Written Answers Nos. 198-204
198. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will report on the status of research commissioned by her Department in relation to DEIS policy; and her position on whether this will result in the allocation of additional resources for DEIS schools. [39612/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, the DEIS programme is the subject of ongoing evaluation by both the Educational Research Centre and my Department's Inspectorate who have produced a series of evaluation reports to date, (copies of which are available on my Department's website). I have also recently commissioned a further overall report in relation to DEIS to provide recommendations for a renewal of Government policy in relation to educational disadvantage, including DEIS. Work on this report is currently underway. The current focus of my Department is on this ongoing evaluation and distilling the learning from the research to date while awaiting the outcome of the aforementioned report. My key priority is to continue to prioritise and target resources at schools with the most concentrated levels of disadvantage and there are no plans for any additionality to the DEIS programme at this time.
199. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason special needs assistants do not qualify for flat rate expenses, which apply to all other grades in education. [39633/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraSpecial Need Assistants (SNA's) are employed by schools or Education and Training Boards. The terms of employment of SNA's are in accordance with agreements reached between school management authorities and the relevant Trade Unions representing SNA's.
200. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a DEIS project (details supplied) in Dublin 17; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39635/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe details supplied by the Deputy consist of a comprehensive submission in relation to the future of DEIS. As the deputy may be aware, the DEIS programme is the subject of ongoing evaluation by both the Educational Research Centre and my Department's Inspectorate who have produced a series of evaluation reports to date, (copies of which are available on my Department's website). I have also recently commissioned a further overall report in relation to DEIS to provide recommendations for a renewal of Government policy in relation to educational disadvantage, including DEIS. Work on this report is currently underway. I appreciate the time taken in preparing the document supplied by Deputy McGrath and I have asked the relevant officials of my Department to consider the points made in it in the context of future policy initiatives in this area.
201. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna cén fath ar diúltaíodh deontas a cheadú le hoibreacha a dhéanamh ar scoil (sonraí le seo) agus le síneadh a chur leis an scoil atá ag teastáil go práinneach; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [39667/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIs féidir liom a dheimhniú gur chuir an scoil dá dtagraíonn an Teachta iarratas faoi bhráid ar rangsheomra príomhshrutha breise. Tá 3 rangsheomra príomhshrutha ar fáil don scoil 3 rangsheomra seo. Mar is eol don Teachta, is é is cuspóir thar gach ní eile ag mo Roinnse ná a chinntiú go mbíonn rochtain ag gach páiste ar ionad fisiciúil scoile agus go mbíonn ar chumas ár gcóras scoile fónamh ar líonta méadaitheacha daltaí. Is éard a bheidh mar phríomhfhócas don infheistíocht chaipitil i scoileanna sna blianta amach romhainn ná tionscadail mhóra scoile a sheachadadh chun freastal go náisiúnta ar éilimh shuntasacha déimeagrafacha. Sa chomhthéacs sin, níor cheadaigh mo Roinnse cóiríocht bhreise don scoil dá dtagraítear. Mar sin féin, breithneoidh mo Roinn iarratais ar mhaoiniú déabhlóidithe ó scoileanna aonair chun freastal ar riachtanas láithreach cóiríochta de bharr rolluithe méadaitheacha áit a bhfuil múinteoir breise á cheapadh. Is féidir leis an scoil i gceist iarratas a chur faoi bhráid ar chóiríocht bhreise más rud é go mbíonn múinteoir breise ceaptha.
202. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 502 of 7 October 2014, if she will meet with a delegation from a school (details supplied) in County Clare in relation to funding a general practitioner room-physical education facility in conjunction with a current project under construction; if she will revert with a date as soon as possible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39672/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, in relation to the school's request for a PE hall, due to the competing demands on my Department's capital budget imposed by the need to prioritise the limited funding available for the provision of essential additional school accommodation to meet increasing demographic requirements, it is not possible to provide for a PE Hall at this time. As previously advised, my Department will retain the school's application on file in the context of any future funding becoming available. In that context, I do not consider that convening a meeting as proposed would be beneficial at this time. The Deputy will be aware however, that my Department sanctioned a devolved grant to the school in question in March, 2012 that will provide 8 permanent mainstream classrooms and substantial ancillary accommodation, which when completed will significantly enhance the school's facilities.
203. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans on making a child care allowance available to persons attending university access courses in a way similar to the way a child care allowance is paid on SOLAS organised courses and plc courses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39683/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraChildcare support was introduced in the late 1990s as a way of providing assistance to people participating on specific Further Education programmes who faced barriers returning to education. In 2010, this programme was restructured into the Childcare Education and Training Scheme (CETS) administered by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. It is not intended to extend the scheme further at this point. The Student Assistant Fund (SAF) is managed at local level by the Access/Student Services Office in higher education institutions. The objective of the SAF is to provide financial assistance for full-time higher education students who are experiencing financial difficulties whilst attending college. This includes students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds with ongoing needs for financial support, as well as students with other circumstances giving rise to short or longer-term financial difficulties, including family responsibilities, bereavement, family difficulties, accidents or health problems. It is open to full-time registered students on courses of not less than one year's duration leading to an undergraduate or postgraduate qualification. The Fund is not open to students on access courses. The provision of crèche facilities in third level institutions is a matter for the institutions as part of their services to students. Information on the creche facilities provided is available from the individual institutions.
204. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application by a school (details supplied) in County Galway for a replacement school building; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39693/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy that the schools in question submitted major capital applications for extension/refurbishment to my Department. My Department has been liaising with the school authorities regarding the schools long term projected enrolments (LTPE) and a revised LTPE for each school has recently been agreed. The Schedules of Accommodation have also recently been finalised. This will shortly be followed up with a site visit to the schools in question. Once the site visit has been completed the projects concerned will be considered for progression into the architectural planning process. As the Deputy will understand, due to the competing demands on my Department's capital budget imposed by the need to prioritise the limited funding available for the provision of essential additional school accommodation to meet increasing demographic requirements, it is not possible at this point to provide an indicative timeframe for the provision of an extension to the schools in question.
