Written Answers Nos. 828 - 849
840. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Education and Skills if consideration has been given to reviewing the level of training required to be a special needs assistant; her views that the current level is sufficient; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20052/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's Circular 0044/2014 sets out the current minimum educational requirements for appointment as a Special Needs Assistant (SNA).
People appointed to SNA posts are required to have: 1. A FETAC level 3 major qualification on the National Framework of Qualifications; 2. A minimum of three grade Ds in the Junior Certificate; or 3. Equivalent.
The above are the minimum qualifications required for appointment as a SNA. The actual requirements for a post will vary depending on the specific needs of the children and the school to which the SNA is to be appointed. When recruiting an SNA school authorities must list in the advertisement any specific competencies and/ or requirements to meet the special educational needs of the pupil(s).
841. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of qualified speech therapists who are working in primary schools or offering therapy on site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20053/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra842. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of qualified speech therapists who are working in secondary schools or offering therapy on site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20054/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra843. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of qualified occupational therapists who are working in primary schools or offering therapy on site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20055/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra844. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of qualified occupational therapists who are working in secondary schools or offering therapy on site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20056/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take questions 841 to 844, inclusive, together. I wish to advise the Deputy that the availability and provision of health-related services, including speech and language and occupational therapy supports, is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive.
The Health Service Executive, which has statutory responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services, is currently engaged in a reconfiguration of existing health related therapy resources for children with disabilities, to multi-disciplinary geographically based teams as part of its National Programme on Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People (0-18 years).
This Programme is based on the recommendations of the Report of the National Reference Group on Multidisciplinary Services for Children aged 5-18 Years, which was produced by representatives of the professions and management involved in delivering multi-disciplinary services to children.
The Programme aims to bring about equity and consistency, with a clear pathway for children with disabilities and their families to services, regardless of where they live, what school they go to or the nature of the child's difficulties. The Programme is a key priority for the Executive's Social Care Directorate in 2015.
An additional €4 million was specifically allocated in 2014 to drive implementation of the Programme. This equates to approximately 80 therapy posts. A further additional €4m (full year cost of €6m) has been allocated this year to assist in implementing the Programme.
Matters in relation to the provision of health-related services should be directed to the Health Service Executive as the body with responsibility for the provision of such services.
845. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of colleges of further education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20057/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are 25 stand-alone Further Education Colleges delivering the Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) programme in ETBs. Over half of the overall provision of 32,688 PLC places is currently delivered in these colleges with the remainder delivered in schools which also deliver second level provision.
846. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of new primary schools that were built in 2014 and 2015; the locations of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20058/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraA total of twenty new primary schools were constructed in 2014. Two new primary schools have been completed to date in 2015. The table lists the new primary schools constructed during the period in question.
New Primary Schools completed 2014 and 2015
|
County |
Roll No |
School |
Year |
|
Cork |
20354A |
Cara Jnr (Special) School, Mayfield |
2014 |
|
Cork |
20435A |
St Joseph's NS & St John's NS, Kinsale, Co. Cork. |
2014 |
|
Dublin |
09932B |
