Tuesday, 8 Dec 2015

Written Answers Nos. 461-482

Ministerial Meetings

Ceisteanna (461)

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

461. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will meet the Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs and Co-operation, Mr José Manuel García-Margallo y Marfil, outside the Council of the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44203/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I meet regularly with my foreign minister colleagues at the monthly Foreign Affairs Council meetings including with my Spanish counterpart with whom I have excellent working relations.

I have no immediate plans to meet the Spanish Minister outside the Council framework at this juncture.

Legal Costs

Ceisteanna (462)

Mattie McGrath

Ceist:

462. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the total cost to his Department and those under his aegis of the procurement of legal services in the State from 2011 to 2015, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44574/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

My Department is responsible for two Votes, Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs and Trade) and Vote 27 (International Cooperation).

My Department generally seeks advice on domestic legal matters from the Office of the Attorney General and/or the Chief State Solicitor’s Office. Depending on the subject-matter, domestic litigation is dealt with on my Department’s behalf by the Attorney General’s Office, the Chief State Solicitor’s Office or the State Claims Agency which engage lawyers to act for the Department where necessary and pay their fees. Department has a Legal Division, which deals with matters of public international law, human rights law, and European Union law and other relevant legal issues. The Division also acts as agent for the Government before certain international courts and tribunals, such as the European Court of Human Rights. In this regard, it works closely with the Office of the Attorney General, which pays the fees of external lawyers.

The amounts incurred by my Department in legal costs (excluding settlement costs/awards) in the years 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and to end-November 2015 are set out in the table:

Year	Total costs
2011	100,821
2012	79,854
2013	162,129
2014	217,703
2015 (to end-November)	147,118

Third Level Funding

Ceisteanna (463)

Seán Kenny

Ceist:

463. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of increasing the number of intellectual disability training places in Dublin City University from 20 to 35; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43848/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The position in relation to the funding of higher education institutions, such as Dublin City University, is that my Department allocates recurrent funding to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) for direct disbursement to the HEA designated higher education institutions. The HEA allocates the funding to Universities via a Recurrent Grant Allocation Model on the basis of student numbers in each institution and it is then a matter for the individual institution as to how that funding is allocated internally.

State Examinations Exemptions

Ceisteanna (464)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

464. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will examine the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry who requested an exemption in the leaving certificate examinations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43510/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations. The State Examinations Commission operates a scheme of Reasonable Accommodations in the Certificate examinations. In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.

Schools Building Projects Status

Ceisteanna (465)

Paul Connaughton

Ceist:

465. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the conveyancing process for a school (details supplied) in County Galway will be concluded so that work can begin on providing a new school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43514/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

I can confirm that the legal issues which arose as part of the conveyancing process have now been resolved and the acquisition of the site is currently being finalised.

Education Policy

Ceisteanna (466)

Terence Flanagan

Ceist:

466. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for differing school times (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43522/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

Circular 11/95 and the Rules for National Schools provide that the minimum length of the normal full school day at primary level comprises of a period of not less than 5 hours and forty minutes. The Deputy has not stated the class that the child is attending but Circular 11/95 and the Rules for National Schools also provide that pupils in infant classes may have a school day that is one hour shorter than the length of the normal school day. It is a matter for the Board of Management of a particular school to decide whether this concession should be applied in the case of its school. If pupils in infant classes are being given a shorter day, their parents should be notified accordingly and invited to collect them at time of dismissal. Where the implementation of the shorter day for pupils in infant classes may cause issues for some parents, my Department would encourage school authorities to engage with parents locally with a view to arriving at a mutually acceptable resolution. My Department does not support the position of any school which may take a unilateral decision to shorten the school day for any pupil, irrespective of whether the pupil may have a special educational need or not. It is the position of my Department that all school children are entitled to participate fully in their school. If there are reasons why an earlier finishing time should be applied in the case of any child, any such arrangements should be agreed with the parents of the child in advance of their implementation. If the Deputy has information which indicates that, because of a child's special educational needs, a school has shortened their school day, without the agreement of the child's parents, such information should be forwarded to the special Education Section of my Department.

