Written Answers Nos. 230-240
230. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which orthodontic treatment continues to be made available for children; the number of children on the lists for category one, two, and three treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43446/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE provides orthodontic treatment to those who have been assessed and referred for treatment before their 16th birthday. Patients are assessed by the HSE Orthodontic Service under the modified Index of Treatment Need (IOTN). Patients with the greatest level of need i.e. Grade 5 or Grade 4 are provided with treatment by the HSE. IOTN grades 1 to 3 are not considered severe enough to be treated within the public health system.
231. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the number of patients on waiting lists for hip replacements, heart procedures, various transplants and other procedures; if the extent of pain suffered by the patient in the interim can be an accelerant for accessing treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43447/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
232. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which prescription costs have fallen or have stabilised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43448/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraBetween 2009 and 2014, the HSE's expenditure on reimbursed medicines remained stable at under €2 billion.
Aggregate spending on the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme, the Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS) and the Long-Term Illness (LTI) Scheme has reduced since 2009, despite an increase in numbers eligible for the schemes and the introduction of more expensive new medicines. The average price of an item dispensed on the GMS scheme has reduced to below the price paid in 2002, while the average item price dispensed under the DPS and LTI schemes is now below the price paid in 2000.
However, expenditure on high tech medicines increased from €315 million to €485 million between 2009 and 2014. This increase is due to the introduction of highly expensive new medicines and the increased use of existing medicines.
The reductions achieved to date are due to a sustained and ongoing programme of initiatives, which includes the implementation of price reduction Agreements with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association and the Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers in Ireland (now the Irish Generics Medicines Association). Cumulative savings and cost avoidance generated between 2006 and 2014 amount to approximately €1.5 billion.
The introduction of generic substitution and reference pricing, as provided for by the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, has also contributed to the reductions in the cost of medicines. The prices of reference priced products are generally of the order of 70-80% lower than the prices paid when medicines were on patent. On the date of introduction of the 2013 Act, the HSE was reimbursing in excess of €22 million per month on medicines reference priced in 2014. By December 2014, this had reduced to €10.3 million due to the combination of reference pricing, increases in generic utilisation and generic price reductions prior to reference prices. Reference pricing delivered savings of over €47 million in 2014, and is expected to generate in excess of €25 million in additional savings in 2015.
233. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath, who has been given a waiting period of 12 months after diagnosis for treatment to begin; if this case will be reviewed, given its urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43449/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy's questions relate to service delivery matters and accordingly I have asked the HSE to respond directly to her.
If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
234. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of the situation of an Irish citizen (details supplied) detained in Egypt; the recent actions he has taken regarding this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43381/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has a clear strategy in this case which is focused on achieving a positive outcome at the earliest time possible for this citizen. That strategy is based on two key objectives: Firstly, to see this citizen released by the Egyptian authorities so that he can return to his family and his studies in Ireland and, secondly, to provide consular support for his welfare while he remains in detention.
In furtherance of these objectives, I have intensively engaged with the Egyptian authorities, including the Egyptian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Egypt’s Ambassador to Ireland, and with EU and international partners, including High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Ms Federica Mogherini. The Taoiseach also raised the case in person on two occasions with Egyptian President al-Sisi. The information we receive from all of these contacts is carefully considered and used in reviewing our approach to this case on a constant basis.
Significant resources in Cairo and in Dublin continue to be deployed in the provision of comprehensive consular assistance to both the citizen and their family. I would also note that Embassy officials visited this citizen in detention most recently on 23 November.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade continues to accord a high priority to this case and our approach is guided at all times by the two key objectives set out above.
235. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will ensure the roll-out of broadband to schools in an area (details supplied) in County Wicklow; when this roll-out will commence, the speed of the broadband being provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43202/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Schools Broadband Access Programme, my Department provides for the supply of internet connectivity for all recognised primary schools. A framework involving more providers was put in place in 2012 which ensures that improved solutions are being made available to schools. The Department is continually working with providers to ensure that where possible improved services are made available to schools.
