Written Answers Nos. 114-130
114. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills to outline the provision that has been made for the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment to implement reform of the junior certificate curriculum. [10895/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe object of the NCCA, as set out in section 41 (1) (a) and (b) of the Education Act 1998, is to advise me on matters relating to the curriculum for early childhood education, primary and post-primary schools, and the assessment procedures employed in schools and examinations on subjects that are part of the curriculum.
It is the Department's role to oversee the implementation of the reform of the Junior Cycle. My Department established an Education Partners Consultation Group in September 2012 to provide all the education stakeholders with a formal medium for assisting in the planning of the phased implementation of the Junior Cycle.
Bi-lateral meetings have been held between Union representatives and senior Department officials since Autumn of 2013.
I established a National Working Group on Junior Cycle Reform in January this year. The Working Group, with its three sub groups, provides a forum where the concerns of the partners are heard. Assessment, CPD and resources are the three key areas being addressed. Through currently ongoing dialogue, the concerns are being raised and will be addressed so as to enable the successful implementation of the Junior Cycle to proceed over the next number of years.
I have asked that a report be provided to me by mid-May on the findings of the National Working Group.
115. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills to outline the professional advice, best practice or research on which he has based his reforms of the junior certificate programme. [10896/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe new Junior Cycle is based on the advice provided by the National Council for Curriculum Assessment which, in turn, was based on a range of research carried out for it.
The NCCA documentation on junior cycle development was in part based, among other sources, on the following sources. It was based on the commissioned research reports from the ESRI's longitudinal study of the experience of students in post-primary schooling and beyond, in particular the volumes Moving Up: The experiences of First Year Students in Post-Primary School Pathways through the Junior Cycle Gearing Up for the Exam: The Experience of Junior Certificate Students No Way Back? The Dynamics of Early School Leaving Choices and Challenges: Moving from Junior Cycle to Senior Cycle Education Behind the Scenes? A Study of Parental Involvement in Post-Primary Education.
It was based on a commissioned research study on 'Wellbeing and Post-Primary Schooling: A review of the literature and research' by Dr. Maeve O'Brien and the Human Development Team of St. Patrick's College, Dublin.
It was based on a commissioned research study on international experiences of Standardised Testing in Lower Secondary Education by the Educational Research Centre, Dublin.
It was based on a commissioned research report from on Curriculum Structures and Stages in Education: Audit of Policy Across Jurisdictions by the National Foundation for Educational Research (UK).
In addition, the background work on NCCA documentation involved investigation of international developments in lower secondary education in the OECD countries and specifically in countries/jurisdictions such as Scotland, Northern Ireland, New Zealand, The Netherlands, Finland, Canada and Australia.
118. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if will provide funding under the book rental scheme to a DEIS band 2 school (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10902/14]
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.
119. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills to detail the implications for agencies funded by his Department which fail to comply with consolidated public sector pay scales by continuing to make top-up payments to staff; when he expects this issue to be definitively resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10913/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe questions posed in this PQ allow for two separate matters to come under consideration and I will deal with each in turn.
Firstly, it is a feature of public service employment that sanctioned allowances may be payable for the carrying out of additional duties and/or for the carrying out of duties or functions of a higher level. The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform undertook a thorough examination of the payment of all allowances in the public sector during 2012. Following this review of allowances, the Government approved a number of measures relating to public service allowances for new beneficiaries.
Subsequent to this review, the matter of allowances payable in the Education sector was the subject of an in-depth consideration by the Committee of Public Accounts (PAC) at its hearing on 24 October 2012. All of the relevant material in respect of all allowances payable in the Education sector was provided to the Committee, as part of this examination, and I understand that this material is still available on the PAC's website.
Secondly, there is the issue of compliance with public sector pay policy which has been raised by the Committee of Public Accounts arising from the Committee's current examination of remuneration practices in Section 38 Agencies in the Health Sector. The Committee wrote to all Accounting Officers, including the Secretary General of my Department who is the Accounting Officer for the Education sector, to seek assurances that public sector employees are in compliance with public pay policy and the Education sector Accounting Officer will respond to this letter in due course.
120. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department has considered the application by a college (details supplied) in County Sligo for capital funding to provide a link building at the campus at Lough Gill, Sligo, to facilitate legal obligations relating to universal access and health and safety regulations for students and staff alike; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10930/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is in receipt of documentation regarding the provision of a link building extension at the College referred to by the Deputy.