Educational Disadvantage

Ceisteanna (467)

Jonathan O'Brien

Ceist:

467. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools with delivering equality of opportunity in schools status that have merged with other schools since this status was introduced, and the number of the newly merged schools that maintained or received this status in tabular form. [43525/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

I wish to advise the Deputy that since DEIS was launched in 2005 a total of 37 schools with DEIS status have amalgamated with other schools, some of which had DEIS status and some of which were non-DEIS schools. There were 29 such amalgamations at primary level and 8 at post primary. The details of same are set out in the table attached. In line with all such amalgamations, the new school continues to receive the current level of supports in respect of the number of eligible pupils from the former DEIS school until that pupil cohort have left the school. In the case of a primary school these supports continue to be supplied for 8 years following the amalgamation. In the case of a post primary school these supports continue to be supplied for 6 years following the amalgamation.

DEIS was launched in 2005

First Amalgamations involving DEIS Schools are in the 2007/08 school year. (No such amalgamations in 2008/09 school year).

Amalgamations involving DEIS schools for 2007/2008 school year

Amalgamate	DEIS status	Amalgamate	DEIS status	Amalgamate	DEIS status	New School details	New DEIS classification
CBS Primary School (RN 16870T), Ennistymon, Co. Clare	DEIS RURAL	Ennistymon Convent Primary School (RN 16359L), Ennistymon, Co. Clare	DEIS RURAL	-		Ennistymon National School (RN 20245S), Ennistymon, Co. Clare	DEIS Primary RURAL
St. Michael’s Junior School (RN 19708C), Cootehill, Co. Cavan	DEIS	St. Michael’s Senior School (RN 19709E), Cootehill, Co. Cavan	DEIS	-		St Michael’s National School (RN 20277I), Cootehill, Co. Cavan	DEIS Primary URBAN
Scoil Chroí (RN 05215W), Ballina, Co. Mayo	DEIS	Scoil Íosagáin ( RN 17201E), Ballina, Co. Mayo	DEIS	-		Scoil Íosa (RN 20275E), Convent Hill, Ballina, Co. Mayo	DEIS Primary URBAN
St Brigid’s GNS (RN 16591P), Newtownmountkennedy, Co. Wicklow	DEIS URBAN	St Joseph’s BNS (RN 18732R), Newtownmountkennedy, Greystones, Co. Wicklow	DEIS URBAN	-		Newtownmountkennedy Primary School (RN 20278K), Newtownmountkennedy, Co. Wicklow	DEIS Primary URBAN
St Benedict’s NS (RN 19262L),Grange Park, Raheny, Dublin 5	DEIS	St Mary’s NS (RN 19440J), Grange Park View, Raheny, Dublin 5	DEIS	-		St Benedict’s and St Mary’s National School (RN 20281W), Grange Park, Dublin 5	DEIS Primary URBAN

Amalgamations involving DEIS schools for 2009/2010 school year

Amalgamate	DEIS status	Amalgamate	DEIS status	Amalgamate	DEIS status	New School details	New DEIS classification
SN an Droma (RN 13528Q), Leitir Mealláin, Co. na Gaillimhe	DEIS RURAL	Sn Leitir Mealláin, Leitir, Leitir Mealláin (RN 13416F), Galway	DEIS RURAL	-	-	Sn Leitir Mealláin (RN 20345W), Leitir Mealláin, Co. Na Gaillimhe	DEIS Primary RURAL
St Patrick's College, Tuam, Co. Galway (RN63140U)	DEIS	St Jarlath's College (RN 63150A), Tuam	NON DEIS			St Jarlath’s College (RN 68074M), Tuam, Co. Galway	NON-DEIS Post Primary
St Aengus PP School (RN 71490U), Mountrath	DEIS	Brigidine Secondary School (RN 63410A), Mountrath	NON DEIS	Patrician College (RN 63440J) Ballyfin -	NON DEIS	Mountrath Com School (RN 91550B), Dysartbeigh, Mountrath, Co. Laois	NON- DEIS Post Primary C & C

Amalgamations involving DEIS schools for 2010/2011 school year

Amalgamate	DEIS status	Amalgamate	DEIS status	Amalgamate	DEIS status	New School details	New DEIS classification
Sráid Bhaile Boys NS (RN 17692D)	DEIS RURAL	Stradbally Convent (RN 13937K)	NON DEIS			St Coleman’s NS (RN 20353V), Stradbally, Co. Laois	NON-DEIS Primary RURAL

