Tuesday, 8 Dec 2015

Special Educational Needs Staff

Ceisteanna (483)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

483. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of teachers employed directly in providing support to children for whom English was not their first language in the current school year and in the 2008-2009 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43584/15]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

Reforms introduced in the 2012/13 school year created a single simplified allocation process for both learning and language support. At primary level, learning/language support hours are allocated on the basis of mainstream classroom teaching posts in the school. At post-primary level, learning/language support is allocated on the basis of pupil numbers. Schools have autonomy to deploy this resource between learning support and language support depending on the specific needs of the school.

The new arrangements also provided for additional permanent teaching posts to be given to schools with high concentration of pupils that require language support.

Further additional temporary support is also provided, as necessary, to schools that have high concentrations of pupils that require language (EAL) support. At primary level, these allocations are made on the basis of appeals by any of these schools to the Primary Staffing Appeals Board. Where at least 20% of the total enrolment of the school is made up of pupils that require EAL support, the school may lodge an appeal with the Appeals Board. Having considered the circumstances outlined by the school and having regard to the high number of pupils requiring EAL support, additional post(s) may be approved by the Appeals Board.

I will arrange for the information sought by the Deputy to be forwarded directly to him.

Teaching Qualifications

Ceisteanna (484, 485, 486)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

484. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary teachers probated by her Department's inspectorate in each year from 2010 to 2014, the number of full-time equivalent inspectors engaged in this process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43585/15]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

485. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of newly qualified teachers who were not considered suitable for probation by the inspectorate in the year in which they were due to be probated from 2010 to 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43586/15]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

486. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the time allocation, in days or part-days, provided in an inspector's workload for the probation of a teacher, from the preliminary visit to completion of the final report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43587/15]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 484 to 486, inclusive, together.

The Inspectorate of the Department of Education and Skills does not have overall responsibility for the probation of newly qualified teachers. From 1 September 2012, the Teaching Council is the decision-making body with statutory authority to determine criteria and procedures for probation for registration of newly qualified teachers. The Council has outlined a service requirement and a professional competence requirement for the probation process. Currently, the Inspectorate supports the process of probation for registration purposes at the request of the Teaching Council in some primary schools. Inspectors conduct inspection visits to inform the Council about the professional competence requirement of conditionally registered teachers in these schools. These inspection visits are part of the Inspectorate's annual programme of work. Generally, the time allocated to these inspection visits ranges from one half day to one day per teacher in a year.

The numbers of primary teachers who satisfied the professional competence requirement of the probation process by means of inspection visits for each academic year from 2010/11 to 2014/15 and whose details were provided to the Teaching Council are as follows: 1924 teachers in 2010/11; 1961 teachers in 2011/12; 1918 teachers in 2012/13; 1715 teachers in 2013/14 and 1778 teachers in 2014/15.

These teachers will also have had to satisfy the Council regarding service requirements and the Inspectorate is not involved in that process. In addition, since 2013/14, a number of teachers have satisfied the professional competence and service requirements for full registration through the Council's Droichead process. Consequently, the Inspectorate is not aware of the total number of teachers who have satisfactorily completed the probation process for registration with the Teaching Council within the years 2010-2014.

The numbers of primary teachers who were inspected but who did not satisfy the professional competence requirement of the probation process by means of inspection visits for each academic year from 2010/11 to 2014/15 are as follows: 70 teachers in 2010/11; 48 teachers in 2011/12; 62 teachers in 2012/13; 51 teachers in 2013/14; and 54 teachers in 2014/15.

These teachers may have satisfied the professional competence requirement in subsequent years.

Teacher Training Provision

Ceisteanna (487)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

487. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost per year of training a primary school teacher over the four years of the bachelor of education course in St. Patrick’s College, Dublin City University and Mary Immaculate College, Limerick. [43588/15]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

St. Patrick's College and Mary Immaculate College are funded via the Higher Education Authority. The average unit cost is estimated by the Higher Education Authority to be between €10,000 - €12,000 per annum per student.

