Wednesday, 10 Jul 2013

Written Answers Nos. 130-143

Third Level Fees

Ceisteanna (130)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

130. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to correspondence from a person (details supplied) followed by a medical report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33684/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

Under the terms of my Department's Free Fee Initiative the Exchequer meets the cost of tuition fees in respect of eligible students who are pursuing full-time undergraduate courses of study which are a minimum of two years duration in an approved higher education institution. The main conditions of the scheme are that students must be first-time undergraduates, hold inter alia EU/EEA/Swiss nationality in their own right, and have been ordinarily resident in an EU/EEA/Swiss state for at least three of the five years preceding their entry to an approved third level course. The Deputy will appreciate that as the rules of the scheme are of general application that it is not possible to make an exception in any individual case. It should also be noted that Higher education institutions are autonomous bodies and the criteria governing the level of tuition fees to be charged (EU or Non EU rate), in cases where undergraduate students do not qualify for free fees is a matter for the institutions to determine in accordance with their own criteria. Tax relief at the standard rate of tax may be claimed in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education. Further information on this tax relief is available from the Revenue Commissioners on www.revenue.ie.

Education and Training Provision

Ceisteanna (131)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Ceist:

131. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of fact that the north inner city of Dublin has the highest number of lone parents in certain areas and pockets of 60% unemployment, his Department's response to addressing their educational and training needs. [33427/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The Department of Education and Skills funds a wide variety of education and training provision in Dublin's north inner city. City of Dublin VEC and FÁS, for example, both provide various flexible education and training options for both lone parents and the unemployed depending on the needs of the individuals involved. The exact nature of the education and training interventions required depend on the requirements of the individual concerned as well as the nature of the referral from the Department of Social Protection.

Schools Numbers

Ceisteanna (132)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

132. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will detail in tabular form the names of each one-teacher school, two-teacher school, three-teacher school, four teacher school and all other national schools in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33599/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The information requested is presented in the following table.

Schools in Limerick classified by teacher size, 2011/2012

The data contained in this table is sourced from the 2011/2012 Census of Primary Schools and refers to pupils in mainstream classes only.