Amalgamations involving DEIS schools for 2011/2012 school year

Amalgamate	DEIS status	Amalgamate	DEIS status	Amalgamate	DEIS status	New School details	New DEIS classification
Scoil Pio Naofa (RN 16851P), Ballybunion, Co. Kerry	DEIS RURAL	St Joseph’s NS (RN 13233U), Doon Road, Ballybunion, Co. Kerry	DEIS RURAL	-	-	Scoil Íosagáin (RN 20196I), Church Road, Ballybunion, Co. Kerry	DEIS Primary RURAL
St Attracta’s NS (RN 13944H), Kilmactigue, Aclare, Sligo	DEIS RURAL	St Joseph’s NS, (RN 19923G), Banada, Sligo	NON DEIS			Our Lady’s NS (RN 20385L), Tourlestrane, Co. Sligo	NON-DEIS Primary RURAL
Schoil Mhuire Girls School (RN 05913A), Kilcormac, Offaly	DEIS RURAL	St Cormac’s Boys School (RN 17359Q), Kilcormac, Offaly	DEIS RURAL			Scoil Mhuire agus Chormaic (RN 20387P), Kilcormac, Co. Offaly	DEIS Primary RURAL
Maria Assumpta JNS (RN 18237H), Ballyphehane, Cork	DEIS URBAN	Marian Assumpta GNS (RN 18238J), Ballyphenane, Cork	DEIS URBAN			Scoil Maria Assumpta (RN 20389T), Ballyphehane, Cork	DEIS Primary URBAN
Abbeyfeale Vocational School (RN 71870H)	DEIS	St Joseph’s Secondary School (RN 63990V)	NON-DEIS	St. Ita’s College (RN 63970P), Abbeyfeale	NON-DEIS	Coláiste íde & Iósaf (Abbeyfeale Community College) (RN 76093M), Abbeyfeale, Co. Limerick	NON – DEIS Post Primary ETB
Abbey Community College (RN 70820K), Wicklow	DEIS	De La Salle College (RN 61850S), St. Mantan’s Road, Wicklow, Co. Wicklow	NON-DEIS			Coláiste Chill Mhantáin (RN 76099B), Burkeen, Co. Wicklow	NON – DEIS Post Primary ETB
McHale College (RN 72070D), Achill Sound, Westport, Co. Mayo	DEIS	Scoil Damhnait (RN 64490G), GOB A’Choire, Co. Mhuigh Eo	NON-DEIS			Coláiste Pobail (RN 76150V), Acla, Achill Sound, Westport, Co. Mayo	NON – DEIS Post Primary ETB
Vocational School Kildare (RN 70690A), Kildare Town, Kildare	DEIS	St Joseph’s Academy (RN 61700W), Kildare Town, Co. Kildare	DEIS	Presentation Secondary School (RN 61701B), Kildare Town, Co. Kildare	NON-DEIS	Kildare Town Community School (RN 91530S), Kildare	NON-DEIS Post Primary C & C
Scoil Íosagáin/Mhuire (RN 19766Q), Mount La Salle, Dublin 10	DEIS SENIOR	Scoil Mhuire/ Seosamh (RN 19767S), Mount La Salle, Dublin 10	DEIS SENIOR			De La Salle NS (RN 20391G), Ballyfermot, Dublin 10	DEIS Primary URBAN Vertical
St Louise De Marillac Junior school Senior school (RN 18342E)	DEIS (Junior)	St Louise De Marillac Senior School (RN 18341C)	DEIS (Senior)			St Louise De Marillac Primary school (RN 20397S), Drumfin Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin (Amal from 09/01/2012)	DEIS Primary URBAN Vertical school

