Written Answers Nos. 243-264
243. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of prefab units in situ at primary and secondary schools in County Waterford as of 31 December 2018; the number of prefabs in place across schools in County Waterford in 2008 and 2013; and the average rental cost per prefab unit. [8193/19]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that in 2013 there were 23 rented prefab units in schools in Co Waterford. However this has been reduced to 6 rented prefab units as of 31st December 2018. The information in relation to 2008 rental prefab units is not available.
Please note that a prefab unit may consist of one or more classrooms and/or ancillary accommodation and the current average rental cost for mainstream classroom is approximately €14,000 plus VAT.
244. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to extend entitlement to the July provision scheme to children with Down's syndrome; if so, when such a broadening of the scheme will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8213/19]
View answer245. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills if correspondence has been received from a person (details supplied); when the person will receive a reply to the correspondence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8214/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 244 and 245 together.
The correspondence referred to by the Deputy was received in my Department on 14th February 2019. The person will receive a reply by the end of February.
My Department's July Provision Grant Scheme provides funding for an extended school year for students with severe or profound intellectual disabilities and students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).
The scheme was developed to reduce potential regression in learning associated with these specific categories of special education needs over the summer holidays. The scheme does not make provision for children with other categories of Special Education Needs.
The National Council for Special Education’s Policy Advice on Educational Provision for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders was published in July 2016.
The NCSE review found that in general parents value July provision because it provides day-time respite for families and a structured day for students.
However, the NCSE review found a number of problems with the scheme as currently organised.
These include concerns that the scheme may be inequitable because it is not provided to all students with complex special educational needs.
The Council recommended that the relevant Government Departments consider how an equitable national day activity scheme could be developed for all students with complex special educational needs.
The proposed scheme would provide a structured, safe, social environment for all students with complex special educational needs, which might include some children with Down syndrome.
The Department of Education and Skills has convened an Implementation Group with representatives of the NCSE, NEPS and the Inspectorate to ensure that the Report’s recommendations are fully and appropriately considered.
There are no plans to change the July provision scheme coverage until this work is complete.
246. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the review into his Department's design and build programme commenced; and when it will conclude. [8220/19]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that both myself and the Department are committed to a review of the Department's Design and Build Programme. This review will include aspects such as procurement, quality control, workmanship and oversight, looking at aspects both pre- and post-implementation of the amended building control regulations in 2014. It will also comment on immediate steps taken by my Department to strengthen its design and build programme.
This will be an independent review conducted by a person or entity outside the Department.
Work is advancing in my Department to enable the commencement of the review. This includes formulating an appropriate approach, developing terms of reference and arranging for the appointment of an appropriate person or entity to carry out the review.
I expect to be in a position to announce the commencement of the review when this work has been completed.
247. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress on the delivery of a new campus for a school (details supplied); when building will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8242/19]
View answer251. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a decision will be made on an application for temporary accommodation by a school (details supplied); if the decision will be expedited in order to give time for the planning process to be completed in order that the classrooms which will be required for the 2019 to 2020 school year can be in place in time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8252/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 247 and 251 together.
A new school building for the school referred to by the Deputy is included in my Department's six year Construction Programme.
Officials in my Department are working in relation to the acquisition of a suitable site for the new school. A potential site option has been identified and discussions, including technical considerations are ongoing with the owner with a view to acquiring this site. Due to the sensitive nature of site acquisitions generally, it is not possible to comment further at this stage.
I can confirm also that my Department has received an application from the school for additional temporary accommodation, to cater for the school's interim accommodation needs. This application has been assessed and my Department has approved in principle the provision of temporary accommodation at the school. My Department is currently awaiting further information from the school to finalise the approval of this temporary accommodation.
248. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the Irish language Youthreach programme in Connemara, County Galway is being closed; if the funding for the programme will be extended; the funding for this specific programme over each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8247/19]
View answerYouthreach is an education and training programme delivered in out of school settings to young people aged 16 – 20 who have left the mainstream school system early. It is a further education programme operated by Education and Training Boards (ETBs).
