Written Answers Nos. 184-209
185. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will work with third-level universities to expand the number of medical training places for students applying through the Central Applications Office system to help increase the number of doctors nationally. [13190/20]
View answerHigher education institutions are autonomous with regard to management of their academic affairs including admissions procedures. The CAO processes applications for undergraduate, and some postgraduate, courses on behalf of the HEIs. Decisions on admissions, including the number of places offered, are made by the HEIs which then instruct the CAO to make offers to successful candidates. Neither I nor my Department have any role in the operation of the CAO.
However a quota applies to the intake of EU students to medical education. Thereafter, the number of places allocated to non-EU students is a matter for the individual HEI concerned with the availability of clinical placements being an important factor in this regard.
186. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education and Skills if funding will be provided to a school (details supplied) to enable it to proceed with the building of a school hall, woodwork room, music room and additional classrooms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13195/20]
View answerI can confirm that my Department recently received an application, for capital funding, from the school referred to by the Deputy. This application is currently under assessment and my Department has been in contact with the school authorities requesting additional information. Once this information is received and the assessment complete, a decision will issue to the school authority directly.
187. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason she has restricted access to the July provision scheme in particular for those students with Down syndrome, despite assurances that no such restrictions would be in place; if her attention has been drawn to the distress caused by these restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13196/20]
View answerMy Department published details of Summer Provision 2020 – Reconnecting with Education including a programme for children with complex special educational needs.
The programme is a significant expansion on the July Provision programme of previous years with the eligibility criteria widened to include approximately 9,000 additional primary aged children with complex needs.
The programme aims to ensure, in so far as possible, that these children can reintegrate/transition into their planned education setting for the next school year with their peers.
In-school or home-based supports by teachers and SNAs will help to prevent regression among children with complex special educational needs.
The eligibility criteria includes the following categories of children:
1. Pupils with a diagnosis of Autism
2. Pupils with severe and profound learning difficulties
3. Any child in special school or a special class in a Primary School
4. Children transitioning into a special class or special school from early year’s settings
5. Pupils in primary school mainstream classes who present with the following disabilities:
- Children with Down syndrome
- Children who are Deaf or most severe hard of hearing
- Children who are blind or have a most severe visual impairment
- Children who have a moderate general learning disability
- Children with severe emotional behavioural difficulties
Funding for summer provision is not available to in respect of children who are not covered by the programme criteria. A child must meet at least one of the eligibility criteria.
If a Parent is in doubt about their child’s eligibility, they should consult their child’s school or contact my Department. Contact details are available on my Departments website https://www.education.ie/en/Parents/Services/summerprovision/summer-education-programme-2020.html.
188. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the development of school buildings on a site (details supplied) in County Mayo; the reason two developments are being proposed for the site despite it only being suitable for one; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13200/20]
View answerA building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is included in my Department’s Building Programme. In line with the Public Spending Code and to maximise the use of State assets, my Department is considering the options available in meeting the accommodation needs of this school as well as meeting the needs of another school in the area.
191. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the professional master’s in education can be completed in one year following an undergraduate degree; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13229/20]
View answerInitial teacher education (ITE) for primary and post-primary teachers is facilitated through a range of concurrent (undergraduate) and consecutive (postgraduate) programmes.
The Teaching Council is the statutory body charged with determining standards for the teaching profession and for accrediting programmes of ITE. All ITE programmes that lead to registration with the Council must have professional accreditation from the Council.
All persons wishing to teach in recognised schools must meet the professional registration standards and criteria set by the Teaching Council.
Changes to the duration and content of all initial teacher education programmes were made in response to recommendations in the National Strategy to Improve Literacy and Numeracy among Children and Young People 2011-2020 and were incorporated into the Teaching Council’s Policy Paper on the Continuum of Teacher Education and Criteria and Guidelines for Programme Providers.
Improvements which have been made to initial teacher education programmes include the reconfiguration of the content and duration of courses, with the duration of concurrent ITE programmes set at a minimum of four years while the postgraduate programmes of teacher education are set at two years, thereby facilitating an innovative reconceptualisation of programmes.
The lengthened and reconfigured programmes include substantial periods of school placement as central to student teacher development and a number of mandatory elements including literacy and numeracy, teaching, learning and assessment including school and classroom planning, differentiation, behaviour management, inclusive education (special education, multiculturalism, disadvantage, etc) and ICT in teaching and learning.
These reforms focus on improving the quality of teaching in our schools, which is central to the educational outcomes of our children. I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has no plans at present to modify the duration of the postgraduate entry route to teaching.
192. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Education and Skills the guidelines and protocols for the summer provision (details supplied). [13232/20]
View answerMy Department published details of Summer Provision 2020 – Reconnecting with Education including a programme for children with complex special educational needs.
The programme is a significant expansion on the July Provision programme of previous years with the eligibility criteria widened to include approximately 9,000 additional primary aged children with complex needs.
All special schools and primary schools with special classes are invited to provide the school based summer provision for their students. This programme will run for a minimum of two weeks and can extend up to four weeks where the schools, teachers and Special Needs Assistants are willing to participate.
My Department issued guidance to these schools to support management and staff in the delivery of summer programmes for children with special educational needs and those experiencing educational disadvantage as we continue to operate in line with public health advice to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
This guidance includes information in respect of hand hygiene, physical distancing, use of PPE and a risk assessment template.
The programme is reliant on schools, teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) choosing to participate on a voluntary basis.
It is therefore a matter for the Board of Management of the school having regard to the resources available whether or not it will participate in the programme.
To date 231 have indicated they intend to provide the school based summer provision.
Home-based provision is available where a child’s local school is not providing a programme or does not have the capacity to accommodate a child in a planned programme this year.
In this situation my Department will provide grant funding towards the engagement by Parents of a registered teacher / SNA to provide home based support for 10 hours a week for 4 weeks.
A dedicated online registration system for families of children with complex special needs to access Summer Provision is now available on Gov.ie/summerprovision
Parents are asked to register their participation online, providing some outline information of the extent of their participation in the programme e.g. number of weeks.
Once registered, the parent or school is then free to plan and organise the programme in accordance with with the guidance on my Departments website.
A programme for DEIS schools for this Summer was also announced.
Full information on summer provision and its various strands, including guidance information for parents, is available at Gov.ie/summerprovision
193. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a school (details supplied) will reopen; the reason no date has been given for the completion of repairs to the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13238/20]
View answerThe Deputy may wish to note that the project to which he refers has been devolved for delivery to the school authority under my Department's Summer Works Scheme. As such, it is a matter for the school authority, advised by its design team, to progress the project .
194. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if consideration will be given to providing additional accommodation for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13249/20]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has no current record of receiving an application, for capital funding, from the school in question.
Schools which identify that they have a shortfall in accommodation may apply for funding under my Department's Additional School Accommodation Scheme (ASA). The application form and information relating to this scheme are available on my Department's website www.education.ie.
The purpose of the scheme is to ensure that essential classroom accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year and where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation.
195. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills when parents will be refunded for school transport fees in circumstances in which the service paid for was lost due to Covid-19 school closures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13255/20]
View answerSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Skills.
The 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.
In the current school year over 120,000 children, including over 14,200 children with special educational needs, are transported in over 5,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres at a cost of over €219m in 2019.
The decision taken by the Government to close schools with effect from 13th March 2020 was taken in the interest of protecting our pupils, their families, teachers and those members of the wider community and is one of the many measures taken to support efforts to contain the spread of Covid-19.
Given that the school transport services have not been available to children from 13th March, it was recently decided that at the end of the current school year a refund for that period of closure will be issued to parents. My Department has been engaging with Bus Éireann in developing a plan for facilitating these refunds and I can confirm that refunds will start issuing to families at the end of this month.
197. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason children that have Down's syndrome, are deaf or blind or have a moderate general learning disability are excluded from the July provision in the case of a pupil that is transitioning into mainstream primary school or that is in a mainstream post-primary school. [13270/20]
View answerMy Department published details of Summer Provision 2020 – Reconnecting with Education including a programme for children with complex special educational needs.
The programme is a significant expansion on the July Provision programme of previous years with the eligibility criteria widened to include approximately 9,000 additional primary aged children with complex needs.
The programme aims to ensure, in so far as possible, that these children can reintegrate/transition into their planned education setting for the next school year with their peers.
In-school or home-based supports by teachers and SNAs will help to prevent regression among children with complex special educational needs.
The eligibility criteria includes the following categories of children:
1. Pupils with a diagnosis of Autism
2. Pupils with severe and profound learning difficulties
3. Any child in special school or a special class in a Primary School
4. Children transitioning into a special class or special school from early year’s settings
5. Pupils in primary school mainstream classes who present with the following disabilities:
- Children with Down syndrome
- Children who are Deaf or most severe hard of hearing
- Children who are blind or have a most severe visual impairment
- Children who have a moderate general learning disability
- Children with severe emotional behavioural difficulties
Funding for summer provision is not available in respect of children who are not covered by the programme criteria. A child must meet at least one of the eligibility criteria.