Amalgamations involving DEIS schools for 2012/2013 school year

Amalgamate	DEIS status	Amalgamate	DEIS status	Amalgamate	DEIS status	New School details	New DEIS classification
Scropul National School (RN 08241P), Mullagh, Ennis, Co. Clare	DEIS RURAL	Coore NS (RN 10191P), Mullagh, Ennis, Co. Clare	DEIS RURAL			Coore National School (RN 20404M), Mullagh, Ennis, Co. Clare	DEIS Primary RURAL
St Mary's Girls NS (RN 00570R), Bishop Street, Limerick	DEIS (Vertical)	St Mary's BNS (RN 20185D), Island Road, Limerick	DEIS (Vertical)			St Mary's NS (RN 20405O), Island Road, Limerick	DEIS Primary URBAN Vertical
Sn Mhin na Manach (RN 16142J), An Clochan Liath, Co. Dhún na nGall	DEIS RURAL	Scoil Chroine (RN 19553W), An Clochan Liath, Donegal	NON DEIS			Scoil Chroine (RN 20421M), An Clochan, Liath, Co. Dhún na nGall	NON-DEIS Primary RURAL

Amalgamations involving DEIS schools for 2013/2014 school year

Amalgamate	DEIS status	Amalgamate	DEIS status	Amalgamate	DEIS status	New School details	New DEIS classification
Scoil na Manistreach (RN 12747A), Kildare	DEIS	Scoil Bhríde Naofa (RN 15599D), Kildare	DEIS			St Brigid’s Kildare Town Primary School (RN20427B), Kildare Town, Co Kildare	DEIS Primary URBAN
Mater Dei Primary School (RN 00743W), Basin Lane, Dublin 8	DEIS Vertical	Scoil Seamus (RN18519R), James Street, Dublin 8	DEIS Vertical			St James’s Primary School (RN 20429F), Basin Lane, James St, Dublin 8	DEIS Primary URBAN Vertical
St Mary’s BNS (RN 18822S), Summerhill, Carrick on Shannon, Co. Leitrim	DEIS URBAN	Marist NS (RN 17906T), Cara Dreoma Ruisc, Co. Leitrim	NON-DEIS			Scoil Mhuire (RN 20432R), Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim	NON-DEIS Primary URBAN
Plás Mhuire BNS (RN 20005V), St Mary’s Place, Dorset St, Dublin 7	DEIS Vertical	Scoil Mhuire’s Iósaf Girls (RN 19895E), Dorset St, Dublin 7	DEIS Vertical			St Mary’s Primary School (RN 20436C), St Mary’s Place, Dorset Street, Dublin 7	DEIS Primary URBAN Vertical
Coláiste Phobail Mhichíl (RN 71810M), Cappamore, Limerick	DEIS	St Fintan’s Secondary School (RN 64040V), Doon, Limerick	NON-DEIS	St Joseph’s Secondary School (RN 64050B), Doon, Limerick	NON-DEIS	Scoil na Tríonóide Naofa (Rn 68121S), Doon, Co. Limerick	NON-DEIS Post Primary

Amalgamations involving DEIS schools for 2014/15 school year

Amalgamate	DEIS status	Amalgamate	DEIS status	Amalgamate	DEIS status	New School details	New DEIS classification
St Joseph’s BNS (RN17718S), Collooney, Co. Sligo	DEIS RURAL	Mary Immaculate GNS (RN 16793E), Collooney, Co. Sligo	DEIS RURAL			Scoil Mhuire agus Iósaf (RN 20122C), Collooney, Co. Sligo	DEIS Primary RURAL
Mater Christ Secondary School (RN60852R), Cappagh, Finglas, Dublin 11	DEIS PP SCHOOL	Patrician College (RN 60571J), Finglas West, Dublin 11	DEIS PP SCHOOL			New Cross College (RN 68181N), Cappagh Road, Finglas, Dublin 11	DEIS Post Primary