Under the current mini competition 82 primary schools in Wicklow have been awarded new services (see table below). The Department and its partners are currently engaged in facilitating the migration of these schools to their new contract services. For some schools, it may not be possible to install the proposed solution. In those instances, the affected schools will be handed back to the Department to be awarded to the next best solution.All post-primary schools throughout the country, including Wicklow, have a 100Mbit/s connection in place.
|
Unique ID |
School Name |
School Roll Number |
County |
Expected Bandwidth Down (Mbps) |
Expected Bandwidth Up (Mbps) |
Guaranteed Contention (x:1) |
|
11018 |
GLENEALY 1 N S |
00984V |
Wicklow |
15 |
3 |
1 |
|
11197 |
BRITTAS BAY MXD N S |
11372B |
Wicklow |
12 |
4 |
10 |
|
11382 |
JONATHAN SWIFT NS |
14269A |
Wicklow |
20 |
0.768 |
1 |
|
11431 |
ALL SAINTS NATIONAL SCHOOL |
14972R |
Wicklow |
40 |
10 |
1 |
|
11463 |
SHILLELAGH NO 1 N S |
15359G |
Wicklow |
17 |
0.768 |
1 |
|
11519 |
S N MUIRE |
16027J |
Wicklow |
12 |
4 |
10 |
|
11640 |
CAOIMHIN NAOFA N S |
16924Q |
Wicklow |
5 |
1 |
12 |
|
11741 |
ANNACURRA N S |
17304O |
Wicklow |
12 |
0.768 |
1 |
|
11774 |
S N MUIRE MXD |
17500O |
Wicklow |
18 |
5 |
1 |
|
11897 |
CROSSBRIDGE N S |
17907V |
Wicklow |
8 |
0.512 |
1 |
|
11931 |
KILCOMMON N S |
18033O |
Wicklow |
15 |
0.768 |
1 |
|
11956 |
COOLFANCY N S |
18118W |
Wicklow |
12 |
4 |
10 |
|
12049 |
RATHCOYLE N S |
18434J |
Wicklow |
12 |
4 |
10 |
|
12065 |
TINAHELY N S |
18489L |
Wicklow |
17 |
0.768 |
1 |
|
12071 |
S N NAOMH BRID |
18502A |
Wicklow |
12 |
4 |
10 |
|
12199 |
STRATFORD LODGE NS |
19339U |
Wicklow |
50 |
15 |
1 |
|
12296 |
SCOIL MHUIRE NA NAIRD |
19748O |
Wicklow |
17 |
0.768 |
1 |
|
12762 |
S N MUIRE |
17091A |
Wicklow |
70 |
20 |
1 |
|
13318 |
AN T INBHEAR MOR B N S |
02276E |
Wicklow |
100 |
20 |
1 |
|
13333 |
SISTERS OF CHARITY N S |
07246U |
Wicklow |
8 |
8 |
24 |
|
13366 |
S N NAOMH MICHAEL |
13932A |
Wicklow |
25 |
7 |
1 |
|
13369 |
CARYSFORT MXD N S |
14045B |
Wicklow |
80 |
20 |
1 |
|
13390 |
ST PETERS INFTS |
15383D |
Wicklow |
50 |
20 |
1 |
|
13418 |
ST BRIGIDS SCHOOL |
16573N |
Wicklow |
50 |
20 |
1 |
|
13420 |
Kilcoole Primay School |
20346B |
Wicklow |
90 |
20 |
1 |
|
13436 |
S N NAOMH IOSEF G |
16874E |
Wicklow |
85 |
20 |
1 |
|
13453 |
ST JOSEPHS N S |
17181B |
Wicklow |
12 |
0.768 |
1 |
|
13477 |
SCOIL AN CHOROIN MHUIRE |
17576B |
Wicklow |
50 |
15 |
1 |
|
13482 |
SCOIL NAOMH CAOIMHGHIN |
17720F |
Wicklow |
100 |
20 |
1 |
|
13552 |
Kilcoole Primay School |
20346B |
Wicklow |
90 |
20 |
1 |
|
13591 |
ST ERNANS B N S |
18962L |
Wicklow |
80 |
20 |
1 |
|
13709 |
ST KIERANS SPEC SCHOOL |
19599A |
Wicklow |
30 |
8 |
1 |
|
13722 |
ST FERGALS SENIOR NS |
19654F |
Wicklow |
90 |
20 |
1 |
|
13830 |
GAELSCOIL AN INBHIR MHOIR |
20080M |
Wicklow |
70 |
20 |
1 |
|
13904 |
BALLYCONNELL N S |
00977B |
Wicklow |
12 |
4 |
10 |
|
13940 |
BLESSINGTON 1 N S |
06176U |
Wicklow |
12 |
0.768 |
1 |
|
13985 |
MOIN AN BHEALAIGH N S |
10131U |
Wicklow |
12 |
4 |
10 |
|
14007 |
NUNS CROSS N S |
11649S |
Wicklow |
15 |
0.768 |
1 |
|
14054 |
ST ANDREWS N S |
13597M |
Wicklow |
100 |
20 |
1 |
