Tuesday, 7 Jul 2015

Written Answers Nos. 501 to 523

Professional Fees

Ceisteanna (501)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

501. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she is aware of the concerns of community and voluntary training providers at the proposed fees for engagement and validation of qualifications by Quality and Qualifications Ireland, in particular the impact of such fees on the capacity of organisations to provide education and training programmes for disadvantaged groups; her plans to exempt charities from these fees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27284/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

Re-engagement, or the formal agreement of quality assurance with Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), is a requirement for legacy providers under the 2012 Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act. Since its establishment in 2012, QQI has been proactive in its engagement with education and training representative bodies. Specifically, it has engaged with a number of community and voluntary training actors including AONTAS and the Community Education Network (CEN).

QQI has now established a working group in partnership with the community and voluntary sector to enable a process of collaboration and engagement with key stakeholders and providers. The working group, which is facilitated by an external Chair, had its first meeting on 3rd March 2015, and has subsequently met on 2 other occasions. It has also jointly hosted a consultative event on QQI's quality assurance guidelines relevant to this sector which took place on 30th June 2015. Through these joint initiatives, QQI and the community and voluntary sector are working together on a range of operational, developmental and strategic matters in the specific context of quality assurance and re-engagement. The issue of fees will be informed by the work of the working group.

Third Level Participation

Ceisteanna (502)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

502. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the actions her Department is taking to address the non-progression of up to 7,000 students from first year to second year at third level, as reported by the Higher Education Authority last year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27285/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

Improving student progression into and within higher education is a national strategic priority, which is being advanced through the on-going reform of the transition from secondary to higher education, led by the Department of Education and Skills. It is also being supported by the activities of the HEA-funded National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning—the key system-level infrastructure for the enhancement of teaching and learning in Irish higher education and for the implementation of the recommendations of the National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030 in this area. The HEA is monitoring higher education institutions' success in improving progression rates through the process of strategic dialogue. As detailed in the Higher Education System Performance First Report 2014–2016, 'institutions with outlying progression rates have included targets to address these in their performance compacts to 2016, with at least half of the compacts containing a target in this regard'.

The HEA's studies on student progression, along with the qualitative data generated through the Irish Survey of Student Engagement (ISSE), enhance the evidence-base for the development of policy and practice to tackle non-progression amongst students in higher education.

Schools Building Projects Expenditure

Ceisteanna (503)

Tony McLoughlin

Ceist:

503. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount of capital funding her Department has provided for major school building and modernisation projects in counties Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan and Donegal since 2012; the number of projects. in total. that have taken place in this period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27309/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

My Department has provided almost €26.5 million in the delivery of major building projects (new schools and large scale extensions) to counties Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim and Sligo over the period 2012 to end June 2015.

Over the period in question a total of nine major school building projects (new schools and large scale extensions) have been completed including two PPP projects. In addition a further seven major school building projects have been given approval to proceed to tender and construction and three of these projects are currently under construction with the remainder advancing towards the construction phase.

Bullying in Schools

Ceisteanna (504)

Jerry Buttimer

Ceist:

504. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to review the national anti-bullying policy to combat an increase in cyberbullying; the procedures in place to monitor the implementation of this policy; her views on whether such procedures are adequate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27313/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The Action Plan on Bullying, which was published in January 2013, sets out my Department's approach to tackling bullying in schools. These actions focus on support for schools, teacher training, research and awareness raising and aim to ensure that all forms of bullying, including cyberbullying, are addressed.

A study on "The Prevalence and Impact of Bullying Linked to Social Media on the Mental Health and Suicidal Behaviour among Young People", which was commissioned by my Department and the National Office for Suicide Prevention, was published in May 2014. The review notes that as cyberbullying appears to be closely tied to traditional bullying, it is likely that already established anti-bullying interventions will also impact on cyberbullying and that entirely new programmes are not necessary. Therefore, the implementation of the Plan will continue. A key element of its implementation is the anti-bullying procedures for all primary and post primary schools which were published at the beginning of the 2013/14 school year.

