Written Answers Nos. 153-156
153. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 847 and 934 of 4 November 2014, her views on the process by which a newly qualified teacher who is unable to complete probation in the time period specified, may apply to the Teaching Council for an extension to that period; the number of qualified teachers who have applied for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43437/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter for the Teaching Council I am referring your question to the Council for early direct reply.
154. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills when payment in lieu will be made in respect of compensation for the loss of hours as working by a person (details supplied) in County Laois as a special needs assistant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43443/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for compensation for loss of hours from the person referred to by the Deputy was received by my Department in relation to a loss of hours with effect from 31 August 2014. Applications are being processed in date order of receipt and every effort is being made to process these applications as quickly as possible.
155. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason she instructed a school (details supplied) in Dublin to restrict priority enrolment to Dublin 2 and 4, in view of the fact that the school is seeking a permanent site in Dublin’s Docklands area; and her views on allowing the catchment area to extend to Dublin 1, in order not to discriminate against those resident in the north docklands area. [43449/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe criteria for the recognition of new schools specifies that a patron must confirm willingness to enrol children from the area for which the Department has identified the need for the school. The school in question was established to help meet the demographic increases in the general Dublin 2 and Dublin 4 areas.With regard to permanent accommodation, due to the commercially sensitive nature of site acquisitions generally it is not possible to give any indication of site location or other information at this time.
156. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding water charges (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43359/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing the completion of consultation in the matter with the Minister for Health, I have decided that Irish Water customers with high water consumption due to medical conditions will have their bills capped at the relevant assessed charge, on the basis of self-declaration of eligibility. This will apply even where a water meter has been installed and will ensure that those customers will not be liable for additional costs arising from their medical conditions. This is an inclusive approach and there is no list of qualifying medical conditions. There is no requirement for the customers to state on the Irish Water application form the particular medical condition giving rise to the need to use additional water. Customers simply need to request the registration form and information on special and priority services from Irish Water. Those who have already completed the application form but who did not request the additional registration form should make contact with Irish Water.
To ensure that the scheme is not subject to abuse, Irish Water may selectively audit a customer’s circumstances, including requiring supporting evidence from a medical practitioner and it may also investigate instances of high usage to determine if there is other water use or leakage at the property.
Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. They may be contacted via email at oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on 1890 578 578.
