Written Answers Nos. 499-520
499. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Irish Aid intends to respond to the public consultation issued by the Minister for Communications Energy and Natural Resources regarding a proposed increase in the biofuels obligation rate; and how he envisages that the principle of policy coherence for development will be given effect in decision making in terms of biofuels. [45455/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2009 Renewable Energy Directive sets all EU Member States a binding target that 10% of the energy used in the transport sector must come from renewable sources by 2020. In all Member States, biofuels will be the largest contributor to meeting this obligation and all biofuels used in meeting the target must comply with a strict set of sustainability criteria.
My colleague, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, takes the lead on Government policy in relation to bio-energy policy. In order to make progress toward achieving the binding target, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources is currently considering whether the biofuel obligation should increase from the current rate of 6% per volume. In Ireland, 59% of the biofuels placed on the market in 2014 derived from waste material such as used cooking oil and tallow. Production of biofuels from these materials poses no risk of indirect land-use change.
The Government shares concerns that biofuel production and its use, unless properly regulated, may not deliver required greenhouse gas savings and could impact negatively on food production and on food prices.
During discussions on the European Commission's proposal to address the risk of indirect land-use change, Ireland argued for a restriction on biofuels with a risk of indirect land-use change effects and for incentives to encourage the development of advanced biofuels that do not affect food production. Agreement was reached at European level earlier this year. EU Directive 2015/1513 limits the share of energy from biofuels produced from food crops to no more than 7% of the final consumption of energy in the transport sector in Member States by 2020.
Officials in my Departments are in dialogue with officials in the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources on the question of biofuels and their potential impact on food security in developing countries.
500. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on concerns with the passing of Economic Partnership Agreements that they can be considered to be undermining policy coherence in terms of humanitarian aid by not fully supporting the self-sufficiency of farmers in the developing world and their ability and potential to feed themselves. [45458/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraEconomic Partnership Agreements between the EU and its Member States and the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States combine both trade and development provisions. The mandate for their negotiation derives from the Cotonou Agreement of 2000, between the EU and the ACP states. Their central objective is the reduction and eventual eradication of poverty, consistent with the objectives of sustainable development, and the gradual integration of the ACP countries into the world economy.
I am pleased that the Government received the approval of Dáil Éireann for two Economic Partnership Agreements, with Caribbean and West African groups of States last month. I am satisfied that this approval is coherent with and enhances our development cooperation policy, including the provision of humanitarian aid. The Economic Partnership Agreements seek to put trade at the service of development. They include provisions to specifically protect farmers in the developing world. While the EU market is fully opened to ACP agricultural imports, ACP partner countries have been able to protect their sensitive agricultural products by excluding them from liberalisation. In the event of difficulties arising on local markets or of food security being threatened, ACP partner countries can avail of specific safeguard provisions included in the Agreements. In addition, under the three Agreements reached with African countries last year, the EU is committed to stop export subsidies on EU agricultural exports, to those countries.
The Agreements also provide for enhanced policy cooperation and dialogue on agriculture and food security, with a commitment to transparency on domestic support for the farming sector. Furthermore, EU development assistance with trade capacity-building measures will support ACP farming and farmers’ capacity to comply with sanitary and phytosanitary and other agricultural standards.
505. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will highlight the case of the Douma4, prominent Syrian human rights defenders who were abducted two years ago; and if he will support calls for the United Nations' mandated independent international commission of inquiry to be allowed into Syrian detention facilities. [45463/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of the abduction in the Douma suburb of Damascus by unknown gunmen on 9 December 2013 of several distinguished human rights activists associated with the Syrian Violations Documentation Centre, including its founder and human rights lawyer, Razan Zaitouneh. It remains unclear who was responsible for these abductions. We urge the abductors of these activists, as well as those holding prisoners on all sides of the conflict, to release immediately all political detainees.
The leadership, dedication, physical and moral courage of human rights activists in Syria, facing continual threats from both the Assad regime and opposition extremists, is well known to many in the international community. Officials in my Department, including those based in the region, have met on a number of occasions with Syrian human rights defenders and monitor the many challenges and dangers they face.
Ireland has repeatedly expressed its support for the UN Commission of Inquiry and condemns the refusal of the Assad regime to permit Commission members entry to Syria to fulfil their duties.
506. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the recent meetings he has had with European counterparts on the worsening refugee crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45464/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Migration crisis has dominated the EU agenda for much of 2015. There have been three special European Council meetings to address Migration while Justice and Home Affairs Ministers have had five special meetings to address the crisis. I and my colleagues in the Foreign Affairs Council have also grappled with the issues at length.