These procedures are designed to give direction and guidance to school authorities and school personnel in preventing and tackling school-based bullying behaviour amongst its pupils. They place a strong focus on education and prevention strategies to deal with bullying behaviour including, in particular, cyberbullying and identity based bullying such as homophobic and transphobic bullying. The procedures make clear that the focus of any prevention and education awareness measures in schools about cyber-bullying should be on educating pupils on how to stay safe while on-line and also on developing a culture of reporting any concerns about cyber-bullying. The procedures also recognise that parents and pupils have a role and responsibility in helping the school to prevent and address school-based bullying behaviour and to deal with any negative impact within school of bullying behaviour that occurs elsewhere.

A very important element of the new procedures to help ensure greater transparency for parents and pupils is the requirement for schools to publish their anti-bullying policy on the school's website and to provide it to the parents association. The procedures also include important new oversight arrangements that involve the School Principal reporting regularly to the Board of Management and a requirement for the Board to undertake an annual review of the school's anti- bullying policy and its implementation. Confirmation that the annual review has been completed must be provided to the parents association and published on the school website. In addition, my Department's Inspectorate, as part of its inspection work, is placing a stronger focus on the actions schools take to create a positive school culture and to prevent and tackle bullying. For example, parent and student questionnaires issued as part of whole school evaluations, include, since January 2014, additional questions to get a clearer picture of how the school deals with bullying.

Grant Aid

Ceisteanna (505, 506)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

505. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the basis upon which ancillary grants to schools are calculated, including if there is a statutory regulation and guidance surrounding the grants, in terms of the amount of moneys to be paid to school administration staff; the hourly rate; if that payment relates to a weekly wage for 52 weeks of the year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27322/15]

Clare Daly

Ceist:

506. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if boards of management and school principals are required to utilise ancillary grants for the employment of administrative staff, or if they have free scope and leeway regarding same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27323/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 505 and 506 together.

My Department provides capitation funding to all recognised primary schools for general running costs and funding provided for caretaking and secretarial services. In accordance with Circular 40/2009 this funding may be regarded as a common grant from which the Board of Management can allocate according to its own priorities.

The amount of grant paid to an individual primary school for capitation and ancillary services is determined by the school's enrolment, subject to a minimum grant for both capitation and ancillary services in respect of schools with enrolments up to 60 and a maximum ancillary services grant in the case of schools with enrolments of 500 or more.

In 2015 the capitation grant is €170 per pupil and the ancillary services grant is €147 per pupil.

Where a school uses capitation and ancillary grant funding to employ administrative staff, such staff are employees of the individual schools. My Department does not have any role in determining the pay and conditions under which such staff are engaged. These are matters to be agreed between the staff concerned and the school authorities subject to any relevant statutory provisions.

School Transport Eligibility

Ceisteanna (507)

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

507. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if free school transport will be provided in respect of a student (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27383/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

Under the terms of my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest Post Primary Centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.

Children who are not eligible for school transport, may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only which is subject to a number of conditions including the availability of spare seats on an existing service and payment of the annual charge.

The terms of the School Transport Schemes are applied equitably on a national basis.

School Staff

Ceisteanna (508)

Tom Fleming

Ceist:

508. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will re-examine the current staffing resources at a school (details supplied) in County Kerry, and provide the necessary complement of staff, prior to the new school term in September 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27384/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

I wish to advise the Deputy that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is an independent agency with responsibility for determining the appropriate staffing levels in relation to the support of pupils with special educational needs attending Special schools. The NCSE operates within my Department's policy in allocating this support.

Circular 0042/2011 provides information to schools regarding the staffing arrangements which apply in Special schools.

The Circular sets out that special schools are staffed based on their pupil profiles and the disability category of the pupils enrolled, as opposed to being based principally on school designation. Staffing levels therefore reflect the complexity of need that exist within schools rather than being determined solely by a school's designation, as many Special schools enrol students from disability categories other than from those provided for by their school designations.

