Written Answers Nos. 287 - 312
287. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will ensure that all children with IP 36 deletion receive the maximum resource teaching house in mainstream primary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9244/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that resource teaching/learning support is available for all pupils with assessed syndromes, including IP 36 deletion syndrome. Pupils with IP 36 deletion 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 to schools 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 IP 36 deletion syndrome may therefore 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.
It is a matter for schools to manage the use of their resource teaching hours and to allocate teaching provision to qualifying pupils, taking into account the individual needs of those pupils.
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.
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 established a Working Group 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. I understand that the Working Group will report its findings before the end of spring 2014.
288. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a former resource teacher (details supplied) is not entitled to claim any redundancy payment even though their employment was ceased because of financial cutbacks and through no fault of their own; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9279/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department can confirm that an application for redundancy was received from the person referred to by the Deputy and is currently considering the application. We will advise the person of the position as soon as possible.
289. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will advise the parents of a 4 year old boy with severe ADHD (details supplied) in Dublin 11 who will be starting primary school in September 2014, in the Dublin 11 area, that he will be allocated the necessary special needs assistants hours, following indications by a number of local schools that they will not apply for such SNA hours as it is up to the parents to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9286/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy 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 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.
SNAs are allocated to schools to enable them to support pupils with disabilities who also have significant care needs. 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.
Schools who wish to make applications for SNA support for new pupils enrolling to schools for the coming 2014/15 school year, should submit such applications for to the NCSE for their consideration. The NCSE will advise all schools of their SNA allocations for the 2014/15 school year, in advance of the new school year.
It is a matter for schools, not parents, to make applications for SNA support for pupils who are enrolled to their schools. 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.
The National Council for Special Education Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) can assist parents to identify appropriate educational placements for children with special educational needs. The NCSE also recently published a Guide for Parents and Guardians of Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs on Choosing a School. This guide is also available at www.ncse.ie.
The National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) can also assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The NEWB will try to help parents to find a school placement if their child has been unable to secure a school placement to date. The NEWB can be contacted at National Educational Welfare Board, National Headquarters, 16-22 Green Street, Dublin 7 or by telephone at 01-8738700.
Finally, where a parent seeks to enrol their child in a school and that school refuses to enrol a pupil, the school is obliged to inform parents of their right under Section 29 of the Education Act 1998 to appeal that decision to the Secretary General of my Department. Only where an appeal under Section 29 is upheld, may the Secretary General of my Department direct a school to enrol a pupil.
290. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is pursuing the policy of allocating school places to ensure all children have places and if so, the stage this policy is at in terms of the administration of it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9287/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that last September, I published a draft General Scheme for an Education (Admission to Schools) Bill, 2013 as well as draft regulations for discussion ahead of enacting legislation. These are available on my Department's website. The aim of these proposals is to ensure that the way schools decide on applications for enrolment is structured, fair and transparent.
The draft General Scheme and draft regulations are currently under consideration by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Education and Social Protection. When the Committee has completed its consideration of the draft framework, I will reflect carefully on the Committee's report before progressing to the next stage of legislation.
291. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will approve an application for a student support grant in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9289/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is the responsibility of the student to ensure that their application for a student grant is submitted before the deadline. The closing date for online applications was 1st August 2013 and this was further extended to 19 November 2013. Late applications may be accepted at the discretion of the awarding authority but not later than one month before the end of the academic year to which the application relates.
Officials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that late applications are accepted for the academic year 2013/14 where a student has had a change in circumstances as outlined in Article 32 of the Student Grant Scheme 2013 or where a course commences in 2014.
A late application was not accepted in the case of the student referred to by the Deputy as he declared that he did not have a change in circumstances.
292. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a pupil (details supplied) in Dublin 3 was refused support under the RACE scheme as they have a major learning difficulty; and if he will urgently review this decision. [9321/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe State 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, including an appeals process. 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 the Deputy's query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply.
293. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a detailed update on when a school (details supplied) in Dublin 15 will be built and open for enrolment of students. [9342/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraA new sixteen classroom school for the school referred to by the Deputy was completed and occupied in early 2007. There is currently no other major building project in train or pending for the school referred to by the Deputy.
294. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on correspondence in respect of funding for a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9343/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for funding to rent temporary school accommodation, for the 2012/13 school year, was submitted by the school in question on the 26th June 2012. My Department sanctioned funding for this request on 3rd July 2012.
At that time the school also advised that they had been allocated an additional mainstream teacher for the 2012/13 school year which would have facilitated an enrolment in excess of 100 children; the projected enrolment figure for 2012/13 provided by the school authorities, at that time, was 93.
The above information formed the basis of my Department's conclusion that the school was not full.
295. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding extra classrooms in respect of a college (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9349/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing a meeting between my Department and the school, referred to by the Deputy, in respect of its application for additional accommodation, a devolved grant was approved in May last for the provision of 3 permanent general classrooms for the school in question. Further funding was granted in July 2013 to provide disability access for the school.
In December last, the school sought an extension of time to end March 2014 for the drawdown of funding in respect of the above grants and approval was granted.
296. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the Higher Education Authority report on the sustainability of the higher education sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9396/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware the Higher Education Authority (HEA) is undertaking a study on the future financing of the higher education sector. This study was initiated at my request and an initial report has been published which makes it clear that immediate work is required to prepare for a longer term approach to a system that can be maintained through a sustainable funding base which will be able to address the continual expansion of the sector while protecting the quality of education. The HEA is continuing its work which will help inform future decision making and i will continue to be appraised as the study progresses.
297. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way Tramore’s new co-educational secondary school and its ancillary facilities will operate under the PPP programme, including the contract payment mechanism; and the input his Department has had in the management plan being put in place by BAM Building covering the 25-year concession period. [9425/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraArdscoil na Mara, Tramore was procured as part of my Department's Public Private Partnership (PPP) programme. The school was designed, built, financed and shall be maintained by BAM Schools Bundle Three Limited for a period of 25 years.
At the outset of the project the Department established an output specification for the project including its requirements for ongoing building management and maintenance. The project was then referred to the National Development Finance Agency ("NDFA") to manage the procurement and delivery of the PPP contract. In managing the delivery of the contract, the NDFA worked closely with the appointed PPP Company (BAM Schools Bundle Three Limited) to agree service delivery plans which detail the systems required to manage my Department's output specifications. Throughout the 25 years contract period monthly meetings are held with the PPP Company to review and assess ongoing performance as reported by the school and PPP Company.
The payment mechanism set out in the contract governs the terms and conditions of payment for the delivery of the school and for the provision of the building management and maintenance services. It incorporates a payment deduction regime in the event services provided do not meet the service levels required in the output specification, with ongoing performance being monitored by the schools and the PPP Company.
The school's Board of Management remains responsible for all matters associated with the day-to-day running of the school and with the delivery of educational services therein.
298. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of full-time and part-time teaching, clerical and maintenance staff that will be directly employed at the new Ardscoil na Mara campus in Tramore, County Waterford. [9426/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraTeacher allocations to all second level schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. The criteria for the allocation of posts are communicated to school management annually and are available on the Department website. In accordance with these rules each school management authority is required to organise its subject options within the limit of its approved teacher allocation. At post primary level and in accordance with existing arrangements, where a school management authority is unable to meet its curricular commitments within its approved allocation, my Department considers applications for additional short term support i.e., curricular concessions.
The allocation process also includes an appeals mechanism under which schools can appeal against the allocation due to them under the staffing schedules. The appeal procedures are set out in the published staffing arrangements. The Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.
The recruitment and appointment of teachers to fill teaching posts is a matter for the individual school authority, subject to procedures agreed under Section 24(3) of the Education Act 1998 (as amended by the Education (Amendment) Act 2012).
The deployment of teaching staff in the school, the range of subjects offered and ultimately the quality of teaching and learning are in the first instance a matter for the school management authorities.
The staffing and redeployment process for the 2014/15 school year is currently underway in my Department. The final staffing position for all schools at post primary level will ultimately not be known until the Autumn. At that stage the allocation process will be fully completed and any appeals to the Staffing Appeals Board will have been considered.
My Department will provide capitation funding to the school referred to by the Deputy for caretaking and secretarial services. The staff to be employed will be a matter for the Board of Management.
299. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will support a school (details supplied) in Dublin 5 regarding a grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9458/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department will continue to provide a book grant as usual to all primary schools. This grant, can be utilised for the purposes of updating or expanding a school's existing book rental scheme.
I want to commend all schools that have used it to help build up book rental schemes over the years and I am aware of the difficulties faced by schools in relation to these schemes. Their efforts mean that the high costs of school books is being significantly reduced for parents.
At my request, the National Parents' Council surveyed the views of their members in relation to currently operating book rental schemes. Parents have reported that where book rental schemes operate, they are open to all parents in 95% of cases, and that the cost per child is under €40 per year in a considerable majority of schools. Perhaps most tellingly, the survey has found that 93% of parents believe that book rental schemes help with the costs of educating a child.
Ensuring that book rental schemes are available to all parents must therefore clearly be our aim. I understand that it feels unfair to those schools who have invested time and money to establish such schemes, that they now cannot benefit from the additional funding which was secured as part of the Budget. Of course it is unfair, but equally, the status quo was deeply unfair on many parents and I am not currently in a position to re-examine the scheme. The parents who had no access whatsoever to book rental schemes needed more support.