COUNTY	Roll No	SCHOOL NAME	ADDRESS LINE 1	ADDRESS LINE 2	Total Pupils	Teacher size
LIMERICK COUNTY	07117J	S N LOCH GUIR	HOLY CROSS	KILLMALLOCK	44	2
LIMERICK COUNTY	07900B	BALLYSTEEN N S	ASKEATON	CO LIMERICK	29	2
LIMERICK COUNTY	08342V	BOHERMORE N S	BALLYSIMON	CO LIMERICK	25	2
LIMERICK COUNTY	09915B	MARTINSTOWN N S	KILLMALLOCK	CO LIMERICK	52	2
LIMERICK COUNTY	10929T	RATHKEALE N S 2	RATHKEALE	CO LIMERICK	24	2
LIMERICK COUNTY	10991B	GARRYDOOLIS N S	PALLASAGREEN	CO LIMERICK	35	2
LIMERICK COUNTY	11955C	COOLCAPPA N S	ARDAGH	CO LIMERICK	30	2
LIMERICK COUNTY	12368P	S N NAOMH PADRAIG	ABBEYFEALE	CO LIMERICK	32	2
LIMERICK COUNTY	14067L	FEDAMORE N S	FEDAMORE	KILLMALLOCK	36	2
LIMERICK COUNTY	17298W	KILBEHENNY N S	KILBEHENNY	MITCHELSTOWN	42	2.5
LIMERICK COUNTY	08926B	ST NICHOLAS CHURCH OF IRELAND SCHOOL	ADARE	CO LIMERICK	54	3
LIMERICK COUNTY	11809O	S N CNOCH A DEAGA	BALLYLANDERS	CO LIMERICK	19	3
LIMERICK COUNTY	13790G	BULGADEN N S	BULGADEN	KILMALLOCK	57	3
LIMERICK COUNTY	15700M	CLOVERFIELD N S	CLOVERFIELD	DROMCHAOIN	51	3
LIMERICK COUNTY	16764U	KILMEEDY N S	KILMEEDY	CO LIMERICK	31	3
LIMERICK COUNTY	16896O	SCOIL NAOMH IDE	ATH NA FUINNSEOIGE	BEALACH CO LUIMNI	23	3
LIMERICK COUNTY	17076E	SCOIL MHUIRE	GLEANN RUADH	KILMALLOCK	16	3
LIMERICK COUNTY	17138A	SCOIL CILL COLMAIN	ARD ACHADH	CO LUIMNI	75	3
LIMERICK COUNTY	17593B	SCOIL NAOMH MHUIRE	CNOC UI COILEAIN	ABBEYFEALE	28	3
LIMERICK COUNTY	17814O	GEAROID UI GHRIOBHTHA	LOUGHILL	MOUNTRENCHARD	58	3
LIMERICK COUNTY	17981K	S N GLEANN NA GCREABHAR	GLEANN NA GCREABHAR	CILL MOCHEALLOG	50	3
LIMERICK COUNTY	18717V	S N CIARAIN	CILLFIOBHNAI	ATH DARA	56	3
LIMERICK CITY	16715H	ST JOHN THE BAPTIST BOYS N S	DOWNEY STREET	PENNYWELL	39	4
LIMERICK COUNTY	04466T	BALLYMARTIN N S	CROOM	KILMALLOCK	84	4
LIMERICK COUNTY	04469C	S N FIODHNACH	KILLMALLOCK	CO LIMERICK	78	4
LIMERICK COUNTY	07317R	GLENGURT N S	TOORNAFULLA	CO LIMERICK	67	4
LIMERICK COUNTY	08419H	ARDPATRICK N S	KILLMALLOCK	CO LIMERICK	70	4
LIMERICK COUNTY	09927I	GRANAGH NATIONAL SCHOOL	GRANAGH	KILMALLOCK	71	4
LIMERICK COUNTY	11280T	CARRICKERRY N S	ATHEA	CO LIMERICK	52	4
LIMERICK COUNTY	11307N	BALLYGUILTENANE N S	GLIN	CO LIMERICK	47	4
LIMERICK COUNTY	12613C	GLENBROHANE N S	GARRYSPILLANE	KILLMALLOCK	77	4
LIMERICK COUNTY	14005M	KILTEELY N S	KILTEELY	CO LIMERICK	28	4
LIMERICK COUNTY	16239B	MEENKILLY N S	ABBEYFEALE	CO LIMERICK	67	4
LIMERICK COUNTY	16713D	SCOIL NA MBRAITHRE	DOON	CO LIMERICK	58	4
LIMERICK COUNTY	17871D	SCOIL CILL CHURNAIN	KILCORNAN	CO LIMERICK	83	4.5