In determining the staffing allocation for schools, the NCSE takes into account up-to-date enrolment and pupil profile information. School staffing schedules are reviewed and updated each year by the NCSE. As such, the profile of Special school pupil populations are aligned with appropriate staffing allocations. Accordingly, the staffing allocation for the school referred to in the Deputy's question reflects the profile of pupils currently enrolled in the school, in accordance with each pupil's disability categorisation.

The NCSE has published the staffing allocations for Special schools for 2015/16, including the school referred to by the Deputy, on its website www.ncse.ie.

Scoileanna Oileáin

Ceisteanna (509)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

509. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna cad iad na socraithe atá déanta aici lena chinntiú go bhfuil clár cuimsitheach ábhar ar fáil ag an 200 scoláire atá ag freastal ar scoileanna dara leibhéal ar na hoileáin; cad iad na céimeanna atá i gceist aici a ghlacadh le cúrsaí a fheabhsú; cad iad na hiarratais ina leith seo atá faighte ón GRETB agus ó DETB; cén cinneadh a rinneadh ar na hiarratais seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [27447/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

Tugann mo Roinnse faomhadh do na leithdháiltí múinteoirí ar na scoileanna dara leibhéal ar fad de réir rialacha seanbhunaithe atá bunaithe ar an líon daltaí aitheanta ar an rolla. Cuirtear na critéir do phoist a leithdháileadh in iúl do lucht bainistíochta na scoileanna gach bliain agus tá siad ar fáil ar shuíomh idirlín na Roinne. I dteannta le leithdháiltí múinteoirí atá bunaithe ar an mór gcóir ar chóimheasa daltaí le múinteoir, leithdháiltear aon phost múinteoireachta amháin lasmuigh den chuóta ar scoileanna Oileáin. De réir na socruithe foilsithe foirnithe ceanglaítear ar gach aon údarás bainistíochta scoile a cuid roghanna ábhair a eagrú laistigh dá leithdháileadh faofa múinteoirí. Faoin údarás bainistíochta scoile atá sé sa chéad ásc foireann múinteoireachta a imlonnú sa scoil, cinneadh ar an raon ábhar a thairgtear agus faoi dheoidh freagracht a ghlacadh as an gcaighdeán múinteoireachta agus foghlama sa scoil.

Ag an iar-bhunleibhéal agus de réir na socruithe atá ann faoi láthair, áit nach mbíonn údarás bainistíochta scoile in ann a chuid tiomantas curaclam a chomhlíonadh laistigh dá leithdháileadh faofa, breithníonn mo Roinnse iarratais ar thacaíocht bhreise ghearrthéarma i.e., lamháltais churaclaim. Bíonn gá le tacaíocht ghearrthéarma (ar feadh bliana amháin de ghnáth ach gan dul thar 2/3 scoilbhliain) chun cur ar chumas an údaráis scoile freagairt ar dheacracht atá sainaitheanta le freastal ar na tiomantais curaclam fíor-riachtanacha i leith na ndaltaí laistigh den ghnáth-leithdháileadh foirne.

Leagtar amach mionsonraí ar phróiseas an lamháltais churaclaim in éineacht leis na critéir leithdháilte post agus tá siad seo ar fáil chomh maith ar an suíomh idirlín.

Tá sás achomharc san áireamh sa phróiseas leithdháilte chomh maith faoinar féidir le scoileanna achomhairc a dhéanamh in aghaidh an leithdháilte atá ag dul dóibh faoi na sceidil foirnithe. Tá na nósanna imeachta maidir le hachomharc leagtha amach sna socruithe foilsithe foirnithe chomh maith. Feidhmíonn an Bord Achomharc go neamhspleách ar an Roinn agus ní bhíonn dul thar a bhreith.

