Written Answers Nos. 471 - 484
471. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will support a Student Universal Support Ireland application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44133/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of a comprehensive customer service and communications strategy provided by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI), to ensure that all necessary avenues are open to applicants to receive the information they need, a dedicated email and phone line service is provided by SUSI for Oireachtas members. This was established to meet an identified need for applicants who choose to engage the assistance of their public representatives in making enquiries about their grant applications. This service compliments the established channels provided by SUSI which include online application tracking, a dedicated website, a telephone helpdesk, email and social media, including Facebook and Twitter.
Enquiries may be e-mailed direct to SUSI at oireachtas@susi.ie. SUSI are responding to email queries within a matter of days. I understand from information provided by the Deputy that the financial circumstances of the family referred to changed in 2014. As the Deputy may be aware, Article 32 of the Student Grant Scheme allows for the review of eligibility during the academic year if there is a permanent change in circumstances, relating to a number of events, including a drop in reckonable income which is likely to obtain for the duration of the approved course or for the foreseeable future. The link in relation to requesting a review of a student application is http://www.susi.ie/QuickLinks/Appealing-your-grant-decision.aspx. If an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a student grant, or that the rate of grant awarded is not the correct one, she/he may appeal, in the first instance, to SUSI. Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down in writing by SUSI and remains of the view that the scheme has not been interpreted correctly in his/her case, an appeal form outlining the position may be submitted by the applicant to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board.
472. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the correct level of higher education grant payable in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44161/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of a comprehensive customer service and communications strategy provided by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI), to ensure that all necessary avenues are open to applicants to receive the information they need, a dedicated email and phone line service is provided by SUSI for Oireachtas members. This was established to meet an identified need for applicants who choose to engage the assistance of their public representatives in making enquiries about their grant applications. This service compliments the established channels provided by SUSI which include online application tracking, a dedicated website, a telephone helpdesk, email and social media, including Facebook and Twitter.
Enquiries may be emailed direct to SUSI at oireachtas@susi.ie. SUSI are responding to email queries within a matter of days. If an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a student grant, or that the rate of grant awarded is not the correct one, she/he may appeal, in the first instance, to SUSI. Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down in writing by SUSI and remains of the view that the scheme has not been interpreted correctly in his/her case, an appeal form outlining the position may be submitted by the applicant to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board.
473. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the autonomy schools have to set their own enrolment policy; if there are national guidelines or rules around enrolment policies; the circumstances in which the Department may intervene if a suitable school place cannot be secured for a child in their local community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44172/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998. In this regard a Board of Management may find it necessary to restrict enrolment to children from a particular area or a particular age group or on the basis of some other criterion. The criteria to be applied by schools in such circumstances are a matter for the schools themselves. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. Under section 15(2)(d) of the Education Act 1998, each school is legally obliged to publish its enrolment policy. Equality legislation, which also outlaws discrimination in relation to the admission of a student, makes provision for exemptions to apply in the case of single sex schools and in the case of schools where the objective is to provide education in an environment that promotes certain religious values. The legislation provides that any school that has this objective may admit a student of a particular religious denomination in preference to other students. Section 29 of the Education Act 1998, provides parents with an appeal process where a board of management of a school or a person acting on behalf of the Board refuses enrolment to a student. Where a school refuses to enrol a pupil, the school is obliged to inform parents of their right under Section 29 of the Education Act 1998 to appeal that decision to either the relevant Educational Training Board or to the Secretary General of my Department. The Child and Family Agency, is the statutory agency which can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The Agency can be contacted at 01 6352854 or by E-mail at info@tusla.ie.
The Deputy may be aware that the Government gave approval in March of this year for drafting the Education (Admission to Schools) Bill 2014 and drafting is currently underway. The objective of the Admission to Schools Bill is to provide an over-arching framework to ensure that how schools decide on who is enrolled and who is refused a place in schools is more structured, fair and transparent. A key objective in designing the framework is to create greater confidence for parents that the admission criteria laid down by schools are legitimate, reasonable and fair.
474. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to fully utilise the educational facilities at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44174/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that there are two national schools located on the campus in question. In that regard, my Department has not received a proposal from the Patron for the amalgamation of the schools concerned. As the Deputy will be aware, the decision making authority for any amalgamation belongs to the Patron of a school, subject to the approval of the Minister for Education and Skills. The initiative for any amalgamation may come from a variety of sources, such as parents, staff, Board of Management and patron(s). Any decisions to amalgamate schools will be voluntary and follow decisions taken at a local level. In the case of any proposal made in relation to school accommodation, my Department's approach would be to ensure that sufficient accommodation is preserved for current and future educational needs.
475. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills the costs of the proposed amalgamation of Cork Institute of Technology and Waterford Institute of Technology to date; if there is a separate budget and timeframe for the process in each institute of technology; her views on the governance structure at WIT; her further views on the level of debt at WIT; if there is a breakdown of the debt levels at WIT; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44183/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra476. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills the costs to date of the proposed amalgamation of Cork Institute of Technology and Tralee Institute of Technology; if there is a specific budget for this work; the timeframe for completion of the project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44187/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 475 and 476 together.
Information to answer all aspects of this question is being compiled at present by the Higher Education Authority and a further response will issue to the Deputy.
477. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reasons counselling psychologists are not included in her Department's list of mental health professionals from whom reports may be accepted by the National Council for Special Education; if her Department will review it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44223/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for the provision of a range of educational services at local and national level for students with special educational needs.
This responsibility includes planning and co-ordinating the provision of education and support services to children with special educational needs. Each SENO works in an assigned local area with parents, schools, teachers, psychologists, health professionals and other staff who are involved in the provision of services in that area for children with special educational needs. Relevant professional assessment reports are provided by schools to SENOs as part of the application process for support. The consideration of these reports is an integral part of determining the extent of supports to be provided for pupils with special educational needs. NCSE circular 03/08 clarifies the respective roles and functions of the NCSE and the HSE and their respective personnel in carrying out assessments and sanctioning resources to support children with special educational needs. I understand that the NCSE is in contact with the Deputy in relation to the nature of reports which may be considered for the purposes of resource allocation. As such, I will arrange for the Deputy's question to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.
478. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills the rights of pregnant education and training boards teachers to attend medical appointments during the length of their pregnancy; if such visits are considered sick days under the terms of their employment by the ETB; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44224/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraCircular Letter 009/2013 issued by my Department outlines the procedures regarding Maternity Protection Entitlements for eligible registered teachers employed in recognised Primary, Secondary, Community, Comprehensive and Education and Training Board schools.
In accordance with Paragraphs 10.1 and 10.2 of the circular, pregnant teachers are entitled to time off work, without loss of pay, to: (a) attend medical appointments related to ante-natal care; (b) attend one set of ante-natal classes in a working career, other than the last three classes in such a set; and (c) attend medical appointments related to post-natal care within 14 weeks of the birth. Attendance at such appointments is not regarded as sick leave.
479. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students who applied for Student Universal Support Ireland grants but had not received notification of their entitlement from Student Universal Support Ireland by 7 November 2014. [44231/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAccording to figures provided to my Department by Student Universal Support Ireland, SUSI received 103,125 grant applications for the 2014/2015 academic year (64,697 new and 38,428 renewal grant applications submitted by continuing students). Of the total applications received some 15,500 (15,300 New and 200 Renewals) have yet to be processed to completion.
480. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students who have been awarded Student Universal Support Ireland grants for the 2014-15 year; and the number of students awarded grants but who had not received payment by 7 November 2014. [44232/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that as at 7th November 2014 it had awarded 57,451 student grants to applicants for the 2014/2015 academic year (24,661 new and 32,790 renewal applications). Of the 57,451 applicants awarded, 50,402 applicants have been paid (20,895 new and 29,507 renewal students), with 7,049 (3,766 new and 3,283 renewal applications) yet to be paid. I understand from SUSI that in some of these cases it is awaiting confirmation of the applicant's registration with their institution. Also whilst most applicants have provided their bank details to SUSI, a number of applicants have not yet done so. SUSI is in regular email/social media contact with these applicants to obtain this information. I am informed by SUSI that when an applicant is awarded a grant, he/she is paid as soon as possible after they submit their bank accounts details and their institution confirms their registration and attendance.
481. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update regarding windows for a school (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44242/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that the school to which he refers submitted an application for window replacement works under the 2014 Summer Works Scheme. Commensurate with the level of funding set aside for the Scheme, applications were assessed on a top down basis in accordance with the prioritisation criteria outlined in the Circular accompanying the Scheme. Unfortunately, due to the scale of demand for funding under the Scheme, it was not possible to grant aid all applications, including those received for window replacement. However, in accordance with the Scheme's Circular, the application will be retained and will be prioritised for consideration under any further rounds of the Summer Works Scheme in the future, subject to availability of funding.
482. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will review the case for a new minor works grant scheme for schools this year in view of the ongoing reduction in capitation grants; her views on re-introducing it as a standard payment every year so boards of management may budget effectively at the start of every year knowing what income will be available to them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44250/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraCircular Letter 0062/2013 which was published, as the Minor Works Grant for the school year 2013/2014 issued last November in the amount of €28m, states "the grant will only be paid in future years as funding permits". At this time there is no funding available within my Department's 2014 financial allocation for the payment of the 2014/2015 Minor Works Grant. On the announcement of the Medium Term Education Capital Investment Framework 2012-2016 on 10 November 2011 the priority identified was to deliver major school projects and smaller projects devolved to schools to meet demographic demands. It was signalled at that time that given the need to focus on meeting the demand for additional school places that it was unlikely that funding would be available for a minor works grant in the coming years. As the annual increase in student numbers is projected to continue at primary level until 2018 and at post-primary until 2025, I am not in a position to re-introduce the Minor Works Grant on an annual basis.
483. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department provides funding to the National Parents Council, primary and post-primary; if so, the level of funding provided in 2013 and 2014 and projected for 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44290/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Parents Councils referred to by the Deputy are funded by my Department. The annual funding is made up of two elements; a core grant to support the councils in their day-to-day operations and a grant to meet the cost of the councils training activities. The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table.
Table 1: National Parents Council (primary), Department of Education and Skills funding 2013 to 2014.
|
Year |
Core Grant Outturn |
Training Grant Outturn |
Total |
|
2015 |
To be determined |
To be determined |
To be determined |
|
2014* |
€326,000 |
€197,465 |
€523,465 |
|
2013 |
€330,000 |
€136,682 |
€466,682 |
Note: *At this point in time the 2014 figure is an indicative allocation.
Table 2: National Parents Council (post primary), Department of Education and Skills funding 2013 to 2014.
|
Year |
Core Grant Outturn |
Training Grant Outturn |
Total |
|
2015 |
To be determined |
to be determined |
To be determined |
|
2014* |
€221,000 |
Nil |
€221,000 |
|
2013 |
€202,000 |
€12,079 |
€214,079 |
Note: *At this point in time the 2014 figure is the indicative allocation.
484. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department provides funding to the Irish Second Level Student Union; if so, the level of funding provided in 2013 and 2014 and projected for 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44291/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides funding to the Irish Second Level Student Union (ISSU) as follows: For the 2013/14 academic year a sum of €18,000 was allocated. This was paid in two instalments. For the 2014/15 academic year a sum of €40,000 has been sanctioned. One instalment has been allocated. Funding for 2015/16 will be considered on foot of an application for same from the Irish Second Level Student Union. In addition my Department allocated €10,335 to the ISSU to fund a student led study on the Transition Year Programme.
