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Thursday, 8 Nov 2012

Written Answers Nos. 133-139

FÁS Training Programmes

Ceisteanna (134)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

134. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare can obtain a training course with FÁS at an early date in order to facilitate access to employment which they have secured; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49377/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I have made enquires with FÁS training services and I understand that the person in question is currently on a waiting list for the access to offshore course in Donegal. Demand for this particular training course is very high and I am informed that there is a waiting list for the course, as a result. As with other individuals waiting for a training place on this course, the person in question will be informed at the appropriate time, and as soon as a place becomes available for him. It should also be noted that all applicants for this training require to be interviewed because of the specialist nature of the course in question.

Student Support Schemes Issues

Ceisteanna (135)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

135. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a matter (details attached); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49060/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) aim on an on-going basis to improve the technology, policies and procedures with a view to an improved service for the student and a more dynamic approach to communication with all stakeholders. High on SUSI's list is the integration of technologies so that it can allow students to submit documentation by means of scanning services. This has been identified as a key area for improvement and one SUSI hope to implement in future years of operation.

Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Ceisteanna (136)

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

136. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo has been refused the maintenance element of the student grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49063/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Officials in my Department have confirmed with SUSI, the new centralised grant awarding authority, that the decision on the application referred to by the Deputy is currently under review by SUSI and the student will be notified directly of the outcome.

Student Grant Scheme Applications

Ceisteanna (137)

Tom Fleming

Ceist:

137. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of student grant applications that have been received by Student Universal Support Ireland; the number that have been processed, awarded, refused or awaiting decision to date; the number of applications received from County Kerry; the number of these that have been processed, awarded, refused or awaiting decision to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49105/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In total, SUSI has received just over 66,000 applications for student grants this year. Some 18,000 applications are now complete. This includes some 9,000 applications which have been refused and some 9,000 which have been awarded, or awarded pending submission of final course details by the student. SUSI is awaiting documentation on some 21,000 applications. The remaining some 27,000 are applications on hand with SUSI for processing.

In total SUSI has received some 2,445 applications from County Kerry. Of these 258 applications have been awarded, 316 applications have been refused or cancelled and 42 applications have been appealed to SUSI. Some 335 applications are at final review stage or awaiting a course acceptance form from the applicant. 1293 applications are either awaiting documentation from the student or where the documentation has been submitted it is being to ensure all documentation has been submitted. 201 applications are awaiting provisional assessment - these are applications received after the closing date. These data have been supplied to my Department by SUSI.

Home Tuition Scheme Provision

Ceisteanna (138)

Pat Breen

Ceist:

138. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a person (details supplied) in County Clare will be facilitated with home tuition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49116/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy may be aware, the Home Tuition scheme is intended to provide a compensatory educational service to children with a significant medical condition which is likely to cause major disruption to their attendance at school on an ongoing basis. Eligibility of children applying on medical grounds is determined with to reference to medical reports and their attendance details.

The allocation for the child in question this year reflects his improved attendance last year which has resulted in the reduced allocation. However his mother was advised that if the child's attendance levels deteriorate during this school year that the allocation can be reviewed in that context.

Home Tuition Scheme Administration

Ceisteanna (139)

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

139. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the safeguards in place to prevent a situation in which a person in receipt of the home tuition grant fails to pay the home tutor for services properly supplied under the scheme; and if he has any plans to revisit policy in the area. [49121/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Home Tuition scheme provides funding to parents to provide education at home for children who, for a number of reasons such as chronic illness, are unable to attend school. The scheme was extended in recent years to facilitate tuition for children awaiting a suitable educational placement. Parents engage tutors directly and the grant is paid to the parent either on a monthly basis in arrears or where possible in advance to assist parents cover the cost of engaging a tutor. This affords a degree of flexibility and choice for parents in selecting the most suitable tutor for the purposes of home tuition for their children. These tutors are self employed and provide tuition under a contract for service to the parent.

Where the Department receives information which alleges that the recipient of the Home Tuition grant aid did not use the grant for the purpose intended, a procedure is initiated to establish the factual position and where necessary to recover the full grant aid issued. This procedure involves a series of written contacts with the recipient. In exceptional cases, where the recipient fails or refuses to cooperate with the Department, the Chief State Solicitor's Office is requested to recover the grant aid.

I do not propose to change the existing procedures in respect of the recovery of grant aid.

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