Thursday, 22 Nov 2012

Written Answers Nos. 84-93

Bullying in Schools

Ceisteanna (84)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Ceist:

84. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Skills the initiatives he has taken or proposes to take to ensure that bullying of all kinds is effectively tackled at school level; if he is satisfied that all schools across the country have integrated a rule on cyber bullying into their school rules and or code of conduct; if he is satisfied that teachers are adequately equipped to deal with bullying; if he proposes to provide additional in-service training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51982/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

I am fully aware of the seriousness of the issue of bullying and it was for that reason that an Anti-Bullying Forum was held in May this year. As a follow on to that Forum, I invited the stakeholders and any other interested parties to submit their views on this important topic to my Department by 29th June 2012. As part of this consultation, interested parties were requested to indicate their views and proposals on any changes to existing practices and policies in schools that could improve how bullying can be tackled in schools.

I have also established a working group to address the issue of tackling bullying in schools, including cyber-bullying. During the course of its work, the working group has been considering the outcomes from the Anti-Bullying Forum together with the submissions received. Over the last few months, the working group has been consulting with a range of stakeholders and with counterparts in Scotland and the UK. The Group is working on an action plan recommending further measures that can be taken to effectively tackle bullying, including cyber bullying, in schools. I expect the Group to submit the action plan to me by the end of November.

Third Level Fees

Ceisteanna (85)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

85. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has had any consultation with the Department of Justice and Equality in relation to the 100% increase in registration fees for non EEA nationals and the impact that this will have on international students studying here or considering studying here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51995/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Ruairí Quinn)

My Department and the Department of Justice and Equality are in frequent communication regarding all aspects of international education issues as members of the high level group on international education, which is chaired by my Department.

As the Deputy is aware, the specific issue of fees which are levied by the immigration authorities in respect of non-EEA nationals is a matter for the Minister for Justice and Equality under the terms of the relevant immigration legislation.

National Educational Psychological Service Staff

Ceisteanna (86)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

86. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 111 of 15 November 2012, when a person (details supplied) in County Cavan will be assessed by the National Educational Psychological Services in view of the fact that the review and intervention within the school have been completed, but no progress has been made; if the psychologist attached to the school will meet the person in view of the fact that the strategies as requested by the psychologist for teaching them have been implemented; the reason the service has not engaged with the person despite the strategies being implemented; if NEPS will meet and assess the person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51999/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

In common with many other psychological services and best international practice, NEPS has adopted a consultative model of service. The focus is on empowering teachers to intervene effectively with pupils whose needs range from mild to severe and transient to enduring. Psychologists use a problem solving and solution focused consultative approach to maximize positive outcomes for these pupils. NEPS encourages schools to use a continuum based assessment and intervention process whereby each school takes responsibility for initial assessment, educational planning and remedial intervention for pupils with learning, emotional or behavioural difficulties. Teachers may consult their NEPS psychologist should they need to at this stage in the process. Only in the event of a failure to make reasonable progress, in spite of the school's best efforts in consultation with NEPS, will the psychologist become involved with an individual child for intensive intervention and this may, or may not, involve the child undergoing a full educational psychological assessment.

As I informed the Deputy in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 111 of 15 November 2012, the NEPS psychologist has as late as 8 October engaged with the teachers and parents of the child in question. His needs have been reviewed and a number of strategies/interventions have been suggested by the psychologist and changes made accordingly by the school to the child's individual education plan (I.E.P.). These actions are being implemented and will be reviewed on an on-going basis by the school and psychologist in order to judge their efficacy. The Deputy will appreciate that the effectiveness of such interventions cannot be measured within the short interval that has elapsed. The ongoing review referred to above will inform whether a full educational psychological assessment is necessary or indeed appropriate in this instance. The school authorities will keep the child's parents informed of on-going developments in this regard.

Special Educational Needs Services Provision

Ceisteanna (87)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

87. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 112 of 15 November 2012, if a person (details supplied) in County Cavan will receive additional resource hours despite the fact that they have not been able to qualify because of an absence of a diagnosis by the Child Adolescent and Psychiatry Services because of issues surrounding the waiting list; if there is provision for exceptional cases where a person can qualify for resource hours outside of the deadline and allocation period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52000/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

I wish to advise the Deputy that all schools, including the school attended by the pupil in question, are in receipt of learning support/resource teaching support under the terms of the General Allocation Model (GAM), as outlined in my previous reply of 15 November, 2012 to the Deputy. The GAM allocations for all primary schools were updated this year, for the 2012/13 school year.

An essential principle of the GAM is that the teaching resources which are made available to schools under the model should be allocated to pupils by the school taking into account the learning needs of those pupils. Pupils with the highest level of need will, therefore have the highest level of support. It is a matter for schools to monitor and utilise their allocation of resource teaching support, including supports allocated under the GAM, to best support the needs of identified pupils, in accordance with my Department's guidance.

In circumstances where a child may be awaiting a diagnosis, learning support or resource teaching support can still be provided for that child from a school's general allocation of resource teaching/learning support provision, taking into account the needs of the child, pending formal diagnosis. In the event of a low incidence disability diagnosis being forthcoming, an application may be made to the NCSE by the school for a low incidence resource allocation.