Amalgamations involving DEIS schools for 2015/16 school year

Amalgamate	DEIS status	Amalgamate	DEIS status	Amalgamate	DEIS status	New School details	New DEIS classification
St. Fergal’s Junior School (RN 19508R), Bray, Co. Wicklow (*GCEB school)	DEIS URBAN	St. Fergal’s Senior School (RN 19654F), Bray, Co. Wicklow	DEIS URBAN	-		St. Fergal’s NS (RN 20466L), Bray, Co. Wicklow	DEIS Primary URBAN
St Dominic’s NS (RN 19950J) Mountain Park,Tallaght (*GCEB school)	DEIS URBAN	Scoil Cholmcille (RN 19464A), Mountain Park, Tallaght	DEIS	-		St Dominic’s NS, Mountain Park, Tallaght, Dublin 24 (RN 20468P)	DEIS Primary URBAN
St Munchin’s CBS, Bóthar Siolbroin, Limerick (RN 17942A)	DEIS Vertical	St. Munchin’s GNS, Ballynanty, Limerick (RN 17941V)	DEIS Vertical	St Lelia’s NS, Kileely, Limerick (RN 17445J	DEIS Junior	Thomond Primary School, Ballynanthy Road, Limerick (RN 20460W)	DEIS Primary URBAN Vertical
South Junior National School (RN 19372S) Southhill, Limerick (*BTC school)	DEIS Junior	Galvone NS (RN 20184B), Kennedy Park, Limerick (*BTC school)	DEIS Vertical	-	-	Le Chéile NS, Galvone, Limerick (RN 20459O)	DEIS Primary URBAN Vertical
Scoil Eoin Senior Boys (RN 02276E), Arklow, Co. Wicklow	DEIS URBAN	St. Michael's Girls NS (RN 13932A), Arklow, Co. Wicklow	Non-DEIS	St Peter's Infant Boys NS (RN 15383D), Arklow, Co. Wicklow	Non-DEIS	St John’s Senior School, Arklow, Co. Wicklow (RN 20469R) St Michael's and St Peters Junior School, Arklow, Co. Wicklow (RN 20470C)	NON – DEIS Primary URBAN
Bunscoil Naomh Iósaf, (RN 13542K), Caherciveen, Co. Kerry	DEIS Rural	Scoil Mhuire na mBraithre (RN 16702V) Caherciveen, Co. Kerry	DEIS Rural	-		Caherciveen NS, Caherciveen, Co. Kerry (RN 20112W)	DEIS Primary Rural
St Joseph’s NS (RN 13210I) Ballingarry, Thurles, Co. Tipperary	DEIS Rural	Mohober NS, (RN 07048Q), Mullinahone, Thurles, Co. Tipperary	NON - DEIS	-		Our Lady’s National School, Ballygarry, Thurles, Co. Tipperary (RN 20475M)	NON-DEIS Primary Rural
Ballyduff Central NS (RN 19805A), Tralee, Co. Kerry	DEIS Rural	Rathmorrell NS (RN 18901A), Co. Kerry	Non - DEIS	-		Ballyduff NS, Ballyduff, Tralee, Co. Kerry (RN 20478S)	NON-DEIS Primary Rural

Educational Disadvantage

Ceisteanna (468)

Jonathan O'Brien

Ceist:

468. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the circumstances surrounding the loss of delivering equality of opportunity in schools status when Scoil Damhnait and McHale College merged to become Coláiste Pobail Acla in County Mayo, given that the larger McHale College previously had this status and took on the extra students when Scoil Damhnait closed, given that parents were informed that this status would not be affected and given that there are now nine national schools with this status feeding into a secondary school without this status in one of the most economically disadvantaged areas in the State; the persons who made the decision to remove this status from the school, and her plans to rectify this as a matter of urgency. [43527/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

As the Deputy is aware Coláiste Pobail Acla was established on 1st September 2011 following the amalgamation of a DEIS post-primary school, McHale College and Non DEIS post-primary school, Scoil Damhnait. In line with all such amalgamations, the new school will continue to receive the current level of supports in respect of the number of eligible pupils from the former DEIS school until that pupil cohort have left the school. In the case of Coláiste Pobail Acla these supports continue to be supplied for 6 years following the amalgamation. You will be aware that the process for the review of the DEIS Programme is currently underway in my Department. This process is being undertaken over the course of the current school year and will consider all issues pertaining to educational disadvantage. I hope to be in a position to make an overall proposal for the delivery of future interventions to tackle educational disadvantage after that. While this process is underway, I do not intend to make any changes to the current DEIS programme.

SOLAS Training and Education Programmes Administration

Ceisteanna (469)

Bobby Aylward

Ceist:

469. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills the options available to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 2 to avail of further funding under the Momentum initiative in order to avail of further driving lessons. [43530/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

This is an operational matter for SOLAS which administers the Momentum Programme. I understand from SOLAS that there is no mechanism in the Momentum Programme to provide additional training and testing once the participant has completed the course.

