Jonathan O'Brien
Ceist:86. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on the review of the deed of trust for community schools. [20548/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool Patronage
Ceisteanna (86)
Freagraí scríofa
A working group to review the Deed of Trust for Community Schools was established in 2011. The purpose of this review was to consider changes that may be required in the Deed of Trust of Community Schools to reflect legislative and other developments that have occurred since it was first developed. A number of meetings of the group have taken place and good progress has been made in identifying a number of practical changes and updates to be made. However, due to other work pressures within my Department, it has not yet been possible to finalise this review.
Departmental Programmes
Ceisteanna (87)
Jonathan O'Brien
Ceist:87. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools which currently have a Droichead programme; and the number of students participating in same. [20549/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Teaching Council is piloting a new model of induction and probation for newly qualified teachers (NQTs). This new model is called Droichead and it is a pilot project which will run from 2013 to 2016 and is being independently researched by the ESRI (Economic and Social Research Institute). Training for Professional Support Teams (PST) involved in the Droichead pilot, at school level, is provided by the National Induction Programme for Teachers (NIPT). Droichead is grounded in the belief that the people best placed to conduct the formal welcome into the profession are experienced fellow professionals, who know what is involved in teaching and learning in their school. These fellow professionals will themselves be supported through the provision of a range of structures and resources.
There are 52 participating schools in the current academic year - 12 at Primary and 40 at Post Primary. The number of Newly Qualified Teachers (NQTs) involved in the process is 76, 21 of these at Primary and 55 at Post Primary. So far for the next academic year of 2014/15 there are expressions of interest in the Project from 38 Primary Schools and 18 Post Primary Schools.
Work Placement Programmes
Ceisteanna (88)
Jonathan O'Brien
Ceist:88. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of persons who have participated in work placement programmes in schools; the positions they undertook in the WPPs; their pay and conditions; the number of schools that have availed of it; and the number of WPP teaching staff allowed in an individual school at a time during each year since it was introduced. [20550/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Work Placement Programmes (FAS WPP1 for graduates and WPP2 for non-graduates), along with the JobBridge National Internship Scheme, are operated and managed by the Department of Social Protection. These schemes provide an opportunity for the exchange of expertise and experience between the host organisation and those in a placement/internship. An internship/placement may provide a newly qualified teacher with the opportunity to gain experience in an existing class in order to allow him or her to undergo the probation process and so become registered without conditions with the Teaching Council.
Circular Letter 66/2010, issued by my Department in relation to the WPP in November 2010, and circular letter 46/2011, issued by my Department in relation to JobBridge in October 2011, permitted schools to participate should they so wish. The information sought by the Deputy has been requested from the Department of Social Protection and will be furnished to the Deputy on receipt.
Departmental Inquiries
Ceisteanna (89)
Jonathan O'Brien
Ceist:89. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of actions initiated by him under section 105 of the Vocational Education Act 1930 since he came to office. [20551/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I have initiated two inquiries under section 105 of the Vocational Education Act, 1930, since my appointment as Minister for Education and Skills. The Deputy should note that following the commencement of the Education and Training Boards Act, 2013, all of the previous legislation concerning Vocational Education Committees have been repealed, including the VEC Act of 1930. However, section 68 of the ETB 2013 Act provides that an inquiry commenced but not determined under section 105 of the VEC Act of 1930 immediately before commencement of section 4(1) of the ETB Act in so far as that commencement relates to the repeal of section 105 shall, upon the repeal of those provisions, be continued as if those provisions had not been repealed. The two section 105 inquiries initiated during my term of office are continuing.
Home Tuition Scheme Provision
Ceisteanna (90, 91, 92)
Jonathan O'Brien
Ceist:90. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of children educated under the home tuition scheme during 2013-14; the number of these currently waiting for an education placement; and the number of these who are receiving early education intervention for preschool children with autism. [20552/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraJonathan O'Brien
Ceist:91. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the qualification criteria required to be a tutor to a child under the home tuition scheme. [20553/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraJonathan O'Brien
Ceist:92. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the level of funding given to the home tuition scheme during each of year since 2010. [20554/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 90 to 92, inclusive, together.
The Deputy will be aware that the purpose of the Home Tuition Scheme is to provide a compensatory educational service for children who, for a number of reasons such as chronic illness, are unable to attend school. The scheme also provides a compensatory educational service for children awaiting a suitable educational placement and for early intervention for children with autism. My Department's preference is that all home tutors are fully qualified teachers who are registered with the Teaching Council of Ireland. When it is not possible to recruit a fully qualified teacher then consideration will be given to the engagement of a tutor who is registered with the Teaching Council and has a primary degree (minimum level 7 FETAC) in a relevant area including e.g. psychology. Full details of the list of acceptable alternative qualifications are set out in Circular 0006/2013 on www.education.gov.ie. The information sought by the Deputy on the number of children educated under the home tuition scheme during 2013/14; the number of these currently waiting for an education placement; the number of these who are receiving early education intervention for pre-school children with autism and the level of funding for home tuition since 2010 is not readily available in the format requested. However, my officials are currently compiling this information which will be forwarded directly to the Deputy.