Stanhope Street Convent Primary school |
2014 |
|
Dublin |
17055T |
Naomh Mhuire NS, Saggart |
2014 |
|
Dublin |
18047C |
Scoil Bhride C, Blanchardstown |
2014 |
|
Dublin |
19474D |
St. Colmcille's Junior NS, Knocklyon, Templeogue, Dublin 16 |
2014 |
|
Dublin |
19742C |
St. Colmcille's Senior NS, Knocklyon, Templeogue, Dublin 16 |
2014 |
|
Dublin |
19878E |
Ballycragh NS, Ballycragh, Firhouse, Tallaght, Dublin 24 |
2014 |
|
Dublin |
20190T |
Holy Trinity NS |
2014 |
|
Dublin |
20274C |
Esker ETNS, Lucan, Co. Dublin. |
2014 |
|
Dublin |
20383H |
Blanchardstown West ETNS |
2014 |
|
Galway |
17759J |
Scoil Bhride, Menlo, Castlegar, Galway. |
2014 |
|
Galway |
19998O |
Gaelscoil de hÍde, Oranmore, Co. Galway |
2014 |
|
Galway |
20350P |
Merlin Woods, Doughiska |
2014 |
|
Kildare |
20351R |
Naas Community National School, Craddockstown |
2014 |
|
Kilkenny |
20255V |
Bunscoil McAuley Rice, West St, Callan, Co. Kilkenny. |
2014 |
|
Limerick |
20148U |
Gaelscoil Chaladh an Treoigh, Chaladh an Treoigh, Luimneach. |
2014 |
|
Meath |
18762D |
SN Realt na Mara (Girls) Mornington - joint project with 18767M) |
2014 |
|
Meath |
18767M |
SN Realt na Mara (Boys) Mornington (joint project with 18762D) |
2014 |
|
Offaly |
20332N |
Gaelscoil Eadan Doire, Club Sacair Bhaile Éadain Doire, Éadan Doire |
2014 |
|
Offaly |
20267F |
Scoil Bride, Carrick Road, Edenderrry, Co. Offaly |
2015 |
|
Dublin |
20425U |
GS Sliabh Rua, Stepaside |
2015 |
847. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of new secondary schools that were built in 2014 and 2015; the locations of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20059/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraA total of seven new second level schools were constructed in 2014. No new second level school has been completed to date in 2015. The table lists the new second level schools constructed during the period in question.
New Post-Primary Schools completed 2014
|
County |
Roll No. |
School |
|
Galway |
76096S |
Merlin College, Doughiska |
|
Leitrim |
91519H |
Ballinamore Community School |
|
Limerick |
68121S |
Scoil na Trionoide, Doon |
|
Meath |
76173K |
Coláiste na Mí, Navan |
|
Waterford |
91520P |
Tramore Community School |
|
Westmeath |
71410T |
Athlone Community College |
|
Wexford |
76127D |
Gorey Community College |
848. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of third level colleges offering courses during the summer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20087/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the information attached demonstrates, the majority of Irish higher education institutions offer courses during the summer. These include summer courses for children, life-long learning courses for adults, and continuing professional development courses, as well as mainstream undergraduate and postgraduate programmes which continue during the summer months. In addition higher education institutions host summer schools and conferences organised by external stakeholders, and rent out rooms to support these.
Responses from Higher Education Institutions received in relation to summer courses being offered.
Dublin City University
In Dublin City University (DCU) during the summer of 2015:
- 1,100 Masters’ students on taught programmes complete a supervised research project or dissertation;
- 650 research postgraduate students continue working on supervised research dissertations;
- 2,200 students participate in summer programmes offered through the Centre for Talented Youth Ireland (CTYI);
- Approximately 350 international students participate in DCU Language Services programmes;
- 50–100 international students from Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Saudi Arabia, participate in a summer programme as part of their DCU undergraduate studies;
- During August, over 2,000 DCU students participate in summer re-sit examinations.
Other activities held on the University campus during the summer include national and international conferences, summer schools, meetings and workshops.
Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology
Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology offers a range of part-time courses during the summer for members of the public. In 2015 these will include courses in ‘Portfolio Preparation’, ‘Oil/Acrylic Beginners’, ‘Watercolours’, ‘Advanced Photoshop’, ‘An Introduction to Portraiture’ and ‘Creative Writing’. These courses are of 1–2 weeks’ duration, they take place in June and July, and the course-fees range from €150–€325. The full schedule of these courses is available at http://www.iadt.ie/en/Downloads/Thefile,3866,en.pdf.
In addition in 2015 the Institute will host the following summer-schools:
- A Gaeltacht school will be hosted by Sarghael—a local Irish college (June);
- AHA (University of Oregon) will host a summer school (July);
- Blackrock Education Centre will host a number of training events;
- The Irish Young Film Makers’ summer school.
Galway–Mayo Institute of Technology
Galway–Mayo Institute of Technology offers rooms for rent to language schools from 22nd June to the beginning of August.