Maidir leis an dá scéim de chuid an Bhoird Oideachais agus Oiliúna ar thagair an Teachta dóibh, d'éirigh leis an dá scéim sin leithdháiltí breise a fháil ag céim na Lamháltas Curaclaim agus Achomhairc de Phróiseas Leithdháileacháin 2015/2016. Cuireadh scéala faoin leithdháileadh breise in iúl do Phríomhfheidhmeannach na Scéimeanna sin sa Leithdháileachán is déanaí a eisíodh, i mí an Mheithimh.

Leis an gcur chuige atá ag an Rialtas i leith an gheilleagair a athshlánú tá Éire tagtha ar ais chuig staid ina bhfuil fás geilleagrach le feiceáil. Is de bharr feabhsaithe leanúnaigh ar an bhfás geilleagrach againn thar tréimhse mharthanach a bheimid in ann gluaiseacht ar aghaidh chuig pointe ag a bhféadfaimid machnamh arís ar acmhainní breise múinteoireachta a chur ar fáil i scoileanna, lena bhféadfaí tuilleadh feabhsúchán ar an gcóimheas daltaí le múinteoir, méid na ranganna agus tacaíocht do mhúinteoirí rangsheomra a chur i gcrích.

Is é an dúshlán atá roimh na scoileanna go léir ná a chinntiú go mbaineann siad leas as na hacmhainní atá leithdháilte dóibh a fheabhas is féidir chun na torthaí múinteoireachta agus foghlama a uasmhéadú.

Scoileanna Oileáin

Ceisteanna (510)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

510. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna cad atá i gceist aici a dhéanamh lena chinntiú go mbeidh sé tarraingteach do mhúinteoirí múineadh sna scoileanna dara leibhéal ar na hoileáin; an bhfuil sé i gceist aici tuilleadh postanna lánaimseartha a chur ar fáil sna scoileanna seo; an bhfuil sé i gceist aici freisin an liúntas oileánda a thabhairt ar ais do mhúinteoirí oileánda nach bhfaigheann an liúntas sin; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [27448/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

Tar éis athbhreithniú ar liúntais agus ar íocaíochtaí préimhe a rinne an tAire Caiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe trasna na seirbhíse poiblí thug an Rialtas faomhadh i 2012 do roinnt beart maidir le liúntais sa tseirbhís phoiblí. Mar thoradh air seo rinneadh na liúntais Oileán agus Gaeltachta do mhúinteoirí tairbhíocha a aistarraingt le héifeacht ó 1 Feabhra 2012. Leantar ag íoc an liúntais le haon mhúinteoir a bhí i dteideal an liúntais Oileáin ar 31 Eanáir 2012 ach amháin má thagann deireadh le ról an mhúinteora sa phost sin nó má athraíonn an scoil nó an fostaí i ndiaidh Feabhra 2012. Nuair a déantar múinteoir a athimlonnú faoin scéim athimlonnaithe atá aontaithe, ní bhreathnaítear air sin mar dheireadh róil.

Tugann mo Roinn faomhadh go bliantúil don leithdháileadh múinteoirí do gach scoil de réir na rialacha atá i bhfeidhm bunaithe ar an rollú daltaí aitheanta. Déantar na critéir do dháileadh post a chur in iúl do bhainistíocht scoileanna go bliantúil agus tá fáil orthu seo ar láithreán greásáin mo Roinne.

Ag an iar-bhunleibhéal agus mar aon leis an leithdháileadh múinteoirí a bhíonn bunaithe go príomha ar chóimheas daltaí le múinteoir, cuirtear leithdháileadh aon phost amháin lasmuigh den chuóta ar fáil freisin do scoileanna Oileán. De réir na socruithe atá foilsithe faoin leithdháileadh foirne is gá do gach bainistíocht scoile a roghanna ábhar a riar laistigh den socrú aontaithe don líon múinteoirí leithdháilte. Baineann dáileadh na foirne teagaisc sa scoil, raon na n-ábhar a bhíonn ar fáil agus, i ndeireadh an lae, cáilíocht an teagaisc agus na foghlama leis na húdaráis bhainistíochta scoile i dtús báire.

