Tuesday, 26 May 2015

Written Answers Nos. 879 - 895

Third Level Fees

Ceisteanna (879)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

879. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to ensure, as a budgetary priority, the provision of the same access to fee-free third level education to returning emigrants as to other citizens; if she will undo the situation where medium to long term emigrants must pay fees if embarking on third level education on return after a number of years away; the cost of doing this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20323/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The Exchequer funds tuition fee costs in respect of eligible students who are pursuing full-time undergraduate courses of study under my Department's Free Fees Initiative. The main conditions of the scheme are that students must be first-time undergraduates, hold inter alia EU/EEA/Swiss nationality in their own right, and have been ordinarily resident in an EU/EEA/Swiss state for at least three of the five years preceding their entry to an approved third level course.

Where full-time undergraduate students do not qualify for free fees funding they must pay the appropriate fee as determined by their third level institution. Third level institutions are autonomous bodies and it is therefore a matter for the institution to determine the rate of fee payable by students (EU or non-EU).

However, in the case of students who do not meet the residency clause, higher education institutions have been requested to charge the more moderate EU fee to EU/EEA/Swiss nationals who have completed at least five academic years of study (Primary or Post-Primary level) in the EU/EEA or Switzerland.

It has been agreed that a review of this measure will be carried out early in the 2015/16 academic year, following this work my Department will be better placed to provide the detailed costing referred to by the Deputy. There are no plans at present to amend the residency requirement of the Free Fees Initiative.

Schools Building Projects Status

Ceisteanna (880)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

880. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for the delay in moving a school (details supplied) in County Dublin into its permanent building, in view of the fact that this school has been waiting 20 years to move into a permanent building; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20361/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department remains committed to providing permanent accommodation for the school to which he refers. The Deputy is aware that it is intended that the school will relocate to a premises currently occupied by a special school pending the construction of its new school. The Major Building Project for the special school is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning. The school's Design Team are currently preparing the Stage 2(b) Detailed Design documentation for submission to the Department for review and approval. Assuming no issues arise in the review of the Stage 2(b) submission, the project will then be authorised to proceed to tender.

Teachers' Remuneration

Ceisteanna (881)

Ruth Coppinger

Ceist:

881. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to connect education sector pay rises to the reform of the junior cycle in secondary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20380/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

As the Deputy will be aware, pay talk discussions are currently ongoing between Public Service Management and the Public Services Committee of ICTU. It would be inappropriate for me as Minister for Education and Skills to make any further comment at this time.

With regard to Junior Cycle discussions, it is accepted that the various workload implications of implementation of the Framework will have to be accommodated within teachers' timetables. Intensive discussions in this regard will advance without delay and will be completed by the end of June 2015.

European Court of Human Rights Judgments

Ceisteanna (882, 883)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

882. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to address cases of historic abuse in national schools, which were withdrawn or are still in progress, following the European Court ruling in favour of a person (details supplied) in January 2014. [20390/15]

Clare Daly

Ceist:

883. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the action she proposes to take following interpretation of the European Court of Human Rights judgment in the case of a person (details supplied). [20391/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 882 and 883 together.

In its response to the ECHR judgment, the Government agreed that out of court settlements be offered in those cases of school child sexual abuse being brought against the State where the cases come within the terms of the ECHR Decision and satisfy the Statute of Limitations. In pursuing settlements, the State Claims Agency will be considering cases of school child sexual abuse where there was a prior complaint about the relevant teacher's sexual abuse to school authorities. The rationale for this approach is that these were the circumstances on which the European Court of Human Rights judgment was based.

The position in relation to those cases that were not progressed for a number of reasons, including those which might have been discontinued after receiving letters from the State Claims Agency is that I asked the Agency to undertake a review to clarify the exact position as to whether the cases had been formally discontinued or not. The Agency has completed its review and my Department is considering its report and has sought some clarification from the Agency. I expect to be in a position to report to Government on this matter shortly at which time the Government will consider whether any measures will be taken in relation to these cases.