LIMERICK COUNTY	18236F	SCOIL NAOMH MUIRE	BEAL ATHA DA THUILLE	CO LUIMNI	38	4
LIMERICK CITY	17445J	SCOIL LILE NAOFA	KILEELY	LIMERICK	56	5
LIMERICK COUNTY	09132P	CARNANE MXD N S	FEDAMORE	KILMALLOCK	81	5
LIMERICK COUNTY	09702H	ST JAMES N S	CAPPAGH	ASKEATON	106	5
LIMERICK COUNTY	15692Q	BILBOA N SCHOOL	BILBOA	CAPPAGHAMORE	116	5.5
LIMERICK COUNTY	16439J	SCOIL NA MBEARNAN	PALLASAGREEN	CO LIMERICK	60	5
LIMERICK COUNTY	17155A	ATHLACCA N S	ATHLACCA	KILMALLOCK	85	5
LIMERICK COUNTY	17212J	SCOIL NAIS CNOC AINE	CNOC AINE	OSPUIDEAL	106	5
LIMERICK COUNTY	17364J	SCOIL BAILE AN AIRD	BAILE AN AIRD	KILMALLOCK	82	5
LIMERICK COUNTY	18426K	SCOIL IDE NAOFA	RAITHINEACH	BEALACH	90	5
LIMERICK COUNTY	18612H	SCOIL MHUIRE	ACHADH LIN	BALLINGARRY	110	5
LIMERICK COUNTY	18708U	S N CILL LACHTAIN	NEWCASTLEWEST	CO LIMERICK	101	5
LIMERICK COUNTY	20233L	SCOIL CHAITRÍONA	CAPPAMORE	CO LIMERICK	81	5.5
LIMERICK COUNTY	02007A	CROAGH NATIONAL SCHOOL	RATHKEALE	CO LIMERICK	86	6
LIMERICK COUNTY	02358G	TEMPLEGLANTINE N S	TEMPLEGLANTINE	CO LIMERICK	93	6
LIMERICK COUNTY	08572P	BRUREE NATIONAL SCHOOL	BRUREE	CO LIMERICK	135	6
LIMERICK COUNTY	09296W	OUR LADYS ABBEY	SCOIL NA GCAILINI	ADARE	129	6
LIMERICK COUNTY	09401Q	MONOGAY NATIONAL SCHOOL	NEWCASTLEWEST	CO LIMERICK	126	6
LIMERICK COUNTY	14231V	NICKER N S	NICKER	OLDPALLAS	98	6.5
LIMERICK COUNTY	14305B	BALLYLANDERS N S	KILMALLOCK	CO LIMERICK	113	6
LIMERICK COUNTY	16913L	SCOIL NA NAOINEAN	EAS GEIPHTINE	CO LUIMNI	126	6
LIMERICK COUNTY	17184H	OOLA NATIONAL SCHOOL	OOLA	TIPPERARY	92	6
LIMERICK COUNTY	17299B	SCOIL MHUIRE	EFFIN	KILLMALLOCK	104	6
LIMERICK COUNTY	17487C	SCOIL NAIS CATHAIR CHINN LIS	CATHAIRCINNLIS	CAHERCONLISH	94	6
LIMERICK COUNTY	18260C	SCOIL MHUIRE	BEAL AN ATHA	RATHLUIRC	121	6
LIMERICK COUNTY	18367U	S N TOINN AN TAIRBH	CAPPAMORE	CO LIMERICK	133	6
LIMERICK COUNTY	18530F	ASKEATON SENIOR NS	ASKEATON	CO LIMERICK	98	6
LIMERICK COUNTY	19966B	ST JOSEPHS	DRUMCOLLOGHER	CHARLEVILLE	101	6
LIMERICK COUNTY	02813E	S N SHEANAIN	FOYNES	CO LIMERICK	125	7
LIMERICK COUNTY	13026P	KILFINANE CONVENT PRIMARY SCHOOL	KILFINANE	CO LIMERICK	141	7
LIMERICK COUNTY	13459A	S N GALLBHAILE	GALBALLY	CO TIPPERARY	140	7
LIMERICK COUNTY	14075K	S N MOLUA B	ARDAGH	CO LIMERICK	137	7
LIMERICK COUNTY	14625T	DOON CONVENT N S	DOON	CO LIMERICK	145	7
LIMERICK COUNTY	15226K	CAHERLINE N S	CAHERLINE	CAHERCONLISH	146	7
LIMERICK COUNTY	16237U	DROMTRASNA N S	ABBEYFEALE	CO LIMERICK	137	7
LIMERICK COUNTY	16508C	SCOIL ATHAIN	LISNAGRY	CO LIMERICK	152	7.5