|
14088 |
THE GLEBE NS |
14398L |
Wicklow |
25 |
7 |
1 |
|
14178 |
Newtownmountkennedy Primary School |
20278K |
Wicklow |
20 |
0.768 |
1 |
|
14181 |
ST LAURENCES N S |
16634H |
Wicklow |
50 |
20 |
1 |
|
14251 |
CLOCHAR MUIRE N S |
17228B |
Wicklow |
15 |
3 |
1 |
|
14256 |
RATHDRUM BOYS N S |
17265H |
Wicklow |
15 |
0.768 |
1 |
|
14291 |
SCOIL PADRAIG NAOFA |
17537O |
Wicklow |
17 |
0.768 |
1 |
|
14351 |
DONARD N S |
17920N |
Wicklow |
20 |
1 |
12 |
|
14400 |
PADRAIG NAOFA N S |
18198A |
Wicklow |
6 |
1 |
12 |
|
14408 |
CARNEW N S |
18242A |
Wicklow |
18 |
5 |
1 |
|
14433 |
NAOMH PEADAR N S |
18464S |
Wicklow |
80 |
20 |
1 |
|
14435 |
AN CHROI RO NAOFA N S |
18473T |
Wicklow |
17 |
0.768 |
1 |
|
14476 |
Newtownmountkennedy Primary School |
20278K |
Wicklow |
20 |
0.768 |
1 |
|
14560 |
ST CATHERINES SPEC SCH |
19522L |
Wicklow |
80 |
20 |
1 |
|
14566 |
ST LAURENCES N S |
19573F |
Wicklow |
24 |
7 |
1 |
|
14567 |
SCOIL CHUALANN |
19584K |
Wicklow |
150 |
15 |
4 |
|
14587 |
ST FRANCIS N S |
19734D |
Wicklow |
6 |
0.512 |
1 |
|
14592 |
BRAY SCHOOL PROJECT N S |
19754J |
Wicklow |
6 |
0.512 |
1 |
|
14657 |
SCOIL NAOMH IOSAF |
20039P |
Wicklow |
100 |
20 |
1 |
|
14658 |
GAELSCOIL CHILL MHANTÁIN |
20045K |
Wicklow |
90 |
20 |
1 |
|
14706 |
WICKLOW EDUCATE TOGETHER NS |
20178G |
Wicklow |
80 |
20 |
1 |
|
15260 |
GREYSTONES 2 N S |
12554M |
Wicklow |
12 |
0.768 |
1 |
|
15662 |
ST SAVIOURS N S |
12529N |
Wicklow |
50 |
20 |
1 |
|
15913 |
S N NAOMH PADRAIG |
01782O |
Wicklow |
15 |
2 |
4 |
|
15934 |
POWERSCOURT N S |
09760V |
Wicklow |
10.21 |
0.96 |
20 |
|
15941 |
S N MUIRE IS GEARARD |
17223O |
Wicklow |
20 |
0.768 |
1 |
|
15951 |
S N PADRAIG NAOFA |
18357R |
Wicklow |
25 |
25 |
4 |
|
15952 |
KILMACANOGUE N S |
18365Q |
Wicklow |
8 |
8 |
24 |
|
15956 |
ST FERGALS JUNIOR NATIONAL SCHOOL |
19508R |
Wicklow |
80 |
20 |
1 |
|
16081 |
NA COROINE MUIRE MXD |
17826V |
Wicklow |
40 |
10 |
1 |
|
16088 |
GAELSCOIL UI CHEADAIGH |
20016D |
Wicklow |
100 |
20 |
1 |
|
16103 |
MARINO SCHOOL N.S. |
18281K |
Wicklow |
90 |
20 |
1 |
|
16168 |
S N MHUIRE SENIOR SCHOOL |
20110S |
Wicklow |
70 |
20 |
1 |
|
16386 |
KILBRIDE N S |
10683N |
Wicklow |
12 |
4 |
10 |
|
16413 |
SN NICOLAIS NAOFA |
17810G |
Wicklow |
20 |
0.768 |
1 |
|
16480 |
HOLLYWOOD N S |
18054W |
Wicklow |
12 |
4 |
10 |
|
16567 |
Greystones Educate Together National School |
20300A |
Wicklow |
80 |
20 |
1 |
|
16569 |
Gaelscoil Na Clocha Liatha |
20301C |
Wicklow |
80 |
20 |
1 |
|
16592 |
SCOIL AN CHOROIN MHUIRE |
17576B |
Wicklow |
50 |
15 |
1 |
|
16593 |
WICKLOW EDUCATE TOGETHER NS |
20178G |
Wicklow |
70 |
20 |
1 |
|
23396 |
PADRAIG NAOFA B N S |
15676S |
Wicklow |
90 |
20 |
1 |
|
24210 |
CRONAN NAOFA N S |
16872A |
Wicklow |
100 |
20 |
1 |
|
26045 |
BLESSINGTON EDUCATE TOGETHER |
20242M |
Wicklow |
25 |
7 |
1 |
|
26067 |
GAEL SCOIL NA LOCHANNA |
20243O |
Wicklow |
40 |
10 |
1 |
236. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application for replacement windows and other improvements to a school (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43225/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, I announced details on 17th November last, of the major school building projects that are scheduled to proceed to construction over the next six years, as part of the Government's €2.8 billion capital investment programme. A project for the school in question is listed in this announcement to proceed to construction in 2018.