Schools Building Projects Status

Ceisteanna (470)

Mary Lou McDonald

Ceist:

470. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills when construction work will begin and be completed on a school (details supplied) in Dublin 7; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43537/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The school to which the Deputy refers is at an advanced stage of the tender process. Subject to no issues arising in the supplementary tender report, it is anticipated that works will commence in early 2016. It is anticipated that the project will take approximately 18 months to complete.

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Ceisteanna (471)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

471. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 546 of 17 November 2015 concerning a school (details supplied) in County Longford, if she will respond to the clarification sought to aspects of that earlier reply. [43549/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

I wish to advise the Deputy that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for allocating resource teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to schools to support children with special educational needs. 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.It is important to note that each school's allocation of SNA support can change from year to year and may be increased or decreased as students who qualify for SNA support enrol or leave a school. New students with care needs may, or may not, enrol to replace students who have left, for example, or SNA allocations may be decreased where a child's care needs have diminished over time. The NCSE has published details of SNA allocations for schools for September 2015 on its website www.ncse.ie. The NCSE has advised that the school in question had an allocation of 12 whole time equivalent (WTE) SNA posts for the 2015/16, to support a current enrolment of 26 pupils. In addition the school has 5 teaching staff, which provides 17 whole time staff supporting 26 pupils in the school. Notwithstanding the fact that these pupils have a range of complex needs, this represents a very significant level of staffing for this school. The NCSE has advised that the school concerned has recently lodged an appeal of its staffing allocation under the NCSE appeal process, details of which are provided at www.ncse.ie. The NCSE has advised that this appeal will be processed shortly by a Senior SENO and that the school will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible.

Student Grant Scheme Applications

Ceisteanna (472)

Michael Moynihan

Ceist:

472. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of applications for grants to Student Universal Support Ireland by independent students and the parameters involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43553/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

Very significant numbers of third-level students move out of home to go to college and continue to be supported by their parents while in full-time education. Confirmation that a student is living separately from their parents/guardians is, of itself, not sufficient to establish independent status. When considering whether a student meets the conditions to be assessed independently of his or her parents, grant awarding authorities are obliged to satisfy themselves beyond doubt that an acceptable degree of proof of independent living in the relevant period has been submitted by the grant applicant. For student grants purposes, a student may be assessed as an independent student if he/she has attained the age of 23 on the 1st of January of the year of first entry to an approved post leaving certificate course or an approved higher education course or of re-entry to an approved course following a break in studies of at least three years, and is not ordinarily resident with his/her parents from the previous 1 October. Otherwise he/she would continue to be assessed on the basis of his/her parents' income. The awarding authorities are obliged to satisfy themselves beyond doubt that an acceptable degree of proof has been submitted by the grant applicant in establishing eligibility under all aspects of the scheme including independent residency.

The onus is on the grant applicant to provide the necessary documentary evidence as requested by the relevant grant awarding authority. As such, it is not possible to provide a definitive list of all documents that would be acceptable to an awarding authority, as each individual's particular set of circumstances varies. However, the type of documentary evidence that might be required would include:

- a letter confirming that the applicant's address is registered with the Private Residential Tenancies Board; or

- a Local Authority lease agreement or a letter confirming the applicant's rental under the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS); or

- a letter confirming the receipt and period of rent or mortgage supplement; or

- a utility bill in the applicant's name, for example; landline telephone, fixed broadband, gas, electricity or cable/satellite television bill. If the utility bills in the household are in the applicant's spouse's name then they will be accepted along with a copy of the marriage certificate; or

- official documentation posted to the applicant at his/her address and relating to his/her residence there e.g. a letter from the Department of Social Protection confirming Rent Allowance at the address or a letter from a previous awarding authority.

In circumstances where an applicant cannot provide any of the above, SUSI will work with the applicant to see what combination of evidence can be provided, and accepted, to satisfy the awarding authority that the applicant is living independently. If an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a student grant, she/he may appeal, in the first instance, to SUSI. Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down, in writing, by SUSI and remains of the view that the scheme has not been interpreted correctly in his/her case, an appeal form outlining the position may be submitted by the applicant to the independent Student Grant Appeals Board.

