Tuesday, 31 Mar 2015

Written Answers Nos. 581-599

School Staff

Ceisteanna (581)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Ceist:

581. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason an application by a school (details supplied) in County Kildare for curricular concession posts was refused by her Department, in view of circumstances at the school which accommodates a large number of students with special education needs, and where status under the delivering equality of opportunity in schools scheme has not been awarded; if she will re-examine the situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13001/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

Teacher allocations to all second level schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. The criteria for the allocation of posts are communicated to school managements annually and are available on the Department website. In accordance with these rules each school management authority is required to organise its subject options within the limit of its approved teacher allocation. At post primary level and in accordance with existing arrangements, where a school management authority is unable to meet its curricular commitments within its approved allocation, my Department considers applications for additional short term support i.e., curricular concessions. As set out in the published staffing arrangements for the 2015/16 school year the closing date for submission of such applications was Wednesday, 4 March, 2015. My Department intends to notify decisions on these applications to school authorities, including the school authority referred to by the Deputy, by late April, 2015. The allocation process also includes an appeals mechanism under which schools can appeal against the allocation due to them under the staffing schedules. The appeal procedures are also set out in the published staffing arrangements. The Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.

Apprenticeship Programmes

Ceisteanna (582)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

582. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will remove the registration fee for apprenticeships which in some cases is now €900 and is creating an obstacle to persons undertaking apprenticeships. [13043/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The Annual Student Contribution is levied on students attending Institutes of Technology (IoTs). The amount due by apprentices is calculated on a pro rata basis of the time which they spend in Institutes of Technology during the academic year. Since 2004, FÁS/SOLAS has paid over 70% of the Annual Student Contribution due in respect of apprentices, with apprentices themselves paying the part of the contribution relating to examination fees. As part of Budget 2014, SOLAS have ceased making payments to Institutes of Technology and apprentices pay the full pro rata Annual Student Contribution. I am deeply committed to supporting apprenticeship training in Ireland, both through the renewal of existing apprenticeships and the extension of the apprenticeship model to new areas. I am focused on delivering in accordance with the Apprenticeship Implementation Plan to take forward the recommendations of the recent independent review of apprenticeship training in Ireland. I believe that apprentices see the value in education and training on the journey to employment and will continue to participate in quality, relevant and well-designed programmes.

School Staff

Ceisteanna (583)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

583. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will support the appeal for the retention of a fourth classroom teacher in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13057/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The staffing arrangements for primary schools for the 2015/16 school year are set out in Department Circular 0005/2015 which is available on my Department's website at www.education.gov.ie. The circular sets out the improvements to the staffing schedule for the 2015/16 school year for small schools. These improvements are improved retention thresholds for the 2nd, 3rd and 4th classroom teacher and also the improved appointment and retention thresholds for isolated one-teacher schools.

An appeals process is also available to small schools. Details of the appeals criteria are set out in the published staffing arrangements. The school referred to by the Deputy submitted an appeal to the March, 2015 meeting of the Primary Staffing Appeals Board. The school has been informed that its appeal has been upheld on the basis that it achieves an enrolment of 83 on 30th September 2015. The Primary Staffing Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.

Schools Building Projects Status

Ceisteanna (584)

Noel Grealish

Ceist:

584. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans and timeframe for a new school (details supplied) in County Galway; if a site has been purchased for the new school; when construction will commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13078/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The project referred to by the Deputy was included in the 5 year School Building Programme announced in 2012. However due to issues which arose in relation to the proposed site, the progression of the project was delayed. Officials in my Department are working to ensure that the project progresses and a potential option is being pursued in that regard. Due to commercial sensitivities it is not possible to provide any further information at this time but my Department will be in contact with the school authorities once the current process is completed.

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Ceisteanna (585)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

585. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will add Down's syndrome to the list of low-incidence disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13090/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

I wish to advise the Deputy that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) recommended the introduction of a new resource allocation model for schools. The NCSE observed that such a model would overcome difficulties potentially affecting all children with mild general learning disabilities, who have additional difficulties, including children with Down syndrome, as they would, under the new model, be supported according to their level of need and in line with their learning plan process. I recently announced that I am not proposing to change the way teachers are allocated to schools for children with Special Educational Needs for the coming school year. In taking this decision, I have been guided by the advice of the NCSE Working Group report, which recommended sufficient time be allowed for consultation before the new model is implemented.

