Written Answers Nos. 124 - 132
124. Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the need for a secondary level school for educate together; and if his Department has assembled any plans in the provision of such a school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9021/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra125. Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to review the process of awarding patronage of secondary level schools within the existing boundary of Dublin City Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9022/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 124 and 125 together.
In June 2011, I announced that up to 40 new schools are to be established up to 2017 to cater for increasing demographics across a number of locations. These consisted of twenty new primary schools and twenty new post-primary schools. This announcement did not include a proposal to establish any new second level school in the Dublin city area. I also announced details of the procedures and criteria that would apply to determine the patronage of new schools.
The Forward Planning Section of my Department will continue to monitor enrolments in this area to ensure that there is sufficient school accommodation to meet any projected future demands.
126. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will issue a decision on a student grant application as a matter of urgency in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9140/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland, that on 18th February 2013, 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.
128. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a CID in respect of a person (details supplied). [9171/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person to whom the Deputy refers is an employee of City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee and I am not privy to his employment history. If a teacher is dissatisfied with a decision of his or her employing VEC not to award a contract of indefinite duration, or to award a certain number of hours, then he or she may appeal this decision to an independent adjudicator under Circular 50/2006. Full details may be found on the Department's website at www.education.ie/en/Circulars-and-Forms/Active-Circulars/cl0050_2006.doc.
129. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the FÁS apprentice budgets for 2013 have not been approved. [9176/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra130. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he will take to ensure that a person (details supplied) may complete their apprenticeship. [9177/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra131. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason FÁS apprentice budgets have not been approved which is leaving many apprentices in a very vulnerable position. [9197/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 129 to 131, inclusive, together.
This is a day to day operational matter for FÁS who manage the Redundant Apprentice Placement Scheme.
I understand that the Redundant Apprentice Placement Scheme 2013 guidelines and conditions for the scheme have been finalised and the scheme commenced on the 18th February 2013. The Redundant Apprentice Placement Scheme will provide on-the-job training for 1,000 redundant apprentices at Phase 3, Phase 5 and Phase 7 during 2013 at a cost of €3.9m.
The individual in question is currently placed with the National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street, Dublin, for Phase 5 on-the-job training and assessments and is due to complete this placement on 25th February, 2013.
On successful completion of Phase 5, he should contact his Senior Training Adviser who will discuss the progression of his apprenticeship. He is required to complete 12 weeks at Phase 7 and successfully complete the Competency Determination Mechanism for apprentices who have a time deficit in their apprenticeship to meet the criteria for the award of the Level 6 Advanced Certificate – Craft.
132. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will seek an urgent review of a student grant (details supplied) in view of the affected family's difficult financial situation and if he will communicate directly with the person. [9200/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn appeal from the person in respect of whom details were supplied by the Deputy was received in my Department on 12th February 2013 and is due for consideration shortly by the Independent Student Grants Appeals Board.
133. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a school place in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9220/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe question of enrolment in individual schools is the responsibility of the managerial authority of those schools. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking places. In relation to the availability of school places in the specific schools referred to by the Deputy, my Department has no applications on hands from any of the schools concerned for additional accommodation to address any immediate accommodation needs. Should a school need such additional accommodation it is open to the school authority to apply for same by completing the application form which can be downloaded from the Department's website www.education.ie. It is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act 1998. In this regard a Board of Management may find it necessary to restrict enrolment to children from a particular area or a particular age group or, occasionally, on the basis of some other criterion. The criteria to be applied by schools in such circumstances are a matter for the schools themselves. 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 rights of parents to send their children to a school of the parents choice are respected. Section 29 of the Education Act 1998 provides parents with an appeal process where a board of management of a school or a person acting on behalf of the Board refuses enrolment to a student. Where a school refuses to enrol a pupil, the school is obliged to inform parents of their right under Section 29 of the Education Act 1998 to appeal that decision to either the relevant Vocational Educational Committee or to the Secretary General of my Department. 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 Board can be contacted at National Educational Welfare Board, National Headquarters, 16-22 Green Street, Dublin 7 or by telephone at 01-8738700.
134. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the construction of a new primary school (details supplied) in Dublin 16; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9230/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe building project to which the Deputy refers is currently under construction. Works are progressing on site and the project is scheduled for completion in 2014.
135. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way the ICT infrastructure can be further developed in schools in order to progress students' digital literacy skills; his views on the importance of digital literacy skills, particularly in relation to employment opportunities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9253/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraLiteracy is a national priority under the Programme for Government. The Government is determined that all young people will leave school able to read, communicate orally, in writing and in digital media, and be able to understand and use mathematics in their everyday lives and in further learning. The Literacy and Numeracy Strategy which was launched in July 2011 adopts a modern and comprehensive definition of literacy which includes digital literacy. The strategy sets out a range of improvement targets for literacy and numeracy including digital literacy. The new Junior Cycle which is to be implemented in schools on a phased basis from 2014. Eight skills underpin the learning which is to take place at Junior Cycle. Among the key skills, are literacy and numeracy, including digital literacy and each of the key skills has elements which relate to digital literacy. These will be embedded in all of the new subject and short course specifications developed by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment for the new Junior Cycle. In addition, the new Junior Cycle Framework also provides for short courses designed for approximately 100 hours of student engagement over two or three years and specified at a common level across the entire junior cycle.
The NCCA is currently working on short courses in relation to digital literacy and programming and coding. These will be available to schools from 2014. ICT (including ICT infrastructure) is an important tool in the development of digital skills. ICT provides teachers with more up to date, exciting and relevant ways of presenting and engaging with the curriculum. One of the most important ICT infrastructure developments is the provision of 100mbps to post primary schools. The availability of high speed broadband opens up endless possibilities for the use of ICT in the classroom. In addition to the availability of infrastructure, teachers must be proficient in the use of ICT in teaching and learning and curriculum relevant digital content must be available for use by those teachers.
There are a numerous specific examples of how ICT can be used to enhance the teaching of literacy skills. One particular project where ICT is used as an incentive to improve literacy levels among school children is the FIS Bookclub. The Bookclub is an online network designed to facilitate peer-to-peer book reviews for primary school pupils. The network allows pupils to upload video reviews of their own choice of books, for the benefit of other members. Technologies such as visualiser, interactive whiteboards and more increasingly individual student devices are being used in the classroom. These technologies in particular can be used across a range of literacy activities at primary and post primary level. For both primary and post primary level, Scoilnet, the national portal for digital content in Irish Education provides a central resource to teachers, pupils and parents, offering access to a growing repository of advice and information. There are over 12,000 specific resources relating to the curriculum available.
The education system has a key role to play in fostering and developing the digital literacy and ICT skills necessary for the competitive employment market. In view of the importance of digital literacy skills in relation to employment opportunities my Department is actively pursuing a programme of work to ensure our young people leave school with the skills necessary. In addition, the joint Government-Industry ICT Action Plan which I launched last year outlines a range of short, medium and long term measures to increase the domestic supply of high level ICT graduates from the education system.
136. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will ensure that eligibility for third level grants will continue to be calculated on the basis of earned income, that the value of assets used to earn this income is not made part of this assessment and that children of farming families are not prevented from progressing to third level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9254/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that a dedicated capital assets test implementation group was established to bring forward detailed implementation proposals on new means testing arrangements for student grants, to include the value of assets. I have received a draft report from the implementation group. This is currently under consideration and I will be consulting further with my cabinet colleagues in the matter in due course. The intention behind this approach is to ensure that, at a time of reduced resources, the Government targets valuable schemes, such as the student grant scheme, at those who need them most. Equally, it is to ensure that those who can afford to pay to go to higher education should do so. Under any new means testing arrangement, families from all sectors whose income and assets fall below a certain level, will continue to be eligible for third level grants for their children.
137. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the National Procurement Service is currently considering placing art and graphic supplies for schools out to tender; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this could potentially affect paper and stationery suppliers here already undergoing financial difficulties from the economic downturn; the policies in place to increase Irish businesses' engagement with the procurement process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9264/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Procurement Service (NPS) is focused on developing centralised arrangements for the procurement of goods and services used commonly across the public service nationwide. The benefits arising from these central arrangements include: cash savings; administrative savings from reduced duplication of tendering; greater purchasing expertise; improved consistency and compliance with EU procurement regulations; and enhanced service levels. The NPS is constantly carrying out research into any number of different markets where it is felt savings for the taxpayer can be made. One such area of spend under review at the moment is the supply of art and graphic supplies for schools. When this research is complete a decision will be made if the level of spend and potential savings warrant the NPS running a national competition for such supplies. The NPS also has, as part of its education and development remit, an active programme to educate SMEs in how to participate effectively in the public service procurement process. To date the NPS has facilitated workshops and presented at seminars to over 3,500 SMEs nationwide. In NPS competitions, the tender documents explicitly seek to encourage the participation of SMEs. A prime example of this is when the NPS decided to divide the office supplies contract into three individual lots for Stationery, ICT Consumables and Paper. This was to increase the possibility for SMEs to tender individually, or form consortia that could enter competitive bids to win this national contract. Codex Ltd, an indigenous company, won the Stationery contract and are sourcing up to 60% of their products using 136 local agents and manufacturers. Furthermore, the ICT Consumables contract was also won by another Irish SME, Datapac Limited.
138. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on a matter regarding maintenance works (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8995/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraKiltallagh Church and Burial Ground is not a National Monument in State ownership and consequently does not come under the care of the Office of Public Works.
139. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the funding allocated to the border, midlands and western region through EU structural funds; his views on the importance of ensuring continued adequate support for the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9143/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 8 February 2013 the European Council reached agreement on the EU’s budget for 2014-2020. The budget has now to be agreed with the European Parliament. In line with reductions to the overall EU budget, Cohesion funding across Europe is expected to be reduced from €347 billion to around €325 billion. Nevertheless, while the precise details remain to be worked out, it is expected that Ireland’s overall Structural Funds allocation will actually increase from the €901 billion we receive under the current round. This represents a considerable achievement and is due to the consistent efforts of the Government to maximize support from Europe for our Structural Funds programmes. In the case of the Border, Midlands and Western Region however, is likely that the allocation it receives will be reduced. This is because the region will no longer qualify as a transition region since its GDP per capita exceeds 90% of the EU average. Nevertheless, the Government was successful in securing a special allocation of €100 million for the BMW Region to mitigate the effects of its change in status and in recognition of the significant economic downturn that the region has experienced. The European Council also agreed a special Youth Employment Initiative using €6 billion of Structural Funds for regions with levels of youth unemployment above 25%, from which it is expected the BMW Region will benefit. The focus on youth unemployment is something the Irish Government had been pressing for.
140. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will consider ring-fencing a special national lottery draw with a view to raising funds for the National Children's Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9157/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, I announced in April 2012 that there will be a competition for the next National Lottery licence. It is intended that the competition will involve an upfront payment by the operator of the next licence to the State, a portion of which will be used to help build the new National Children’s Hospital. It is envisaged that the competition will commence later this year. A National Lottery Bill was published in December 2012 and is currently before the Dáil. The proposal to provide for a special weekly National Lottery draw, the proceeds of which would be set aside to help fund the building of the new National Children’s Hospital, was one of a number of issues raised in a private members' motion which was debated in the Seanad on 13 February 2013. Central to the success of the National Lottery since its establishment in 1986 has been the provision of ongoing Lottery funding for good causes. They are categorized as follows in section 5 of the National Lottery Act 1986:
- sport and other recreation
- national culture (including the Irish language)
- the arts
- the health of the community
- youth
- welfare
- national heritage
- amenities
It is intended that the next licence will continue to provide for the ongoing provision of a significant level of funding for good causes each year. The National Lottery Bill provides that the categories of good causes will remain as they are at present. While the motivation for the proposal referred to in the Question is well-intentioned, it is likely that such a draw would simply see players switching their usual spend on lottery products to one that would be dedicated to assist funding the Hospital. In addition, there would be uncertainty around the scale and timing of likely revenues that would emerge. Essentially, the provision for a special National Lottery draw to raise funds for the building of the new Hospital would result in less funding for the existing categories of good causes. Consequently, less money would be available for the type of local and community-based projects which are so closely associated with the success of the National Lottery over the years.
The decision to provide for an upfront payment under the next licence was made after careful consideration of the various options. Unlike the proposal to provide for a special draw, the Government’s approach will ensure that the raising of funds to allow the State to proceed with the building of the Hospital will not be at the expense of good causes. The Government is seeking to maximise the benefit of the Irish National Lottery Licence so that maximum benefits can accrue to Irish citizens both through a sizeable upfront payment that can help fund the National Children’s Hospital and through strong growth in revenue for good causes.
141. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he is engaging with the Prison Officers' Association in negotiations with respect to the payment of hours worked during unsocial hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9189/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the above Parliamentary Question I would refer the Deputy to Question number 6 on the order paper for questions answered on 23 January 2013. The situation currently remains unchanged.