Such capital resources as are available to my Department must be prioritised to deliver school places. This is the conclusion that the Government came to in deciding on the capital envelope to be made available to the Department for the years 2012 to 2016 in November 2011. In effect the education capital budget targets addressing the provision of much needed school places due to the extensive demographic growth and extends only to meeting commitments that existed in the higher education sector in November 2011. The exception to this latter position relates to the advancement of the Grangegorman project which is being progressed through the Public Private Partnership process as part of the Economic Stimulus Plan as announced in July 2012.
121. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Education and Skills to set out the position regarding a facility (details supplied) in County Dublin; the timeframe for when repairs will be carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10939/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe facility referred to by the Deputy is in the ownership of Dublin and Dun Laoghaire Education & Training Board (DDLETB).
The ETB has advised my Department that it has had ongoing discussions with Fingal County Council on the possibility of reinstating the pitch to the most risk averse level in the context of future flooding event(s). The ETB has recently agreed with the Council a brief for a report from a specialist consultant which includes the undertaking of a level 3 flood assessment. This report is due to be completed shortly. On receipt of the report, the ETB will review the situation with Fingal County Council and will then revert to my Department.
In the interim, however, it is not possible to provide a timeframe for when the repairs will be carried out.
123. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Skills when he will enact in full the provisions of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10982/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that a significant number of sections of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act have been commenced, principally those establishing the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) and those promoting an inclusive approach to the education of children with special educational needs.
In light of the very difficult economic situation and the significant costs involved, the previous Government deferred the full implementation of EPSEN.
In 2012, my Department requested the NCSE to provide policy advice on how the education system can best support children with special educational needs.
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. Whereas the report recommends that the EPSEN Act be fully implemented as soon as possible, the report also states that the NCSE recognises that the current economic climate makes it unlikely that the Government will be able to implement this recommendation in the short to medium term. While awaiting the full implementation of the EPSEN Act, the NCSE has made a number of recommendations aimed at developing a better or more effective alternative to the current resource allocation model, which aims to move the system towards ultimate implementation of the EPSEN Act.
The NCSE have, as recommended in the policy advice, established a Working Group to develop a proposal, for consideration, for a new model for the allocation of teaching supports for children with Special Educational Needs, based on the educational profile of a school.
The Working Group will report its findings before the end of Spring 2014.
125. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to detail the steps he has taken to implement the recommendations of the Moriarty tribunal since its publication almost three years ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10355/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe second report of the Moriarty Tribunal (March 2011) contains one recommendation (62.15) directly relevant to my area of responsibilities - that office holders should be able to elect voluntarily to have their financial affairs audited by the Standards Commission. This affects the Ethics Acts 1995-2001.
Following the publication of the Final Report of the Mahon Tribunal in March 2012, I announced a comprehensive review of how the existing ethics legislation should be reformed to ensure a single, comprehensive legislative framework grounded on a clear and comprehensive set of principles is developed. In that context, I am considering, in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, the appropriate approach to the implementation of the relevant recommendations of the Moriarty and Mahon Tribunals. Drafting of the general scheme of a Bill to overhaul the current ethics framework is now at an advanced stage.
126. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Office of Public Works is considering removing the large build-up of silt and vegetation in parts of the River Liffey to improve the capacity of the river during floods; if so, whether he will outline those plans; if not, whether he will give such a proposal consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10388/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Office of Public Works does not have responsibility for the maintenance of the River Liffey. This is primarily a matter for the riparian owners.
The Office of Public Works (OPW) with its technical consultants, is currently undertaking the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme, in partnership with local authorities and other stakeholders. This is a strategic approach that recognises the need, in line with international best practice, to move to a more sustainable, planned and risk-based approach to dealing with flooding problems.
The CFRAM Studies are comprehensive catchment-based studies through which, following public consultation, detailed flood maps are produced and flood risk management measures are assessed and taken to outline design. These measures will be prioritised and set out in a Flood Risk Management Plan. More information on the Programme is available on www.cfram.ie.