Ag an iar-bhunleibhéal agus de réir na socruithe atá ann faoi láthair, muna mbíonn ar chumas bainistíocht scoile na tiomantais curaclam atá ag an scoil a shásamh laistigh den leithdháileadh aontaithe, déanann mo Roinn iarratais do thacaíocht ghearrthréimhse breise a mheas i.e., lamháltais curaclam. Bíonn gá le tacaíocht ghearrthréimhse (bliain amháin de ghnáth ach gan 2/3 bliana scoile a shárú) chun a chur ar chumas údarás na scoile an deacracht a aithnítear maidir le tiomantas riachtanach curaclaim a shásamh laistigh den ghnáth-leithdháileadh foirne. Tá cur síos ar na mionsonraí a bhaineann le próiseas an lamháltais do leithdháileadh post ar an láithreán gréasáin freisin.

Áirítear mar chuid den phróiseas leithdháilte cur chuige don achomharc inar féidir le scoileanna achomharc a dhéanamh i gcoinne an leithdháilte atá ag dul dóibh faoi na sceidil foirnithe. Tá na nósanna imeachta don achomharc leagtha amach freisin sna socruithe atá foilsithe don fhoirniú. Feidhmíonn Bord na nAchomharc go neamhspleách ar an Roinn agus breith chríochnaitheach a bhíonn i gceist ansin.

Outdoor Education Centres

Ceisteanna (511)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

511. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she has received an application for capital funding to upgrade the facilities at Petersburg Outdoor Education Centre in An Fháiche in Contae na Gaillimhe; when a decision will be made on this application; if she will recognise the urgency of this request; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27449/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

It appears that the application referred to by the Deputy has not been received by officials in my Department.

Funding for outdoor education centres is approved on the basis that they are self-financing and that their financial activities would be separate from the overall ETB finances. Accordingly, my Department's annual grants are contributory in nature and the allocations go mainly towards the core staffing costs involved in running the centres.

In relation to the provision of general capital funding, I wish to advise the Deputy that in view of the funding constraints on my Department's capital budget imposed by the need to provide essential school accommodation, my Department is not in a position to consider applications for funding towards capital projects. However, in an emergency situation, it is open to ETBs to submit applications for funding for minor works on behalf of Outdoor Education Centres and these will be considered in the light of competing demands and available resources.

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Ceisteanna (512, 513)

Mick Wallace

Ceist:

512. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Education and Skills the level of special care assistance that will be available for the 2015-2016 school year; if this provision will remain at the same level as the 2014-2015 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27456/15]

Mick Wallace

Ceist:

513. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views it is appropriate that no decision has yet been made on the allocation of special needs assistant care in schools for the 2015-2016 school year, given that schools have now closed for the summer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27457/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 512 and 513 together.

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

The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support and these criteria by are set out in my Department's Circular 0030/2014.

All schools were asked to apply for SNA support for the 2015/16 school year by 18th March 2015. The NCSE also continued to accept applications after this date in recognition that enrolments may not have been completed or where assessments were not completed.

On conclusion of this process, the NCSE evaluated the level of SNAs required to meet the needs of schools for the coming year and advised the Department on the quantum of SNAs that would need to be provided to meet this need.

This information was received by the Department on 15th June and my Department is currently working to finalise its consideration of this as quickly as possible.

Details of SNA allocations to schools for 2015/16 will be available on the NCSE website on completion of this process.

Services for People with Disabilities

Ceisteanna (514)

Willie O'Dea

Ceist:

514. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education and Skills if consideration will be given to applicants under the disability access route to education, who are in genuine need of this access to third level, and who have been clients of child and adolescent mental health services and of the Health Service Executive for some years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27458/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) is a third-level admissions scheme for students with a disability. The scheme is operated by a number of higher education institutions and not by my Department. Admissions to the institutions are regulated by the institutions themselves.

Further details in relation to the DARE scheme including the eligibility criteria, closing dates and contact details for the participating Higher Education Institutions, is available at www.accesscollege.ie.

