Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Ceist:147. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an urgent appointment for a child (details supplied) in County Monaghan [33496/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraPsychological Assessments
Ceisteanna (147)
Freagraí scríofa
I can inform the Deputy that my Department's National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) provides educational psychology service to all primary and post primary schools through an assigned NEPS psychologist and in some cases through the Scheme for Commissioning Psychological Assessments (SCPA), full details of which are on the Department's website. Under this scheme schools can have an assessment carried out by a member of the panel of private psychologists approved by NEPS, and NEPS will pay the psychologist the fees for this assessment directly.
In common with many other psychological services and best international practice, NEPS has adopted a consultative model of service. The focus is on empowering teachers to intervene effectively with pupils whose needs range from mild to severe and transient to enduring. Psychologists use a problem solving and solution focused consultative approach to maximise positive outcomes for these pupils. NEPS encourages schools to use a continuum based assessment and intervention process whereby each school takes responsibility for initial assessment, educational planning and remedial intervention for pupils with learning, emotional or behavioural difficulties. Teachers may consult their NEPS psychologist should they need to at this stage in the process. Only in the event of a failure to make reasonable progress, in spite of the school's best efforts in consultation with NEPS, will the psychologist become involved with an individual child for intensive intervention or assessment. This system allows psychologists to give early attention to urgent cases and also to help many more children indirectly than could be seen individually. It also ensures that children are not referred unnecessarily for psychological intervention.
I have made enquiries in respect of the child, the subject of the Deputy's question, and am informed that no approach has been made on his behalf by school authorities to the NEPS psychologist assigned. I would advise therefore that if the parents of the child, have specific concerns about his educational progress that they speak, in the first instance to the Principal of the school with a view to raising these concerns with the NEPS psychologist.
Legislative Measures
Ceisteanna (148)
John McGuinness
Ceist:148. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans in relation to the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004; the sections of this Act which have been implemented fully; the sections which require further work and funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33498/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
A number of sections of the EPSEN Act have been commenced, including those establishing the National Council for Special Education and those promoting an inclusive approach to education of children.
The Sections of the EPSEN Act which have not been implemented are those which would have conferred a statutory entitlement to an educational assessment for all children with special educational needs, consequent development of a statutory individual educational plan (IEP) and an independent appeals process.
In light of the very difficult economic situation and the significant costs involved in fully implementing the EPSEN Act, the previous Government deferred the full implementation of Act.
At present, all schools are encouraged to use Education Plans. The Departmental Inspectorates' advice is that the majority of schools are now using some form of individual education planning for children with special needs.In line with Circular 30/2014 schools are required to put in place a Personal Pupil Plan including a care plan for all pupils availing of SNA support.
While awaiting the full implementation of the EPSEN Act, the NCSE has published a number of policy advice papers which make recommendations aimed at developing a better or more effective alternative to the current resource allocation model, and which aims to move the system towards ultimate implementation of the EPSEN Act.
These reports include the NCSE policy advice on Support Students with Special Educational Needs in Schools (2013) and The Report of the Working Group on a Proposed New Model for Allocating Teaching Resources for pupils with Special Educational Needs (2014).
It is therefore intended to bring into effect many of the good ideas contained in the EPSEN Act, on a non-statutory basis initially, through policy developments across a range of areas, in conjunction with NCSE policy advice.
Schools Building Projects Applications
Ceisteanna (149)
Willie O'Dea
Ceist:149. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an extension has been approved for a school (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33513/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can confirm that a major extension to provide additional classrooms and resource rooms has been approved in respect of the school referred to by the Deputy.
Responsibility for the project has been devolved to the school authorities, and the relevant Education and Training Board is providing assistance to the school in this regard.
I understand that the Design Team has been appointed and the project is in the early stages of architectural planning. No funding has been drawn down to date in respect of the project in question.