The school in question has recently applied to my Department for funding towards addressing immediate accommodation needs. The application concerned is currently being considered and my Department will be in contact with the school as soon as the assessment process has been concluded.
237. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on the building of school extensions for schools (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43226/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe major building project for the schools to which the Deputy refers is at an advanced stage of architectural planning – Stage 2b. This stage includes the applications for Planning Permission, Fire Cert and Disability Access Cert and the preparation of Tender Documents.
As the Deputy is aware on Tuesday 17th November 2015 I announced details of the major school building projects where construction is expected to commence over the next 6 years. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the project to which she refers is included in this plan. Information in respect of all projects on this 6 year plan is available on my Department's website www.education.ie
238. Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide in tabular form from the 2010 financial year to 2014, the number of eligible and separately the number of concessionary customers transported each year for these specified sub-divisions: the percentage decrease or increase in customers transported; the percentage decrease or increase in average cost per customer; whether the minimum number of ten or seven for a distinct locality applied for the tabulated years and columns showing the sums paid by the customers and her Department; the percentage saving to the Department and the percentage with separate columns for private operators and Bus Éireann services, as well as for buses and minibuses and separately for taxis transporting children with special transport needs; as part of the school transport scheme's financial years and as part of the provision of bus or taxi transport under the various schemes arranged by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43227/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that school transport is a very significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on the Department's behalf. In the region of 112,500 children, including almost 10,000 children with special educational needs, are transported to school on a daily basis throughout the country.
The latest information sought by the Deputy in relation to pupil numbers, vehicles and charges is outlined below.
Research carried out in the context of the Value for Money Review of the School Transport Scheme showed that the annual unit cost per pupil for the provision of school transport was some €1,000, €950 and €7,000 for primary, post primary and children with special educational needs (excluding escorts) respectively.
