Written Answers Nos. 99-105
99. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Education and Skills the plans in place and the anticipated timelines for the acquisition of sites for the development of new secondary schools in Carrigaline, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54611/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are 3 post-primary schools to be established in the Carrigaline/Cork South Suburbs area, one Irish medium school (Gaelcholáiste) in 2014 and two English medium schools in 2016. The delivery of the proposed new Gaelcholáiste in Carrigaline has been devolved to Cork Education & Training Board. The new Gaelcholáiste will be delivered as part of a three school Campus along with Gaelscoil Carrigaline and SONAS Special Primary School. The Gaelcholáiste is planned to open in temporary accommodation in 2014.With regard to the 2 English medium schools, the site acquisition process is ongoing. The Deputy will be aware that there is a Memorandum of Understanding between my Department and the County and City Managers' Association (CCMA). This Memorandum of Understanding fosters increased levels of cooperation and formalises the Local Authorities' part in identifying and securing sites for educational use. My Department is working in conjunction with Cork County Council in that regard towards securing permanent sites to meet the needs of the 2 English medium post primary schools to be established in Carrigaline/Cork South Suburbs in 2016.
100. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a person is entitled to a third-level maintenance grant if he or she is in receipt of the back-to-education allowance or the VTOS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54659/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraStudents who qualify for the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA), may be considered for support for the student contribution under the student grant scheme provided they satisfy the conditions of the relevant Student Grant Scheme and Student Support Regulations including those relating to residence, nationality, approved course, previous academic attainment and means. From September 2010, all new applicants in receipt of the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA), and the VTOS allowances for those pursuing PLC courses, are no longer eligible for maintenance support under the student grant scheme. However, the cost of the student services charge and tuition fees payable to colleges continues to be met for eligible students by the Exchequer. Students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. This Fund assists students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances.
Information on the fund is available through the Access Officer in the third level institution attended. The fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis. In addition to the student grant, 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.
101. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an appeal for a scribe-reader for a person (details supplied) in County Carlow will be approved for the leaving certificate examinations in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54663/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraState Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations. The State Examinations Commission operates a scheme of Reasonable Accommodations in the Certificate examinations. Applications for such accommodations are submitted by schools on behalf of their students. Full details of the scheme are available for downloading from their website: www.examinations.ie/candidates/reasonableaccommodations. In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
102. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there have been any cases where the rule regarding the collective pooling of home tuition for children from the same family has been disregarded due to the differing nature of children's conditions or any other reason; the number of occasions on which this has occurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54675/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy that there are two separate cases where the combined allocation of home tuition initially approved by my Department was appealed resulting in increased allocations.
As set out in the Home Tuition Circular, allocations to siblings are reflective of the school grouping principle. The pupil teacher ratio in school settings can result in one teacher being allocated to a class of six pupils with children of mixed age and ability 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.
However, in recognition of the differentiated needs of some siblings, and as in the two cases in question, separate allocations have been considered on a case by case basis. Applications in this regard were accompanied by 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.
103. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a club premises on schools grounds (details supplied) was closed in late 2010; if the club will be allowed to re-open; if not, the future plans for these premises as the building is deteriorating, leading to anti-social behaviour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54677/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2010 my Department carried out an examination of the long term use of the building referred to by the Deputy and determined that it would not continue with the operation of the facility. There are no plans at the moment to re-open the facility. My Department will make contact with the school authorities to discuss the issues raised.