The River Liffey is being assessed as part of the Eastern CFRAM study and the main trunk of the river from Poulaphouca down to the sea, through Dublin City, is being modelled, including a number of tributaries. The areas of significant flood risk, described within the Programme as Areas for Further Assessment (AFAs, along the main trunk which are being assessed in detail are Newbridge, Clane, Celbridge, Leixlip, Lucan to Chapelizod, and Dublin. Under the study the flood maps are based on the conditions in the river as surveyed, and so include the existing river bed levels. Culverts, etc, are modelled as unblocked (ie clear of debris). As part of the study, it is intended to undertake a high level screening exercise to identify culverts at high potential risk of blockage by debris. If silting, debris or vegetation are determined to be contributory factors in increased flood risk on the river then this will be considered in the risk management plan produced under the CFRAM study. More information on the study is available on www.eastcframstudy.ie.
In addition, the ESB has a significant role in controlling water flows and potential flooding on the River Liffey as part of its management procedures for Poulaphouca Dam. The ESB is a member of the CFRAM Programme stakeholder group and any options for flood risk management arising from the Eastern CFRAM study will have to take account of ESB operational procedures.
127. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform whether it is a requirement for all policy review groups to conduct a regulatory impact analysis prior to submitting recommendations which require legislative changes. [10781/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraRegulatory impact analysis (RIA) is a tool used by Departments to assess the costs, benefits and qualitative impacts of regulatory proposals. The use of RIAs has been mandatory in relation to proposals for primary legislation as well as significant secondary legislation and EU regulations since 2005. Individual Departments have responsibility for conducting and preparing RIAs.
The criteria for the development of RIAs are set out comprehensively in the Revised RIA Guidelines (2009), published by the Department of the Taoiseach on its website. These guidelines state that the work of policy review groups should include a RIA where primary legislation or significant regulatory change is being proposed. The level of detail required and the depth of the analytical approach depends on the significance of the proposal.
128. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to outline the position regarding funding and construction of a new flood relief scheme (details supplied) in County Cork; the progress that has been made to date; if he will provide a prospective timeline of when he expects work on the scheme to get under way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10364/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraA potential preferred option for a flood relief scheme for Clonakilty was identified as part of the South West Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) study.
Engineering and environmental consultants have recently been appointed to take the Scheme forward to construction. The Steering Group for the project, consisting of representatives of the Office of Public Works (OPW), Cork County Council and the consultants, is due to meet on 6th March 2014. It is envisaged that a Public Information Day will be held in the Summer when the members of the public can give their views on the direction the Scheme is taking.
The OPW has provided for the Scheme in its multi-annual profiles of expenditure up to 2016.
129. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he is considering an extension of the grace period from 1 July 2013 to 31 August 2014 as it applies to those retiring from the public service; when he expects to make a decision on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10411/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraSubsection (1)(b)(ii) of section 9 of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2013, enables me, as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, to extend the "grace period" during which pension awards to persons who retire from public service jobs are calculated without regard, in particular, to the pay reductions applied under that Act. This period is currently due to expire on 31 August 2014. On foot of requests seeking an extension to the grace period, I will, as required under the legislation, take account of legal, superannuation and personnel management issues across the public service, and consult as appropriate. I would expect to have completed my considerations shortly.
130. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when he expects work to start on increasing the attenuation capacity of the Tymon Park ponds to address flood issues on the River Poddle; the reason for the delay in the works; when part 8 planning permission will be sought; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10451/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe proposed attenuation works in Tymon Park were part of the overall draft options for dealing with flood risk on the River Poddle identified under an accelerated procedure of the East Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) study and on which the public were consulted in June 2013. It has taken longer than advised by the CFRAM consultants to complete their report on the proposed scheme but this has now been received and is being assessed by the Office of Public Works (OPW). South Dublin County Council will be in a position shortly therefore to commence the detailed design of the works and to take the proposed scheme forward through the Planning process.
Pending the commencement of the works proposed under the CFRAM study the following works have been carried out by South Dublin County Council in the river Poddle to alleviate flood risk: Three new screens on the Poddle have been installed at Wainsfort Manor, Kimmage Manor and at St Anne's Estate. Cameras have been installed at Kimmage Manor and Wainsfort to allow remote monitoring. The river bed and banks have been cleaned from Tymon Park to Kimmage Manor and on down to Kimmage Road West to improve flood and reduced the amount of material washed onto the screens during high flow conditions.