Parental contributions as % of Overall Expenditure
|
Year |
Total Expenditure (‘000) |
Parental Contribution (‘000) |
% |
|
2010 |
€181,409 |
€11,600 |
6.3% |
|
2011 |
€171,483 |
€11,500 |
6.7% |
|
2012 |
€168,464 |
€12,600 |
7.5% |
|
2013 |
€170,750 |
€12,800 |
7.5% |
|
2014 |
€172,081 |
€13,000 |
7.6% |
Comparison of Pupil Numbers
|
School Year |
Primary |
|||||
|
Special Needs |
Primary Eligible |
Number Primary MC Tickets Issued |
% MC Card Tkts Issued |
Concessionary |
Total Primary Eligible & Ineligible |
|
|
2010/2011 |
8155 |
47995 |
N/A |
N/A |
3272 |
59422 |
|
2011/2012 |
8283 |
36874 |
11735 |
32% |
4312 |
49469 |
|
2012/2013 |
8317 |
34464 |
12665 |
37% |
6026 |
48807 |
|
2013/2014 |
9239 |
33444 |
13014 |
39% |
7267 |
49950 |
|
2014/2015 |
9791 |
30194 |
10773 |
36% |
9699 |
49684 |
|
School Year |
Post Primary |
|||||
|
Post Primary Eligible |
Number Post Primary MC Tickets Issued |
% Medical Card PP Tickets Issued |
Concessionary |
Total Post Primary Eligible & Ineligible |
Total Pupils Primary & Post Primary Eligible & Concessionary |
|
|
2010/2011 |
64040 |
27594 |
43% |
531 |
64571 |
123993 |
|
2011/2012 |
63004 |
29035 |
46% |
542 |
63546 |
113015 |
|
2012/2013 |
60733 |
30108 |
50% |
2923 |
63656 |
112463 |
|
2013/2014 |
59010 |
30461 |
52% |
5103 |
64113 |
114063 |
|
2014/2015 |
53904 |
27197 |
50% |
8989 |
62893 |
112577 |
Note:
In 2014/15 the drop of 3250 Primary eligible and 5106 PP eligible pupils results in a corresponding decrease in MC tickets issued. This reduction in the number of eligible pupils corresponds with the increase in the number of concessionary pupils as pupils who retained eligibility under the 'old' rules finish school and new applicants avail of concessionary transport under the rules of the new schemes.
11 February 2015
Vehicles - Bus Éireann & Contractors
|
Type |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
|
BE large (on road) |
491 |
491 |
455 |
427 |
427 |
Private Contractor
|
Large |
615 |
619 |
631 |
643 |
657 |
|
Medium |
764 |
737 |
750 |
733 |
782 |
|
Mini |
1282 |
1256 |
1289 |
1320 |
1367 |
|
Taxi |
722 |
723 |
744 |
765 |
832 |
|
Total on the road |
3874 |
3826 |
3869 |
3888 |
4065 |
|
Total % of direct provision |
13% |
13% |
12% |
11% |
11% |
Withdrawal of Services Under Minimum Numbers
|
Number of services withdrawn |
Number of Services withdrawn |
||
|
Year |
Primary |
PP |
Cost Over Full School Year |
|
2010 |
7 |
None |
€107,843.73 |
|
2011 |
76 |
9 |
€1,355,438.00 |
|
2012 |
11 |
1 |
€285,297.00 |
|
2013 |
15 |
5 |
€364,733.00 |
|
2014 |
21 |
7 |
€519,976.60 |
|
2015 |
40 |
3 |
€716,628.00 |
Source: Bus Éireann 10th November, 2015.