State Examinations

Ceisteanna (473)

Jonathan O'Brien

Ceist:

473. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the State Examinations Commission will complete its review of its procedures for allocating resources to assist leaving certificate students under the reasonable accommodations in the certificate examinations scheme. [43555/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations. The State Examinations Commission operates the scheme of Reasonable Accommodations in the Certificate examinations. In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.

Departmental Programmes

Ceisteanna (474)

Jonathan O'Brien

Ceist:

474. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will establish a food forum to address the issue of hunger in schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43556/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures is the Government's overarching National Policy Framework for children and young people (aged 0-24 years). This cross-government approach will run from 2014 until 2020 and accommodate a number of constituent strategies. The Framework sets out common outcomes, policy commitments and key actions to ensure innovative and effective ways of working to improve the lives of children and young people. The underpinning principles will ensure that policy and practice protect the rights of children and young people, are family-oriented, promote equality and are evidence-informed and outcomes-focused. The current focus of my Department is on its participation in the implementation process and on working with relevant Government Departments and non-governmental organization to progress the education-related commitment of the Policy Framework. In this context I do not plan to establish a Food Forum to address the issue of hunger in schools.

Departmental Programmes

Ceisteanna (475)

Jonathan O'Brien

Ceist:

475. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will fund a scheme to deliver nutrition, cookery and healthy eating courses for parents within schools. [43557/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

Schools may choose to provide information directly to parents, but the main focus in schools is on educating their students on health and well-being. This takes place firstly through the school curriculum, in the subjects Social, Personal and Health Education, Home Economics, and Physical Education; and secondly through various extra-curricular initiatives. Schools also have policies on healthy eating. The Government published "Healthy Ireland - A Framework for Improved Health and Wellbeing 2013 - 2025". "Healthy Ireland" aims to improve the health not only of our students, but also of our nation. Education has a key role to play in the "Healthy Ireland" agenda. In fact, the Department of Education and Skills, having consulted with the Department of Health and the HSE, in September 2015, issued guidance for post-primary schools, initially, on promoting healthy lifestyles, in the form of Departmental Circular 0051/2015. At the same time, the Department of Health published updated guidelines for post primary schools on the development of healthy eating policies. Data from the Department's own Lifeskills Survey, 2012, indicate that almost all post-primary schools provide information to students on the importance of a balanced diet. Some 325 post-primary schools responded to the 2012 Survey. Data from the 2015 survey are currently being analysed.

Autism Support Services

Ceisteanna (476)

Shane Ross

Ceist:

476. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Nos. 229 of 4 November 2015 and 162 of 18 November 2015, if she will acknowledge a chronic lack of special classes for students with autism in mainstream secondary schools, and the reason for her policy of allowing schools to undertake such classes subject to their own willingness. [43558/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

As the Deputy is aware my Department provides for a range of placement options and supports for schools which have enrolled pupils with autism in order to ensure that, wherever a child is enrolled, they will have access to an appropriate education. Children with autism may be enrolled in a mainstream school and can attend all mainstream classes. In such cases these children will receive additional teaching support through the learning support and/or the resource teacher and, where appropriate, will receive access to Special Needs Assistance and assistive technology if required. In respect of children with autism who cannot be accommodated in mainstream education, they may be enrolled in special classes or special schools where more intensive and supportive interventions are provided. Progress in developing this network has been significant and in addition to the special school placements there are over 1,000 special classes throughout the country at primary and post primary level. The number of special classes at post primary level has risen by approximately 70 classes in the last 3 years. The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has recently submitted their Policy Advice on Educational Provision for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. In developing this policy advice, the NCSE has consulted widely with parents, professionals and other stakeholders and interested parties while also conducting research. The policy advice is currently under consideration in my Department. My officials will consider and report to me on any recommendations in the report which relate to the issues raised by the Deputy.