Student Universal Support Ireland Administration

Ceisteanna (515)

Joe Carey

Ceist:

515. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on the anomaly whereby a person may be in receipt of family income support, but because of gross income limits as applied by Student Universal Support Ireland, may not qualify to have a child or children covered for a third level education grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27489/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The rates of grant and the income thresholds for the Student Grant Scheme are announced annually as part of the Budget. No changes to the rates or thresholds were included in Budget 2015.

Student grant applications are means tested on gross income from all sources earned inside and outside the State within a specified reference period. The means test arrangements of the Student Grant Scheme are applied nationally. The assessment of income from the same starting point is deemed to be fair and reasonable because this approach eliminates any distortion which might arise from different spending decisions in different households.

In addition to the scheme, students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. This Fund assists students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances.

Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Ceisteanna (516)

Michelle Mulherin

Ceist:

516. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the avenues of financial assistance and maintenance that are available from the State to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo for third level education, who has been awarded a three year scholarship to attend Griffith College in Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27500/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

Under my Department's student grant scheme, eligible candidates may receive funding provided they are attending an approved course at an approved institution as defined in the scheme.

Private colleges operated on a for-profit basis are not listed as approved institutions for student grant purposes. However, tax relief on tuition fees may be available for students attending courses in private colleges. Details in relation to this relief are available from the Revenue Commissioners on www.revenue.ie.

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Ceisteanna (517)

Pat Breen

Ceist:

517. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the allocations for special needs assistants for the 2015-2016 academic year will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27512/15]

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 SNA support for each school annually taking into account the assessed care needs of children qualifying for SNA support enrolled in the school.

The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support and these criteria by are set out in my Department's Circular 0030/2014.

All schools were asked to apply for SNA support for the 2015/16 school year by 18th March 2015. The NCSE also continued to accept applications after this date in recognition that enrolments may not have been completed or where assessments were not completed.

On conclusion of this process, the NCSE evaluated the level of SNAs required to meet the needs of schools for the coming year and advised the Department on the quantum of SNAs that would need to be provided to meet this need.

This information was received by the Department on 15th June and my Department is currently working to finalise its consideration of this as quickly as possible. Details of SNA allocations to schools for 2015/16 will be available on the NCSE website on completion of this process.

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Ceisteanna (518)

Ruth Coppinger

Ceist:

518. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Skills when primary schools will have their allocations for special needs assistants for the 2015-2016 school year confirmed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27589/15]

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 SNA support for each school annually taking into account the assessed care needs of children qualifying for SNA support enrolled in the school.

The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support and these criteria by are set out in my Department's Circular 0030/2014.

All schools were asked to apply for SNA support for the 2015/16 school year by 18th March 2015. The NCSE also continued to accept applications after this date in recognition that enrolments may not have been completed or where assessments were not completed.

On conclusion of this process, the NCSE evaluated the level of SNAs required to meet the needs of schools for the coming year and advised the Department on the quantum of SNAs that would need to be provided to meet this need.

This information was received by the Department on 15th June and my Department is currently working to finalise its consideration of this as quickly as possible.

Details of SNA allocations to schools for 2015/16 will be available on the NCSE website on completion of this process.

Education and Training Boards Establishment

Ceisteanna (519)

Seán Kyne

Ceist:

519. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a delegated sanction, permitted under the Act establishing the education and training boards, will be sanctioned to the Galway Roscommon Education and Training Board, which is required so that the board may appoint educational officers, principal officers and assistant principal officers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27704/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

My Department is in the process of finalising a delegated sanction agreement for the education sector with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. This agreement will replace the existing Employment Control Framework arrangements which have been in place since 2010. When the Delegated Sanction Agreement has been finalised my officials will discuss with the operationalisation of the agreements with the Education and Training Boards, which includes the Galway Roscommon Education and Training Board.

It is important, however, to note that the operation of the agreement will be subject to multi-annual pay ceilings that have been set by Government for the period 2015-2017.

