Written Answers Nos. 127-131
127. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Skills the percentage of leaving certificate students doing higher level subjects by subject in the country, in particular the number doing higher level maths; the progress and increased pick up by students doing honours maths; the steps she will take to increase that number; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39505/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the 2014 Leaving Certificate, 27.3% of Mathematics candidates opted to sit for the Higher Level Mathematics Paper. This figure is up from 15.8% in 2011. This significant increase is attributed to the introduction of new Leaving Certificate Mathematics specification, combined with the availability of 25 bonus points now on offer for candidates who achieve a Grade D or higher. The target participation rate, as set out in the Literacy and Numeracy Strategy ( 2011), is 30% opting for Higher Level Leaving Certificate Mathematics by 2020. I believe that this is achievable. There has also been a focussed initiative to provide continuous professional development to Mathematics teachers to ensure that they are confident in implementing the new specifications, not only at Leaving Certificate but also at Junior Cycle. Detailed national statistics on all examination subjects are available on the website of the State Examinations Commission, www.examinations.ie
128. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of 16 year olds and the number of 17 year olds currently not in full-time education. [39507/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information that the deputy seeks is not available. The following spreadsheet which shows the number of 16 and 17 year olds in full time education. I also include a link to a Department of Education and Skills Report on Early Leavers from Post-Primary schools –pupils enrolled in 2009/2010 and not in 2010/2011. http://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Statistics/Early-Leavers-What-Next-.pdf
TABLE 1.2 - NUMBER OF PERSONS RECEIVING FULL-TIME EDUCATION BY AGE AND TYPE OF INSTITUTION ATTENDED — MALES & FEMALES (2013-2014)
|
AGE ( ON 1st JANUARY) |
||
|
Type of Institution |
16 |
17 |
|
FIRST LEVEL |
||
|
Aided by Dep. of Ed. |
||
|
National Schools: |
||
|
Pupils in Mainstream Classes |
0 |
0 |
|
Pupils in Special Schools |
730 |
630 |
|
Pupils with special needs in Mainstream N.S. |
0 |
0 |
|
Non-Aided Primary |
0 |
0 |
|
Total-First Level |
730 |
630 |
|
of which aided by Dept of Ed |
730 |
630 |
|
M/S aided schools, including sn classes |
0 |
0 |
|
SECOND LEVEL TOTALS by sector |
||
|
Secondary |
33,065 |
28,741 |
|
Vocational |
15,371 |
14,050 |
|
Community & Comprehensive |
9,961 |
8,379 |
|
SECOND LEVEL |
||
|
AIDED BY THE DEPT. OF EDUCATION |
||
|
Junior Cycle |
||
|
Secondary |
798 |
64 |
|
Vocational |
685 |
45 |
|
Community & Comprehensive |
332 |
19 |
|
Senior Cycle |
||
|
Secondary |
32,266 |
28,620 |
|
Vocational |
14,665 |
12,155 |
|
Community & Comprehensive |
9,626 |
8,255 |
|
PLC |
||
|
Secondary |
1 |
57 |
|
Vocational |
21 |
1,850 |
|
Community & Comprehensive |
3 |
105 |
|
Aided by Other Depts. (Agriculture, Defence) |
0 |
67 |
|
Non-Aided / Commercial |
81 |
258 |
|
TOTAL-Second Level |
58,478 |
51,495 |
|
of which aided by Dept of Ed |
58,397 |
51,170 |
|
THIRD LEVEL |
||
|
Aided by Dept.of Education |
||
|
University sector |
0 |
914 |
|
Technology sector |
0 |
1,035 |
|
Teacher education colleges |
0 |
110 |
|
Other aided institutions |
0 |
5 |
|
Aided by Other Departments (Justice, Defence) |
0 |
0 |
|
Non-Aided: |
||
|
Religious institutions |
0 |
0 |
|
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland |
0 |
2 |
|
Other Non-aided colleges |
0 |
0 |
|
TOTAL - Third Level |
0 |
2,066 |
|
of which aided by Dept of Ed |
0 |
2,064 |
|
GRAND TOTAL |
59,208 |
54,191 |
|
of which aided by Dept of Ed |
59,127 |
53,864 |
129. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the education and training boards who have notified her or her Department of their intention to apply for overdraft facilities; the stage at which these processes are currently; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39508/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 49 of the Education and Training Boards Act, 2013, confers a power of borrowing on an Education and Training Board (ETB), subject to the submission of a proposal to the Board, and if approved in principle by the Board, to the Minister for Education and Skills for approval. My Department has issued Circular 0066/2014 to ETB, concerning the procedures to be followed where an ETB wishes to obtain the approval of the Minister to borrow. A copy of the circular is set out for the Deputy's information.
Overdraft facilities should be avoided except for limited periods to meet short term cash-flow situations. They are not to be used for capital expenditure and cannot be used to extend an ETB's expenditure and commitments over and above the amounts authorised by my Department.
In the current year Cavan and Monaghan ETB; Laois and Offaly ETB; Galway and Roscommon ETB and Kerry ETB have sought and obtained approval for borrowing from my Department.
Circular 0066/2014
BOO – Airgeadas agus Pearsanra Riaracháin
An Roinn Oideachais agus Scileanna
Cor na Madadh
Baile Átha Luain
Co. na hIarmhí
ETB Financial and Administrative Personnel
Department of Education and Skills
Cornamaddy
Athlone
Co. Westmeath
Circular 0066/2014
To the Chief Executives and Chairpersons of Education and Training Boards
Procedures for Borrowing by Education and Training Boards
The power to borrow money is a reserved function of an ETB Board. Section 49 of the Education and Training Boards Act 2013 sets out the procedures to be followed, which are summarised as follows:
1. The Chief Executive prepares and submits a proposal in writing to the Board that the Board should borrow for the purposes of carrying out the board’s functions.
2. The Board considers the proposal and then, if it is decided in principle that the proposal should be accepted, seeks the consent of the Minister for Education and Skills.
3. Once the consent of the Minister has been obtained, the Board may accept the Chief Executive’s proposal and borrow in order to carry out the functions of the board
Accordingly, two meetings of the Board will be necessary; one to first consider the proposal and, if it is decided in principle that the proposal should be accepted, a second to accept the proposal, having obtained the consent of the Minister.
This Circular should be read in conjunction with Section 49 of the Act.
This circular can be accessed on the Department of Education and Skills web page: www.education.ie.
Any queries regarding this circular letter should be addressed to ETB Financial and Administrative Personnel Section (Tel: 09064 83769, Fax: 09064 84058, Email: financialetb@education.gov.ie ).
_____________
Matthew Ryan
Principal Officer
Schools Division
August 2014
130. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the use of the captive bolt is either in practise or permitted in dog pounds. [39338/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra131. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there is a ministerial guideline on the killing of dogs in pounds. [39339/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 130 and 131 together.
The operation of the Control of Dogs Act, 1986, including the establishment and maintenance of shelters for dogs and the destruction of dogs in a shelter in a humane manner is a matter for the relevant local authority.
No ministerial guidelines have issued in relation to the issue outlined.