Through consultations, there was a broad welcome for the proposed new model from Parents, disability groups, schools and stakeholders. However, there has not been sufficient time to address all of the concerns which have been raised in advance of the 2015 school year. In the context of the recent announcement that the proposed new model for allocating resource teachers to schools will not now be introduced from September 2015, I have reviewed the position in relation to what steps might be taken to improve educational provision for children with Down syndrome in mainstream schools. On 24th of March, I announced that the Government has agreed that additional resources will be allocated to schools, as an interim measure, to support those children with Down syndrome, who are not already supported through the National Council for Special Education's (NCSE) annual allocation process. This measure is being introduced now in recognition of the length of time it will take to introduce the new resource teacher model which was recommended by the NCSE. Under the interim measure schools will receive 2.5 resource teacher hours per week for each qualifying child. This new allocation means there will now be certainty regarding the provision which will be made for children with Down syndrome with a Mild General Learning Difficulty. As my Department is continuing to develop the new allocation model for schools and is currently working to devise a pilot of the new model, I do not propose to amend the current list of low incidence disabilities pending the introduction of a new allocation model. I can confirm, however, that interim allocations for children with Down syndrome, as set out above, will remain in place until such time as the proposed new model for allocating teaching supports to children with special education needs comes into force.

Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Ceisteanna (586, 587)

Jonathan O'Brien

Ceist:

586. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 776 of 24 March 2015, the form of consultation between her Department and the Department of Social Protection regarding the student grant scheme; and the date on which this consultation will conclude. [13130/15]

Jonathan O'Brien

Ceist:

587. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on her Department's review of the student grant scheme for 2015-16; and if this includes a review of the criteria Student Universal Support Ireland requires students to fulfil in order to establish their status as estranged students. [13131/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 586 and 587 together.

My Department is in consultation with the Department of Social Protection in the context of the review of the Student Grant Scheme for the 2015/16 academic year. This consultation includes but is not limited to; meetings, discussions, phone calls and e-mails.

The review of the Student Grant Scheme 2015 is ongoing. As such, all aspects of the Scheme remain under review at this point. It is anticipated that the Scheme will be published in the coming weeks.

Education Policy

Ceisteanna (588)

Jonathan O'Brien

Ceist:

588. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on the work of the transition reform steering group and the proposals it is developing on the transition of school leavers to higher education. [13133/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The Transitions Reform Steering Group was established to include representatives from the my Department, the Higher Education Authority (HEA), National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) the Irish Universities Association (IUA), Institutes of Technology Ireland (IoTI), the State Examinations Commission (SEC) and Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI). Key commitments that have been agreed by the partners are to

- Reduce the number of level 8 degree programmes in higher education and make them more broadly-based;

- Reduce the number of grading bands in the Leaving Certificate exams; and

- Address problematic predictability in the Leaving Certificate exams.

Significant progress has been made on these three commitments and the Group are currently working intensively on a package of proposals for implementation. Major changes will not occur without adequate notice being given to schools, students and parents.

Site Acquisitions

Ceisteanna (589)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

589. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will arrange for her Department to contact an interested party with regard to the acquisition of a site currently owned by her Department (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13135/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

I can confirm that officials from my Department have contacted the interested party. The lands to which the Deputy refers are not in my ownership and this information has been communicated to the party in question.

School Management

Ceisteanna (590)

Jonathan O'Brien

Ceist:

590. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 756 of 24 March 2015, if a school is allowed to operate without a board of management under the legislation; the length of time this is allowed to occur for; the length of time a school (details supplied) in County Dublin has been operating without a board of management; the date on which patronage will be transferred; and the date on which a new board of management will be appointed. [13142/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

Under the provisions of the Education Act 1998, a Patron may appoint a person or persons to manage the school in circumstances where the appointment of a Board is not practicable or where the Patron has dissolved the Board and pending the appointment of a new Board of Management.