Institute of Technology, Blanchardstown
The Institute of Technology Blanchardstown does, on a demand-led basis, on occasion, offer some programmes of study during the summer period. For example, the Institute is currently running a work-based Bachelor’s degree in Applied Social Studies, which will incorporate some delivery and examination during the summer months. The Institute also offers a part-time Higher Certificate in Mechatronics and a part-time Ordinary Degree in Mechatronics, for which some modules are delivered during the summer.
Institute of Technology, Carlow
The Institute of Technology, Carlow runs run life-long learning courses (predominantly Minor or Special Purpose Awards) aimed at meeting employer, local or specific student-cohort needs. These take place en bloc at night or weekends, and are typically worth between 10–30 credits.
Institute of Technology, Tallaght
The Institute of Technology, Tallaght will run modules for part-time students in engineering and science during the summer of 2015.
Institute of Technology, Tralee
The Institute of Technology, Tralee is offering the following summer courses for children from the local area during the summer of 2015:
- Whiz Kids (University of Limerick);
- Centre for Talented Youths (DCU);
- Click Ahead (Dyslexia Support);
- Lego Robotics course.
The Institute has also received 4 requests from international schools about the use of rooms on campus for English-language classes for children during the summer. In addition, the Institute will run two programmes (both Special Purpose Awards) to support the training of personnel from local companies.
Letterkenny Institute of Technology
Letterkenny Institute of Technology runs summer programmes which, in 2015, will include the following:
- Certificate in Digital Marketing and Business Skills;
- Bachelor of Business (Hons);
- Certificate in Mainframe Technologies;
- Higher Certificate in Computing IT Support.
Mater Dei Institute of Education
Mater Dei Institute of Education will host one summer school in 2015, ‘God in the Depths of the Mind’ (22nd–26th June).
Maynooth University
Maynooth University offers a number of summer courses, including the following:
- A summer school mainly aimed at visiting international students. This was established in 2014, attracting 53 students who take accredited modules in a range of subjects, such as Economics, Geography, and History. The University expects the number of students participating in this to increase, and also plans to open it to Maynooth University students who may wish to take additional credits in some subjects.
- A summer school with the State University of New York (SUNY), Brockport, organised by Maynooth University’s Department of History. This is open to US and Irish students, and has been running for a number of years. Students take an accredited module, which contributes to a History degree in Maynooth or the SUNY.
- Many departments offer smaller summer modules for research students, particularly those with a significant number of part-time research students.
- The Computer Science department offers summer courses for secondary-school students.
During August approximately 15% of undergraduate students at Maynooth University take supplemental examinations, drawing on academic departments for advice.
National College of Art and Design
The National College of Art and Design (NCAD) will run the following courses during the summer of 2015:
- 13th–30th July: NCAD + UCD 'City Life' Summer School.
- 29th June–17th July: NCAD summer programme, during which the College offers 3-day and 1-week courses in art and design. Subject to demand, 18 day-time courses will be offered catering for approximately 250 students.
- July–August: 6 summer courses for primary-school teachers (catering for approximately 90 teachers) will be run, entitled ‘Literacy and Numeracy through Visual Art in NCAD and Its Environs’.
- 4 summer courses for post-primary art teachers (each catering for approximately 60 teachers).
Full details of NCAD’s summer courses are available at http://www.ncad.ie/continuing-education.
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
In the summer of 2015 the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland will host the following courses and events:
- HSE Activity-Based Funding conference;
- European Association of Sociology in Sport conference;
- RAMI Biomedical Sciences conference;
- RAMI 2nd Annual David Bouchier Hayes Surgical Innovation meeting;
- International Education Forum (1-week accredited CPD course attended by 150 university staff);
- Rheumatoid Muscular joint meeting;
- Neuroscience conference;
- Breast conference;
- Primary Schools Teachers’ Initiative (1-week course attended by 25 teachers);
- Undergraduate Research Summer School (8-week programme attended by 120 students);
- Safe Patient Care Course (4-day course for qualified health professionals).