Broadband Service Provision

Ceisteanna (520)

Seán Kyne

Ceist:

520. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of the success of the roll-out of high-speed broadband to secondary schools, if consideration will be given to a similar initiative for other training centres operated by education and training boards which have a lack of high-speed broadband coverage that impacts on the delivery of training; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27707/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

The Broadband Programme which installed high speed broadband in all second level schools was a joint venture between the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and my Department. The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources paid all the capital costs for the programme along with the current costs for the year of installation and one full year following installation. After this period, my Department will meet the current costs arising.

There is a project underway at present to provide all the Training Centres and the Head Office locations of the Education and Training Boards (ETBs) with gigabit connections to the Government Cloud Network. Currently the training centres all have 50mbps connections and all internet traffic passes through SOLAS head office, but the new gigabit connections will provide the centres with direct Internet access.

There are currently no plans for a national broadband programme for other ETB centres.

Institutes of Technology Funding

Ceisteanna (521)

Seán Kyne

Ceist:

521. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on providing capital assistance to Galway Technical Institute for modernisation, including an extension, particularly in view of the great value delivered by the institute to her Department, considering that it caters for almost 1,300 students at a cost equivalent to 900 students, due to a funding cap; if an extension to the institute is in her departmental plans; when the institute's accommodation needs were last reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27708/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

While there is no dedicated capital budget available for further education a small amount of funding is made available annually for emergency works and an application from Galway Roscommon Education and Training Board in respect of Galway Technical Institute is currently being considered by my Department under this scheme.

The Further Education and Training Strategy published by SOLAS suggested that a dedicated capital funding provision should be a feature of allocations to the ETBs in order to support changes set out in the strategy and the development of further education and training services to learners. This will be considered in the context of the overall capital funding needs of the education and training sector.

School Transport Provision

Ceisteanna (522)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

522. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on the withdrawal of school transport routes to a school (details supplied) in counties Longford and Westmeath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27714/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

Under the terms of my Department's Primary School Transport Scheme a minimum of 10 eligible children residing in a distinct locality, as determined by Bus Éireann, are required before consideration may be given to the establishment or retention of school transport services, provided this can be done within reasonable cost limits.

Bus Éireann, which operates the school transport schemes on behalf of my Department, had advised that the number of children who are eligible for school transport had fallen below this figure and as a result the service was due to be withdrawn from the end of this school year.

However, Bus Éireann has also confirmed that two children were incorrectly assessed for school transport eligibility for the 2015/16 school year.

The addition of these two children means that there is now a sufficient number of children, who are eligible for school transport, to ensure the service is retained for the next school year.

In this regard it is important that families make payment or provide medical card details by the closing date of 31st July 2015.

School Enrolments

Ceisteanna (523)

Seán Kyne

Ceist:

523. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on whether second level schools on islands should be treated as a special category for teacher allocations in recognition of the specific issues they experience in terms of pupil numbers, as well as challenges in providing the most basic curriculum; if a different allocation model is necessary; if, considering there are five second level island schools nationwide operated by the education and training boards, a change would not be financially draining; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27715/15]

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 addition to teacher allocations based largely on pupil teacher ratios, an ex-quota allocation of one teaching post is also allocated to Island schools. In accordance with the published staffing arrangements each school management authority is required to organise its subject options within the limit of its approved teacher allocation. The deployment of teaching staff in the school, the range of subjects offered and ultimately the quality of teaching and learning are in the first instance a matter for the school management authorities.

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. Short term support is needed to enable the school authority to respond to the identified difficulty in meeting essential curricular commitments to pupils within the normal staffing allocation.

The detail of the curricular concession process is set out with the criteria for the allocation of posts and is also available on the website. 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.

The Government's approach to restoring the economy has helped Ireland to return to a position where we are seeing economic growth. It is a continuing improvement in our economic growth over a sustained period that will enable us to move to a point where we can look again at providing for additional teacher resources in schools which could bring about further improvement in PTR, class size and support for classroom teachers.

The challenge for all schools is to ensure that they utilise their allocated resources to best effect to maximise teaching and learning outcomes.