The school to which the Deputy refers is one of nine community national schools that have been established in recent years. Pending the transfer of patronage of the community national schools to the relevant Education and Training Boards, I as Minister for Education and Skills am acting as patron of these schools. I have, in accordance with the provisions of the Education Act 1998 appointed single managers to manage the schools. The arrangements for the transfer of patronage of these schools to the relevant ETBs and the establishment of boards of management are currently being considered in my Department.

School Transport Fees

Ceisteanna (591)

Jerry Buttimer

Ceist:

591. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding travel expenses in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13151/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

Under the terms of my Department's School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, children are eligible for school transport where they are attending the nearest recognised: mainstream school, special class/special school or a unit, that is or can be resourced, to meet their special educational needs.

The School Transport Section of my Department has no record of an application for school transport for the child referred to by the Deputy, in the details supplied.

The family in question should liaise with the Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO) and the school authorities should they wish to apply for school transport for the 2015/16 school year.

Home Tuition Scheme Eligibility

Ceisteanna (592)

Jerry Buttimer

Ceist:

592. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a child (details supplied) in County Cork with autism spectrum disorder can receive an increase of home tuition hours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13156/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The Deputy will be aware that the purpose of the Home Tuition Scheme is to provide a compensatory educational service for children who, for a number of reasons such as chronic illness, are unable to attend school. The scheme also provides a compensatory educational service for children awaiting a suitable educational placement and for early intervention for children with autism.

I wish to advise the Deputy that an application for Home Tuition was received in this Department for the child referred to by the Deputy. Home Tuition could not be granted as the application does not meet the criteria for the allocation of support under my Department's Home Tuition Circular 0048/2014, on the basis that the child has a school placement and having regard to the child's attendance levels in school.

Sports Facilities Provision

Ceisteanna (593)

John McGuinness

Ceist:

593. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a submission in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Carlow, regarding the provision of astroturf pitches; if the funding requested will be made available; and if she will expedite a positive response. [13159/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

My Department's over-riding objective is to ensure that every child has access to a physical school place and that our school system is in a position to cope with increasing numbers. This will continue to be the main focus for investment by my Department in the coming years therefore it is not possible to provide funding for the provision of an astroturf pitch at the school referred to by the Deputy.

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Eligibility

Ceisteanna (594)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

594. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to allocate schools under the delivering equality of opportunity in schools scheme band 2 an additional base allocation under the general allocation model similar to that of delivering equality of opportunity in schools band 1 schools; if not, the reasons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13177/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

I wish to advise the Deputy that general allocation and language support have been combined into a single and simplified allocation for all primary schools. The GAM/EAL allocation for each school is based on the number of mainstream classroom teaching posts in the school. In addition, a differential in the GAM/EAL allocation for DEIS Band 1 schools is applied on the basis of 0.4 of a post if the school has 200 or more pupils and 0.2 of a post for DEIS Band 1 schools with less than 200 pupils. The additional allocation reflects the lower enrolment threshold requirements on DEIS Band 1 schools.

The staffing arrangements, including GAM/EAL allocation, for primary schools for the 2015/16 school year are set out in Department Circular 0005/2015, which is available on my Department's website.

The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education recommended the development of a new model for delivering teaching resources to schools to support students with special needs. It recommended that a school's Special Needs Teaching allocation should be determined by a baseline component according to pupil numbers and a school's educational profile. This profile is to take account of the number of pupils with complex needs, the percentage of pupils performing below average in standardised tests and the social context and gender breakdown of the school.

The NCSE report recommended that a school's social context should be used because it can contribute strongly to the level of learning needs that students have. The report considered that, on the basis of available research evidence, the use of a school's social context is valid in developing an educational profile, as socioeconomic disadvantage is associated with the incidence of certain types of special educational needs, including low achievement in academic learning and emotional or behavioural disorders.

Accordingly, it was recommended that consideration of a schools social context should form part of any proposed new resource allocation model.