Capitation Grants

Ceisteanna (488)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

488. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the value of the capitation grant paid to students in each of the four years of the bachelor of education course and in each of the two years of the masters of education programme in Coláiste Mhuire in Marino in Dublin 3. [43589/15]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The total value of capitation grants paid to Marino Institute of Education in the current academic year in respect of eligible students on the Bachelor of Education course is as follows:

Year 1 (September 2015 entrants) €740,879

Year 2 (September 2014 entrants) €740,879

Year 3 (September 2013 entrants) €740,879

Year 4 (September 2012 entrants) €726,493

Total 2015/16 - €2,949,130

The total value of capitation grants paid to Marino Institute of Education in the current academic year in respect of eligible students in each of the Masters of Education courses was €359,650 per year cohort as follows;

Year 1 (September 2015 entrants) €359,650

Year 2 (September 2014 entrants) €359,650

Total 2015/16 - €719,300

The first Masters of Education course commenced in September 2014 and the second courses commenced in September 2015.

Ministerial Meetings

Ceisteanna (489)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

489. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of meetings requested by private external lobby groups and the number of meetings held, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43597/15]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

Please see the following table of meeting requests received by the Minister as requested.

Date	Meeting Requests
Wednesday 23/7 /2014	Laura Harmon USI
Wednesday 27/8/2014	INTO
Wednesday 27/8/2014	CPSMA
Thursday 28/8/2014	Anne Looney NCCA
Thursday 28/8/2014	Association of Community and Comprehensive schools
Thursday 28/8/2014	Joint Managerial Bodies
Tuesday 2/9/2014	Michael Moriarty and Ceo’s of ETBI
Wednesday 3/9/ 2014	ASTI and Tui
Thursday 4/9/2014	National Parents Council Post Primary
Thursday 4/9/2014	National Parents Council (Primary)
Tuesday 9/9/2014	ASTI
Wednesday 10/9/2014	Church of Ireland Board of Education
Wednesday 10/9/2014	Catholic Bishops/Schools Partnership
Thursday 11/9/2014	David Puttnam
Thursday 11/9/2014	Irish Second Level Student Unions
Wednesday 17/9/2014	Irish Universities Association
Wednesday 17/9/2014	TUI
Tuesday 23/9/2014	Irish Primary Principals Network and National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals
Tuesday 30/9/2014	Institutes of Technology
Thursday 9/10/2014	CEO BT
Thursday 9/10/2014	Council of Governors for Protestant Schools
Thursday 9/10/2014	USI
Thursday 9/10/2014	Institute of Guidance Counsellors
Thursday 16/10/2014	Chair of Galway Educate Together Second Level Start up group
Tuesday 21/10/2014	Director St Nicholas Montessori College Dun Laoghaire
Wednesday 22/10/2014	ASTI and TUI
Monday 10/11/2014	Professor Kevin Ryan Chartered Engineer Limerick
Wednesday 12/11/2014	Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul
Tuesday 18/11/2014	CEO Barnados
Wednesday 19/11/2014	ASTI and TUI
Thursday 20/11/2014	Building and Allied Trade Unions
Monday 24/11/2014	Unite Union
Wednesday 3/12/2014	President of Hibernia College
Tuesday 9 /12/2014	Educate To-gether
Wednesday 10/12/2014	Right to Peace
Tuesday 16/12/2014	IFUT
Wednesday 17/12/2014	US Ambassador
Thursday 18/12/2014	IMPACT Trade Union
Monday 22/12/2014	Limerick Principals and Deputy Principals Assoc
Wednesday 14/1/2014	ASTI and TUI
Thursday 15/1/2015	President of USI
Wednesday 21/1/2015	One in Four
Monday 26/1/2015	Exec Director of IPPN
Thursday 29/1/2015	Humanist Ireland with Taoiseach
Monday 9/2/2015	Interim CEO Limerick Chamber
Monday 9/2/2015	CEO UL Hospitals group
Tuesday 10/2/2015	Atheist Ireland with Taoiseach
Wednesday 18/2/2015	NDFA with Minister Howlin
Thursday 19/2/2015	President Down Syndrome Ireland
Wednesday 25/2/2015	Educate To-gether
Thursday 5/3/2015	Education Centre Directors
Wednesday 11/3/2015	Managing Director HP Ireland
Wednesday 11/3/2015	IUA Presidents
Monday 23/3/2015	Limerick Education Centre
Wednesday 25/3/2015	INTO
Wednesday 25/3/2015	TUI
Thursday 26/3/2015	IMPACT Union
Wednesday 1/4/2015	Special School Principals
Thursday 2/4/2015	Committee of the Educate Together Secon Levele Campaign
Tuesday 21/4/2015	CEO Transgender Equality Network Ireland
Wednesday 22/4/2015	Right to Peace
Thursday 23 /4/2015	Chair CICA
Thursday 30/4/2015	Steiner Schools
Wednesday 6/5/2015	School Completion Programme
Wednesday 20/5/2015	Incoming President USI
Friday 22/5/2015	Limerick IFA County Chairman
Wednesday 3/6/2015	David Puttnam
Tuesday 16/6/2015	Jewish representative Council with the Taoiseach
Thursday 25/6/2015	Finnish Educationalist
Wednesday 8/7/2015	Chief Executive National Concert Hall
Tuesday 14/7/2015	President and Deputy President USI
Wednesday 15/7/2015	Co- Chair of Siptu’S Equality Sub Committee NUIG
Wednesday 15 /7/2015	Alliance Victim Support
Thursday 16/7/2015	National Adult Literacy Agency
Tuesday 21/7/2015	Chief Executive Barnado’s
Wednesday 22/7/2015	Irish Heart Foundation
Thursday 23/7/2015	12 o Clock Hills Project
Monday 7/9/2015	Vietnamese Vice Minister for Education
Tuesday 15/9/2015	Director St Nicholas Montessori College Ireland
Wednesday 23/9/2015	President US-Ireland Alliance
Friday 25/9/2015	CEO Blue Box
Tuesday 29/9/2015	Labour National Youth Executive
Wednesday 30/9/2015	Globalforce
Wednesday 30/9/2015	Saudi ArabianCultural Attache
Wednesday 30/9/2015	JMB, ACCS AND ETBI
Wednesday 7/10/2015	USI
Thursday 8/10/2015	Centre Manager Oakview Childcare Tralee Co Kerry
Tuesday 3/11/2015	President of SIPTU’s Education Sector
Wednesday 4/11/2015	Governor of Hubei
Thursday 12/11/2015	Catholic Bishops
Tuesday 1/11/2015	Equate:Equality in Education

