Tuesday, 24 Sep 2013

Written Answers Nos. 235 - 252

School Transport Provision

Ceisteanna (235)

Brian Walsh

Ceist:

235. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the FGS report on school transport will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39329/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

The Farrell Grants Sparks, FGS, report entitled "Review of the overhead costs and indirect costs for the administration of the school transport scheme" was completed in October 2009. In completing its work on this report, FGS entered into a signed confidentiality agreement with Bus Éireann having regard to the fact that certain of the information made available to FGS by Bus Éireann was deemed to be commercially sensitive. This issue is at present encompassed by an appeal to the Office of the Information Commissioner.

Teachers Panel Rights

Ceisteanna (263)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

263. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider extending panel rights to persons in the education sector who have completed JobBridge internships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39779/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 241 and 263 together.

The core function of the redeployment arrangements is to facilitate the redeployment of all surplus permanent teachers to other schools that have vacancies. Thereafter, schools are required under the panel arrangements to fill permanent vacancies from supplementary panels comprised of eligible fixed-term (temporary/substitute) and part-time teachers. Arrangements for panel access for fixed term (temporary/substitute) and part-time teachers for the 2014/15 school year are currently being reviewed with the relevant education partners, and my Department will publish the finalised arrangements in due course.

Home Tuition Scheme Eligibility

Ceisteanna (250)

Seán Kenny

Ceist:

250. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a decision will be made on the home tuition grant application in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39506/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

I am pleased to advise the Deputy that home tuition has been approved for the children in question. Their parents have been notified accordingly in a letter dated 6th September 2013.