An evaluation of the Youthreach programme is currently being finalised, and is due for publication in quarter 1 2019. This evaluation will examine the outputs and outcomes of the Youthreach programme and the effectiveness of this provision. The report will also make recommendations on how the programme can be developed in the future.
In 2018, there was planned provision of 4,372 Youthreach places throughout the country. This number has decreased significantly over the last number of years, by just over one third, primarily due to higher retention rates in post-primary education. Ireland's rate of early school leaving in 2017 was 5%, one of the lowest early school leaving rates in the EU.
This pattern is very much in evidence in west Galway. Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board (GRETB) have informed my Department that there are higher retention rates in post primary schools and consequent decreasing demand for provision of second chance education for early school leavers in the local area. In light of this lack of demand, GRETB decided to no longer deliver the Youthreach programme at the location in question.
However, GRETB is offering a number of courses through Irish in Ionad Breisoideachais Rosmuc as progression routes for learners. The following courses are available: Business Administration Level 5; Healthcare Level 5; Childcare Levels 5&6.
Additionally a Sports and Fitness Levels 5 programme in Leitirmór in partnership with the Sportlann is also available.
GRETB also have a range of part-time programmes on offer at levels 3 to 5 that will be expanded throughout the year
This year, new courses that will be available through Irish have been proposed such as Aquaculture. This course has been offered in the past and GRETB are looking at implementing it again with an emphasis on Seaweed Production and Harvesting. Other modules include Marine Engine Repair, Net Mending, and Shell-fish on-growing, all of which will be taught through Irish.
An additional course in Truck and Bus driving in the Connemara Gaeltacht has been proposed and this will be offered as progression to Youth reach learners. This course will also be available in the Irish language.
The funding for the Youthreach programme is set out in the following table.
YouthReach Leitir Mór
|
- |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
10 Year Total |
|
Allowances |
118,173 |
133,153 |
150,353 |
143,256 |
103,837 |
95,698 |
60,863 |
39,080 |
57,374 |
77,732 |
979,519 |
|
Pay |
207,323 |
360,853 |
263,805 |
288,698 |
265,773 |
255,300 |
205,331 |
212,383 |
254,088 |
198,253 |
2,511,807 |
|
Non-Pay |
44,890 |
53,558 |
50,640 |
54,481 |
86,629 |
46,370 |
57,962 |
42,436 |
46,691 |
44,374 |
528,031 |
|
370,386 |
547,564 |
464,798 |
486,435 |
456,239 |
397,368 |
324,156 |
293,899 |
358,153 |
320,359 |
4,019,357 |
249. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the schools that have no permanent site for which his Department is responsible for providing a permanent site. [8249/19]
View answer250. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the schools that have no permanent site for which a patron is responsible for providing a permanent site. [8250/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 249 and 250 together.
My Department is in the process of acquiring 31 sites in respect of the schools’ listed on the 6-Year Construction Programme, as published on my Department’s website, dated 31st January 2019. A further 6 sites is being acquired by the Patron bodies in respect of these schools’.
In addition, my Department is responsible for acquiring sites for all of the 42 new schools' announced in April 2018. To date 6 sites have been acquired and my Department is actively pursuing the acquisition of the remaining sites.
252. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if efforts will be made to expedite the issuing of a certificate of results to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8279/19]
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.
253. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education and Skills the procedures in place for a patron to remove clergy from a school board of management at their discretion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8281/19]
View answerThe mechanisms under which a Board of Management member may be removed are as follows:
Section 16 of the Education Act, 1998, provides that a patron may, with the consent of the Minister, for good and valid reasons stated in writing to a member of a board of management remove that member from that office, or if satisfied that the functions of a board are not being effectively discharged, dissolve that board.
Section 7 of the Governance Manual for Primary Schools 2015 - 2019 sets out the circumstances in which Board members may be removed or membership of a board of management shall cease.