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (490)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

490. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills her Department's photography costs since she came into office, inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance, by year, in tabular form; the occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the costs associated with each occasion; the policy in place regarding the booking of photographers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43629/15]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

Photography costs of approximately €1,860 are outlined for the Deputy's information in the documents below. To mark the 90th anniversary of the Department in its modern form since the establishment of the Ministers and Secretaries Act, 1924 a sum of approximately €7,500 was paid in July 2014 by my Department for the restoration, framing and installation of photographs in order to establish a photo gallery of Ministers and Secretaries General who have served in the Department. Since my appointment, no photographers have been booked or costs incurred for Ministerial events through the Ministerial Allowance.

My Department adheres to appropriate procurement guidelines when procuring the use of photography services.

Press Office Photography Costs

Cost	Occasion
€17.22 (€14.00+€3.22 VAT)	Jpeg – Minister Jan O’Sullivan, Seal of Office on 15th August 2015 – Maxwell Photography
€34.44 (€28.00 + €6.44 VAT)	Jpegs – Launch of the Apprenticeship Council on July 30th 2015 – Maxwell Photography.
€757.68 (€616 + €141.68 VAT)	Photographs taken at the launch of the Apprenticeship Council on July 30th 2015 – Maxwell Photography

Corporate Services

In July 2014/2015, the Department paid €7503.80 for the restoration, framing and installation of photographs in order to establish a photo gallery of Ministers and Secretaries General who have served in the Department. 2014 marked the 90th anniversary of the Department in its modern form since the establishment of the Ministers and Secretaries Act, 1924. The project was in train for some time.