LIMERICK COUNTY	16712B	SCOIL NAOMH IOSAF	ADARE	CO LIMERICK	117	7.5
LIMERICK COUNTY	17438M	SHANAGOLDEN N S	SHANAGOLDEN	CO LIMERICK	142	7
LIMERICK COUNTY	18030I	SCOIL AILBHE	CATHAIR AILBHE	BALLYBRICKEN GRANGE	117	7
LIMERICK COUNTY	18142T	SCOIL CNOC LOINGE  B	KNOCKLONG	CO LIMERICK	124	7.5
LIMERICK COUNTY	19323F	S N BEAL ATHA GREAN	KILMALLOCK	CO LIMERICK	104	7
LIMERICK COUNTY	20102T	ST FERGUS PRIMARY SCHOOL	GLIN	CO LIMERICK	108	7
LIMERICK CITY	12834S	ST MICHAELS	11 BARRINGTON ST	LIMERICK	134	8
LIMERICK CITY	19931F	GAELSCOIL SHEOIRSE	CLANCY	AN CNOC THEAS	98	8
LIMERICK COUNTY	06516S	KILDIMO NATIONAL SCHOOL	KILDIMO	CO LIMERICK	160	8
LIMERICK COUNTY	07857D	S N AILBHE	KILLINURE	LIMERICK	129	8
LIMERICK COUNTY	09306W	CROOM NATIONAL SCHOOL	CROOM	CO LIMERICK	147	8
LIMERICK COUNTY	16264A	ABBEYFEALE B N S 1	ABBEYFEALE	CO LIMERICK	145	8
LIMERICK COUNTY	17068F	SCOIL SEAN TSRAIDE	ATH DARA	CO LUIMNI	154	8
LIMERICK COUNTY	18600A	S N MA RUA	MA RUA	CO LUIMNI	170	8
LIMERICK COUNTY	18653V	SCOIL NAOMH IOSEF	RATHKEALE	CO LIMERICK	66	8
LIMERICK CITY	00570R	MHUIRE NAOFA CAILINI	BISHOP STREET	LIMERICK	74	9
LIMERICK CITY	15320C	ST MICHAELS NS	CBS GROUNDS	SEXTON STREET	55	9
LIMERICK CITY	17942A	SCOIL MHAINCHIN BUACH	BOTHAR SIOLBROIN	LIMERICK	75	9
LIMERICK COUNTY	07222G	BANOGUE NATIONAL SCHOOL	CROOM	CO LIMERICK	67	9
LIMERICK COUNTY	11422N	MAHOONAGH N S	CASTLEMAHON	LIMERICK	156	9
LIMERICK COUNTY	12631E	PALLASKENRY N S	PALLASKENRY N S	CO LIMERICK	166	9
LIMERICK COUNTY	17060M	CONVENT OF MERCY N S	ABBEYFEALE	CO LIMERICK	165	9
LIMERICK COUNTY	17738B	SCOIL TOBAR PADRAIG	TOBAR PHADRAIG	LUIMNEACH	179	9
LIMERICK COUNTY	20175A	LIMERICK CITY EAST EDUCATE TOGETHER	Mungret College	Mungret	124	9
LIMERICK CITY	19372S	SOUTH HILL N S	SOUTH HILL	LIMERICK	64	10
LIMERICK COUNTY	20094A	SCOIL CHRIOST AN SLANAITHEOIR	BAILE AN GHARRAI	CO LUIMNIGH	159	10
LIMERICK CITY	16444C	SCOIL PADRAIG NAOFA C	DUBLIN ROAD	LIMERICK	225	11
LIMERICK COUNTY	06539H	KNOCKEA NATIONAL SCHOOL	BALLYNEETY	CO LIMERICK	205	11
LIMERICK COUNTY	19952N	HOSPITAL NS	HOSPITAL	CO LIMERICK	179	11
LIMERICK COUNTY	20148U	GAELSCOIL CHALADH AN TREOIGH	CHALADH AN TREOIGH	LUIMNEACH	229	11
LIMERICK CITY	16443A	SCOIL PADRAIG NAOFA B	DUBLIN ROAD	LIMERICK	211	12
LIMERICK CITY	17671S	MARIA AUXILIATRIX N S	FERNBANK	LIMERICK	209	12
LIMERICK CITY	19934L	LIMERICK SCHOOL PROJECT	O'CONNELL AVENUE	LIMERICK	218	12
LIMERICK CITY	20181S	GAELSCOIL AN RAITHIN	DOORADOYLE ROAD	LIMERICK CITY	250	12