As Minister I have no function within Section 16 until such time as the Patron seeks my consent under Section 16 (1). Furthermore, as Minister whilst I have a statutory role regarding the removal of a member of a Board, I have no statutory role in respect of members who cease to be members of Boards for varied reasons.
254. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Skills if progress has been made on the construction of a new build for a school complex (details supplied); the timeline of the building project; if the school is to be built under the rapid build programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8297/19]
View answerA project to provide a new permanent new school building for the school referred to by the Deputy is included in my Department 6 Year Capital Programme and a site for the new school building has been identified and the process for the acquisition of this site is currently with my Department's Site Acquisition & Property Management Section.
The Department expects to progress this project into the architectural planning process shortly and my Department is in ongoing contact with the patron in this regard. In the interim, my Department has recently approved the provision of additional temporary accommodation for this school for 2019/2020.
255. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the planned school building works at a school (details supplied); and the level of priority being afforded to the project. [8312/19]
View answerThe project referred to by the Deputy has been devolved for delivery to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA).
I can inform the Deputy that the NDFA has started preparations for the appointment of a design team for the project. This appointment will be a key first step in the design and construction stages. While at this early stage it is not possible to provide a timeline for completion of the project, the NDFA will be engaging directly with the school authority to keep it informed of progress.
256. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the planning permission process will be started for new prefab buildings at a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8322/19]
View answerMy Department anticipates that the planning application will be lodged with Dublin City Council not later that early March 2019.
257. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the alternative arrangements which will be made for the education of students in a school (details supplied) in the event that the planning permission process for new prefab buildings at the school is not started in time to allow the prefabs be ready for new students in September 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8323/19]
View answerMy Department anticipates that the additional temporary accommodation for the school will be in place for the coming September and that alternative arrangements will not be necessary. My officials will keep the matter under regular review and will keep the school authorities informed accordingly.
258. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application for Teaching Council registration by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8326/19]
View answerThe Teaching Council is the body with statutory responsibility for the regulation of the teaching profession including the registration of teachers in Ireland.
The Teaching Council's (Registration) Regulations 2016 (SI 444 of 2016) set out the requirements to be registered as a teacher in Ireland. Under these regulations there are four defined routes to registration, namely Route 1 Primary; Route 2 Post-Primary; Route 3 Further Education; Route 4 Other.
The person referred to by the Deputy should continue to liaise directly with the Council in this matter.
259. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to provide a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8413/19]
View answerAs 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.
The announcement included a new 1,000 pupil post-primary school to be established in 2019 to serve the Galway City and Oranmore school planning areas as a regional solution and patronage of the new school was awarded to Educate Together in October 2018. My Department has identified East Galway City as the preferred location for the school in order to best serve the combined school planning areas.
On that basis, the school will open in September 2019 in suitable interim accommodation in the Merlin Park area. In relation to the permanent school site, my Department is examining all potential suitable site options including zoned school sites. A decision will then be made as part of the site acquisition process in relation to an appropriate site for the school to which the Deputy refers and this will be confirmed at a later date.
260. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna cé mhéad airgead a chosain an Liúntas Gaeltachta, an Liúntas um Múineadh trí Ghaeilge agus an Liúntas Teagaisc ar Oileán do mhúinteoirí meánscoile agus bunscoile i ngach ceann de na blianta 2010 go 2018 faoi seach; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [8414/19]
View answerTá na sonraí a d’iarr an Teachta leagtha amach sna táblaí atá ceangailte.