Cost Centre Name	Nominal Code Name	DR Charge	CR Charge	Journal Line Description	Supplier Name	Invoice Date
Corporate Services Dublin	PHOTOGRAPHY	1,532.00	NULL	minister and sec gen photos inv 1212224	IRISH PHOTO ARCHIVE LTD	20-Jul-2014
Corporate Services Dublin	PHOTOGRAPHY	1,320.00	NULL	minister and sec gen photos inv 1212224	IRISH PHOTO ARCHIVE LTD	20-Jul-2014
Corporate Services Dublin	PHOTOGRAPHY	303.60	NULL	minister and sec gen photos inv 1212224	IRISH PHOTO ARCHIVE LTD	20-Jul-2014
Corporate Services Dublin	PHOTOGRAPHY	206.82	NULL	minister and sec gen photos inv 1212224	IRISH PHOTO ARCHIVE LTD	20-Jul-2014
Corporate Services Dublin	PHOTOGRAPHY	300.00	NULL	spare frames for photos inv 1212228	IRISH PHOTO ARCHIVE LTD	28-Jul-2014
Corporate Services Dublin	PHOTOGRAPHY	69.00	NULL	spare frames for photos inv 1212228	IRISH PHOTO ARCHIVE LTD	28-Jul-2014
Corporate Services Dublin	PHOTOGRAPHY	1,600.00	NULL	Photos for ministers inv 106342	LENSMEN AND ASSOCIATES	20-Jul-2014
Corporate Services Dublin	PHOTOGRAPHY	750.00	NULL	Photos for ministers inv 106342	LENSMEN AND ASSOCIATES	20-Jul-2014
Corporate Services Dublin	PHOTOGRAPHY	320.00	NULL	Photos for ministers inv 106342	LENSMEN AND ASSOCIATES	20-Jul-2014
Corporate Services Dublin	PHOTOGRAPHY	216.00	NULL	Photos for ministers inv 106342	LENSMEN AND ASSOCIATES	20-Jul-2014
Corporate Services Dublin	PHOTOGRAPHY	73.60	NULL	Photos for ministers inv 106342	LENSMEN AND ASSOCIATES	20-Jul-2014
Corporate Services Dublin	PHOTOGRAPHY	67.50	NULL	Photos for ministers inv 106342	LENSMEN AND ASSOCIATES	20-Jul-2014
Corporate Services Dublin	PHOTOGRAPHY	44.57	NULL	Installation photos - Ministers & Sce Gens Inv ARIE008686	MAURICE WARD AND CO LTD	07-Aug-2014
Corporate Services Dublin	PHOTOGRAPHY	46.38	NULL	Installation photos - Ministers & Sce Gens Inv ARIE008686	MAURICE WARD AND CO LTD	07-Aug-2014
Corporate Services Dublin	PHOTOGRAPHY	193.78	NULL	Installation photos - Ministers & Sce Gens Inv ARIE008686	MAURICE WARD AND CO LTD	07-Aug-2014
Corporate Services Dublin	PHOTOGRAPHY	343.53	NULL	Installation photos - Ministers & Sce Gens Inv ARIE008686	MAURICE WARD AND CO LTD	07-Aug-2014
MAC Members	PHOTOGRAPHY	13.92	NULL	Ministerial photographs Inv 1212372	IRISH PHOTO ARCHIVE LTD	19-Dec-2014
MAC Members	PHOTOGRAPHY	103.10	NULL	Ministerial photographs Inv 1212372	IRISH PHOTO ARCHIVE LTD	19-Dec-2014
		7,503.80

