This project was authorised to commence the Pre-Qualification of Contractors in May 2018. My Department has been informed that the Design Team Leader published the contract notice inviting contractors to tender for Pre-Qualification on e-tenders on 2 August 2018 with a closing date for receipt of submissions of 10 September 2018.
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.
In March 2018 my Department issued a letter to the school and its Design Team outlining the projected timeframe for the progression of this project to tender and construction stage and the steps involved.
270. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the pre-qualification process for a school (details supplied) has been concluded; if so, if tenders have now been invited for the project from the shortlist of contractors; if so, the closing date for receipt of tenders; when construction will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49332/18]
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 outcome of the pre-qualification process has been notified to contractors who expressed interest in tendering for this project. Feedback and issues arising from same are currently being dealt with by the school and its Design Team. When this process has concluded the project will then be progressed to tender stage.
A tender stage normally takes between 7 and 8 months to complete.
271. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the pre-qualification report for a school (details supplied) has been received; if the report has been approved; if tenders have been invited from the shortlist of contractors; if so, the closing date for receipt of tenders for the project; when construction will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49333/18]
View answerThe project to which the Deputy refers has been devolved to the local Education and Training Board. The pre-qualification process for the project is currently being finalised. My Department expects the project to proceed to tender immediately following the completion of this process.
272. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the required clarifications have been received from the vendor of the site for a school (details supplied); if satisfactory, if a design team will be appointed for both projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49334/18]
View answerEngagement with the vendor is still ongoing in respect of outstanding clarifications regarding the proposed school site acquisition. Progress is being made on aspects of the proposed sale. However the appointment of a design team cannot be progressed at this juncture. I can assure you that officials in my Department are working to do so as soon as is possible.
273. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills when payment for a school transport grant will issue to a person (details supplied). [49340/18]
View answerSchool transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the 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.
Payment of the Special Transport Grant for the child in question will be processed this week.
274. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the attention of the forward planning unit has been drawn to the prospective lack of secondary school places in an area (details supplied); if the growth of two primary schools in the feeder area will now lead to the provision of extra secondary school places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49343/18]
View answerIn order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System, using data from a range of sources, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise. With this information, my Department carries out nationwide demographic exercises to determine where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.
Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such 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 within a school or schools,
- Extending the capacity of a school or schools,
- Provision of a new school or schools.
As the Deputy may be aware, the Government recently announced plans for the establishment of 42 new schools over the next four years (2019 to 2022). This announcement follows nationwide demographic exercises carried out by my Department into the future need for primary and post-primary schools across the country and the 4-year horizon will enable increased lead-in times for planning and delivery of the necessary infrastructure.
In addition to the new schools announced, there will be a need for further school accommodation in other areas in the future. Based on the current analysis, this need can be addressed through either planned capacity increases in existing schools or additional accommodation or extensions to existing schools.
While the announcement did not include a new post primary school in Gorey (which is located in the Gorey school planning area), the requirement for new schools will be kept under on-going review and in particular would have regard for the increased rollout of housing provision as outlined in Project Ireland 2040.
My Department's responsibility is to provide sufficient accommodation to meet 20,000 new and replacement school places each year, to ensure that every child has a school place. It is open to an individual school to apply for accommodation under the additional accommodation scheme if the school does not have sufficient capacity to meet school places.
275. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of applications received in respect of the two vacancies which arose in February 2018 on the board of Caranua; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49349/18]
View answerIn accordance with the Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards, the Public Appointments Service (PAS) managed the application and selection process for appointments to the Board of Caranua. The notice seeking expressions of interest appeared on the PAS website on 27th August 2018 with a closing date of 24th September 2018. PAS convened an Assessment Panel to examine the applications received. In total 11 applications were received for the 2 vacancies; not all the candidates met the selection criteria set out in section 11(1)(a) of the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act 2012.
276. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason only one UK based survivor has been appointed to the board of Caranua; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49350/18]
View answerThe composition of the Board of Caranua is set out in Section 11 of the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act 2012. It specifies that four of the members will be persons, who before they attained the age of 18 years, resided in an institution specified in the Schedule to the Residential Institutions Redress Act 2002. Members of the Board are expected to play key roles in relation to the direction, leadership and corporate governance of the organisation. Board members do not have a role in determining the outcome of applications by survivors to Caranua or in lobbying on behalf of individual survivors or survivor representatives or advocacy groups.