Teachers' Remuneration
Ceisteanna (150)
Clare Daly
Ceist:150. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 1272 of 22 September 2015, if she will confirm that her Department did not pay for teachers at Linden House, as her Department's website in the publications and statistics section in the statistical report for the year 1966 to 1967 shows that three teachers, and an average of 46 children, enrolled. [33569/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department's computerised records which date back to 1972 showed no record of Linden Convalescent Home. An extensive trawl through manual records showed that Linden Convalescent Home was open from 12th March 1945 to 8th September 1969 and that it was established to cater for children suffering from rheumatic heart ailments. At the time of closure, there were 3 teachers in the school. I can confirm that they were paid by the Department.
Schools Amalgamation
Ceisteanna (151)
Denis Naughten
Ceist:151. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans for the amalgamation of two schools (details supplied) in County Westmeath; if a new school will be provided on a specific site; the reason her Department has refused consideration for the development on a new school on an identified greenfield site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33584/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I wish to advise the Deputy that the decision making authority for school amalgamations belongs to the Patron/Trustees of a school, and this is subject to the approval of the Minister for Education and Skills. Any proposed changes involves extensive negotiations at local level and must be well planned and managed in a manner that accommodates the interests of students, parents, teachers, local communities and contributes to an inclusive education system.
Proposals that may have major capital funding implications will be considered by my Department within the context of competing demands on my Department's capital budget imposed by the need to prioritise available funding for the provision of essential school classroom accommodation to meet demographic needs.
I can confirm that my Department has received a proposal to amalgamate the two schools in question. I can also confirm that the Patron and respective schools have also determined that the new amalgamated school should be located on one of the school's sites. This proposal is currently under consideration and my Department will be liaising directly with the school authorities in this regard.
School Transport Tendering
Ceisteanna (152)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:152. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 1192, 1257, 1258, 1259, 1260, 1261, 1262, 1263, 1264, 1265 and 1266 of 22 September 2015, if she will clarify the number of outstanding matters (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33587/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The services of internationally recognised experts in the field of vehicle maintenance systems and safety standards are engaged by Bus Éireann to conduct inspections on school buses that are utilised to provide services on its behalf under the Department of Education & Skills School Transport Scheme nationally. As previously advised, these inspections are designed to complement annual statutory vehicle examinations as an additional measure designed to ensure that vehicles and maintenance records are maintained to appropriate standards, consistent with RSA guidelines, in the period between annual statutory tests taking place.
Vehicle inspections assess vehicle condition, safety, and maintenance standards on both Bus Éireann buses and buses owned by private operators employed as contractors to provide services under the School Transport Scheme. It is a matter for Bus Éireann to establish standards to be met by contractors who are employed to provide services on its behalf.
I am advised by Bus Éireann that the Freight Transport Association (FTA) provides independent vehicle and maintenance system audits on contractors' vehicles as well as on Bus Éireann's own fleet. This is independent and separate from any other engagement of the FTA by bus and coach operators, or indeed any other similar industry experts. Any initiative taken by bus operators to seek guidance on industry standards, and improvements to raise their own existing standards of maintenance and the roadworthiness of their fleet above the minimum legal requirements should be welcomed and supported. Such initiatives can only raise the quality, standard and safety of school buses on our roads.
The procurement regime operated by Bus Éireann is consistent with the requirements of Irish and EU law and in this regard provides arrangements for feedback to tenderers and a right of appeal through the Courts.
Buses purchased by Bus Éireann for the provision of school transport services are funded by my Department in the context of the overall funding provided for the operation of the School Transport Scheme.
Child Abuse
Ceisteanna (153)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:153. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 128 of 23 September 2015, the number of families who have come forward since the previous apology in 1999 (details supplied); her views on the issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33593/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department's records show that less than 10 families or their legal representatives have come forward where the victim died prior to the State's apology. As you are aware, on the 11th May 1999, the then Taoiseach Bertie Ahern acknowledged, in his apology that 'On behalf of the State and of all citizens of the State, the Government wishes to make a sincere and long overdue apology to the victims of childhood abuse for our collective failure to intervene, to detect their pain, to come to their rescue.'
The State's apology unreservedly acknowledges the suffering of all victims of childhood abuse including those who died prior to 11th May 1999.