Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 May 2014
64. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on the operation of the learner database and the information it holds; and the cost of running same. [20691/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Primary Online Database (POD) will replace the current annual census of primary schools, and will involve schools maintaining and returning data on pupils to the Department at individual pupil level on a live web-based system which is currently being developed by a project team in the Department. The database will allow the Department to more closely monitor and evaluate progress and outcomes of pupils at primary level, to validate school enrolment returns for grant payment and teacher allocation purposes and to follow up on pupils who do not make the transfer from primary to post primary level. The system is currently in development. A pilot is currently in operation, involving a small number of volunteer schools. The main population of the database with existing pupil data will take place during the 2014/2015 academic year and the database is scheduled to come fully into operation in the 2015/2016 academic year. Schools will access the database via the Esinet portal.
The database will hold individualised pupil level data on all primary school pupils including their PPSN, First Name, Surname, Name as per Birth Certificate, Mother's Maiden Name, Address, Date of Birth, Gender, Nationality, whether one of the pupil's mother tongues is English or Irish, whether the pupil is in receipt of an Exemption from Irish and if so the reason for same, whether the pupil is in receipt of Learning Support and if so the type of learning support, whether the pupil is in a Mainstream or Special Class. If the pupil is in a Special Class the database will also record the type of Special Need associated with the class and with the pupil. The database will also record the class grouping and standard the pupil is enrolled in. The database will also contain, on an optional basis, information on the pupil's religion and on their ethnic or cultural background. Note that parental/guardian consent will be required for these optional data items. The database will also hold information on DES centrally held school level data such as School Name, Address and Telephone Number. The cost accrued so far is €141,000 (€63,000 in 2013 and €78,000 to date in 2014).
