Written Answers Nos. 103-109
103. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will instruct his Department to carry out a review of the workload of principal teachers with particular emphasis on the role of teaching principals in view of reports that increasing workload pressure, responsibility and accountability is leading to a general negativity about the role of school leadership. [32399/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is focused on improving its systems and requirements to ensure that the administrative burden for Principals, schools and for the Department itself is minimised as far as possible. To this end, a range of initiatives have been and continue to be undertaken by my Department. One such example is the introduction of electronic submission of primary schools' annual enrolment returns resulting in significant administrative efficiencies to this annual process for both schools and my Department. In recent years, my Department has also simplified the teacher allocation and redeployment processes with a view to giving earlier certainty to schools in relation to their teacher allocation and the arrangements for the filling of teaching posts. Other developments in recent years have included the introduction of an Online Claims System (OLCS) for teacher payroll and the payment of part-time teachers through the Department's payroll. The latter ended the previously burdensome system under which each school, funded by grant payments, was required to make its own arrangements to pay part-time teachers. Across all areas of my Department, we are continuously seeking to identify opportunities, ranging from small administrative changes to the more significant and major reforms, to streamline our processes, achieve better value for money and ultimately improve the education provided to our students. My officials will continue to work, in consultation with stakeholders as appropriate, on addressing this issue on an on-going basis.
104. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary principals between the age of 21 and 30; the number of primary principals between the age of 31 and 40; the number of primary principals between the age of 41 and 50; the number of primary principals between the age of 51 and 60; and the number of primary principals older than 60. [32400/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy on the age profile of principals in primary schools is as follows:
|
Age |
Number |
|
21-30 |
102 |
|
31-40 |
711 |
|
41-50 |
1078 |
|
51-60 |
1412 |
|
>60 |
105 |
105. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of section 29 appeals against suspension in post-primary schools that were taken by parents of children with special needs; the number of section 29 appeals against expulsion in post-primary schools that were taken by parents of children with special needs; the number of section 29 appeals against suspension in primary schools that were taken by parents of children with special needs; and the number of section 29 appeals against expulsion in primary schools that were taken by parents of children with special needs. [32401/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe specific information requested by the Deputy, that is number and category of appeals relating to special needs children is not available. My officials have compiled the information that is available on the table following.
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Details of results of section 29 appeals from 2008 to 2012 |
- |
|
Category |
Expulsions |
2012 |
2011 |
2010 |
2009 |
2008 |
|
Level Post Primary |
resolved before hearing |
13 |
20 |
22 |
17 |
7 |
|
- |
upheld at hearing |
12 |
15 |
5 |
7 |
19 |
|
- |
not upheld at hearing |
61 |
38 |
35 |
32 |
46 |
|
- |
*Referred back to Board of Management |
- |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
|
- |
Post-Primary - Total |
86 |
73 |
63 |
56 |
72 |
|
Level Primary |
resolved before hearing |
2 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
|
- |
upheld at hearing |
4 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
5 |
|
- |
not upheld at hearing |
6 |
5 |
2 |
3 |
6 |
|
- |
*Referred back to Board of Management |
- |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
|
- |
Primary - Total |
12 |
8 |
6 |
8 |
12 |
|
Category |
Suspensions |
2012 |
2011 |
2010 |
2009 |
2008 |
|
Level Post Primary |
resolved before hearing |
2 |
3 |
0 |
2 |
4 |
|
- |
upheld at hearing |
7 |
6 |
1 |
2 |
6 |
|
- |
not upheld at hearing |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
3 |
|
- |
*Referred back to Board of Management |
- |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
|
- |
Post-Primary - Total |
9 |
9 |
2 |
7 |
13 |
|
Level Primary |
resolved before hearing |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
|
- |
upheld at hearing |
3 |
5 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
|
- |
not upheld at hearing |
0 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
|
- |
Primary - Total |
4 |
7 |
3 |
1 |
9 |
* Pre a Supreme Court Judgement this was an option open to committee members, post the judgement it was no longer an option
106. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the financial support being provided to each of the managerial bodies at primary and post-primary level in each of the past five years. [32402/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides annual grants to the recognised management bodies at primary and post primary level to assist them in providing management support to the schools in their sectors. Management bodies such as Catholic Primary Schools Management Association (CPSMA), Educate Together, Church of Ireland Board of Education at primary level or at second level the JMB/AMCSS, IVEA and ACCS provide important support services for schools in respect of employment, legal, financial and other matters. The individual management bodies remit reflects the particular patronage of the schools which they serve for example the CPSMA provides support services to primary schools under catholic patronage and it is a similar position in relation to each of the other management bodies. The core funding to the management bodies at primary and post primary level amounts to a total of approximately €1.3 million per annum. Apart from the core funding provided, my Department also provides some funding in respect of- the co-ordination role in relation to the Garda Vetting of school staff other than teachers
- Board of Management training
- Running costs of the Financial Service Support Unit (FSSU). The FSSU undertakes auditing and financial support function in respect of the accounts of voluntary secondary schools. The information requested by the Deputy is outlined in the following document.
