Written Answers Nos. 206-215
206. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress that has been made in the efforts to secure a permanent site in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1904/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department has been working in conjunction with Cork County Council to secure a site to provide permanent accommodation for the school to which the Deputy refers. A preferred option has been identified and is being progressed. However, due to the sensitivities associated with land acquisitions generally it is not possible to provide further information at this time.
207. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will review a Student Universal Support Ireland application which has been refused in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly under Section 14(4) of the Student Support Act 2011 and Regulation 5 of the Student Support Regulations 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1931/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the residency requirement of Section 14(4) of the Student Support Act 2011, a student must have been resident in Ireland for at least 3 of the 5 years immediately prior to commencing an approved course in an approved institution in order to qualify for a grant. However, a student may qualify for a grant, having met the residency requirement during the course of their studies. From the information provided by the Deputy the student referred to would not have satisfied the residency requirement at the commencement of the 2014/15 academic year, however, that condition may be satisfied for 2015/16, should the student continue her studies in that year.
208. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the difficulties that many parents are experiencing in accessing second level schools in and around the catchment area of Harold’s Cross, Mount Argus, Kimmage and Crumlin, Dublin; in view of the planned closure of a school (details supplied), if she will acquire the school site with a view to developing it as a secondary community school, thereby alleviating the burden on families who are experiencing difficulties in enrolling their children in a secondary school in this catchment area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1945/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is aware of the closure of the school to which the Deputy refers. While my Department has no plans at the moment to acquire the school in question, it is currently engaged in a nationwide demographic exercise to determine where additional post-primary school accommodation may be needed from 2016 onwards. The area where the school is located is included in this review. When this exercise has been completed arrangements will be made to make additional accommodation available where it is needed. Should a new school be required for the area in question, the model of provision will be determined by an open patronage determination process overseen by the New Schools Establishment Group. In the meantime, I understand that school in question is closing on a phased basis. In this regard, it did not enrol first year students for the 2014/15 school year. I also understand that the school will remain open so that the current cohort of junior and senior cycle pupils can finish their programmes. The school authority has informed my Department that it is assisting parents in securing alternative placements for the residue of pupils to ensure a smooth transition for these pupils to another school. The Deputy may wish to know that area concerned has 9 post-primary schools and there is spare capacity in a number of these schools at the moment.
209. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a school (details supplied) in County Mayo was not successful in its application for funding for additional accommodation under the emergency works scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1946/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe management authority of the school referred to by the Deputy submitted an application for funding under my Department's Emergency Works Scheme for the provision of new temporary accommodation and to have works carried to facilitate the enrolment of a special needs pupil. As the provision of additional accommodation is outside the terms of the Emergency Works Scheme it cannot be considered for funding. However, the school authority has been advised to submit a revised application for funding to facilitate the enrolment of the special needs pupil only and as soon as this application is received it will be assessed and the school authority advised of the outcome.
210. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will review the situation whereby a student who elects to do a course of equal level as a previously completed course is denied any grant aid; her views that this is a highly restrictive factor and that many persons who would like to re-educate themselves are prevented from doing so as a direct result of this restriction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1949/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo satisfy the terms and conditions of the student grant scheme in relation to progression, a student must be moving from year to year within a course, having successfully completed the previous year or be transferring from one course to another, where the award for the subsequent course is of a higher level than the previous course. The objective of this policy is to help as many students as possible to obtain one qualification at each level of study. Given the level of demand on the student grant budget from first time students and students that are progressing with their studies to a higher level, there are no plans at present to change the arrangements in place. A student holding a qualification would not satisfy the progression requirements of the Scheme on commencing a further programme at the same level. In the context of a person re-educating I would like to draw the Deputy's attention to Springboard, a specific initiative that strategically targets funding of free part-time higher education courses to enable unemployed people to upskill or reskill in areas where there are identified labour market skills shortages or employment opportunities. The courses, which are at level 6 (higher certificate) to level 9 (master's degree) on the National Framework of Qualifications, are being delivered in public and private higher education providers around the country. Tax relief is also available on tuition fees. Details in relation to this relief are available from the Revenue Commissioners. I have no plans at present to change the current arrangements.
211. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the construction of a new building for a school (details supplied) in County Galway will commence; when approval to go to tender will be granted to the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2007/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe major school building project for the school to which the Deputy refers is at an advanced stage of architectural planning. The schools Design Team are currently working on Stage 2b - Detailed Design, which involves obtaining planning permission, fire certificate and disability access certificate and the completion of tender documents. When all of the relevant statutory approvals have been obtained and the Stage 2b report submitted and reviewed, the Department will contact the Board of Management with regard to the potential, at that time, for further progression of the project. The project was not included in the 5 year construction programme announced in 2012. It is not possible to progress all projects within the Department's building programme to construction concurrently due to competing demands on the Department's capital budget. However, school building projects, including this project, which have not been included in the five year construction programme but which were previously initiated will continue to be progressed to final planning stages in anticipation of the possibility of further funds being available to the Department in the future.
212. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary schools that have band 1.1 rating and are at stage 2B detailed design or are having tender documents prepared; the names and addresses of these schools; if it is intended to approve these schools to go to tender this year; if these schools will be included in the list of schools to go to construction in 2015 and 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2008/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraBuilding projects for sixteen Primary Schools have a Band 1.1 Rating and are currently at Stage 2b (Detailed Design) which includes applications for Planning Permission, Fire Safety Certification, Disability Access Certification and the preparation of tender documents. A table noting the details of these schools is attached. Ten of these schools are included in my Department's five year construction programme to proceed to Tender and Construction. When the Stage 2b Submissions for these projects have been received and assessed, my Department will then be in touch with the relevant school authorities regarding the progression of their projects to tender stage. Due to competing demands on my Department's capital budget, imposed by the need to prioritise the limited funding available for the provision of additional school accommodation to meet increasing demographic requirements, it was not possible to include the remaining six projects, currently progressing through Stage 2(b), in the current five year construction programme. School building projects, which have been initiated but not included in the current five year construction programme continue to be progressed to final planning stages of architectural planning in anticipation of the possibility of further funds being available to my Department in the future. These six projects remain available to be considered for progression in that context.
|
Roll No |
School Name, Address |
County |
|
13447Q |
Scoil Mhuire, Lucan |
Dublin Belgard |
|
17705J |
SN Cros Ban, Julianstown |
Meath |
|
19994G |
Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh, Galway City |
Galway City |
|
19796C |
St Patricks BNS, Clane |
Kildare |
|
17961E |
SN Lusca, Lusk |
Dublin Fingal |
|
20269J |
Scoil Chormaic, Linked to new Stephenstown PP |
Dublin Fingal |
|
15040T |
Mercy Convent Primary School, Naas |
Kildare |
|
17949O |
SN Padraig Naofa B |
Louth |
|
19608V |
Mullagh Central NS, aka St Killians |
Cavan |
|
18057F |
Scoil Mhuire, Tullamore |
Offaly |
Projects at Stage 2b with Band 1.1 Listing which are on the 5 Year Construction Programme
|
Roll No |
School Name, Address |
County |
|
19545A & 19636D |
Corduff NS St Patricks Jnr & Snr |
Dublin Fingal |
|
18106P |
SN Na Trionoide Naofa, Lios Muilinn |
Meath |
|
12954F |
SN Bhride, Lackagh, Turloughmore |
Galway County |
|
19336O |
Scoil Phoil Naofa, Dooradoyle, Limerick |
Limerick County |
|
16208N |
Termonfeckin Mixed NS |
Louth |
|
19415K |
Scoil An Athar Tadhg, Carrignavar |
Cork County |
Projects at Stage 2b with Band 1.1 Listing which are in Architectural Planning but not on the 5 Year Construction Programme.
213. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progression rate to third level from post-primary for students from Clondalkin. [2011/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy on progression rates to third level from post-primary by geographic area is not available from my Department. My Department calculates progression rates at overall national level only for the purposes of compiling projections of third level demand.
214. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Education and Skills the school building projects, including extensions and new builds, undertaken in Cork by her Department in each of the past four years; the total amount of money spent on each project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2064/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra215. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Education and Skills the school building projects, including extensions and new builds, planned to be undertaken in County Cork over the next three years; the total amount of money allocated to each project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2065/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 214 and 215 together. The current status of all projects, including those in Cork, may be viewed on my Department's website at www.education.ie and this will be updated regularly throughout the year. The Deputy will be aware that the 5 year School Plan announced in March 2012, together with the schools announced in June 2013 under the Government's "investment in Infrastructure & Jobs" package and the schools included in the 2015 construction programme, details the major school projects, including those for Cork, that will commence construction over the duration of my Department's €2 billion capital investment programme (2012-2016). The primary aim at the core of my Department's construction programme is focussed on meeting demographic demands to ensure that every child will have access to a physical school place and that our school system is in a position to cope with increasing pupil numbers. In the case of Cork, 43 school projects are listed to proceed to tender and construction over the duration of the programme. For the Deputy's convenience a list is attached containing details of all Cork major school building projects that have been completed in each of the past four years and the funding allocated in the case of each of these projects. As the Deputy will be aware, all publicly funded projects are subject to public procurement guidelines and a competitive tender process. In that context it is not possible to publish funding allocations until projects are completed. In addition to these major projects, my Department also approves funding on an on-going basis for devolved projects under the Additional Accommodation Scheme in response to applications from schools for funding to meet an immediate accommodation requirement because of increased enrolments and where an additional teacher is being appointed. In addition, the Deputy will be aware of the funding provided under the Prefab Replacement Initiative to replace prefabs with permanent classroom and resource rooms accommodation. Details of schools approved, including those in Cork, can also be found on my Department's website and are updated regularly. My Department is currently analysing demographic data on a nationwide basis, including the Cork area, to determine where additional school accommodation might be needed from 2015 onwards and to ensure that this is provided in a timely manner.
NEW SCHOOLS COMPLETED
|
Roll No |
School |
Year |
Expenditure |
|
|
1 |
20354A |
Cara Jnr (Special) School, Mayfield |
2014 |
5,419,321.92 |
|
2 |
20435A |
St Joseph's NS & St John's NS, Kinsale |
2014 |
3,218,420.36 |
|
3 |
17609N |
Rathcormac NS, Rathcormac |
2013 |
2,732,114.63 |
|
4 |
20006A |
Gaelscoil Chloich na Coillte, Clonakilty |
2013 |
4,212,891.82 |
|
5 |
20310D |
Carrigaline ETNS, Carrigaline |
2013 |
4,351,964.58 |
|
6 |
81008W |
Ashton Comprehensive School, Blackrock Road |
2013 |
8,843,587.42 |
|
7 |
13450F |
Rushbrooke NS, Cobh |
2012 |
4,751,031.04 |
|
8 |
16746S |
Ballygarvan NS, Ballygarvan |
2012 |
3,215,161.09 |
|
9 |
17667E |
SN Pádraig Naofa, Whitechurch |
2012 |
2,996,470.78 |
|
10 |
19839R |
Gaelscoil Uí Riordán, Ballincollig |
2012 |
4,396,306.14 |
|
11 |
20001N |
Gaelscoil Bheanntrai, Bantry |
2011 |
PPP Bundle 2 |
|
12 |
20105C |
Star of the Sea Primary School, Passage West |
2011 |
3,147,808.90 |
|
13 |
76090G |
Bantry Community College, Bantry |
2011 |
PPP Bundle 2 |
LARGE SCALE EXTENSIONS COMPLETED
|
Roll No |
School |
Year |
Expenditure |
|
|
1 |
17600S |
SN na Scairte Leithe, Saleen, Cloyne, Midleton |
2014 |
3,672,540.57 |
|
2 |
19351K |
SN Cill Criodain, Ladysbridge |
2014 |
2,386,167.47 |
|
3 |
62690E |
Scoil Mhuire, 2 Sydney Place, Wellington Road |
2014 |
2,017,350.37 |
|
4 |
91388S |
Carrigaline CS, Waterpark Road, Carrigaline |
2014 |
7,435,897.42 |
|
5 |
20106E |
Scoil Nioclais, Frankfield, Grange |
2014 |
6,027,025.65 |
|
6 |
20335T |
Scoil Phadraig Naofa, Rochestown |
2013 |
2,634,256.76 |
|
7 |
18279A |
St. Mary's NS, Waterpark, Carrigaline |
2012 |
779,309.29 |