Curaclam Scoile

Ceisteanna (884)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

884. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna conas mar atá ag éirí leis an scéim phíolótach páirt-tumoideachais atá á cur i bhfeidhm faoi láthair ag an tSeirbhís um Fhorbairt Ghairmiúil do Mhúinteoirí i gcomhar leis an gComhairle Náisiúnta Curaclaim agus Measúnachta; cén líon scoileanna, múinteoirí agus daltaí atá ag tabhairt fúithi; céard iad na scoileanna atá i gceist; cén oiliúint bhreise nó cé na hábhair tacaíochta bhreise a tugadh do na múinteoirí agus céard a bhí i gceist leo; an bhfuil aon mheasúnú á dhéanamh ar chur i bhfeidhm na scéime agus ar thorthaí na scéime trí chumas a mheas nó an bhfuiltear ag súil lena leithéid a dhéanamh; an bhfuil sé i gceist an líon scoileanna a bhfuil an scéim phíolótach ar siúl iontu a mhéadú sa bhliain acadúil 2015/16; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [20414/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

Sa bhliain 2014, d'ullmhaigh an tSeirbhís um Fhorbairt Ghairmiúil do Mhúinteoirí (SFGM) treoir cleachtais ar Fhoghlaim Chomhtháite Ábhair agus Teanga. Cuireadh san áireamh í sin ó shin mar chuid den Ábhar Tacaíochta do Churaclam nua Teanga na Bunscoile: Gaeilge agus Béarla, do pháistí i Ranganna Sóisearacha Bunscoile. D'fhaomh Meitheal Forbartha CNCM do Theanga sa Luath-Óige agus sa Bhunscolaíocht agus an Bord don Luath-Óige agus don Bhunscolaíocht Curaclam nua Teanga na Bunscoile le déanaí, agus tá sé á thabhairt chun críche faoi láthair lena fhoilsiú do bhunscoileanna (ar líne agus i gcóip chrua) i Meán Fómhair. Tá Ábhar Tacaíochta do mhúinteoirí, a chabhróidh leo agus iad ag úsáid an churaclaim, á fhoilsiú mar chuid d'Uirlisí Úsáide Teanga na Bunscoile a ghabhfaidh leis an gcuraclam. Tá an Chomhairle Náisiúnta Curaclaim agus Measúnachta (CNCM) ag stiúradh Líonra Teanga na Bunscoile ó thús na bliana seo. Tá 16 scoil páirteach ann agus iad lonnaithe i dtrí shuíomh (Corcaigh, Baile Átha Cliath agus Gaillimh) chun tacú le forbairt Churaclam Teanga na Bunscoile. D'fhreastail duine ainmnithe ó SFGM ar gach cruinniú de chuid an Líonra. Is é is cuspóir don Líonra comhoibriú leis na múinteoirí atá páirteach ann chun samplaí a thabhairt dá bhfuiltear ag súil leis le haghaidh fhoghlaim teanga na bpáistí i nGaeilge agus i mBéarla i scoileanna Gaeltachta, i scoileanna lán-Ghaeilge agus i scoileanna Béarla. Tá múinteoirí sa Líonra ag obair le CNCM chun Samplaí d'obair na bpáistí i nGaeilge agus i mBéarla a fhorbairt agus tagairt á déanamh do na Contanaim Dul chun Cinn i gCuraclam nua Teanga na Bunscoile.

Foilseofar na Samplaí sin in Uirlisí Úsáide Teanga na Bunscoile, chun tacú le múinteoirí agus iad ag cur tús le Curaclam Teanga na Bunscoile ina seomra ranga. Tá ceamara digiteach ardsonraíochta, cóipeanna de dhréacht-Churaclam Teanga na Bunscoile agus póstaeir de Chontanaim Dul chun Cinn agus de Thorthaí Foghlama faighte ag múinteoirí an Líonra. San iomlán, tá 12 chruinniú Líonra pleanáilte sna trí shuíomh. Beidh na trí chruinniú dheireanacha den Líonra ar siúl ón 3 go 5 Meitheamh. I gcaitheamh na gcruinnithe Líonra, cuireadh oiliúint ar na múinteoirí maidir leis an gceamara digiteach a úsáid chun Samplaí a bhailiú d'fhoghlaim teanga na bpáistí (grianghraif agus físeáin), agus tugadh tacaíocht forbartha gairmiúla do na múinteoirí maidir le Samplaí d'fhoghlaim teanga na bpáistí a chur i láthair agus a anótáil. I bhfianaise a sainchúraim chun tacú le forbairt Uirlisí Úsáide Teanga na Bunscoile, níor iarradh ar mhúinteoirí an Líonra an curaclam a úsáid ar bhonn píolótach ná aiseolas ar a bhfuil ann a sholáthar. Bailíodh aiseolas fairsing ar an dréachtchuraclam i gcaitheamh phróiseas comhairliúcháin sé mhí (Aibreán go Deireadh Fómhair 2014). Le linn na tréimhse sin, fuair CNCM 796 suirbhé agus 73 aighneacht scríofa, rinneadh anailís orthu agus thuairiscíodh torthaí ina dtaobh. Bhí torthaí an chomhairliúcháin lárnach agus forbairt an churaclaim á múnlú. Tá liosta de na 16 scoil atá páirteach sa Líonra curtha ar fáil thíos. Pointí le tabhairt faoi deara:

- Is scoileanna Gaeilge leath de na scoileanna agus is scoileanna Béarla an leath eile;

- Is scoileanna Gaeltachta 5 cinn acu, is Gaelscoileanna 3 cinn acu agus is scoil Bhéarla ina bhfuil sruth Gaeilge an ceann eile;

- Is scoileanna DEIS 3 cinn acu;

- Is scoileanna ilghrád 5 cinn acu;

- Is scoil speisialta ceann amháin acu;

- Is scoil ina bhfuil aonaid speisialta agus beirt mhúinteoirí acmhainne ceann amháin acu.

Baile Átha Cliath/Dublin (7):

- Booterstown National School, Cross Avenue, Blackrock, Co. Dublin;

- Gaelscoil Uí Fhiaich, Achadh Aoibhinn, Maigh Nuad, Co. Chill Dara;

- Gaelscoil Cholmcille, Lána na Cúlóige, BÁC 17;

- Holy Spirit Boys Junior School, Silloge Rd, Ballymun, Co. Dublin;

- Griffeen Valley Educate Together, Griffeen Glen Boulevard Lucan (English and Gaeilge);

- Scoil Chiaráin, St. Canices Rd, Glasnevin, Dublin 11;

- Scoil na Naomh Uilig, Rickardstown, Newbridge, Co. Kildare.

Gaillimh/Galway (5):

- Scoil Náisiúnta Sailearna, Indreabhán, Co. na Gaillimhe;

- Scoil Náisiúnta Mhuire, Bawnmore, Claregalway, Co. Galway;

- Scoil Mhic Dara, An Cheathrú Rua, Co. na Gaillimhe;

- Scoil Náisiúnta Leitir Mucu, Camas, Co. na Gaillimhe;

- Scoil Náisiúnta Muire gan Smál Camus, Camus, Co. na Gaillimhe.

Corcaigh/Cork (4):

- Scoil Bhríde Presentation Primary School, Old Youghal Rd, Midleton, Co. Cork;

- Bunscoil Mhuire, Youghal, Co. Cork;

- Bunscoil na Rinne, Maoil a' Chóirne, Rinn Ó gCuanach, Dún Garbhán, Co. Phort Láirge;

- Gaelscoil Mhachan, Mahon, Co. Cork.

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Ceisteanna (885)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

885. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a special needs assistant will be assigned to a child (details supplied) in Dublin 13. [20420/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for allocating a quantum of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support for each school annually taking into account the assessed care needs of children qualifying for SNA support enrolled in the school.

Where children have significant care needs whereby they may need additional support to be able to attend school, the NCSE may make an allocation of SNA support to the school to assist that child.

The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. The criteria by which SNA support is allocated to pupils is set out in my Department's Circular 0030/2014.

All schools have been asked to apply to the NCSE for SNA support for the 2015/16 school year by 18th March, 2015.

The NCSE will consider all applications for SNA support which have been made by schools.

All schools, including the school referred to by the Deputy, will be advised of their revised SNA allocations for the 2015/16 school year, noting the children who qualify for SNA support, prior to the end of the current school year.

The deployment of SNAs within schools is then a matter for the individual Principal/Board of Management. SNAs should be deployed by the school in a manner which best meets the care support requirements of the children enrolled in the school for whom SNA support has been allocated. It is a matter for schools to allocate support as required, and on the basis of individual need, which allows schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised.