ICT Policy 2015

Date	-	Photography	€
24.04.2015	ePortfolio International Conference	Maxwell Photography	172.2
15.05.2015	Announcement of the hardware and software suppliers for DCG	Maxwell Photography	206.64
15.05.2015	Prints from DCG	Maxwell Photography	38.64
29.05.2015	Jpegs from ePortfolioInternational Conference	Maxwell Photography	637.14

Public Relations Contracts Data

Ceisteanna (491)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

491. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills her Department's use of external public relations firms since she came into office, by year and in tabular form; the uses of these firms and the policy regarding employing them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43645/15]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

In relation to my Department's policy for the engagement of external expertise, this is generally only considered where the issues involved require expert skills or capabilities that are not readily available within my Department and any such engagement is done in accordance with the provisions of the Department of Finance "Guidelines for the Engagement of Consultants and other External Support by the Civil Service".

The following table provides details of external public relations firms employed by my Department since coming to office.

Year	Name of Firm	Purpose
2014	Mitchell-Kane, Belfast	Consultancy, Creation of brand, guidelines and logo
2014	ZOO Digital, D2	Creation of online banner advertising Design, Development and project management of website Set up Hosting for 1 year
2014	Phd, Clonskeagh, D14	Digital advertising and online media awareness campaign
2014	Prontaprint	Printing of Flyers and Business Cards
2014	Careers Unlimited	Stand at Jobs Expo 2014, Cork and Dublin
2014	Gds, Tallaght	Pull-up stands for graphic display
2014	Carr Communications	Interview board training & interviewee skills training
2015	Carr Communications	Interview board training & interviewee skills training

Consultancy Contracts Data

Ceisteanna (492)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

492. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide in tabular form, for each year since March 2011, all external consultant reports commissioned by her Department; the costs per report; the company involved; the title of the report and the publication date. [43661/15]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

Details in relation to consultants engaged by my department are compiled annually in respect of the previous year and in this regard I attach details in respect of the years 2011 to 2014 inclusive. All consultancy engagements during this period are listed and the status of any report that may have been produced is indicated in each case. Details in respect of consultants engaged in 2015 will not be compiled until January 2016.

2011

Consultants, Experts, Advisors	Start date	Completion date	Status of Report	reports/reviews/studies	Total Cost 2011
Centre for Cross Border Studies	October-11	December-11	*	2011 annual review paper on Northern Ireland Postgraduate Courses	€2,420.00
Jim Duffy & Pat McLoughlin members of an independent panel	February-11	April-11	No Report	Recommendations to the Minister on the preferred proposal for designation of a single awarding authority together with recommendations considered necessary in relation to modification or development of the preferred proposal for implementation purposes	€1,927.86
Gartner	October-11	October-14	No Report	Subscription for provision of ICT research, advice, guidance & related services 1/10/2011 - 30/09/2012	€35,150.49
Sr. Eileen Randles	May-10	November-10	*	Review in an appeal against an inspection under section 13 (9) of the Education Act 1998	€920.00
Dr Simon Marginson	January-11	March-11	Published by the HEA June 2011	Criteria for the proposed re-designation of amalgamated institutes of Technology Universities arising from the recommendations of the National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030	€9,075.00
Farrell Grant Sparks	October-10	June-11	Completed	Advice on necessary redactions and initial advice on possible updated accounting arrangements	€8,410.71
Forum on Patronage & Pluralism in the Primary Sector-Professor John Coolahan, Dr Caroline Hussey, Fionnuala Kilfeather	April-11	January-12	Published April 2012	Report to the Minister on the Forum on Patronage & Pluralism in the Primary Sector.	€20,000.00
Price Waterhouse Coopers LLP (PWC) Belfast	December-10	March-12	Published March 2012	Evaluation of the Special Education Support Service.	€97,866.01
Goodbody Economic Consultants	April-11	December-11	Published February 2012	Evaluation of the Initial Implementation of Síolta, the National Quality framework for Early Childhood Education	€31,280.92
The PA Consulting Group	July-11	November-11	Published November 2011	Evaluation of the training and education programmes for the unemployed delivered under LMAF 2010	€52,003.38
Fitzpatrick & Associates	February-11	August-11	Published ESF website August 2011	Mid term Evaluation of the Human Capital Investment Operational Programme 2007-2013	€61,589.00
Deloitte	March-11	April-11	*	Audits of the national agencies for the Lifelong Learning Programme in Ireland to serve as the basis for the submission of Declarations of Assurance from International Section to the European Commission	€13,212.99
Public Authority Pension Services Ltd	June-10	June-11	*	Pensions advisory work relating to the establishment of a pension scheme for staff of the NCTE	€4,791.60
Analysis Mason	July-11	April-12	*	Commercial Financial & Technical Procurement advice for Schools Broadband Tender	€63,632.51
Grant Thornton	September-11	October-11	*	External audit of Dell and Waterford Crystal EGF programmes	€5,445.00
			* Internal reports -not for publication	2011 Total:	€407,725.47