Bunscoile
|
Liúntas Gaeltachta |
Liúntas um Múineadh trí Ghaeilge |
Liúntas Teagaisc ar Oileán |
|
1,752,020.13 |
2,359,371.90 |
54,346.20 |
|
1,776,741.88 |
2,441,778.64 |
51,662.28 |
|
1,692,316.97 |
2,439,437.14 |
47,279.39 |
|
1,611,248.03 |
2,375,702.31 |
38,943.62 |
|
1,594,336.27 |
2,269,847.85 |
35,743.77 |
|
1,569,914.08 |
2,231,673.11 |
38,808.97 |
|
1,419,056.60 |
2,046,499.82 |
35,774.03 |
|
1,413,688.11 |
1,965,209.06 |
33,915.21 |
|
1,309,637.82 |
1,839,277.88 |
30,881.38 |
Meánscoile
|
Bliain |
Liúntas Gaeltachta |
Liúntas um Múineadh trí Ghaeilge |
Liúntas Teagaisc ar Oileán |
|
2010 |
508,720.17 |
251,993.00 |
0 |
|
2011 |
502,944.70 |
283,438.94 |
0 |
|
2012 |
482,648.36 |
198,362.35 |
0 |
|
2013 |
473,236.22 |
310,175.61 |
0 |
|
2014 |
457,593.33 |
211,800.77 |
0 |
|
2015 |
437,019.96 |
215,346.44 |
0 |
|
2016 |
425,042.57 |
198,719.65 |
0 |
|
2017 |
417,145.94 |
167,930.82 |
0 |
|
2018 |
397,482.60 |
198,276.73 |
0 |
261. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to cost overruns on contracts within his Department with a value in excess of €10 million that came in more than 10% over budget in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019; if so, the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8421/19]
View answerSchool building projects in excess of €10m typically arise at post-primary level rather than at primary level.
It can generally take quite a while for final accounts on projects to be submitted by contractors and then get finalised and agreed. Over the period since 2016 a total of five large-scale projects that delivered eight new school buildings had building contracts in excess of €10m and had final accounts agreed. When combined there was just under a 5% difference between the tender (contract) sum and the agreed final account for these five large-scale school building projects. The following table sets out the position in respect of one of the five large-scale school building projects where the final account has been agreed and which was just over 10% in excess of the tender price. There is a process in place for dealing with requests for change orders to existing contracts and these typically relate to matters such as unforeseen events during the construction process, requirement for additional works etc.
My Department carefully manages and control costs on all projects in order to ensure best possible outcomes for the investment being made under the capital programme.
The measures in place to manage and control costs on large-scale school building projects include:
- Detailed procedures in place for appraisal, design, tender and construction of large-scale school building projects.
- Standardisation of sizes and layouts for classrooms and other rooms in schools.
- Detailed design team procedures that involve Department approval for progression through the various stages of design and tendering.
- Design Team fees tendered on percentage basis and then locked in to a fixed sum when design has been developed at Stage 2A of design process.
- Planning permission and design completed before tender process commences which gives clarity to tenderers on scope of project
- Contracts tendered on a fixed price basis using the standard form of Government contract – which gives certainty in relation to managing the impact of construction inflation.
- Procedures in place for provision of monthly progress reports and arrangements for dealing with any requests for change orders to existing contracts.
In addition to the school project listed in the attachment 7 schools were delivered during the period by way of Public Private Partnership (PPP). In the case of such projects, the cost (which also includes Facilities Management and lifecycle costs) is determined at Financial Close and payment by the Department is by way of monthly Unitary Charges over the operational period, usually 25 years.
Information in respect of capital projects in the Higher Education Sector with building contracts in excess of €10m and with final accounts agreed and 10% higher than the building contracts will be forwarded separately to the Deputy when the relevant information is collated and finalised.
Building Contracts in excess of €10m
|
- |
County |
Roll No. |
School |
Year |
Contract Sum Incl VAT |
Date LOA signed/ Contract commenced |
Final Account Agreed Sum incl VAT |
Reason for variation: Change Orders, Conciliation etc |
|
1 |
Cork |
68264R |
Edmund Rice College, Carrigaline |
2017 |
€13,322,007.84 |
24/03/2016 |
€14,683,207.60 |
Approved change orders |
262. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to a trust responsible for a school (details supplied) advising parents and staff that it plans to close the school; if it advised his Department of the decision to close the school; the action he will take for the school to remain open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8495/19]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the decision making authority for a school closure belongs to the Patron of a school, and this is subject to the agreement of my Department. Any proposal to close a school must involve consultation with all of the relevant stakeholders, parents, teachers, students and local communities and follow decisions taken at local level.