In June, the Foreign Affairs Council launched EUNAVFOR Med, the EU’s naval operation to disrupt the dangerous activities of people smugglers in the Mediterranean, which have tragically resulted in the loss of many lives. As the Deputy will know, the crews of the L.E. Niamh, Eithne and Samuel Beckett have done sterling work in saving more than 8,500 lives.
In September, the Government decided accept up to 4,000 asylum seekers and refugees as part of the European Commission’s comprehensive plan to address the migration crisis.
As part of its efforts to develop a comprehensive strategy, the EU organised two high level conferences. On 8 October, a conference focusing on migration flows into the EU through the Eastern Mediterranean and Western Balkans route took place in Luxembourg attended by both JHA and Foreign Ministers. The Conference issued a Declaration endorsing a five-pronged approach to addressing the migration challenge.
On 11\12 November EU Heads of State and Government met their African counterparts at a migration summit in Valletta. They agreed to establish a Trust Fund to address the root causes of migration in Africa. The €1.8 billion Fund is to be augmented by EU member state contributions. Ireland is contributing €3m.
On November 29th an EU-Turkey summit meeting was held at which the EU agreed to provide a financial package worth €3 billion to help Turkey accommodate the more than two million Syrian refugees residing in the country. As part of the agreement, there is to be a concerted effort by Turkey to cease the flow of irregular migrants. It has long been recognised that the cooperation of Third Countries is essential if the EU is to manage the migration flows. The agreement with Turkey represents an important step in this regard.
On 14 December, in the margins of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, I participated in a working lunch with Turkey’s foreign minister where the Syrian situation was one of the items discussed.
These initiatives demonstrate the determination of the EU to work as hard as possible to see the refugee crisis resolved.
507. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on meetings held and topics discussed during his recent visit to the United Arab Emirates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45465/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI visited the United Arab Emirates on the 7th and 8th of December (arriving there late on December 6th).
I held a number of meetings with senior Emirati officials. These were: Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces; Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed AL Nahyan, Minister for Foreign Affairs; Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Minister for Finance; Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister for Culture, Youth, and Social Development; and Sultan Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy.
A number of these officials have visited Ireland in recent years and others have supported efforts to build Ireland’s profile in the UAE and to develop the relationship between the two countries. For example, Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has visited Ireland twice as Foreign Minister and Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan was Patron of the first Global GAA Games, which was held in Abu Dhabi earlier this year.
I also met the Irish Business Council in Abu Dhabi and the Dubai Irish Business Network.
Ireland’s relationship with the UAE has deepened in recent years, including through regular high level visits and the opening of resident embassies in both directions. Our trade now stands at more than €1 billion and there are some 8,000 Irish citizens living in the UAE. Given the strength and breadth of the relations between the two countries, my discussions with local interlocutors covered a very wide range of topics.
While the detail of these discussions is confidential, I can confirm that the issues covered included: the crisis in Syria and its regional implications; the challenge of Islamist extremism in the region and in Europe; the conflict in Yemen; the nuclear deal with Iran and human rights.
Our discussions also covered the economic relationship between Ireland and the UAE and how to further develop that relationship, including in the areas of health and education services, SME development, aviation and financial services.
508. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills the additional specialised programmes she provides as part of the Lufthansa Technik European Globalisation Adjustment Fund, EGF, programme in Rathcoole in County Dublin. [45342/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra530. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will publish the EGF applications for Lufthansa Technik and PWA International Limited in Rathcoole in County Dublin or make them available to Teachtaí Dála. [45144/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra531. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills why only 200 persons categorised as not in employment, education or training were detailed in the Lufthansa Technik EGF application, when the European Commission rules allow for a maximum of one such person per redundant worker, if she will allow the Lufthansa Technik EGF programme to increase the number of persons who can participate in the programme to 424. [45145/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra546. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills the projected or estimated expenditure to date for the Lufthansa Technik EGF programme in Rathcoole in County Dublin. [45343/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra547. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the EGF service stakeholders for the Lufthansa Technik Programme in Rathcoole in County Dublin are required to submit projected or estimated expenditure to the European Globalisation Fund unit, the details of these provided to date. [45344/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra548. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of expenditure claims submitted by the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund service stakeholders for the Lufthansa Technik programme in Rathcoole in County Dublin; and the value of these claims. [45345/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra549. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills to add an additional EGF stakeholder group in all existing and future funding programmes for the community and voluntary sector, to provide an additional avenue to ensure the maximum level of participation in current and future programmes, particularly from those classified as not in employment, education or training. [45346/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra550. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills the additional specialised programmes being provided by the Dublin and Dún Laoghaire education and training programme as part of the Lufthansa Technik EGF programme. [45347/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 508, 530, 531 and 546 to 550, inclusive, together.