* Internal reports -not for publication

2012

Consultants, Experts, Advisors	Start date	Completion date	Status of Report	Reports/Reviews/Studies	Total Cost 2012
Analysis Mason	July-11	March-13	*	Commercial, financial and technical advice on the procurement of broadband services for schools	€52,040.42
Goodbody Economic Consultants	April-11	December-11	Published	Evaluation of the Initial Implementation of Síolta, the National Quality framework for Early Childhood Education	€16,747.68
Mazars	2012	2012	*	IT Security Audit of the EUSF IT Database	€5,063.91
Mazars	July-11	June-12	*	Audit of Labour Market Activation Fund (LMAF)	€9,839.14
Version 1	April-12	December-12	No Report	Provision of Oracle Financials training support along with training documentation in the implementation of Performance Budgeting	€2,070.00
Mokum Change Management Ltd	April-12	December-12	No Report	Provision of Oracle Financials training support along with training documentation in the implementation of Performance Budgeting	€17,302.88
Seamus O'Dwyer-Consulting and Training	July-12	January-13	No Report	Training and expert advice relating to the Public Service Pensions Bill and training and advice in relation to the Legal Framework and Family Law	€2,700.00
Sydney Blain	October-11	February-12	*	Review of an appeal against an inspection under section 13(9) of the Education Act	€718.75
Mokum Change Management Ltd	April-12	December-12	No Report	Provision of Oracle Financials functional & accounting advice in moving from a four vote operating unit to a single operating unit	€11,606.90
Sir Jim Rose	December-12	2020	No Report	Provision of international expertise on Literacy & Numeracy to the Literacy and Numeracy Implementation Advisory Committee	€3,870.13
Gartner	October-11	October-14	No Report	Subscription for provision of ICT research, advice, guidance & related services	€36,788.67
Sion Quality Healthcare Solutions	October-12	October-12	*	Completion of a workplace assessment for staff member with a disability and resulting report	€370.00
Pat McLoughlin	February-11	April-11	No Report	Costs relating to Recommendations to the Minister on the preferred proposal for designation of a single awarding authority together with recommendations considered necessary in relation to modification or development of the preferred proposal for implementation purposes which were paid in 2012	€83.66
The Centre for Cross Border Studies	October-12	December-12	*	2012 annual review paper on Northern Ireland Postgraduate Courses	€1,845.00
Deloitte	March-12	April-12	*	Audits of the national agencies for the Lifelong Learning Programme in Ireland to serve as the basis for the submission of Declarations of Assurance from International Section to the European Commission	€16,568.10
				2012 Total:	€177,615.24