All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.

School Transport Eligibility

Ceisteanna (886)

Jack Wall

Ceist:

886. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a school transport grant in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20432/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

My Department is liaising with the National Council for Special Education in relation to the school transport application for the child in question, following which direct contact will be made with the child's parent.

Ministerial Travel

Ceisteanna (887)

Terence Flanagan

Ceist:

887. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide details of all official foreign trips she and Ministers of State in her Department plan to take between now and the end of 2015; if she will provide details of who she and the Ministers of State in her Department will be meeting on these trips; the purpose of these trips; the duration of these trips; her plans to use all of these trips to promote Ireland as a good place for doing business and as a destination for foreign direct investment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20438/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

I am currently attending the NAFSA (Association of International Educators) Conference in Boston for five days, the largest global event within international education. More than 10,000 international educators attend this conference annually from over 100 countries. The main focus of my visit will be to meet with both the Head of NAFSA and the President of the Institute of International Education in order to promote Ireland as a quality education destination for US students.

I hope to lead an Education Mission to China in the last quarter of this year, but as of yet the dates and programme have not yet been confirmed. During the mission I will accept the baton for Ireland as country of honour for the 2016 Chinese Education Expo. The mission will also involve visits and meetings with higher education institutions along with governmental meetings.

At this stage there are currently no overseas trips planned between now and the end of 2015 for Minister of State, Damien English T.D.

Ministerial Meetings

Ceisteanna (888)

Paul Murphy

Ceist:

888. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will report on her meeting with the Premier of China, Mr. Premier Li Keqiang, and other Chinese officials, on 17 May 2015. [20479/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

As part of the Irish Government delegation, I participated in the bilateral meeting with the Chinese Ministerial delegation at Ashford Castle. In addition to myself, the Irish delegation consisted of An Taoiseach, Ministers Noonan, Flanagan, Bruton and Coveney and Ministers of State Murphy and Hayes.

Among the topics discussed were developments in the Irish economy/eurozone and in the Chinese economy and scope for increasing trade links. In addition we also discussed global issues including EU-China relations, the post-2015 development agenda (and the role that Ireland is playing in this context), UN issues, human rights and climate change.

Prospects for advancing Chinese investment in Ireland were discussed – a major "Invest in Ireland" conference is planned in Beijing later this year. We also agreed to see how connectivity between Ireland and China can be improved and to further strengthen people-to-people links, including educational exchanges.

Education and Training Boards

Ceisteanna (889)

Derek Nolan

Ceist:

889. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will explore the possibility of education and training board institutions providing English language courses to international students over the summer months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20515/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

Education and Training Boards (ETBs) receive funding from my Department, through SOLAS, to deliver English language tuition to speakers of other languages. In 2014, in the region of 11,000 participants availed of English language tuition in ETBs.

On 20th May 2015, the Government approved the implementation of a series of reforms to the student immigration system for international education. These reforms include new regulations for providers of English language programmes. Only those English language providers who can demonstrate that they have reached an acceptable quality standard will be permitted to appear on the list of eligible programmes for immigration purposes. All providers are being given an opportunity to do that.

It is open to any provider, including ETBs, to apply to be included in the list of eligible programmes for immigration purposes. ETBs must seek the written approval of my Department before providing a new programme or activity which is not considered to be within its core services.

Schools Refurbishment

Ceisteanna (890)

Michelle Mulherin

Ceist:

890. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application for funding to equip a room for the teaching of technology at post-junior certificate level, in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20523/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

I wish to confirm that an application for funding, as referred to by the Deputy, has been received from the school in question. On foot of this application, a Departmental inspector visited the school and discussed the school requirements with the Principal and relevant teachers.

Following on from this visit, my Department's inspector has been in correspondence with the school seeking their further views. My Department will be in a position to consider the school's application further when the school authorities' response to the correspondence concerned is received.

School Playgrounds

Ceisteanna (891)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

891. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will review the decision to refuse funding for a playground surface upgrade, with particular reference to observing health and safety standards and ensuring a safe environment for students at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20551/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The management authorities of the school referred to by the Deputy recently submitted an application for funding under my Department's Emergency Works Scheme to resurface the school playground.

