Billy Kelleher
Ceist:296. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive a special needs assistant for the next school year. [27547/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraSpecial Educational Needs Staffing
Ceisteanna (296)
Freagraí scríofa
I wish to advise the Deputy that the NCSE, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports, including the allocation of Special Needs Assistants to schools. The NCSE operates within my Department's established criteria for the allocation of Special Education supports and the staffing resources available to my Department. The NCSE allocates a quantum of SNA support for each school annually taking into account the care needs of all of the qualifying children enrolled in the school, and on the basis of the assessed care needs of the children.
All schools were advised to apply to the NCSE for SNA support for the 2013/14 school year by 15th March 2013. The NCSE are currently processing these applications and schools will be notified by SENOs of their resource teaching and SNA allocation for 2013/14 in advance of the coming school year, based on the number of valid applications received. All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.
Special Educational Needs Services Provision
Ceisteanna (297)
Clare Daly
Ceist:297. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills with regard to the July provision scheme, if he will clarify if siblings are to be allocated hours as per group teaching principles in line with school based provision if they will receive 25 hours tuition per week for July in line with school based provision; the maximum number of siblings that will be required to share home based tuition; what he considers to be a significant difference in age or ability when allocating hours for siblings and how this will be determined; if he will indicate the result if a family are unable to find a tutor to commit to providing tuition to siblings before 12 June; the advice his Department sought on this change in policy; if he will make available the policy document underpinning these changes in the July provision scheme; the way they will be applied by his Department; the way parents can make a case for extenuating circumstances; and his Department's requirements as evidence of extenuating circumstances. [27549/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I wish to advise the Deputy that the policy in relation to siblings has not changed. Rather the application process in previous years may have in some instances failed to identify adequately multiple applications for siblings. My Department's Information Note for Home Based July Provision notes that allocations to siblings are reflective of the school grouping principle. This is where one teacher is allocated to a class of six pupils at the appropriate educational level, primary or post primary. Accordingly it is considered appropriate, as in a school situation, that a tutor can provide tuition at the appropriate educational level to more than one sibling at that level simultaneously in the home. The Departments website and information material is being amended to further clarify the position.
The school grouping principle does not purport to replicate or mirror all aspects of school based provision. There is no commitment under the July Provision scheme to provide 25 hours either to an individual child or to siblings. The age or ability of siblings is reflected in their education level as determined by education and health professionals. In general where a child is receiving their education in a class setting with other children of mixed age and ability, this should carry through to their July Provision. Parents who are experiencing difficulties in sourcing a fully qualified teacher are advised to contact the officials dealing with their allocation as tutors with alternative qualifications and experience may be accepted in some instances. Whilst the timeframe is short my officials will endeavour to process any appeals or queries expeditiously.
Third Level Funding
Ceisteanna (298)
Charlie McConalogue
Ceist:298. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the €20 million reduction in grants to universities and other institutes of higher education included in the 2013 revised estimates volume published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform is external to the €44 million additional savings required by his Department this year; the rationale behind this reduction of grants to universities and institutes of higher education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27556/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy is aware the reduction of €25 million in the allocation to the university and institute of technology sectors was made this year following discussions with the Higher Education Authority to ensure more prudent management of existing cash balances as identified by the Comptroller and auditor General.
Under the Medium Term Expenditure Framework 2012-14, an expenditure ceiling has been set for this Department for 2014. This will require the Department to identify a further €44 million in savings in 2014, in order to live within this ceiling.
Special Educational Needs Staffing
Ceisteanna (299)
Martin Ferris
Ceist:299. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a special needs assistant to a school (details supplied) in County Limerick. [27570/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I wish to advise the Deputy that the NCSE, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports, including the allocation of resource teachers and Special Needs Assistants to schools. The NCSE operates within my Department's established criteria for the allocation of Special Education supports and the staffing resources available to my Department.
The NCSE allocates a quantum of SNA support for each school annually taking into account the care needs of all of the qualifying children enrolled in the school, and on the basis of the assessed care needs of the children.
All schools were advised to apply to the NCSE for resource teaching and SNA support for the 2013/14 school year by 15th March 2013. The NCSE are currently processing these applications and schools will be notified by SENOs of their resource teaching and SNA allocation for 2013/14 in advance of the coming school year, based on the number of valid applications received. All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.
Special Educational Needs Staffing
Ceisteanna (300)
Dara Calleary
Ceist:300. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that special needs assistants throughout the country are losing their positions and being replaced by candidates on the JobBridge programme; his views on whether this is unfair on SNAs who are losing their full-time hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27599/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports, including Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.