With the limited funding available, I believe that targeting this funding - to make sure that every parent in Ireland has access to some level of a book rental scheme - was the greatest good that could be achieved. The Department is contacting primary schools that do not currently operate a book rental scheme to advise them of the application process.
The school referred to by the Deputy indicated in the Primary School Census 2013 that they currently operate a book rental/loan scheme and will not therefore qualify for funding.
300. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding student grants. [9463/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn order to meet the eligibility criteria for a grant a student must be attending an approved course as defined under Article 4 (c) of the Student Support Regulations 2013 and Section 7 (1) (e) of the Student Support Act 2011.
Regulation 4 (c) of the Student Support Regulations 2013 defines an approved undergraduate course as one which must be full-time, at least two years in duration, lead to a higher education award and must be pursued in an approved institution.
Section 7 (1) (e) of the Student Support Act 2011 defines an approved institution as an institution which is maintained or assisted by recurrent grants from public funds. The college which the student is attending does not meet the definition of an approved institution as defined in the Student Support Act 2011. I understand that SUSI is currently reviewing courses in this institution to ascertain eligibility under the Student Grant Scheme.
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 Grants Appeals Board. The relevant appeal form is available to download from http://www.studentfinance.ie/downloads/1375344221/2013_SGAB_appeal_form.pdf
301. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Skills the intake capacity of each secondary school in Dublin 16, 18 and 14 in 2014; the projected intake of these schools in the next five years; if he is satisfied that the projected population growth will be adequately catered for in these areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9518/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not set out minimum or maximum school capacities. At post-primary level, the Pupil Teacher Ratio is 19:1. However, post-primary schools generally have an extensive range of specialist rooms which, with time tabling, can positively impact capacity.
As part of my Department's Five Year School Building programme over 20 new post-primary schools are being established across the country to cater for increasing demographics. To meet projected demand in the Dublin 14, 16 and 18 areas, two of these schools will generally serve those areas. One of the schools will be a 500 pupil Gaelchóláiste. This is due to commence operation in September 2014. The other is a 1,000 pupil English medium post-primary school which is due to open in September 2016.
My Department continues to analyse demographic trends and to monitor enrolments in all areas to determine the level of additional school provision which will be required into the future and to ensure that this is provided in a timely manner.
302. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide in tabular form, the number of students attending primary schools in Dublin 16, 18, 14 in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9519/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of pupils enrolled in individual schools is provided in the National School Annual Census. Results from the Census for the current school year (2013/2014) are being finalised at present. Publication of all data at first level and a final list of schools and their enrolments will be on my Department's website by the end of the school year.
303. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 96 of 3 December 2013, the outcome of discussions between his Department and a school (details supplied) in Dublin 16 regarding the school accepting two junior infant classes in September 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9520/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials in my Department are in the process of arranging a meeting with the school authority in question. It is expected that this meeting will take place shortly.
304. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on the progress of the four primary schools in Dublin 16 and 18, listed on the five year programme for schools and planned to progress to construction in 2015/2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9524/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that a building project for one of the schools is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning. However, this is now subject to a third party appeal to An Bord Pleanála and the Department awaits the outcome.
My Department continues to work closely with Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council in relation to identifying and acquiring suitable sites for the provision of permanent accommodation for the other schools in Dublin 16 and 18 on the 2015/16 programme.
305. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a school (details supplied) in County Meath will have a teaching staff reduction from four to three. [9532/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe criteria used for the allocation of teachers to primary schools is published annually on the website of the Department of Education and Skills. The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30th September. The staffing arrangements for the 2014/15 school year (Circular 0007/2014) were published in January. The staffing schedule operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all similar types of schools equally irrespective of location. It currently operates on the basis of a general average of 1 classroom teacher for every 28 pupils with lower thresholds for DEIS Band 1 schools.
As part of the Budget 2012 decisions, there is a phased increase in the number of pupils required to gain and retain a classroom teaching post in small primary schools with four teachers or less. The first phase of the budget measure took effect from September 2012. The final phase of the budget measure takes effect from September 2014.
An appeals process is available to small schools which have had their staff number reduced as a result of the budget measure. A school with four classroom teachers or less which is losing a teacher or failed to gain an additional teacher as a result of the Budget 2012 measure can submit an appeal to the Primary Staffing Appeals Board.
The school referred to by the Deputy has submitted an appeal to the Primary Staffing Appeals Board. The Appeals Board will meet later this month and the school will be notified of the Board's decision in due course.
The Appeal Board operates independently of the Minister and the Department and its decision is final.
306. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his assessment of the number of persons qualifying as teachers compared to the number of teaching jobs available (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9540/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraTeaching resources are allocated to schools on a school year basis. Unlike most other areas of the public service teaching vacancies are being filled in accordance with published Department criteria. The Government has prioritised, as best as possible, the filling of front-line posts in the Education sector within the constraints of the Employment Control Framework. For example, schools are permitted to fill teaching vacancies that arise within their approved staffing allocations.
The redeployment of surplus permanent teachers is the first mechanism to fill teaching posts in schools. This is key to the ability of my Department to manage within its payroll budget and ceiling on teacher numbers. Thereafter, teaching posts are filled in the normal manner through the recruitment process at individual school level.
I acknowledge that the various budget measures that have taken place in recent years can limit the employment opportunities for newly qualified teachers. A number of measures have been taken to alleviate difficulties for newly qualified teachers. My Department has directed managerial authorities of schools to recruit unemployed teachers ahead of retired ones,and the JobBridge National Internship Scheme can provide newly qualified teachers with opportunities to gain experience and to undertake the necessary teaching duties to complete the process of probation.
The Teaching Council is the body with statutory responsibility for the procedures and criteria for the probation of teachers including periods of probation. In recent years, the minimum service requirement for probation purposes has been decreased from 170 days to 100 days. A newly qualified teacher who may not be able to complete the probationary requirements within the period specified by the Teaching Council may apply to the Council for an extension to the period allowed.
My Department is aware of the rising enrolments in schools both at Primary and Post Primary level and is forecasting an increase of more than 45,000 primary pupils and 25,000 post primary pupils by the start of the 2017 school year. I have already announced that 20 new primary and 20 post primary schools are to be built to meet those rising enrolments.
Alongside the building of infrastructure, we are also preparing for the need to have more teachers in the system. I have already asked the Teaching Council, the professional body for teachers, for advice on the matter of teacher supply and demand. The Council is currently preparing that advice with the overall goal of ensuring that there is timely information to inform the system generally and planning in my Department. I expect to receive an initial report from the Teaching Council later in the year.
307. Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department will re-examine the suitability of the proposed temporary location of a new all-Irish secondary school (details supplied); if his Department will consider locating this school closer to the catchment area to facilitate the pupils and their parents; when a decision on the permanent location of the school will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9554/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAccommodation arrangements for the school in question are currently being finalised and the Department expects to be in a position to provide the Patron with details shortly. Pending finalisation of this matter, I can confirm to the Deputy that the intended location is not as suggested in the details supplied.
308. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider Chinese as a language subject for the leaving certificate as Chinese is the most important language subject for employment today and into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9555/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is a range of languages available for the Leaving Certificate in our schools. In addition to English and Irish there are French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Japanese, Arabic and Latin. In addition there are also a suite of non-curricular languages such as Polish, Latvian and Lithuanian. There is a Chinese module available as an option for the transition year programme.
The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment is currently finalising a short course in Chinese language and culture for the new Junior Cycle, following its evaluation of submissions received as an outcome of a consultation process which finished last month.
At present it is not planned to include Chinese within the suite of languages available for Leaving Certificate students.
309. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on including computer programming as a leaving certificate subject; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9556/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt Senior Cycle, the NCCA is currently working on the revision of a significant number of Leaving Certificate subjects. The development of ICT skills across all subjects and aspects of teaching and learning is critical. Such skills are not just confined to particular Leaving Certificate subjects such as in the study of Design Communication and Graphics where it is a core component of learning but such skills are a core component of the students learning experience right across senior cycle. ICT is seen as a cross curricular tool which enhances the learning experience and is required by students in everyday life.
In the context of the revision of the senior cycle, there are no plans currently to introduce a discrete "computer programming" subject but the use of ICT. There are short courses in "digital media literacy" and "programming and coding" currently being finalised by the NCCA for the new junior cycle. In Transition Year there is an option in relation to Having Fun with Computer Programming and Games and, under the ICT Action Plan, this is being expanded nationally.
I would also note that the rollout of 100mbps high speed broadband to all post primary schools will be completed by this September.
310. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has made a decision regarding an application by a school (details supplied) in County Donegal under the summer works scheme 2014. [9562/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra311. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has made a decision regarding an application by a school (details supplied) under the summer works scheme 2014. [9563/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra312. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has made a decision regarding an application by a school (details supplied) in County Donegal under the summer works scheme 2014. [9564/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 310 to 312, inclusive, together.
I wish to advise the Deputy that commensurate with the level of funding available for the Summer Works Scheme, applications are currently being assessed on a top down basis in accordance with the prioritisation criteria outlined in the governing Circular Letter for the Scheme. This Circular Letter (59/2013) is available on my Department's website www.education.ie. It is my intention to publish a list of successful applicants in early 2014.