* Internal reports -not for publication

2013

Consultants, Experts, Advisors	Start date	Completion date	Status of Report	Reports/Reviews/Studies	Total Cost 2013
Dr Tony Crooks	February-13	June-13	*	Review of an inspection report under Section 13(9) of the Education Act 1998.	€460.00
The Centre for Cross Border Studies	October-13	December-13	No Report	2013 annual review paper Northern Ireland Postgraduate Courses	€1,845.00
Accenture	September-13	October-13	No Report	Consulting services in relation to the Management Framework Agreement between City of Dublin Education & Training Board and the Department of Education & Skills for the centralised Administration of Student Grants.	€5,904.00
University of Birmingham on behalf of Dr Mike Linden	November-13	March-14	Date of publication to be decided	Review of Visiting Teachers for children with hearing & Visual Impairment (VTHVI) Service, Ireland	€10,947.00
University of Manchester on behalf of Dr Wendy MC Cracken	November-13	March-14	Date of publication to be decided	Review of Visiting Teachers for children with hearing & Visual Impairment (VTHVI) Service, Ireland	€0.00**
Mokum Change Management Ltd (IT consultancy)	April-12	February-13	No Report	Post Performance Budgeting Support- Consultancy	€2,169.14
Gartner (IT consultancy)	October-11	October-14	No Report	IT Leaders Advisor Subscription 07/2013 to 06/2014 including credit in respect of 07-08/2013. Provision of ICT Research, advice, guidance and related services.	€41,061.50
Padraig McNamara	October-13	November-13	*	External Review of historic funding and financial arrangements for Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) centres funded by the Department.	€0.00**
Deloitte	November-13	Q2-2014	No Report	To assist in development of a new organisational design for Education & Training Boards (ETBs) and SOLAS	€0.00**
Deloitte	October-13	Q2-2014	*	Provision of external expert assistance for the development of a Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) and implementation roadmap for an integrated payroll shared service for the ETB/SOLAS sector in accordance with the shared services commitments set out in the Government's Public Service Reform Plan.	€0.00**
Educational Research Centre	December-12	February-14	*	Consultancy Services to provide input to ICT Census of Primary, Post Primary and special schools and analysis of census data	€0.00**
Public Authority Pensions Services Ltd	December-12	March-13	No Report	Pensions Advisory work relating to the establishment of a pension scheme for the staff of the NCTE	€2,152.50
Fitzpatrick's Associates/AECON	December-13	April-14	1st report April14 Final Report Jan 2015	Ex-Ante Evaluation of the ESF Operational Programme in preparation for the period 2014-2020	€0.00**
Mazars	November13	January-14	*	External Audit of EGF Talk Talk Programme	€0.00**
Deloitte	March-13	April-14	*	Audits of the national agencies for the Lifelong Learning Programme in Ireland to serve as the basis for the submission of Declarations of Assurance from International Section to the European Commission.	€14,475.34
Seamus O'Dwyer Consulting & Training	July-12	January-13	No Report	Provision of training & advice relating to the Public Service Pensions Bill	€200.00
Stratigos Ltd	October-13	.December-14	No Report	Provision of customised Business Process Improvement training to include coaching (with provision of advice) of relevant staff	€4,428.00
Version 1	December-13	.March-14	No Report	Shared Financial Services Project - provision of Oracle Financials support to set up purchasing module	€7,595.25
Deloitte	December-13	December-13	*	Audits of the national agencies for the new Erasmus+ Programme in Ireland to serve as the basis for the submission of the ex-ante compliance assessment from International Section to the European Commission.	0.00**
				2013 Total:	€91,237.73