LIMERICK CITY	20185D	ST MARYS BOYS NS	ISLAND ROAD	LIMERICK	73	12
LIMERICK COUNTY	15685T	ATHEA N SCHOOL	ATHEA	CO LIMERICK	149	12
LIMERICK COUNTY	16118M	DONOUGHMORE N S	DONOUGHMORE	LIMERICK	208	12
LIMERICK COUNTY	17101A	SCOIL CRE CUMHRA	PATRICKS WELL	CO LIMERICK	180	12
LIMERICK COUNTY	18161A	CASTLECONNELL N S	CASTLECONNEL	CO LIMERICK	216	12
LIMERICK CITY	19956V	GAELSCOIL SAIRSEAL	SRAID AN DROICHID	LUIMNEACH	243	13
LIMERICK COUNTY	12975N	ST JOSEPHS CONVENT	NEWCASTLE WEST	CO LIMERICK	226	13
LIMERICK COUNTY	15680J	SCOIL AN SPIORAID NAOMH	ROXBOROUGH	BALLYSHEEDY	280	13
LIMERICK CITY	18677M	SCOIL MATHAIR DE	CUAR BOTHAR THEAS	LUIMNEACH	245	14
LIMERICK CITY	18991S	J F K MEMORIAL SCHOOL	ENNIS RD	LIMERICK	237	14
LIMERICK CITY	19204U	CROI RO NAOFA IOSA	FERNBANK	LIMERICK	227	14
LIMERICK CITY	20184B	GALVONE NS	KENNEDY PARK	LIMERICK CITY	119	14
LIMERICK COUNTY	18516L	S N LIOS NA GROI	LISNAGRY	CO LIMERICK	269	14
LIMERICK COUNTY	19272O	SN NAOMH IOSEF	BALLYBROWN	CLARINA	243	14
LIMERICK COUNTY	19883U	GAELSCOIL O DOGHAIR	CAISLEAN NUA THIAR	CO LUIMNIGH	232	14
LIMERICK COUNTY	20133H	SCOIL DEAN CUSSEN	BRU NA NDEISE	CO LUIMNIGH	301	14
LIMERICK CITY	19332G	S N MUIRE NA HEIREANN	CAHERDAVIN	LIMERICK City	294	15
LIMERICK COUNTY	17951B	SCOIL O CURAIN B	NEWCASTLEWEST	CO LIMERICK	223	15
LIMERICK CITY	19331E	SCOIL CHRIOST RI B	CAHERDAVIN	LIMERICK City	253	16
LIMERICK COUNTY	18177P	SCOIL AINE NAOFA	RATH CAOLA	CO LUIMNI	151	16
LIMERICK CITY	17737W	OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE SCHOOL	JANESBORO	LIMERICK	210	17
LIMERICK CITY	17941V	ST MUNCHINS G N S	BALLYNANTY	LIMERICK	190	17
LIMERICK CITY	19830W	CORPUS CHRISTI N S	MOYROSS	LIMERICK	167	18
LIMERICK COUNTY	20193C	SCOIL MOCHEALLÓG	KILMALLOCK	CO LIMERICK	281	18
LIMERICK CITY	19667O	OUR LADY OF LOURDES N S	ROSBRIEN	LIMERICK	165	20
LIMERICK CITY	16910F	SCOIL IOSAGAIN	SRAID SEASNAIN	LIMERICK	231	21
LIMERICK CITY	20018H	MARIA KING PRESENTATION PRIMARY	SEXTON STREET	LIMERICK	221	21
LIMERICK CITY	06936R	ST JOHNS CONVENT	CATHEDRAL PLACE	LIMERICK CITY	291	22
LIMERICK CITY	19475F	ST BRIGIDS NS	SINGLAND	LIMERICK	418	23
LIMERICK COUNTY	19800N	MILFORD GRANGE N SCHOOL	MILFORD	CASTLETROY	503	24
LIMERICK CITY	19894C	AN MHODH SCOIL	ASCAIL UI CHONAILL	LUIMNEACH	553	27
LIMERICK COUNTY	17937H	SCOIL MOIN A LIN	CASTLEROY	LIMERICK	590	27
LIMERICK COUNTY	19336O	SCOIL PHOIL NAOFA	DOORADOYLE	LIMERICK	662	34
LIMERICK CITY	18872K	SCOIL IDE	CORBALLY	LIMERICK	772	38
LIMERICK COUNTY	14409N	SCOIL NEASSAIN	MUNGRET	LIMERICK	723	38