The Deputy will be aware that I recently announced that I am not proposing to change the way teachers are allocated to schools for children with Special Educational Needs for the coming school year. In taking this decision, I have been guided by the advice of the NCSE Working Group report, which recommended sufficient time be allowed for consultation before the new model is implemented.

Through consultations, there was a broad welcome for the proposed new model from Parents, disability groups, schools and stakeholders. However, there has not been sufficient time to address all of the concerns which have been raised in advance of the 2015 school year.

My Department is, continuing to develop the new allocation model for schools and is currently working to devise a pilot of the new model. I therefore do not propose to amend the existing allocation process, including the manner in which GAM/EAL allocations are made, pending the introduction of a new allocation model.

School Staff

Ceisteanna (595)

Noel Coonan

Ceist:

595. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a staffing appeal submitted by a school (detailed supplied) in County Tipperary; when a decision will be reached; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13237/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The staffing arrangements for primary schools for the 2015/16 school year are set out in Department Circular 0005/2015 which is available on my Department's website.

An appeals process is available to schools under certain criteria. Details of the appeals criteria are set out in the published staffing arrangements. The school referred to by the Deputy submitted an appeal to the March, 2015 meeting of the Primary Staffing Appeals Board. The Appeals Board determined that the appeal did not satisfy the published criteria as set out in Circular 0005/2015. The school has been informed of this decision.

M The Primary Staffing Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.

Education and Training Boards Staff

Ceisteanna (596)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

596. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to a matter (details supplied) affecting a group of teachers in Limerick city; her plans to address this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13247/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

The group referred to by the Deputy are employed as Resource Persons in the Youthreach programme operated by Clare and Limerick Education and Training Board. Co-ordinators and Resource Persons are employed in Youthreach and they have their own terms and conditions which are set out in Department circulars. While a person with teaching qualifications may be employed as a Resource Person by an ETB this does not give them any entitlement to teacher terms and conditions.

School Patronage

Ceisteanna (597)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

597. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the purpose of the deeds of variation in national schools; and if there was any monetary compensation involved in the deeds of variation. [13273/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The vast majority of schools are privately owned i.e. the site/building is owned by the relevant school patron. Where school building projects are funded through grant-aid, the Department secures these grants through leases (known as Charging Leases or Declarations of Trust) with the relevant landowner. These leases protect the Minister's capital investment in the school property and require that the property be used as a school for a set period.

In the 1990s, it was agreed Deeds of Variation would be executed on Charging Leases/ Declarations of Trust. The Deeds of Variation provided for a variation on the original terms of a Charging lease or Declaration of Trust, in order to provide security for the denominational ethos of a school where a patron owned the property.

There was no monetary compensation involved; however the patron had made property available for the purposes of the provision of education.

Schools Building Projects Applications

Ceisteanna (598)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

598. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will approve an application for additional classrooms in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13326/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

I wish to advise the Deputy that in 2013, the school in question was approved funding for the provision of a construction room and preparation area. This project is being delivered by the school management and is currently on site.

In 2011, my Department approved funding to the school for additional classroom accommodation together with a science laboratory. This project has since been completed.

My Department has no record of receiving any further application from the school for additional accommodation.

Special Educational Needs Staff

Ceisteanna (599)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

599. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to review the current provisions of the job sharing scheme for special needs assistants in both primary and post primary schools requiring assistants to share a whole-time post on a 50:50 basis; if she is aware that these working hours are causing great hardship for assistants, as it means they subsequently do not qualify for certain social welfare payments while on the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13334/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The position is that the provisions of the Job Sharing Scheme for Special Needs Assistants in Recognised Primary and Post-Primary Schools are outlined in my Department's Circular Letter 41/2014.

In accordance with the Circular, Special Needs Assistants may apply to share a wholetime post on a 50:50 basis i.e. 16 hours per week in both Primary and Post Primary Schools. The terms of the scheme were agreed with the School Management Bodies and the relevant Trade Unions and have general application to all Special Needs Assistants.

Rules pertaining to social welfare payments are a matter for the Department of Social Protection.