My Department is engaging with the Patron in relation to the matter.
263. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of State contracts that were not awarded to the lowest tender or bid in each year since 2011 to date in his Department or bodies under the aegis of his Department; the reason the lowest tender or bid was not chosen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8803/19]
View answerI assume the Deputy’s question relates to building projects under my Department’s Capital Programme.
The relevant school authority, as distinct from my Department, is the client and awarding authority for the vast bulk of projects delivered under the school building programme.
However, the procurement approach for the delivery of all school building projects is set out in guidance and procedures published by my Department’s Planning and Building Unit.
In general, for Public Works contracts there are two methods of tendering (the Restricted procedure and the Open procedure).
In the case of tenders for the appointment of main building contractors for less complex school building projects of a small to medium scale, the Open procedure can be used and all contractors are entitled to submit a tender but must meet the minimum standards as set out in the invitation to tender (thus facilitating the inclusion of small to medium enterprises and those with no experience in educational projects). These contracts are generally awarded on the basis of lowest tender.
For larger or more complex school building projects, where it is considered that pre-qualification of contractors is warranted, the Restricted procedure is normally used. In the Restricted procedure, there is an intermediary qualification stage during which the numbers of applicants is reduced (or restricted) to a specified amount (normally 8 - 10). The pre-qualification process uses a combination of pass/fail criteria and qualitative criteria to establish the tender short-list. All criteria have minimum standards which must be met. These contracts are then generally awarded on the basis of the lowest tender.
Tenders for projects being delivered under my Department’s “Design & Build” programme are evaluated using the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) approach. This means that the criteria for the award of the contract include technical merit as well as price. In the case of the Department’s current Design and Build programme, Technical Merit carries a 60% weighting and Price carries a 40% weighting. Over 150 projects have been delivered under the Department’s Design and Build programme since it was commenced in 2008.
The evaluation of tenders for projects being delivered under Public Private Partnerships (PPP) arrangements has also used the MEAT approach. The National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) is responsible for the procurement of PPP projects in the education sector.
264. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the cost in 2016, 2017, 2018 and the projected cost for 2019 of the deal agreed in November 2016 in respect of pay policy for certain members of An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7910/19]
View answerThe recommendation of the Labour Court in relation to Garda pay did not come into effect until 1 January 2017, and therefore there were no cost implications for 2016.
For 2017, the cost of the Labour Court recommendation was met through a combination of additional exchequer funding and funding from within the existing budgetary allocation for the Justice Vote Group.
The impact of the Labour Court recommendation on individual members of the GRA and AGSI was to provide extra remuneration of around €4,000 on average each year through:
- an increase in the value of the rent allowance by €500 bringing it to €4,655 per annum with effect from 1 January 2017;
- the integration of the rent allowance in the new amount of €4,655 into salary with consequential increases in unsocial hours and overtime payments also with effect from 1 January 2017;
- the introduction of a €15 premium payment per annual leave day to compensate for the uncertainty attaching to the taking of leave by Gardaí. This payment is worth in the region of €500 on average;
- the implementation of a long-standing recommendation of the Garda Inspectorate through the introduction of paid 15 minute pre-tour briefing or tasking sessions with effect from 1 January 2017.
Under the Labour Court recommendation, new recruits also had the Rent Allowance restored, and the increment freeze which had been in place for GRA members was lifted.
The nature of the recommendation was such that the cost of the implementation of the proposals depends on a number of factors including the overall number of Gardaí, the average basic salary of Garda members, the amount of overtime worked in any year, and the implementation of pay restoration measures under the Public Sector Stability Agreement. That said, my Department estimates that the Labour Court recommendation costs in the region of €60-65 million per annum.
The Deputy will be aware the gross cost of implementing the 2016 Labour Court recommendation is offset by statutory deductions for tax, PRSI, etc., which reduces the net Exchequer cost.