Educational Disadvantage

Ceisteanna (477)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

477. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a school (details supplied) in County Wexford will be considered under the delivering equality of opportunity in schools scheme; if she will include new schools under this scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43574/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The school referred to by the Deputy was surveyed in 2005 and was judged not to have a sufficient concentration of disadvantage among its pupils to warrant its inclusion in DEIS. An appeal by the school to the independent review body in 2006 confirmed that the level of disadvantage did not warrant the school's inclusion. I wish to advise the Deputy that a process for the review of the DEIS Programme is currently underway in my Department. The review process is being undertaken over the course of the current school year. While this process is underway it is not intended to make any changes to the current programme, including the addition of any further schools. The review process will consider all issues pertaining to educational disadvantage. I hope to be in a position to make an overall proposal for the delivery of future interventions to tackle educational disadvantage after that.

School Accommodation Provision

Ceisteanna (478)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

478. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on the shortage of secondary school places in Wexford town, if she will address this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43575/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

As the Deputy will be aware, I announced in November last the need for the establishment of 4 new primary schools and 9 post primary schools to cater for increased demographics across a number of locations in 2017 and 2018. The demographic projections for the Wexford Town area does not indicate that a new post primary school is required.

As part of my Department's School Capital Investment Programme, a number of building projects in Wexford schools are being progressed, including Loreto Secondary School and Wexford C.B.S., that will provide for increased capacity in the area. In addition, an application for additional accommodation was received last week from Selskar College which is being considered. My Department is also monitoring the position in the area taking into account the latest pupil enrolment data and the impact of planned expansion of school capacity. My Department is committed to working with the schools concerned to address any immediate accommodation need.

Physical Education

Ceisteanna (479)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

479. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of State-funded schools which she has funded since 2002 from her budget for designated facilities for physical education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43580/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The specific information requested by the Deputy is not available in my Department as the provision of physical education facilities including P.E. Halls, General Purpose rooms and outdoor hard play areas such as basketball courts etc. are included in the accommodation brief for school projects and within the overall project cost.

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (480, 481)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

480. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the gross yearly cost of allowances paid to principals of primary schools to carry out their leadership functions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43581/15]

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

481. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the gross yearly cost of all promoted posts, including deputy principal, assistant principal and special duties posts, in all State-funded primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43582/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 480 and 481 together.

The gross yearly cost of allowances paid in respect of Principal, Deputy Principal, Assistant Principal and Special Duties allowances are provided in the table.

GRADE	Gross Amount Paid 2014
	€ML
Principal	46
Deputy Principal	22
Assistant Principal	7
Special Duties	22

Teacher Data

Ceisteanna (482)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

482. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary school teachers who were employed directly in Traveller education in the 2008-09 school year, as a reference year, and in the 2014-15 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43583/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The Traveller specific posts that existed in 2008/2009 were made up of a Visiting Teacher Service for Travellers and a Resource Teacher service for Travellers. In 2009, 41 Visiting Teacher Service for Travellers (VTST) posts were in place with 21 of these posts in the primary education system. From 1st September 2009, responsibility for the Visiting Teacher Service for Travellers moved to the National Educational Welfare Board as did other support services including the Home School Community Liaison (HSCL) service. The HSCL service works with Traveller parents but it has the broader remit of working with other families whose children are at risk of educational disadvantage. These services are now part of Tusla – the Child and Family Agency. 484 Resource Teacher for Traveller (RTT) posts were in place during 2008/2009 at primary level. Following the withdrawal of the RTT posts from 31st August 2011, a limited number of alleviation posts to assist schools that had high concentrations of traveller pupils who were previously supported by RTTs were created. 120 alleviation posts at primary level were in place in 2014/2015. The General Allocation Model, which provides additional learning support and resource teaching allocations for primary schools is designed to include traveller pupils who had previously been supported by RTT posts. The current policy in relation to Traveller Education is informed by the Report and Recommendations for a Traveller Education Strategy which was launched in 2006, following wide ranging consultation with Traveller representative groups and other relevant stakeholders. The principle of inclusion is at the core of the Strategy. The focus of both current and future provision is on the development of an inclusive school environment through the whole school planning process, teaching practice, admissions policies, codes of behaviour and whole school evaluation. In keeping with this principle, additional resources provided in the education system for children are allocated on the basis of identified individual educational need. This includes Traveller children who require additional resources based on need and not on their identity as Travellers.