Parliamentary questions

Disability Support Services

Jonathan O'Brien

67. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of private colleges contracted to provide Springboard courses; and the number of these colleges that have no disability support service. [30423/14]

Schools Leasing Charges

Jonathan O'Brien

70. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 135 of 11 March 2014, the amount of moneys reimbursed to his Department during each of the past ten years after the cessation of charging leases on a school. [30441/14]

School Curriculum

Jonathan O'Brien

72. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has reconsidered the NCCA proposals on CSPE in order to ensure that all students receive civic education during their time in school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30446/14]

Free Travel Scheme Eligibility

Jonathan O'Brien

100. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a guarantee that the free travel pass will not be removed from those in receipt of disability allowance and other disability-related payments. [30424/14]

Social Welfare Benefits

Jonathan O'Brien

101. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if her Department has considered making video guides to assist people with filling in application forms for payments such as domiciliary care allowance. [30425/14]

Bus Éireann Services

Jonathan O'Brien

223. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason for the minimal bus allocations to Cork city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30426/14]

Quality and Qualifications Ireland Accreditation

Jonathan O'Brien

86. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 who was registered as a student in Eden College in the final year of a BBA degree course level 8 until the college closed and was told they could transfer to the Independent College but QQI intervened and said they would have to begin from first year in that college; the reason QQI made that decision; the options open to students of colleges that closed who were studying courses other than English language courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29993/14]

Teaching Qualifications

Jonathan O'Brien

88. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 88 of 2 July 2014, in view of the fact that the PCW agreement provided for the payment of a pass degree allowance to a range of non-graduate teachers, including non-graduate holders of the commercial teacher's certificate, the reason his departmental policy changed in view of the fact that the commercial teachers qualification was considered the equivalent to a B Comm under Memos V7 and V32. [30002/14]

Student Grants Data

Jonathan O'Brien

124. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 75 of 2 July 2014, if he will provide a breakdown of general categories of reasons the 1,484 students were initially awarded a Student Universal Support Ireland grant and then refused, such as not commencing an approved course, or not studying at an approved college, or through SUSI’s own error or any other categories used. [30330/14]

Student Grants Data

Jonathan O'Brien

125. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 75 of 2 July 2014, of the 50 students who received a payment from Student Universal Support Ireland but were required to repay it, if he will provide a breakdown for each person of the amount of money initially awarded; the specific reason for rescinding the award; the amount of moneys repaid; if the person was required by SUSI to repay in lump sum or by instalment; and if they were allowed to proceed with studies while repaying SUSI or were prevented from doing so until they repaid the full sum to SUSI, in tabular form. [30331/14]

Garda Station Refurbishment

Jonathan O'Brien

397. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to set out the position regarding the proposed new Garda station for Glanmire, County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29986/14]

Education and Training Boards Places

Jonathan O'Brien

55. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the criteria used by education training boards when moving VTOS positions to different parts of the county, with particular reference to a move of a number of positions from Tallaght to Balbriggan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29673/14]

Third Level Courses Availability

Jonathan O'Brien

58. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 83 of 26 June 2014, if his attention has been drawn to the fact that his Department has in the past allocated funding to students undertaking the adult learning bachelor of arts course demonstrating at least limited departmental recognition of the value of such a course; the capacity for funding for a similar course in another non-private institution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29674/14]

State Examinations

Jonathan O'Brien

77. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has examined the possibility of making leaving certificate results available earlier in order to provide students with more time to prepare for the transition to third level, especially considering the lack of affordable rental accommodation for students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29407/14]

Teacher Data

Jonathan O'Brien

78. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will act on the calls by the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals for a State-wide audit of teachers in order to ensure sufficient numbers for priority subject in the future. [29404/14]

Residential Institutions

Jonathan O'Brien

85. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of applications made to Caranua to date; the number of payments made to applicants; and if he is satisfied with the speed at which progress is being made. [29406/14]

Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Jonathan O'Brien

86. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review the operation of Student Universal Support Ireland in order to ensure those who fall outside the rigid application of the organisation's rules are entitled to SUSI assistance, especially those who would be entitled to the special rate of grant based on income but do not qualify as they are not in receipt of a long-term social welfare payment on the grounds of hardship. [29405/14]

Special Educational Needs Staffing

Jonathan O'Brien

91. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the recent National Council for Special Education report on allocations of special needs resources; and his plans on foot of same [29403/14]

Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board

Jonathan O'Brien

257. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an applicant to Caranua who is unhappy with a decision handed down by an appeals officer has the right to appeal the decision to the Ombudsman; and the reason applicants are not informed of this right. [29459/14]

Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board

Jonathan O'Brien

258. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of persons who received payments from the old Education Finance Board who have applied for payments from Caranua; and the number of these persons who have been refused payments. [29460/14]

Departmental Bodies

Jonathan O'Brien

259. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of persons who engaged in multi-annual courses and to whom commitments were made by the Education Finance Board; the number of these persons who have been contacted by Caranua; and the number of these persons who have continued to receive payments for courses. [29461/14]