* Internal reports not for publication

**Consultancies engaged in 2013 but where no payment had been made by year end

2014

Consultants, Experts, Advisors	Start Date	Completion Date	Status of Report	Purpose of Consultancy	Total Cost 2014
Gartner	Nov-11	Jun-15	No Report	Provision of ICT research, advice, guidance and related services to the IT Unit	42,435.00
Dr Mike McLinden Dr Wendy McCracken	Nov-13	Jun-14	Published Feb 2015	Review of the Visiting Teachers service for blind and visually impaired and deaf and hard of hearing (VTVHI)	€15,363.24
Padraig McNamara	Oct-13	Nov-13	*	External Review of funding and financial arrangements for Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) centres funded by the Department.	€4,000.00
National council for the Blind	Jan-14	Feb-14	No Report	Accessibility audit of the Department's website	€4,850.00
MKA (Mitchell Kane Associates)	Jan-14	Apr-14	No Report	Creation of brand guidelines and logo re Springboard, ICT Skills Conversion, Momentum, the Skillnets Jobseekers Programmes, Job Bridge and Jobs Plus	€5,412.00
Centre for Effective Services (CES)	Jun-14	Mar-15	May-15	SUSI Review - Phase 1. Review of the learning gained from the establishment of the Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI).	€7,000.00
Centre for Cross Border Studies	Oct-14	Dec-14	No Report	Review Paper on Southern Irish Postgraduates in Northern Ireland, to comply with Section 8(7) of the Student Support Act 2011.	€1,845.00
SIA Management Group	Jun-14	Jun-14	No Report	Consultancy Service provided to MAC in relation to Planning Activities.	€2,892.50
Grant Thorton	Sep-14	Nov-14	Affidavit to Court of Appeal	Specialist expert advice on the application by STS Ltd to adduce new evidence to the Court of Appeal in its appeal of the HC judgement of 23rd October, 2012	€35,842.20
Version 1 - ( IT)	Apr-14	Feb-15	No Report	Provision of Oracle Financials consultancy services to support the proof of concept phase of the preparation of the move to the Financial Shared Services Project	€34,557.50
Economic & Social Research Institute	Oct-14	Jan-15	Published Jan 2015	Report on the Evaluation of DEIS	0**
Deloitte	Nov-13	Dec-14	No Report	New organisational design for ETBs and Solas	11,623.50
Deloitte	Jan-14	Jul-14	*	Provision of support for the development of the Business Case for ETB Shared Services Payroll Project	81,549.00
Eamonn Stack	Jun-13	Jun-14	Jun-14	Leading a Working Group on proposals for a new model for allocating teaching resources for students with special educational needs to mainstream schools.	€9,880.00
Deloitte	Mar-13	Apr-14	*	Audits of the national agencies for the Lifelong Learning Programme in Ireland to serve as the basis for the submission of Declarations of Assurance to the European commission	€14,975.25
Deloitte	Dec-13	Dec-13	*	Audits of the national agencies for the Erasmus + Programme in Ireland to serve as the basis for the submission of Declarations of the ex ante compliance assessment to the European commission	€10,455.00
Fitzpatrick's & Associates	Dec-13	Jul-14	Jan-15	Ex Ante Evaluation of the ESF Operational Programme	€53,218.00
Mazars	Nov-13	Jan-14	*	External Auditing Services	€3,195.39
H2 Learning	May-14	Sep-15	No Report	Advice and guidance on the development and implementation of the Digital Strategy for schools.	€33,517.50
ICS Skills	Jun-14	Nov-14	*	As part of the development of the Digital Strategy for schools, the running of focus groups, conducting analysis and summarise the data, and reporting findings	€19,000.00
Education Research Centre	Jan-13	Sep-14	Published Oct 2015	The provision of input to ICT census of primary, post-primary, and special schools and analysis of census data	€24,624.00
Stratigos Ltd	Oct-13	Jun-14	No Report	Business Process Improvement Training (BPI)	€23,899.65
Institute of Public Administration (IPA)	Jul-14	Mar-15	No Report	Provision of Guidelines relating to best practice approach by management regarding delegation, meeting and coaching skills.	€2,447.70
Ernst & Young (EY)	Nov-14	Aug-15	*	Expert assistance in relation to the development of a baseline report, business case (cost benefit analysis & implementation roadmap) for a financial shared service within the ETB sector.	0**
				2014 Total:	€442,582.43

* Internal reports not for publication

** Consultancies engaged in 2014 but where no payment had been made by year end

Ministerial Advisers Data

Ceisteanna (493)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

493. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of special advisors on her staff and their yearly salary, from 2011 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43677/15]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The following tabular statement gives details of personnel contracted as Special Advisers at the Department of Education & Skills together with their annual salary as at the 31st December in the years stated by the Deputy. In accordance with the terms of the Ethics in Public Office Acts copies of their contracts with details of their conditions of employment were laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas.

Year 2011

Mr. Ruairí Quinn, T.D.