With the recent filling of the two vacancies, the composition of the Board is as geographically diverse as it was before the vacancies arose, i.e., there continues to be 1 UK based survivor on the Board.
277. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department has carried out a review of the need for a new secondary school in County Kildare (details supplied). [49354/18]
View answer
278. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Education and Skills the fees paid and services rendered to a person (details supplied) in each of the years 2013 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49422/18]
View answerThere are no payments recorded on my Department's Financial Management System in respect of the individual and/or company identified by the Deputy.
279. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the subjects which he and his predecessor have requested the NCCA to conduct a review of since 2011; the reviews completed since 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49455/18]
View answerBelow is a table of curriculum subjects, areas and programmes that have reviews conducted and completed since 2011 in line with work plans agreed between NCCA and the DES.
|
Date of review completion |
Curriculum review areas and subjects |
|
Nov. 2018 |
Junior Cycle subject specifications in Religious Education, Jewish Studies and Graphics Junior Cycle short course in Enterprise in Animation (Level 2) Leaving Certificate specification in Applied Mathematics Reporting templates – Mo Scéal: Moving from Preschool to Primary |
|
Sept. 2018 |
Leaving Certificate specification in Art |
|
July 2018 |
Junior Cycle subject specifications in Applied Technology, Classics, Engineering and Wood Technology |
|
Dec. 2017 |
Junior Cycle subject specifications in Mathematics Leaving Certificate specification in Computer Science |
|
Sept. 2017 |
Junior Cycle subject specifications in Geography, History, Home Economics and Music, Leaving Certificate specification in Economics. |
|
Feb. 2017 |
Junior Cycle subject specifications in Irish (Irish-medium schools) and Irish (English-medium schools) |
|
Dec. 2016 |
Leaving Certificate specification in Agricultural Science Consultation Paper - Proposals for structure and time allocation in a redeveloped primary curriculum |
|
Nov. 2016 |
Leaving Certificate specification in Physical Education Junior Cycle Guidelines on Wellbeing |
|
October 2016 |
Junior Cycle subject specifications in Visual Art and Modern Foreign Languages – German, French, Italian and Spanish Junior Cycle short course in Philosophy |
|
Sept. 2016 |
Senior Cycle Framework in Physical Education |
|
Dec. 2015 |
Primary Language Curriculum for junior infants to second class |
|
Nov. 2015 |
Junior Cycle subject specification in Business Studies Consultation Paper - Education about Religions and Beliefs (ERB) and Ethics in the Primary School |
|
Sept. 2015 |
Leaving Certificate specification in Politics and Society |
|
March 2015 |
Aistear Síolta Practice Guide |
|
Dec. 2014 |
Junior Cycle subject specification in Science |
|
June 2014 |
Junior Cycle short courses in Chinese Language and Culture and Artistic performance: Engaging with the Arts |
|
May 2014 |
Junior Cycle short courses in Digital Media Literacy, A Personal Project: Caring for Animals (Level 2) and CSI: Exploring Forensic Science (Level 2) |
|
April 2014 |
Junior Cycle short courses in Civic, Social and Political Education (CSPE), Coding, Physical Education (PE) and Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) |
|
March 2014 |
Leaving Certificate specifications in Biology, Chemistry and Physics Education Passport - supporting the transfer of information on children’s learning and development as they move from primary to post-primary |
|
Sept. 2013 |
Junior Cycle subject specification in English |
|
June 2013 |
Final specifications for Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate Mathematics (Project Maths) |
|
2012 |
Draft Framework for Junior Cycle Guidelines for Level 2 Learning Programmes |
280. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the tendering procedure for the main construction contract for an education project (details supplied) in County Cork; when the main building contractor is expected to be on site; if the new facilities will be completed for the commencement of the 2020-2021 school year in order to allow schools to plan properly for maximum pupil intake; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49478/18]
View answer
281. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills the further consideration that has been given to an application by a school (details supplied) for a replacement building on its own site on foot of a letter sent by the patron to the capital appraisal unit in October 2018 enclosing a letter from the local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49494/18]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that a building project for the schools in question is included in my Department's 6 year Construction Programme. The school authority has provided my Department with a copy of a letter it received from the local authority. My Department will consider the matter further and will liaise directly with the school authority in this regard.