My Department encourages parents and school authorities to engage locally regarding pupils' education. A parent who has concerns regarding the level of teaching support that their child is receiving in school should raise this with the school authorities in the first instance.

School Enrolments

Ceisteanna (88)

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

88. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding school entry places (details supplied). [52003/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The selection and enrolment of pupils in schools is the responsibility of the authorities of the individual school. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in an area. However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice. As schools may not have a place for every applicant, a selection process may be necessary. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants.

Under section 15 (2) (d) of the Education Act, 1998, each school is legally obliged to disclose its enrolment policy and to ensure that as regards that policy that principles of equality and the right of parents to send their children to a school of the parents' choice are respected.

Section 29 of the Education Act, 1998 provides for an appeal by a parent or guardian to the Secretary General of my Department, or in the case of a Vocational Educational Committee (VEC) school to the VEC in the first instance, where a Board of Management of a school, or a person acting on behalf of the Board, refuses to enrol a student in a school, expels a student or suspends a student for 20 or more days in any school year. My Department has no authority to compel a school to admit a pupil, except in the case of an appeal under section 29 of the Education Act, 1998 being upheld.

The National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) is the statutory agency which can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The NEWB may be able to offer assistance and advice on securing a school placement within the pupil's area. The contact details for the NEWB in this area is National Educational Welfare Board, 16-22 Green Street, Dublin 7, phone number 01 8738700.

Education and Training Boards Issues

Ceisteanna (89, 90)

Tony McLoughlin

Ceist:

89. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if under Section 28(2) of the new Educational and Training Boards Bill he has made an order yet in relation to the composition of the new Educational and Training Boards in particular to the 10 member representation from the local authorities where there is a composition of three counties. [52007/12]

Tony McLoughlin

Ceist:

90. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if under Section 28(2) of the new Educational and Training Boards Bill, he has given consideration to smaller counties in three county vocational education committee amalgamations where that county may have a small population but a strong number of schools and pupils under the patronage of the ETBs and that recognition will be given to public representatives numbers from those aforementioned smaller counties; if he will ensure that more than just population be taken into consideration when allocating the 10 local public representative members on the ETBs to ensure smaller counties are given a equitable voice. [52008/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 89 and 90 together.

The Education and Training Boards Bill was published on 5 October 2012 and completed Second Stage in Dáil Éireann on 17 October 2012. Following completion of the Second Stage, the Bill has been referred to the Select Sub-committee on Education and Skills.

An order cannot be made in respect of any provision in the Bill until the Bill is enacted and the relevant provision is commenced. Consequently, no order has been made in relation to the composition of the Boards. In relation to the allocation of the 10 local authority members, where more than one local authority will fall within the Education and Training Board area, it is considered that population, based on the most recent census, is the most appropriate and fair way to devise the proportions in which each local authority will be represented on the new bodies.

Student Grant Scheme Applications

Ceisteanna (91)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

91. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a decision will be made on the Student Universal Support Ireland application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cavan; the date on which first payment will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52032/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

Officials in my Department have confirmed with SUSI, the new centralised grant awarding authority, that on the 21st November, 2012 a request for further documentation was issued to the student referred to by the Deputy. When the requested documentation is returned the student will be notified directly of the outcome.

Student Grant Scheme Delays

Ceisteanna (92)

Seán Kyne

Ceist:

92. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if, in consideration of the delays being experienced by the Student Universal Support Ireland application process which is having an adverse effect on the student assistance fund, the fund can be augmented, as a matter of urgency, in order that the crucial support that it provides to students can be safeguarded for the complete academic year [52090/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

In addition to the maintenance grant support is also available to students under the Student Assistance Fund which assists students in third-level institutions in exceptional financial need. Information on the fund is available through the Access Officer in the third level institution attended. The Access Officers themselves will also continue to provide support and advice to students to enable them to continue with their studies. My Department has asked the Higher Education Authority for an up to date report on the demand for the scheme.

Higher Education Courses Provision

Ceisteanna (93)

Seán Kyne

Ceist:

93. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Skills in recognition of the recent completion and additions of new infrastructure to many of the State supported universities and IT's if a framework exists or will be drawn up to utilise these facilities for short courses, adult learning, skills courses and so forth which would operate outside of normal college hours; and if it is recognised that the revenue raised by such diversification - already a feature of privately owned and run third level institutions could greatly ease the financial pressure on our State supported universities and their full-time students. [52091/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Ruairí Quinn)

The National Strategy for Higher Education sets out the basis for the development of the higher education sector over the next two decades which, as part of its report, recognised that much greater diversity of funding and institutional activity is required into the future by the sector. The Higher Education Authority (HEA), at my request, is undertaking a study on the sustainability of the current funding system for higher education. An initial report was published last year, which makes it clear that immediate work is required to prepare for a longer term approach to a system that can be maintained through a sustainable funding base which will be able to address the continual expansion of the sector while protecting quality of education. The report also refers to the need for the HEI's to reduce their reliance on State funding and to create alternative sources of income from non governmental sources. The HEA is doing further analysis in this area which will also address the need to realise greater efficiencies from existing infrastructure and resources and will report to me in 2013.