I wish to advise the Deputy that there has been no reduction to the total number of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) posts which available to the NCSE to allocate to schools this year. 10,575 whole time equivalent SNA posts are available for allocation. The NCSE allocates a quantum of SNA support for each school annually taking into account the care needs of all of the qualifying children enrolled in the school, and on the basis of the assessed care needs of the children. Once an allocation of SNA support has been made to a school, it is then a matter for the Board of Management of the school to recruit and deploy suitable SNA staff.
It has not been brought to the attention of my Department that SNAs are being replaced by candidates on the JobBridge programme. I would welcome any further information the Deputy may provide on this matter. Details of all of the SNA allocations which have been made to schools by the NCSE are available at www.ncse.ie. All schools were asked by the NCSE to submit their applications to the NCSE for SNA support for the 2013/14 school year by 15th March, 2013, and schools will be advised of their new allocations in advance of the coming school year.
School Enrolments
Ceisteanna (301)
Patrick Nulty
Ceist:301. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he is taking to ensure adequate school places for children living in an area (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27612/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, in June of 2011, I announced that 20 new primary schools and 20 new post primary schools are to be established up to 2017 across a number of locations to cater for increasing demographics. This announcement did not include a proposal to establish any new schools in the area referred to by the Deputy. My Department will continue to monitor enrolments in all areas, including the area in question, to ensure that there is sufficient school accommodation to meet any projected future demand.
Croke Park Agreement Savings
Ceisteanna (302)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:302. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline the savings made by all the institutes of technology here by the additional two teaching hours that lecturers were obliged to give under the Croke Park agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27616/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I assume that the Deputy is referring to the provision in the Labour Relations Commission document whereby lecturing staff in Institutes of Technology may be required at the discretion of management to flex upwards by two lecturing hours above the current norms in each of the lecturing weeks of the year and will do so if required. The benefit of this flexibility is that it allows Institutes to continue to deliver services and manage increased enrolments in the context of restrictions to staffing under Employment Control Frameworks. No specific budget reductions were made on foot of this measure.
Student Grant Scheme Appeals
Ceisteanna (303)
Michael McGrath
Ceist:303. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a person (details supplied) in Cork is entitled to a fee grant in respect of their third level studies in the 2012/13 academic year under the student support scheme by virtue of the fact that they meet all the criteria for a maintenance grant except for the residence condition. [27626/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Officials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland that in the case of the student referred to by the Deputy, his student grant application was appealed to the appeals officer in SUSI on the 29th of May 2013. On that basis, the application is currently being reassessed and the student will be notified directly by SUSI of the outcome. Where an appeal is turned down in writing by SUSI and the applicant remains of the view that the scheme has not been interpreted correctly in his or her case, an appeal form outlining the position may be submitted by the applicant to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board.
School Transport Eligibility
Ceisteanna (304)
Pat Breen
Ceist:304. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) in County Clare cannot be facilitated with school transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27665/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under the terms of my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest education centre as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language. Bus Éireann has advised that the child in question is not attending her nearest post primary school and is therefore not eligible for school transport. While it is the prerogative of parents to send their children to the school of their choice, eligibility for school transport is to the nearest school and is not determined by way of subject choice.
Question No. 305 answered with Question No. 221.
School Transport Provision
Ceisteanna (306)
Jim Daly
Ceist:306. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application for a school bus route (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27687/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
One of the main objectives of my Department's School Transport Scheme is to provide a basic level of service for children who live long distances from school, and who might otherwise experience difficulty in attending regularly. Children are eligible for Post Primary School Transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from, and are attending, their nearest education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
Bus Éireann which operates the School Transport Scheme on behalf of my Department is responsible for the planning and timetabling of school transport routes. Bus Éireann endeavours, within available resources, to ensure that each eligible child has a reasonable level of school transport service in the context of the Scheme nationally. In general, transport services are not established in areas where public scheduled bus services already exist. Eligible pupils in such cases are facilitated with travel permits for public scheduled services.
Bus Éireann has advised that the families in question, who have been availing of school transport, have a service within guidelines and it not proposed to alter the current arrangement.