|
Management Body |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
|
CPSMA |
- |
- |
- |
|
Grant |
€200,000 |
€190,000 |
€190,000 |
|
Vetting |
€2,445 |
€51,048 |
€54,065 |
|
COI Board of Education |
- |
- |
- |
|
Grant |
€140,000 |
€133,000 |
€133,000 |
|
Vetting |
- |
- |
€22,848 |
|
Educate Together (New School Grant) |
- |
- |
- |
|
Grant |
€140,000 |
€133,000 |
€133,000 |
|
New School Grant |
- |
- |
€10,000 |
|
Vetting |
€18,613.40 |
- |
€22,158.50 |
|
Forás Pátrúnachta na Scoileanna Gaeilge |
- |
- |
- |
|
Grant |
€140,000 |
€133,000 |
€133,000 |
|
National Association of BOM in Special Education |
- |
- |
- |
|
Grant |
€140,000 |
€133,000 |
€133,000 |
|
Muslim Primary Education Board |
- |
- |
- |
|
Grant |
€41,000 |
€38,950 |
€38,950 |
|
JMB |
- |
- |
- |
|
Grant |
€235,230 |
€223,469 |
€223,469 |
|
FSSU |
€541,500 |
€506,000 |
€506,000 |
|
Vetting |
€29,400 |
€29,400 |
€29,400 |
|
IVEA |
- |
- |
- |
|
Grant |
€168,656 |
€168,656 |
€177,532 |
|
ACCS |
- |
- |
- |
|
Grant |
€177,533 |
€168,656 |
€168,656 |
|
Vetting |
€21,000 |
€25,200 |
€29,986 |
107. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the financial support being provided to the National Parents Council Primary and the National Parents Council Post Primary in each of the past five years. [32403/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Parents' Councils primary and post-primary are to a large extent financed by grants from my Department. The financial support provided by my Department is made up of two elements: A core grant to support the Councils in their day-to-day operations and a grant to meet the cost of the Councils training activities. The information requested by the Deputy on financial support being provided to the National Parents' Councils primary and post-primary in each of the past five years is contained in the following tables.
Table 1: National Parents’ Council (primary ), Department of Education and Skills funding 2009 to 2013.
|
Year |
Core Grant Outturn |
Training Grant Outturn |
Total |
|
2013* |
€330,000 |
€76,682 |
€406,682 |
|
2012 |
€330,000 |
€76,682 |
€406,682 |
|
2011 |
€330,000 |
€96,792 |
€426,792 |
|
2010 |
€330,000 |
€106,488 |
€436,488 |
|
2009 |
€355,000 |
€25,000 |
€380,000 |
*Note: The 2013 figure is the indicative allocation for 2013.
Table 2: National Parents’ Council (post-primary) , Department of Education and Skills funding 2009 to 2013.
|
Year |
Core Grant Outturn |
Training Grant Outturn |
Total |
|
2013* |
€202,000 |
€0 |
€202,000 |
|
2012 |
€202,000 |
€45,460 |
€247,460 |
|
2011 |
€202,000 |
€38,831 |
€240,831 |
|
2010 |
€177,000 |
€33,300 |
€210,300 |
|
2009 |
€177,000 |
€0 |
€177,000 |
*Note: The 2013 figure is the indicative allocation for 2013 and in this regard the National Parents’ Council post-primary have not yet applied for a training grant.
The training grant for the National Parents’ Council post-primary was first introduced in 2010.
109. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a person (details supplied) may expect a response to their current appeal to Student Universal Support Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32406/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra113. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a person (details supplied) may expect a response to their current appeal to Student Universal Support Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32424/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 109 and 113 together. The appeal of the student referred to by the Deputy was reviewed by the independent Student Grants Appeals Board (Appeals Board) on Wednesday 26th June 2013 following the submission of additional relevant information to the Appeals Board. The Appeals Board's decision issued by post to the student on Thursday 27th June and was forwarded electronically to the awarding authority on Monday 1st July.