School Transport Scheme - 2008 v 2013
|
Year |
Contractor Vehicles |
New Demand Led Services Sanctioned at extra cost |
Service Enhancements Sanctioned at extra cost |
Sanctioned Extra Cost for new and improved services |
Savings from Reorganisation of Services (Network) and Rebate |
Total net chargeable by BE to DES €m |
Parental Charges Collected €m |
Total combined net amount chargeable including parental charges €m |
|
2008 |
3,330 |
+206 |
+447 |
€6.1m |
€3.5m (Network) €0.5m (Rebate) €4.0m |
162,024 |
8,751 |
170,775 |
|
2009 |
3,322 |
+123 |
+445 |
€4.0m |
€6.6m (N) €0.35m (R) €7.0m |
159,369 |
11,628 |
170,997 |
|
2010 |
3,383 |
+97 |
+363 |
€3.5m |
€5.3m (N) €0.3m (R) €5.6m |
154,026 |
11,651 |
165,677 |
|
2011 |
3,335 |
+152 |
+293 |
€3.9m |
€6.7m (N) €1.8m (R) €8.5m |
151,804 |
11,486 |
163,290 |
|
2012 |
3,414 |
+196 |
+442 |
€6.0m |
€2.5m (N) €3.6m (R) €6.1m |
149,477 |
12,570 |
162,047 |
|
2013 |
3,461 |
+215 |
+525 |
€6.3m |
€3.3m (N) €3.75m (R) €7.0m |
149,825 |
12,772 |
162,597 |
|
Change v 2008 |
+131 Contractor vehicles* |
+989 new services |
+2,515 enhancements |
+€29.8m approved extra cost |
€38.2m in Cost Reductions including rebate of€10.3m** |
Reduction of€12.2m |
+€4.0m |
Reduction of €8.2m |
*The number of Bus Éireann school buses working each school day reduced from 537 to 427 between 2008 and 2013 (-110) which also contributed to the increase in the number of contractor vehicles
**Policy changes announced in Budget 2011 also contributed to network efficiencies (i.e. services withdrawn that fell below the minimum number threshold for service retention)
239. Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will impose strict rules determining distinct localities rather than these being decided by Bus Éireann or anybody else on her behalf; if documented and published rules are necessary to avoid inequitable situations and to provide fair and sound administration; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43228/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra242. Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of persons who contacted her Department or Bus Éireann with complaints regarding routes or services not being made available due to decisions made regarding what is or is not a distinct locality with a minimum number of ten customers for the route, since the decision-making process was taken over by Bus Éireann; the dates the decision-making process was agreed and commenced by Bus Éireann; the number of routes that have been discontinued as a result of the ten-customer rule; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43241/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 239 and 242 together.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school. Changes to my Department's School Transport Scheme were announced on the 7 December 2010, as part of measures announced in Budget 2011, and derived from recommendations contained in the Value for Money review of the scheme. The budgetary changes included an increase from seven to ten in the minimum number of eligible children required to establish or retain a service and this change is being implemented by Bus Éireann.
Families of eligible children, for whom a school transport service was withdrawn as it fell below the minimum number, are eligible for the remote area grant towards the cost of making private transport arrangements.
Below are details of the number of services withdrawn. The terms of my Department's School Transport Scheme are available on my Department and Bus Éireann websites. As defined in the Scheme, for school bus operating purposes a "distinct locality" is a cluster of eligible children who reside in the same general area, in the same general direction from the school attended, as determined by Bus Éireann taking cognisance of the local road network. I am satisfied that this definition is commonly understood and is implemented in a fair and transparent manner.
Withdrawal of Services Under Minimum Numbers
|
Number of services withdrawn |
Number of services withdrawn |
|
|
Year |
Primary |
PP |
|
2010 |
7 |
None |
|
2011 |
76 |
9 |
|
2012 |
11 |
1 |
|
2013 |
15 |
5 |
|
2014 |
21 |
7 |
|
2015 |
40 |
3 |
Source: Bus Éireann 10 November, 2015
240. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will retain the prescribed failure rates for honours mathematics in the 2015-16 leaving certificate cycle at 5%; why it was raised to this percentage level in the 2014-15 academic year; if this was as a result of the media coverage following the examination; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43236/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraStandards are established for new syllabuses in Ireland in advance of examining. The approach taken is sometimes described as a "college of professionals" approach. In the first instance, a group of people who are deemed to have an expert knowledge of what the students in the target audience ought to be able to achieve in the subject concerned reach a consensus regarding the content standards of the syllabus. This is achieved through the various committees in the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA).