As the scope of works for which funding is sought is outside the terms of the scheme, they cannot be considered for funding. It is open to the school authority to apply for funding under a future Summer Works Scheme.

Third Level Facilities

Ceisteanna (892)

Jonathan O'Brien

Ceist:

892. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she is aware of the insufficient library facilities in Mary Immaculate College in County Limerick, where there are currently over 3,400 students using a library built to cater for 750 students; that the student to seat ratio of 16:1 is the highest in the State; her views that a library is a critical resource for the college; and her plans to ensure capital funding is available to develop improved library facilities in the college. [20563/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The needs of the College will be considered in the context of budgetary resources and having regard to competing demands.

Teacher Data

Ceisteanna (893)

Jonathan O'Brien

Ceist:

893. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of providing teaching principals' extra administration days and increasing the current allocation to one day per week. [20578/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

Principal duties in medium to large sized schools are carried out by administrative principals.

Principal duties in small to medium sized schools are carried out by teaching principals.

Circular 25/02 which is available on the Department website outlines the number of days that teaching principals may take as release time in a school year in order to assist them fulfilling their principal duties. Under these arrangements my Department pays for a substitute teacher to be employed by a school to facilitate administrative functions to be undertaken by the teaching principal. Under the current arrangements the number of days that principal teachers may take as release time in each school year ranges between 14 and 22 days depending on the size of the school.

Improving these arrangements so as to enable teaching principals to have one release day per week would cost of the order of €10 million per annum.

I am aware of the workload issue and the pressures on Principals and teachers. My Department has done work at helping to ease the administrative burden on school principals. The development and introduction of the primary online database is a significant step forward in this regard. A further step forward was the publication yesterday of Department Circular 0033/2015 which updates and simplifies the manner in which primary schools can maintain pupil enrolment and attendance records following the introduction of the primary online database.

Economic constraints and the moratorium on recruitment albeit alleviated to some extent for schools, have presented challenges within the education sector.

They also provide an opportunity to review the role of the principal so that our principals are leaders of learning, and to reconfigure the middle management structure to support principals in their role, ensuring ownership of responsibility rather than tasks, thereby building expertise and supporting a career path within the profession.

The Department, in consultation with the representative management bodies has commenced an exploration of the opportunities to support and thereby advance our understanding of the needs of school leaders and how they might be addressed.

Teacher Data

Ceisteanna (894)

Jonathan O'Brien

Ceist:

894. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of reducing the threshold for administrative principals to 145 pupils. [20579/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The criteria used for the allocation of teaching posts is published annually on the Department website. The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September. The staffing arrangements for the 2015/2016 school year are set out in Circular 0005/2015 which is available on the website.

Under the published staffing arrangements for the coming school year a principal teacher attains administrative status on a minimum enrolment of 178 pupils (Principal plus 7 classroom teachers) on 30 September 2014.

The cost of adjusting this arrangement to 145 pupils (Principal plus 6 classroom teachers) is estimated to be of the order of €10.5 million per annum.

Teacher Data

Ceisteanna (895)

Jonathan O'Brien

Ceist:

895. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department has examined a step-down facility for persons who take on principal roles without a loss of seniority and pension; and if she will provide the details of these reviews. [20580/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The position regarding pensions for teachers, other than teachers who are members of the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012, is that pensions are provided for under statutory schemes drawn up by my Department with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. On retirement pensions are calculated on final salary and the annual rate of pensionable allowances, such as the allowance for post as Principal, where the allowances were held for the full three years immediately preceding retirement. Allowances are averaged where they are held for some but not the entirety of the 3 year period.

The position regarding the seniority of Principal Teachers who relinquish their posts is set out in my Departments Circulars 02/04 (primary) PPT 29/02 (Secondary). The seniority rules were agreed under the auspices of the Teacher's Conciliation Council, a body established in accordance with the terms of the Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme for Teachers. The Council is comprised of representatives of Teachers, School Management, the Department of Education and Skills and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, chaired by an Official of the Labour Relations Commission. Any changes to the seniority arrangement for teachers is therefore a matter for consideration at the Teachers' Conciliation Council in the first instance.