If a Parent is in doubt about their child’s eligibility, they should consult their child’s school or contact my Department. Contact details are available on my Departments website https://www.education.ie/en/Parents/Services/summerprovision/summer-education-programme-2020.html
198. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of works at a school (details supplied); and the measures underway to ensure the opening of same is secured for September 2020. [13271/20]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the project to which he refers has been devolved for delivery to the school authority under my Department's Summer Works Scheme. As such, it is a matter for the school authority to progress the project.
I can inform the Deputy that we are aware from our engagement with the school with respect to this project that it will not be completed in time for September 2020 as the tragic and extremely difficult issues that arose in the school last year have been exacerbated by the Covid-19 situation. The Department fully appreciates that this is extremely disappointing and frustrating for the entire school community given that they have already spent an entire school year without access to their school building.
I can assure everyone associated with the project that the school authority and its design team, supported by the Department, has done and is doing everything it can to ensure the earliest possible return to the school whilst ensuring that the quality and integrity of the works that need to be completed are protected. In that respect, a significant milestone in progressing the project was achieved last week as the tender for the works in question was advertised on the e-Tenders system. I can also assure the Deputy that my Department will continue to support the contingency arrangements that are currently in place for the school.
199. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount provided to schools in County Wexford through the summer works scheme in each of the years 2017 to 2019 and to date in 2020, in tabular form. [13283/20]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below:
|
Year |
2017 Expenditure |
2018 Expenditure |
2019 Expenditure |
2020 Expenditure (to date) |
|
Summer Works Scheme (Wexford) |
€2,048,663 |
€782,404 |
€397,248 |
€55,117 |
The purpose of the Summer Works Scheme is to devolve funding to individual school authorities to undertake small-scale building works which, ideally, can be carried out during the summer months or at other times that avoid disrupting the operation of the school.
Under the terms of the scheme, school authorities are empowered to manage these works with guidance from and minimal interaction with the Department.
Funding for small scale projects will be allocated in accordance with the prioritisation criteria attaching to the scheme which, in the normal course, include the ability to have the works carried out during the summer.
200. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of applications for emergency works that were refused in 2019 and quarter 1 of 2020, in tabular form. [13284/20]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that the information sought is set out in the following table:
|
Emergency Works Refused 2019 |
Emergency Works Refused Q1 2020 |
|
128 |
27 |
202. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if post-primary children that were eligible and received home based July provision in previous years are automatically entitled to same in 2020; if parents will be reassured that their expenses will be covered when they submit the claim form at the end of the tuition in view of the absence of an email facility in relation to the matter from her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13290/20]
View answerMy Department published details of Summer Provision 2020 – Reconnecting with Education including a programme for children with complex special educational needs.
The programme is a significant expansion on the July Provision programme of previous years with the eligibility criteria widened to include approximately 9,000 additional primary aged children with complex needs.
All children that previously qualified for July Provision are eligible for summer provision 2020.
The programme aims to ensure, in so far as possible, that these children can reintegrate/transition into their planned education setting for the next school year with their peers.
In-school or home-based supports by teachers and SNAs will help to prevent regression among children with complex special educational needs.
The eligibility criteria includes the following categories of children:
1. Pupils with a diagnosis of Autism
2. Pupils with severe and profound learning difficulties
3. Any child in special school or a special class in a Primary School
4. Children transitioning into a special class or special school from early year’s settings
5. Pupils in primary school mainstream classes who present with the following disabilities:
- Children with Down syndrome
- Children who are Deaf or most severe hard of hearing
- Children who are blind or have a most severe visual impairment
- Children who have a moderate general learning disability
- Children with severe emotional behavioural difficulties
Funding for summer provision is not available to in respect of children who are not covered by the programme criteria. A child must meet at least one of the eligibility criteria.
If a Parent is in doubt about their child’s eligibility, they should consult their child’s school or contact my Department. Contact details are available on my Departments website https://www.education.ie/en/Parents/Services/summerprovision/summer-education-programme-2020.html
Home-based provision will be available where a child’s local school is not providing a programme or does not have the capacity to accommodate a child in a planned programme this year. In this situation my Department will provide grant funding towards the engagement by Parents of a registered teacher / SNA to provide home based support for 10 hours a week for 4 weeks.
A dedicated online registration system for families of children with complex special needs to access Summer Provision is now available on Gov.ie/summerprovision.
Parents are asked to register their participation online, providing some outline information of the extent of their participation in the programme e.g. number of weeks.
Once registered, the parent is then free to plan and organise the programme for their child by consulting with the guidance on my Departments website.
Full information on summer provision and its various strands, including guidance information for parents, is available at Gov.ie/summerprovision.
203. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress of a building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13292/20]
View answerA Stage 3 Tender Report, for the school referred to by the Deputy, has been reviewed by my Department. A request for some additional information has recently been sent to the school and its Design Team. On receipt of this information, the review of the tender report will be completed.
Subject to no issues arising, it is envisaged that works should commence in the third quarter of 2020.
204. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 261 of 16 June 2020, when a decision will issue in relation to a school (details supplied) in view of the fact all information has been returned to her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13300/20]
View answerA project under the Department’s Additional Accommodation Scheme 2018 has been devolved for delivery to the school authority. This project provides for two general classrooms with ensuites, two special education needs classrooms and a WC for Assisted User to replace existing prefabricated accommodation.
Officials in my Department have reviewed the additional information submitted and a decision will be relayed to the school shortly.
206. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the tendering of works at a school (details supplied) can be fast-tracked to ensure the school is open for September 2020. [13309/20]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the project to which he refers has been devolved for delivery to the school authority under my Department's Summer Works Scheme. As such, it is a matter for the school authority to progress the project.
However, I can inform the Deputy that the tender for the works in question has been advertised on the e-Tenders system as the school authority is bound to do under procurement legislation which also sets timelines for tendering processes.
207. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for the decision to limit the number of pupils with Down syndrome that can avail of the July provision; the reason access has deteriorated in the past few years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13313/20]
View answerMy Department published details of Summer Provision 2020 – Reconnecting with Education including a programme for children with complex special educational needs.
The programme is a significant expansion on the July Provision programme of previous years with the eligibility criteria widened to include approximately 9,000 additional primary aged children with complex needs.
The programme aims to ensure, in so far as possible, that these children can reintegrate/transition into their planned education setting for the next school year with their peers.
In-school or home-based supports by teachers and SNAs will help to prevent regression among children with complex special educational needs.
The eligibility criteria includes the following categories of children:
1. Pupils with a diagnosis of Autism
2. Pupils with severe and profound learning difficulties
3. Any child in special school or a special class in a Primary School
4. Children transitioning into a special class or special school from early year’s settings
5. Pupils in primary school mainstream classes who present with the following disabilities:
- Children with Down syndrome
- Children who are Deaf or most severe hard of hearing
- Children who are blind or have a most severe visual impairment
- Children who have a moderate general learning disability
- Children with severe emotional behavioural difficulties
Funding for summer provision is not available to in respect of children who are not covered by the programme criteria. I have asked my officials to review the programme having regard to the need to ensure equity as far as possible. A child must meet at least one of the eligibility criteria.
If a Parent is in doubt about their child’s eligibility, they should consult their child’s school or contact my Department. Contact details are available on my Departments website https://www.education.ie/en/Parents/Services/summerprovision/summer-education-programme-2020.html.
All special schools and primary schools with special classes are invited to provide the school based summer provision for their students. This programme will run for a minimum of two weeks and can extend up to four weeks where the schools, teachers and Special Needs Assistants are willing to participate.
Home-based provision will be available where a child’s local school is not providing a programme or does not have the capacity to accommodate a child in a planned programme this year. In this situation my Department will provide grant funding towards the engagement by Parents of a registered teacher / SNA to provide home based support for 10 hours a week for 4 weeks.
A dedicated online registration system for families of children with complex special needs to access Summer Provision is now available on Gov.ie/summerprovision.
Parents are asked to register their participation online, providing some outline information of the extent of their participation in the programme e.g. number of weeks.
Once registered, the parent is then free to plan and organise the programme for their child by consulting with the guidance on my Departments website.
To date 231 schools have indicated that they intend to run a school based programme involving approximately 3,700 children. 9,781 families have registered for the home based summer programme involving 9,820 children.
A programme for DEIS schools for this Summer was also announced.
Full information on summer provision and its various strands, including guidance information for parents, is available at Gov.ie/summerprovision.
208. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education and Skills the date of submission of the original planning application to Louth County Council for the new LMETB head office building; the date of granting of the original permission to build and submission of a subsequent application for alteration or extension to the original plans, respectively; the date of decision if granted or due; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13321/20]
View answer209. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide details of the new leases of premises entered into by LMETB in Navan, County Meath while waiting for the construction of the new head office; if she has approved these leases as is required; the date of approval; the duration of each lease entered into; the cost per annum of each; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13322/20]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that the dates the events to which he refers occurred were as follows:
Date of submission of original planning application to Louth County Council: 16/10/2015
Date of Final Grant of Permission: 12/01/2016
Date of subsequent submission to Louth County Council: 27/06/2017
Date of Final Grant of planning permission: 21/09/2017
Regarding your question on the leases of premises pending construction of a new head office, my Department understands that no new leases have been entered into for head office administrative purposes.