Following on this, these content standards are then put into effect as a set of performance standards by the State Examinations Commission (SEC). Once these performance standards have been tested, reviewed and fully established, the SEC, in accordance with its Establishment Order, then endeavours to ensure that the standards remain consistent over time.
As part of its remit the SEC is charged with maintaining standards year on year and it endeavours to achieve this by the processes it has in place for the preparation of examination papers and other test items, and by the quality assurance procedures it implements at the examining and appeal stages of the state examinations.
All of the SEC's examinations are prepared in accordance with the principles outlined in the document, The Preparation of Test Items – Principles and Protocol, available on its website at www.examinations.ie. Similarly, all examinations are assessed in accordance with the key assessment principles of validity and reliability.
In order to maintain standards, the Chief Examiner for each examination takes all necessary steps to ensure that the examination paper, the marking scheme and its application combine to ensure that established standard are maintained.
Standards of achievement of large cohorts of students do not radically change in the space of a year. A certain amount of variation from year to year may happen, and a gradual change in the pattern of grades may occur over time, provided the subject experts involved are satisfied that it reflects real changes in achievement. Furthermore, syllabus change and other deliberate interventions may impact on grade patterns, as may changes to the size or composition of the cohort.
The examinations are marked by examiners, (generally experienced teachers in the subject), who work under the overall direction and management of the Chief Examiner for the subject. Examiners normally mark scripts from a number of schools. Examiners do not know either the region or the schools from which the papers they mark are drawn. They have sight only of examination centre numbers and candidate numbers, thus maintaining the anonymity of the system. There are no 'quotas' applied to the number of grades, including E, F and NG, coming from any examination centre or indeed from the overall batch of scripts allocated to any examiner or the cohort generally.
The marking process is overseen by a team consisting of the Chief Examiner, a Chief Advising Examiner and a number of Advising Examiners, who monitor and advise the examiners in their work. The Chief Examiner and the advisory team test the draft marking scheme at a two day pre-conference. During the pre-conference, the draft marking scheme is also considered in the light of commentary and correspondence from teachers, professional bodies and other interested parties, before being applied to exemplars of candidates' work.
All examiners attend at a training conference prior to commencing the marking. The training process involves the use of exemplars of candidates' work both for standardising purposes and for purposes of training examiners in the consistent application of the marking scheme. Random sampling is conducted in the early stages of the marking which serves to assist in the appropriate adjustment, clarification and refinement of the marking scheme as well as an initial quality assurance on the work of examiners. If the grade distribution differs substantially from the established norm, this is interrogated to determine the underlying factors and where appropriate adjustments may be made to the marking scheme before the full marking process executes. Once the marking scheme has been finalised, the marking proceeds, subject to rigorous ongoing monitoring of the process.
Ongoing and systematic monitoring is a critical element of the marking process. The monitoring is designed to enable each examiner to apply the agreed marking scheme consistently and accurately to all scripts. A minimum of 5% of the scripts, marked by each examiner, is monitored by Advising Examiners during the course of the marking. As a consequence of this examiners who are found to be off-standard are required to remark all scripts that had been marked to that point. This may result in grade changes. Advising Examiners are also available to the examiners for consultation and advice throughout the marking period.
The marking schemes in each Leaving Certificate subject are published shortly after the issue of the examination results and in advance of the viewing of their scripts by candidates. These are issued to all schools and are available to download from the SEC's website. The Junior Certificate marking schemes are published on the website.
A formal appeals process is provided by the State Examinations Commission. It is open to every candidate to appeal the result awarded in any particular subject. The appeals system involves a sophisticated combination of measures. Candidates are provided with the option to view the marked scripts and are also provided with the facility to comment on the marking through a dedicated form. Appealed scripts are re-marked in accordance with the same standard as applied in the initial marking, and the same marking scheme as utilised in the initial marking. Candidates may also view the appealed script after the appeal marking.
Quality assurance measures are in place at each stage of the appeal process to ensure that the marking scheme is applied fairly to the work of each candidate. If a candidate is still dissatisfied with the result after the appeals marking has concluded, he/she has recourse to a review by the Independent Appeals Scrutineers and beyond that to the Ombudsman.