St. Angela’s College, Sligo
In 2015 St. Angela’s College, Sligo, will host the following summer camps for children:
- Colaiste San Aingeal;
- Adventures with Art in the Outdoors (for ages 8–12);
- Robotics Summer Camp;
- A Fun Introduction to Computer Programming, the Internet, and Multimedia.
In addition, Masters’ students’ dissertations are supervised on an on-going basis throughout the summer.
St. Patrick’s College, Drumcondra
St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra provides summer courses for teachers during the summer months to support teachers' continuing professional development. All summer courses are offered on a non-profit basis and many staff give freely of their time in the summer months to support their delivery.
Trinity College Dublin
Trinity College Dublin runs a number of summer courses which attract both international and national applicants, including:
- Riverdance–Trinity International Summer School;
- Get the Edge: English for University Study;
- Orchestral Manoeuvres;
- Science Seekers Club.
University College Cork
University College Cork (UCC) runs the following 7 courses during the summer:
- Certificate in English Language Teaching;
- EFL Summer School;
- Intensive English Language Programme;
- Summer School in Irish Studies;
- Credit Union Summer School;
- Continuing Professional Development: Lean Supply Chain Management Modules;
- University Studies Abroad Consortium—Government and Politics in the European Union.
In 2013–2014 a total of 65 students participated in these courses.
In addition 221 UCC courses (undergraduate and postgraduate) continue during the summer months, including 7 ‘Early-Start’ programmes for visiting JYA students. These 221 courses include those which run for the duration of the calendar year; those which include a summer placement; research programmes; taught masters’ courses incorporating a dissertation which is prepared during the summer; and courses for visiting students whose studies begin in August.
University of Limerick
The University of Limerick runs classes for a number of programmes through the summer, including:
- Higher Diploma in Software Development for Middleware Integration (NFQ level 8);
- Specialist Diploma Design for Medical Devices (NFQ level 9);
- Certificate in Generic and Transferable Skills (NFQ level 9);
- Master’s in Project and Programme Management (NFQ level 9);
- M.Sc. / B.Sc. in Nursing Studies (International Students) (NFQ levels 8 and 9).
In addition most of the University of Limerick’s specialist diploma and Masters’ students undertake their projects (with supervision from academic staff) during the summer months (for example, those on the M.B.A., Master’s in Technology Management, and diplomas in Lean, Six Sigma, Technology Commercialisation, Innovation Management, and Supply Chain Management). Likewise undergraduate students on cooperative education and clinical practice programmes also receive academic supervision during the summer.
Each summer the University’s International Education Division facilitates the following 14 3-week summer-schools:
- Irish Writing in English (6 ECTS);
- Visual Culture in Ireland 1400–1950 (6 ECTS);
- Sociological Perspectives on Irish Society (6 ECTS); Screening Ireland: Ireland in Film and Television (6 ECTS);
- Law in Ireland (6 ECTS);
- Creative Writing (6 ECTS);
- Irish Myths and Legends (6 ECTS);
- Historical Perspectives of Justice in Ireland: Folk Devils, Fornicators and Families (6 ECTS);
- Terrorism, Crime and Justice (6 ECTS);
- Technical Communication for Engineers (9 ECTS);
- International Financial Markets & Trading (6 ECTS);
- Corporate Social Responsibility (6 ECTS);
- Business Tools for Social Projects (6 ECTS);
- Urban Laboratory (12 ECTS).
Full details of these summer schools are available at http://www.ul.ie/international/en/home/study-at-ul/summer-school/.
The Faculty of Science and Engineering offers several summer camps for secondary-school pupils as ‘tasters’ for courses in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM disciplines). In addition University facilities are frequently rented to outside operators to run summer camps (e.g. English for European school-pupils and summer-activity camps for children).
849. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount of funding that has been provided by her Department in respect of a project (details supplied) in County Waterford; if further requests for money have been received; when she expects the project to be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20096/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra€10 million in funding was sanctioned by Minister Quinn in 2013 to assist WIT with meeting the costs of acquiring Manor Village Student Accommodation and the completion of the Carriganore Sports Campus.