Youthreach Programme
Ceisteanna (307)
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:307. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of approved places allocated to County Cork Vocational Education Committee under the Youthreach further education training programme for the past three years, 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; the number of students attending the programme at each of the approved centres of education during this time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27720/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department sanctioned a total 282 Youthreach places to County Cork Vocational Education Committee (VEC) for each of the years 2011, 2012 and 2013. County Cork VEC operates the Youthreach programme in seven centres at Ballincollig, Bandon, Bantry, Fermoy, Macroom, Mallow and Youghal. In addition the VEC allocates 47 of their Youthreach places allocation to the YMCA for use at their centre in Ballincollig. Previously the YMCA delivered part time provision in their centre but since 2012 they are delivering full time provision. My Department does not monitor enrolment in Youthreach centres but conducts a survey at the end of each year. The nature of the Youthreach programme means that learners can be enrolled during the year as places become available through learners leaving the programme early.
A table setting out the number of learners enrolled in each of County Cork VEC's Youthreach centres on 31 December 2011 and 31 December 2012 is attached for your information. The 2013 survey will be completed at the end of this year.
County Cork VEC - Youthreach enrolments per Centre as at 31 December
|
- |
2011 |
2012 |
|
Ballincollig |
31 |
21 |
|
Bandon |
31 |
24 |
|
Bantry |
20 |
21 |
|
Fermoy |
21 |
24 |
|
Macroom |
12 |
21 |
|
Mallow |
45 |
37 |
|
Youghal |
25 |
25 |
|
YMCA Ballincollig* |
108 |
45 |
|
Total |
293 |
218 |
* Part time provision in 2011, full time provision for 2012
Student Grant Scheme Eligibility
Ceisteanna (308)
Michael Lowry
Ceist:308. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review a decision by Student Universal Support Ireland to assess a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24 as dependent on their parents in view of the fact that they are living independently and do not receive any financial support from their parents; his views on whether it is fair that this person be assessed as dependent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27734/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Officials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland that the applicant referred to by the Deputy was issued with a decision on the 4th June, 2013 advising her that she was deemed ineligible to receive a grant. If an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a student grant, she/he may appeal, in the first instance, to the appeals officer in SUSI.
Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down in writing by SUSI and remains of the view that the scheme has not been interpreted correctly in his/her case, an appeal form outlining the position may be submitted by the applicant to the independent Student Grant Appeals Board. The relevant appeal form will be available on request from SUSI.
Special Educational Needs Services Provision
Ceisteanna (309)
Michael Lowry
Ceist:309. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review the decision made to alter the July home provision for children with autism; his views on whether the cutting of these services is fair and equitable; if his attention has been drawn to the distress and upset being caused to parents as a result of the changes made to the July home provision for children with autism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27735/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I wish to advise the Deputy that the policy in relation to siblings has not changed. Rather the application process in previous years may have in some instances failed to identify adequately multiple applications for siblings. My Department's Information Note for Home Based July Provision notes that allocations to siblings are reflective of the school grouping principle. This is where one teacher is allocated to a class of six pupils at the appropriate educational level, primary or post primary. Accordingly it is considered appropriate, as in a school situation, that a tutor can provide tuition at the appropriate educational level to more than one sibling at that level simultaneously in the home. The Departments website and information material is being amended to further clarify the position.
The school grouping principle does not purport to replicate or mirror all aspects of school based provision. The age or ability of siblings is reflected in their education level as determined by education and health professionals. In general where a child is receiving their education in a class setting with other children of mixed age and ability, this should carry through to their July Provision.
School Transport Eligibility
Ceisteanna (310)
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Ceist:310. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a child (details supplied) in County Cavan was not granted free transport; if the child will be granted free transport upon moving to a new school in September to facilitate their educational needs; the criteria for accessing free school transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27737/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Bus Éireann, which operates the School Transport Scheme on behalf of my Department, has advised that it did not receive an application for school transport for the child in question for the current school year. Children with special educational needs are eligible for free school transport if they are attending the nearest recognised: mainstream school, special class / special school or a unit, that is or can be resourced, to meet their special educational needs under Department of Education and Skills' criteria.
The National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) acts in an advisory role to my Department on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs. An application for school transport for the 2013/14 school year for the child in question was received by my Department yesterday, 10th June. This application will be considered having regard to the advice of the SENO.
Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme Eligibility
Ceisteanna (311)
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Ceist:311. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24 was told they were ineligible for VTOS despite having been told previously they were; and the criteria they would have to meet to be eligible for VTOS. [27738/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
To be eligible to participate in a course under the Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS), a person must be over 21 years of age and in receipt of a specified social protection payment for at least six months prior to enrolment on the course. The specified social protection payments include Jobseekers Benefit/Allowance, One Parent Family Payment and Disability Allowance. VTOS may also open to those who are signing for credits for at least six months or are a dependent spouse of an eligible person. When contacted by my Department, County Dublin VEC had no record of the person referred to having applied for a VTOS course.