Fee Paying Schools

Jonathan O'Brien

273. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the value of the fee paying schools annual State subsidy during each of the past five years. [29725/14]

School Equipment

Jonathan O'Brien

274. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools using iPads and other tablet equipment rather than hard copy books. [29726/14]

Special Educational Needs Staffing

Jonathan O'Brien

275. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of children attending resource teachers during each of the past five years; and the number of resource teachers employed during each of those years. [29727/14]

School Textbooks

Jonathan O'Brien

276. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the projected cost of the school book rental scheme for the next two years; the number of schools it will cover; and the number of schools that will remain outside of the scheme. [29731/14]

Departmental Expenditure

Jonathan O'Brien

277. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the capital expenditure dedicated to first and second level schools, third level, FÁS and training and others, set out in tabular form, for this budget year. [29732/14]

Departmental Expenditure

Jonathan O'Brien

278. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills his Department’s IT expenditure during each of the past five years. [29733/14]

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Jonathan O'Brien

279. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the average primary school class size for the 2013-14 school year. [29734/14]

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Jonathan O'Brien

280. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the current pupil-teacher ratio; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29735/14]

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Jonathan O'Brien

281. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary school children who were in classes of 30 or more during the 2013-14 school year, broken down by county. [29736/14]

Jonathan O'Brien

282. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary school teachers employed on 30 September 2013; and the number of pupils in primary school on that same date. [29737/14]

Jonathan O'Brien

283. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of secondary teachers employed on 30 September 2013; and the number of pupils in secondary schools on that same date. [29738/14]

Education Fees

Jonathan O'Brien

284. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of waivers and exemptions granted to groups under section 80(3)(13) of the Qualifications and Quality Assurance Education and Training Act 2012. [29739/14]

Departmental Expenditure

Jonathan O'Brien

285. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of allowing all community groups have a fee waiver of QQI fees. [29740/14]

Exchequer Savings

Jonathan O'Brien

289. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the net and gross annual saving to the Exchequer if the pay scales of chief executives of education and training boards were capped at €100,000. [29791/14]

Fee Paying Schools

Jonathan O'Brien

290. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the annual saving to the Exchequer if current State subsidies to private schools were withdrawn; and if he will provide a single figure and not a list of schools with accompanying figures. [29792/14]

School Meals Programme

Jonathan O'Brien

360. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if her Department has ever examined or had costed or conducted a feasibility study for a school meals programme for every school. [29728/14]

School Meals Programme

Jonathan O'Brien

361. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the cost of the school meals programme during the 2013/2014 academic year; and the number of schools it covers. [29729/14]

School Meals Programme

Jonathan O'Brien

362. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her plans to increase the number of schools that may avail of the school meals programme. [29730/14]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Jonathan O'Brien

737. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the position regarding entitlement to engage with social workers for children and adults with severe and profound disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29477/14]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Jonathan O'Brien

738. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the educational and training services available in counties Louth and Meath for those over 18 years with severe and profound disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29478/14]

Youth Services Funding

Jonathan O'Brien

872. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 698 of 24 June 2014, the level of this funding that went to the Centre for Effective Services for assisting his Department in compiling the document. [29566/14]

Youth Services Funding

Jonathan O'Brien

873. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide details of funding that was allocated to the Centre for Effective Services and the purpose of it during each of the past four years. [29567/14]

Third Level Data

Jonathan O'Brien

69. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of third level students who registered as students in universities and institutes of technology during each of the past ten years; the number of these students who dropped out in the first semester during each of the past ten years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28776/14]

Student Grants Data

Jonathan O'Brien

75. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students who were awarded Student Universal Support Ireland fee and maintenance grants for the 2013/14 academic year; the number of these students who were subsequently informed they were not entitled to same; the number of these students who have been told they will have to refund moneys to SUSI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28581/14]

Teaching Qualifications

Jonathan O'Brien

88. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason teachers who graduated with the Department of Education commercial teachers diploma are not treated equitably in the PCW agreement and its implementation in circular letter, CL18/97; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28741/14]

Student Grant Scheme Administration

Jonathan O'Brien

171. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason persons refused a Student Universal Support Ireland grant in the first instance due to an error made on the part of SUSI are compelled to enter the appeals process; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are persons entering PPC1 courses who will miss the deadline to have their fees paid as a result of this unfair procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28021/14]

School Patronage

Jonathan O'Brien

174. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has commissioned a White Paper on divestment of patronage in schools; the persons tasked to draft this paper; the date on which it will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28060/14]

Schools Property

Jonathan O'Brien

188. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of school patrons that sold land or school buildings during each of the past ten years; the details of the sale; and the amount of money that was received by his Department as a result. [28379/14]

Third Level Courses Availability

Jonathan O'Brien

83. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the ALBA course in All Hallows College, a BA in personal and professional development, is closing to new entrants; if he is working with other third level institutions to ensure that such a course is available elsewhere in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27635/14]