Schools Complaints Procedures

Ceisteanna (133)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

133. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if it is the case that complaints regarding staff members in a secondary or primary school can be fully and wholly investigated under the complaints procedure if the concerned student has already left or finished in that school. [33637/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

I wish to advise the Deputy that the 1998 Education Act provides the legal framework for the delivery of education to children through recognised schools. All recognised schools are legally owned by the school patrons or trustees and managed by a school's Board of Management which is also the employer of teachers in a school. While the Minister for Education and Skills provides funding and policy direction for schools, neither I nor officials of my Department have powers to investigate individual complaints, except where the complaint involves a refused enrolment, expulsion or suspension, in accordance with Section 29 of the 1998 Education Act.

If a parent wishes to make a complaint against a teacher or school they should contact the relevant school authorities. The complaint procedures adopted by most schools are those that have been agreed between the teacher unions and school management bodies. If a parent has a complaint about a teacher or about the school, the first step is to speak to the class teacher. If the complaint is not resolved, the parent should then speak to the school principal. If the complaint is not resolved at this stage, the parent can lodge the complaint in writing with the chairperson of the school's Board of Management/Single Manager/VEC.

If the parent has exhausted the school's complaints procedure and the complaint has not been resolved, the parent can make an appeal to the Ombudsman for Children. The Office of the Ombudsman for Children may independently investigate complaints about schools recognised with the Department of Education and Skills, provided the parent has firstly and fully followed the school's complaints procedures. The key criterion for any intervention by the Ombudsman for Children is that the action of the School has had a negative affect on a child. Further guidance to parents on progressing a concern in relation their child's school is available on my Department's website at www.education.ie.

Special Educational Needs Staffing

Ceisteanna (134)

Heather Humphreys

Ceist:

134. Deputy Heather Humphreys asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding supplementary assignment arrangements for the 2013/2014 school year (details supplied); the reason only special needs assistants made redundant after the 1 May 2013 may become members of a supplementary assignment panel until June 2014; the options available to SNAs made redundant prior to May 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33676/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

As the Deputy will be aware, a new set of proposals for a public service agreement were put forward by the Labour Relations Commission which now form the Public Service Stability Agreement 2013-2016 (the Haddington Road Agreement, a copy of which has been forwarded to the Deputy). One aspect of this Agreement relates to supplementary assignment arrangements for Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) and as both Unions that represent SNAs namely, SIPTU and IMPACT, have signed up to the Haddington Road Agreement, the Department has now implemented supplementary assignment arrangements for SNAs for the 2013/2014 school year. The detailed arrangements are set out in Departmental Circular 0037/2013 which issued on 1 July 2013, a copy of which has been forwarded to the Deputy.

The first part of the LRC proposals for supplementary assignment arrangements for SNAs outlines that the supplementary assignment arrangements only apply to current SNAs who are notified that they are to be made redundant. Accordingly, with effect from 1 May 2013 once an SNA with a minimum of one year's service is notified by his/her employer that he/she is to be made redundant then he/she shall be deemed to be a member of a Supplementary Assignment Panel for SNAs. SNAs who were made redundant prior to 1 May 2013 are free to apply for SNA positions however, the revised rules on SNA recruitment are as set out in Departmental Circular 37/2013, the purpose of which is to facilitate those SNAs who are notified that they are to be made redundant in filling SNA vacancies which become available in other schools/ETBs. Accordingly, those SNAs who are members of the SNA Supplementary Assignment Panel are afforded preferential treatment in the filling of SNA vacancies. As the LRC proposals are part of a wider public-sector pay agreement that represent compromises by both employers and unions, I do not have the ability to alter the terms of that agreement.

Third Level Participation

Ceisteanna (135)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Ceist:

135. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person's (details supplied) application to higher education access route, HEAR, did not meet the correct criteria to be considered for a placement, one of which is that they are not from a disadvantaged area. [33677/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) is a college and university admissions scheme which offers places on reduced points and extra college support to school leavers from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The scheme is operated by a number of higher education institutions and not by my Department. Admissions to the institutions are regulated by the institutions themselves. The Deputy may wish to contact the Irish Universities Association in this instance. Further details in relation to the HEAR scheme are also available at www.accesscollege.ie.

Psychological Assessments

Ceisteanna (136)

Joan Collins

Ceist:

136. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will investigate the fact that a school (details supplied) in County Dublin has requested assessment for eight students for special needs assistant support and only one student has been assessed by the National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, and they have yet to receive the report from NEPS. [33686/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

I wish to advise the Deputy that all primary and post primary schools have access to psychological assessments either directly through the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS), or through the Scheme for Commissioning Psychological Assessments (SCPA), full details of which are on the Department's website. Where a NEPS psychologist is not assigned to a school, authorities therein may access psychological assessments through SCPA. Under this scheme schools can have an assessment carried out by a member of the panel of private psychologists approved by NEPS, and NEPS will pay the psychologist the fees for this assessment directly.

It should be noted that in common with many other psychological services, NEPS encourages a staged assessment process, whereby each school takes responsibility for a pupil's initial assessment, educational planning and remedial intervention. Only if there is a failure to make reasonable progress in spite of the school's best efforts will a child be referred for individual psychological assessment. In relation to assessment for special needs resourcing, I might add that NEPS psychologists would normally only have input into the process in relation to pupils with General Learning Difficulties (GLD) and Emotional Disturbance/ Behavioural Disorders (EDBD) with other types of special needs, such as for example, Autism being referred to clinicians for diagnosis. It is the responsibility of the school Principal in the first instance to identify and prioritise pupils for assessment under the process described above and advise that the school in question may raise individual pupils with the NEPS service if they have concerns in this regard.

