Written Answers Nos. 375 - 392
375. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding recent correspondence in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16417/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers submitted a major application for a new school building in November 2013. The current status of all applications, including for the school in question, may be viewed on my Department's website at www.education.ie. To facilitate the provision of a new school building for the gaelscoil in question a greenfield site will be required. In that regard, my Department has recently initiated the process of identifying a site for the school concerned. As the Deputy is aware, my Department will consider applications for additional accommodation on an ongoing basis from individual schools to meet an immediate accommodation requirement. My Department has contacted the gaelscoil in question in relation to accommodation concerns, that it recently raised, and will continue to liaise with the school concerned in this regard.
376. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a library extension for a college (details supplied) in County Limerick; if she is aware that the current library is operating in excess of capacity which is hindering the learning environment; the timeframe for completion of works; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16418/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe needs of the College will be considered in the context of budgetary resources and having regard to competing demands.
377. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide funding for an extension to the library at Mary Immaculate College, County Limerick, in view of the fact that the number of study spaces has been reduced from 250, that is, a ratio of 1:3, to 210, that is, a ratio of 16:1, due to remedial works in 2010 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16420/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe needs of the College will be considered in the context of budgetary resources and having regard to competing demands.
378. Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she is aware that some education and training boards are not facilitating the sharing of information with the public, as official e-mail addresses of board members are not in the public domain, with the result that members of the public, including parent groups, are unable to contact board members and have been told by officials of the education and training boards that such official contact details are specifically not available to the public; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16429/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraEducation and Training Boards (ETBs) are statutory bodies with their own corporate status established under the Education and Training Boards Act 2013, and are responsible for a range of reserved and executive functions under that Act. The Act makes provision for consultation by ETBs, where appropriate, with various stakeholders including parents. ETB websites generally include a range of contact details to which members of the public can address correspondence. However, I am sure that the Deputy will appreciate that the specific arrangements in place regarding contact details for ETB Board members are a matter for individual ETBs.
379. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide additional funding and staffing for primary education in 2015 and 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16471/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe last Budget included an increase in spending on education for the first time in recent years, amounting to additional funding of €60m during 2015. As I have mentioned in response to earlier questions, that increase has provided funding for 1,700 additional teachers and SNAs to be recruited for our schools, as well as funding important reforms. However, it was not possible to secure the funding which would be required to also increase the rates of capitation paid to our schools. I am determined that education will be prioritised for further investment in future years, and I believe that increasing the staffing and funding of our schools should be priorities for such investment.
380. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the formally approved allocation of €4.3 million for the proposed link building capital development project at St. Angela's College, County Sligo, which was put on hold in 2010, will be provided in the lifetime of this Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16481/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of the budgetary process in November 2011 a Government decision was taken to concentrate available educational capital resources on delivering school places and to restrict investment in higher education infrastructure to legally binding contractual commitments that existed at that time. The project at St Angela's had not reached the point of being a legally binding contractual commitment by November 2011. As a result currently resources constraints are not available to advance with this project.
381. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a decision will be made on the proposal to extend the current library at Mary Immaculate College, Limerick; if she has received representations from the students union in the college; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16563/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe needs of the College will be considered in the context of budgetary resources and having regard to competing demands.
382. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will ensure funding is provided to Mary Immaculate College, County Limerick, to urgently increase its library space as it has a seat ratio of 16:1, which is unacceptable and well out of line with the national average; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16610/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe needs of the College will be considered in the context of budgetary resources and having regard to competing demands.
383. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on a planned building project (details supplied) in County Cork; in view of the complexity of issues currently outstanding, if she will further designate a senior official to liaise with school officials to discuss same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16617/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school to which the Deputy refers is one of a number of schools which it was not possible to include in the 5 Year construction programme. However, given the accommodation issues arising in respect of the school, it has been decided that in order to facilitate progression of the future building project, my Department will be moving ahead with the appointment of a design team to progress the architectural planning phase in tandem with completion of the property transfer. In that regard, my Department has met with the local authorities in respect of exploring the potential options for the future development of the school site in the context of heritage and conservation requirements arising and my Department is also continuing to liaise with the school on an ongoing basis.
384. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for the cessation of the European studies programme for second level schools; her plans to restore funding to this worthwhile programme; if so, when; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16618/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe European Studies Programme has been funded on a 50:50 basis by the Department of Education, Northern Ireland and by my Department. Some €3.3 million have been contributed by the Irish Exchequer to the programme since 1999. In recent years, my Department's contributions to this programme have averaged €200,000 per annum from the budget made available to support North-South Cooperation activities.
The decision to dismantle the structure for the administration of the programme, which has been carried out by a team based at the former Southern Education and Library Board, Armagh, was one taken by the Department of Education in Northern Ireland. I understand this decision was taken arising from education budget reductions in the North, and the results of an independent evaluation of the programme by the University of Hull which found that the North/South dimension was not a major focus of the programme. I further understand that there are no plans to change this position.
385. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on the application for the new Gaelscoil in County Longford; if a site has been acquired, and, if so, when work is likely to commence on the construction of the school. [16625/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that officials in my Department have been working with officials from Longford County Council under the Memorandum of Understanding in relation to the identification and acquisition of a suitable permanent site for the school to which he refers. A preferred site option has been identified and negotiations with the landowner are progressing. Once the acquisition of the site is finalised, my Department will be in a position to advance the project through the architectural planning process.
386. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on whether charging first-time students to sit the leaving certificate €160 and charging repeat students €301 is fair; her further views on whether the price difference is discriminatory; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16636/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe examination entry fee for repeat candidates has increased from €284 in 2011 to €301 in 2012, an increase of 6%. This is the same level of examination fee increase which has applied to the fees generally for Leaving Certificate candidates. Special examination entry fees for repeat candidates were introduced in 1987 on the basis that it is not unreasonable to expect those who have already benefited from the normal course of free second level education to make a contribution towards the cost of providing the necessary resources. Examination entry fees generally cover only a fraction of the cost of running the examinations. Additional demands on the system have been arising in recent years due to the introduction of new methods of assessment in various subjects and to continuing increases in special arrangements for students with special needs. There is an alleviation scheme in place whereby candidates or their parent/guardian who have been awarded a full medical card are exempt from the payment of examination entry fees. This exemption applied to approximately 39% of all examination candidates in 2014.
387. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Skills the circumstances and criteria for students obtaining Student Universal Support Ireland grants for courses that are registered outside the State and the students remain living and learning within the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16667/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the terms of the student grant scheme, my Department provides maintenance grants to undergraduate students pursuing approved third level courses, in the State or in other E.U. Member States, to students who meet the prescribed conditions of funding including those which relate to nationality, residency, approved course, previous academic attainment and means. Under the student grant scheme an approved undergraduate course, in the State or in a Member State, is defined as a full-time course of at least two years duration pursued in an approved institution. Students who are attending undergraduate courses in another EU Member State can apply for a maintenance grant in respect of an approved course which is being pursued in an approved institution. The student grant scheme does not extend to postgraduate courses pursued outside of Ireland.
388. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an evaluation of the literacy and numeracy strategy has been carried out; and the results of same. [16668/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraA review of the National Literacy and Numeracy Strategy 2011 - 2020 will be carried out in 2015 instead of 2016, when the mid-term review was originally scheduled. Officials in my Department are currently working on scoping the extent of that review.
389. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of psychologists employed by the National Educational Psychological Service on 1 January each year from 2008 to 2015 . [16669/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI include for the Deputy's information details of the staffing numbers requested. I would add that the recruitment of additional staff to NEPS is currently in train, in conjunction with the Public Appointments Service, and that engagement in currently in process with four candidates, from a recruitment panel formed for this purpose, with a view to their appointment to the service in the immediate future.
Number of Education Psychologists employed in NEPS
|
Year |
No. |
E.W.T. |
|
2008 |
134 |
126.7 |
|
2009 |
155 |
148.5 |
|
2010 |
153 |
146.9 |
|
2011 |
165 |
158.9 |
|
2012 |
173 |
166.0 |
|
2013 |
171 |
162.8 |
|
2014 |
177 |
168.1 |
|
2015 |
177 |
166.9 Current (*) |
Numbers at 1st January of each year with the exception of 2015 which represents situation at 28/4/15. Equivalent Whole Time (W.T.E.) discounts staff work-sharing process.
(*) Additionally since the beginning of 2015 five teachers, qualified as educational psychologists, have been seconded to NEPS for the 2014/15 academic year.
390. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Education and Skills the provisions available for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who cannot secure a school place for a son; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16670/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's policies focus on ensuring that all children can have access to an education appropriate to their needs, preferably in school settings through the primary and post primary school network. A range of placement options for pupils with special educational needs is provided, in order to ensure that all pupils can receive a school placement. Many pupils with special educational needs will be able to attend a local mainstream school, whereas for pupils who have needs which require more specialist interventions, special class and special school placements are provided for. The National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from primary and post primary schools for special educational needs supports, including the establishment of special classes in various geographical areas as required. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. SENOs engage with schools annually in order to plan for, and to open, new special classes each year, in order to ensure there are sufficient special class placements available at primary and post primary school level to meet demand in a given area. All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents are encouraged to liaise with the local SENO to discuss placement options for their child. The local SENO is actively engaged with the parent of the child in question with a view to securing a school placement. 20 hours home tuition per week have been approved for the child as an interim measure pending a placement being secured.
391. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of the fact that the Labour Court has ruled that the jobs evaluation exercise in the Tyndall Institute, University College Cork, is over, if her Department will now do what is right and fair and pay out as per the Labour Court recommendations outstanding from 2008 (LCR20577), to the Tyndall four; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16680/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing lengthy discussions facilitated by the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) in August 2013 and February 2014, terms of reference were agreed for an internal job evaluation exercise to establish the correct rate of pay for the employees of all grades within the Tyndall National Institute. The terms of reference covered all staff in the Institute comprehended by the unions' parity claim, including those staff who were the subject of a previous Labour Court recommendation (LCR20577). The terms of reference provided for an Oversight Committee comprised of management and union representatives to monitor progress and prevent delays. An appeals process was also agreed between the parties which could be invoked following the conclusion of the evaluation exercise. Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC) were appointed to conduct the exercise following a tender process. The selection was made by a joint panel made up of representatives of the employer and both unions. It was also agreed that, following completion of the internal job evaluation exercise, the parties would engage in discussions to seek agreement on the implementation of PwC's recommendations and the outcome of the appeals process. In the event that agreement could not be reached the matter would be referred to the Labour Court and the parties would be bound by the outcome. The PwC job evaluation report was presented to the parties in December 2014. If implemented, the report, which covers 182 employees, would provide for an average annual salary increase of about €9,000 for 115 of the staff concerned. The report found that the remaining 67 staff are on a salary higher than the relevant UCC salary by an average of about €10,000 per annum. Implementation of the report would add in excess of €1,000,000 to the University's annual pay costs. However, in January 2015 management in UCC was informed that union members in Tyndall had rejected the report. A conciliation conference was held in the LRC in February during which the unions sought to set aside the already agreed appeals procedure. Management advised that it was adhering to the agreed appeals process brokered by the LRC. No agreement was reached and at the unions' request the issue of the appeals process was referred to the Labour Court. The Court concluded that no recommendation it might make at this time would advance the resolution of the dispute. In the meantime SIPTU & IFUT had balloted their members for industrial action. The two unions have now formally notified the University that that there will be four days of strike action in May. The unions have confirmed that pickets will be confined to the entrance to Tyndall on the first three days but that the UCC campus will also be picketed on May 13th with the attendant risk of disruption to the conduct of examinations. I am disappointed that SIPTU & IFUT have chosen to take industrial action instead of abiding by the agreed process for dealing with the job evaluation exercise.
392. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on whether it is acceptable that students studying animal science, level 6, in Croom, County Limerick, which is run by Coláiste Chiaráin, have been contacted by the awarding body, Quality and Qualifications Ireland, stating that four of the modules being covered had to be accredited by the Veterinary Council of Ireland but had not been so covered and therefore must be scrapped, all work submitted in respect of these modules is now void and students must now take up extra modules to fulfil course requirements and obtain their qualification; if her attention has been drawn to this and her plans to address same; if she will ensure such instances do not recur; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16686/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department funds Further Education and Training Courses through SOLAS, the Further Education and Training Authority. These courses are delivered locally by the Education and Training Boards (ETBs). The ETBs are responsible for the organisation of courses including meeting and adhering to the award validation requirements for courses. The Department understands that an issue arose with the special validation requirements for a number of modules with the Animal Science Course which is accredited by QQI and the Veterinary Council of Ireland. The Department is seeking clarification from the relevant parties and will be in contact with the Deputy in the near future.