I wish to advise the Deputy also that 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 the allocation of resource teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) 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 responsibility for deciding on the quantum of educational resources to be allocated to pupils with special educational needs resides with the NCSE through the SENO.

Assessment reports carried out by relevant professionals are provided by schools to the SENOs as part of the application process for support. The consideration of these reports is an integral part of determining the extent of supports to be provided for pupils with special educational needs. Whereas health reports provide valuable assistance to education providers in identifying a diagnosis or identifying appropriate interventions, health staff are asked not to include references to the specific quantum of educational resources in their reports, but should state the outcome of tests carried out and the range of needs of the child as clearly as possible. The NCSE circular 03/08 clarifies the respective roles and functions of the NCSE and the HSE and their respective personnel in carrying out assessments and sanctioning resources to support children with special educational needs.

School Closures

Ceisteanna (137)

Jim Daly

Ceist:

137. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide the requested information in relation to a former school (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33713/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available in my Department. As soon as any available data is compiled, it will be forwarded to the Deputy directly.

Teaching Qualifications

Ceisteanna (138)

Andrew Doyle

Ceist:

138. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total number of teachers, both primary and post-primary, on the payroll of his Department; the breakdown of this figure, in tabular form; the total number of full-time primary and post-primary teachers on the payroll of his Department who have ordinary degrees (Level 8), Masters degrees (Level 9) and PhDs (Level 10); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33751/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The total number of teachers at 31st March 2013 are: 32,276 Primary; 16,823 Voluntary Secondary, Community and Comprehensive; and 10,699 Education and Training Boards (ETBs). It is a matter for the Teaching Council to determine the education, training and qualifications required for a person to be registered as a teacher. Therefore, my Department does not now record details of individual teacher qualifications. Allowances are payable in respect of various qualifications and the number of teachers on the payroll of my Department in receipt of allowances in respect of the qualifications referred to by the Deputy are contained in the following table.

Education and Training Boards (ETBs) employ and pay their own staff and, accordingly, my Department does not have available to it a breakdown of the numbers of ETB teaching staff in the categories requested by the Deputy. The Deputy should note that this information does not represent the total number of teachers that hold Level 8, 9 and 10 qualifications. Additional qualification allowances are not payable to existing teachers from the 5th December 2011 apart from those who were undertaking an approved course of study on that date. The value of the allowance payable was capped at the value of the Honours Primary Degree allowance from that date also. Qualification allowances are not payable to teachers appointed with effect from 1st February 2012. Therefore, there may be teachers on my Department's payroll who hold the qualifications referred to by the Deputy but who are not in receipt of an allowance in respect of same.

NUMBER OF PRIMARY, VOLUNTARY SECONDARY, COMMUNITY AND COMPREHENSIVE TEACHERS IN RECEIPT OF THE FOLLOWING ALLOWANCES:

-	PRIMARY	POST PRIMARY (EXCLUDING ETBs)
Primary Honours	19,818	8,949
Masters Degree	3,089	3,078
Doctorate	44	124

Points to note

1. The table above provides the number of teachers in receipt of various Qualification Allowances at the date the information was retrieved from the Departments Payroll records. This is subject to change as teachers submit up to date information regarding their qualifications

2. Teachers in receipt of Level 7 (Pass Degree) Allowances are not included in the table above

Student Support Schemes Issues

Ceisteanna (139)

Andrew Doyle

Ceist:

139. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the student grant scheme 2013 (S.I. No. 159/2013) is implemented as a statutory instrument as opposed to an Act of the Oireachtas; if, given its extensive scope and comprehensiveness, he intends in the future to put such law into an initial Act of the Oireachtas as part of the overall package of political reform for better legislative oversight; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33754/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The Student Support Act 2011 is the primary legislation introduced by the Oireachtas to underpin the programme of legislative and administrative reform of the student grants system. The Act provides that certain areas may be prescribed by way of regulation subject to principles and policies laid down by the Oireachtas in the primary legislation. Section 16 of the Act provides for the making of a scheme or schemes of grants. The power to make a scheme of grants by way of regulation facilitates the annual updating of the Student Grant Scheme in order to reflect budgetary and other technical changes from year to year.

Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Ceisteanna (140)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

140. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the funding options available to a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath who wishes to pursue a third level course in social care in Athlone Institute of Technology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33835/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The main financial support available to students attending higher education is the Student Grant Scheme administered by Student Universal Support Ireland. Under the terms of the scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students who meet the prescribed conditions of funding including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means. The Deputy will appreciate that in the absence of all of the relevant details that would be contained in an individual's application, it would not be possible to say if the student would qualify for a student grant. To determine eligibility for the 2013/14 academic year the student should submit an online grant application to Student Universal Support Ireland via www.susi.ie.

Special Educational Needs Services Provision

Ceisteanna (141)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

141. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the maximum 40 hours of home-based July provision will be provided to each person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33839/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The Deputy will be aware that the July Education Programme is available to all special schools and mainstream primary schools with special classes catering for children with autism that choose to extend their education services through the month of July. My Department also provides for a July Programme for pupils with a severe/profound general learning disability. Where school based provision is not feasible, home based provision may be grant aided. The allocation of home based provision to siblings for July Provision is 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 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. However in recognition of the differing needs of some siblings, including the sisters referred to by the Deputy, separate allocations can be considered on a case by case basis. Applications in this regard will require supporting documentation including professional reports from a psychologist or a letter from the principal of the school detailing the existing arrangements currently in place for the respective children and providing reasons why they cannot be tutored together in the home. No appeal has been made in respect of the allocation for the pupils in question.

Schools Building Projects Status

Ceisteanna (142)

Noel Coonan

Ceist:

142. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a building project for a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary; the timeframe for completion of works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33850/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning, stage 2b. This stage includes the applications for Planning Permission, Fire Safety Certificate, Disability Access Certificate and the preparation of tender documents. Due to competing demands on my Department's capital budget, imposed by the need to prioritise the limited funding available for the provision of additional school accommodation to meet increasing demographic requirements, it was not possible to include this project in the construction programme. School building projects, including this project, which have not been included in the construction programme, but which were previously initiated will continue to be progressed to final planning stages in anticipation of the possibility of further funds being available to the Department in the future.

Special Educational Needs Services Provision

Ceisteanna (143)

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

143. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on correspondence (details supplied). [33920/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

I wish to advise the Deputy that pupils with Down Syndrome attending mainstream schools may receive additional teaching support in primary schools, either under the terms of the General Allocation Model (GAM) of teaching supports, if the pupil's educational psychological assessment places the pupil in the mild general learning disability/high incidence disability category, or through an allocation of individual additional resource teaching hours which are allocated by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), if the child is assessed as being within the low incidence category of special need, as defined by my Department's Circular Sp Ed 02/05. Pupils with Down Syndrome may be allocated resources under the category of mild general learning disability, or under the categories of moderate general learning difficulty or Assessed Syndrome, in conjunction with another Low Incidence disability.

I wish to explain also that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has a formal role under the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act, 2004 in advising me in relation to any matter relating to the education of children and others with disabilities. My Department requested that the NCSE consider the issue of whether Down Syndrome should be reclassified as a low incidence disability in all instances, regardless of assessed cognitive ability, in the context of its preparation of comprehensive advice on how the educational system supports children with special educational needs in schools.

The NCSE report on Supporting Children with Special Educational Needs in Schools has now been published and is available on the NCSE website www.ncse.ie. The report recommends that under the new resource allocation model proposed by the NCSE in its report, children should be allocated additional resources in line with their level of need, rather than by disability category. The NCSE has recommended that in the short-term, pupils with Down Syndrome who are in the Mild General Learning Disability (Mild GLD) category should continue to be supported by schools' Learning Support allocation in the same way as other pupils with a Mild GLD. The NCSE policy advice did not recommend that an exception should be made for children with Down Syndrome who are in the Mild GLD range, over other children who are in the mild range and who also may have other co-morbid conditions. However, the NCSE report states that it is confident that the introduction of a new allocation model will overcome the difficulty posed by all children with mild general learning disabilities, including children with Down Syndrome, who have additional difficulties and who can be supported according to their level of need and in line with their learning plan process.

In the meantime, schools are reminded that they can differentiate the level of learning support granted to ensure that available resources are used to support children in line with their needs. I have requested the NCSE to immediately proceed to establish a Working Group in order to develop a proposal for consideration for a new Tailored Allocation Model, which is set out as one of the principal recommendations of the report.