The Lufthansa Technik Airmotive Ireland (LTAI) EGF programme application and related material is available on the dedicated EGF website www.egf.ie. The PWA International application, which is currently awaiting approval by the European Council of Ministers and the European Parliament, will be published following its approval. A decision on this application is expected this month.
The LTAI EGF programme will run until 19 September 2016. The overall programme allocation is some €4.15m including an EU contribution of €2.49m, representing 60% of the total. While the number of redundant workers is 424, based on previous experience the targeted number of redundant workers under the Programme is set at 250 and the number of young persons under the age of 25 not in employment, education or training (NEET persons) is set at 200. In accordance with Article 6(2) of Regulation EU No 1309/2013 on the EGF, the number of NEETs cannot exceed the number of targeted beneficiaries.
While the target number of NEETs could be increased to 250, engagement with the NEET cohort is proving challenging in the time-limited context of EGF programmes. At end August 2015, 76 NEETs, representing 38% of the 200 target, had participated in EGF related programme measures. Two separate listings of verified NEET persons have been supplied to date by the Department of Social Protection to my Department and these persons have been contacted by the SOLAS EGF Co-ordination units on a number of occasions.
My Department has recently processed an interim advance payment on LTAI EGF programme enterprise supports to Enterprise Ireland for €68,306 in respect of supports being provided by local enterprise offices in South Dublin and Kildare. Individual service providers did not submit expenditure estimates to my Department for inclusion in this EGF programme application. Rather beneficiary surveys, cited training needs, estimated participation rates and averaged measure delivery costs informed estimated total programme expenditure. It must be stressed that final programme expenditure is, as with any EGF programme, dependant ultimately on the take-up of measures, and the particular measure type, by many hundreds of individuals on a personalised choice basis. As the programme will run until next September and public beneficiary bodies are funding the cost of EGF measures from national budgets and will subsequently submit expenditure declarations at programme end, it is difficult to accurately forecast the final expenditure. However, I understand that take-up of EGF support measures offered to date is less than anticipated. As mentioned earlier take-up among the NEETs was 38% at end August while the former worker take-up was at 77% of the targeted beneficiaries at that time. The improved economic climate resulting in a re-employment rate of some 60% at end August may be a factor which mitigates against a higher programme participation rate. Lower than estimated take-up rates will result in lower final total expenditure.
EGF beneficiaries may avail of the full suite of courses, whether standard or specialised, offered by various service providers from within the public and private education and training sectors. In particular, the EGF Training Grant scheme administered by SOLAS enables a wide range of flexible personalised guidance, training and education supports to be taken up. In terms of specialised programmes to date, while the Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board works closely with the EGF Co-Ordination Unit in Solas and while it has not to date provided any specialised programmes for LTAI workers, it has provided individual supports and has facilitated the on-site provision of the tailored NFQ level 8 Higher Diploma in Coaching/Coaching Psychology which was initiated by the Co-Ordination Unit and is being provided through University College Cork. This is a progressive course following on from the earlier ''Dealing with Change, Challenge and Opportunity Mindfully' guidance programme delivered in Tallaght. Other specialised courses include modules of the Bosch Diagnostic Technician Programme leading to automotive technical accreditation and the provision of individual career development supports through the EGF training grant scheme. Discussions are ongoing as to whether there is scope for additional tailored course provision, in terms of delivery timescale and content and sufficient beneficiary interest.
My Department is continuing to liaise with the EGF Coordination Unit and other partners to maximise engagement with the programme. The potential involvement of community and voluntary organisations as suggested by the Deputy is being considered for this and future programmes.
509. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to restore the yard duty payment for teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44697/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Haddington Road Agreement (HRA), the supervision and substitution (S&S) allowance was discontinued with effect from the commencement of the 2013/14 school year. Since that date, participation in the S&S scheme is compulsory and all teachers are required to provide 43 hours of S&S duties per annum. A limited opt out facility was made available to post-primary teachers in return for a pay reduction which is applied to the teacher's salary until retirement.
An extension to the HRA known as the Lansdowne Road Agreement has been accepted by the Public Services Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. A gross additional payment equal to the S&S allowance (€1,592) is due to be included in the incremental scale in two moieties for teachers covered by that Agreement - half in the school year 2016/17 and the second half in the school year 2017/18.
510. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on correspondence received from a person (details supplied) regarding Further Education and Training Awards Council and Quality and Qualifications Ireland certification; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44701/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe correspondence to which the Deputy refers relates to a Freedom of Information request which is currently being processed by my Department.
A response to this request will be issued within the timeframe as set out under the Freedom of Information Act 2014.
511. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views that a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22 is receiving an allocation of special needs assistant hours appropriate to the diagnosed special needs. [44702/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra520. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of special needs assistant hours allocated to a person (details supplied) in County Dublin. [44794/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 511 and 520 together.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for allocating 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, which is set out in my Department's Circular 0030/2014.
All schools were asked to apply for SNA support for the 2015/16 school year by 18th March 2015. The NCSE has also continued to accept applications after this date in recognition that enrolments may not have been completed or where assessments were not completed. The NCSE has now published details of SNA allocations for schools for September 2015 on its website at www.ncse.ie.
Once allocated, the deployment of SNAs within schools is a matter for the individual Principal/Board of Management. SNAs should be deployed by the school in a manner which best meets the care support requirements of the children enrolled in the school for whom SNA support has been allocated. It is a matter for schools to allocate support as required, and on the basis of individual need, which allows schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised.
Details of the manner in which a school or parent may appeal the level of SNA or resource teaching allocation which has been made to support a child in school, to the NCSE, is set out on the NCSE website.
All schools have the contact details of their local SENO, while Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available the NCSE website.
As the questions relate to SNA support for an individual child, I will arrange to have the matter referred to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
512. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will reconsider her decision not to award delivering equality of opportunity in schools status to a school (details supplied) in County Mayo; if not, the reason why, given that nine feeder schools have this status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44703/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school in question was established on 1st September 2011 following the amalgamation of a DEIS post-primary school and non-DEIS post-primary school. In accordance with the approach adopted in relation to all such amalgamations, additional non-teaching resources are provided by my Department in respect of eligible pupils from the former DEIS school by way of continued support for the targeted cohort of pupils as a transitional measure. In the case of a post primary school, these supports continue to be supplied for 6 years following the amalgamation.
The Deputy may also be aware that a 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 in order to inform future policy direction in this important area. While this process is underway, I do not intend to make any changes to the current programme.
513. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding Montessori teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44707/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Teaching Council Act, the Teaching Council is the body with statutory authority for the registration of teachers. Teachers are registered under The Teaching Council [Registration] Regulations 2009. These are currently being reviewed.
I note the reference in the attached correspondence to Regulation 3. As the statutory professional standards body for teaching in Ireland, the Council is of the view that all teachers should be first and foremost qualified and registered as teachers in their given sector, whether primary or post primary.
The Council is currently reviewing the Registration Regulations and is proposing to remove Regulation 3. I understand that it has consulted on the new draft regulations and in updating the regulations, I understand also that the Council intend to make appropriate provision for those who are currently registered. I agree with the views of the Council in this matter.
514. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pearse Doherty den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna cén fáth gur fágadh scoil i nDún na nGall (sonraí tugtha) amach as an scéim D.E.I.S.; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [44713/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraRinneadh suirbhé ar an scoil a bhfuil an Teachta ag déanamh tagairt di in 2005 agus measadh nach raibh dóthain comhchruinnithe de dhaltaí faoi mhíbhuntáiste le bheith curtha san áireamh in DEIS. Tar éis achomharc a bheith déanta ag an scoil chuig an bhforas athbhreithnithe neamhspleách in 2006, deimhníodh leis an leibhéal míbhuntáiste nár ghá an scoil a chur san áireamh.
B'fhéidir go bhfuil an Teachta ar an eolas freisin go bhfuil próiseas le hathbhreithniú a dhéanamh ar an gClár DEIS ar siúl faoi láthair ag mo Roinn. Tá an próiseas seo ar siúl le linn thréimhse na scoilbhliana reatha agus déanfar na saincheisteanna uile a bhaineann le míbhuntáiste oideachais a mheas d'fhonn bonn eolais a chur faoi threoir pholasaí amach anseo sa réimse tábhachtach seo. Agus an próiseas seo ar siúl, níl i gceist agam aon athruithe a dhéanamh ar an gclár reatha.
515. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 506 to 508, inclusive, of 24 November 2015, the status of the proposal from Castlethorn Construction regarding the provision of a sports hall and community centre at Adamstown community college in Lucan in County Dublin, including when she will make a decision on this proposal and if she will update the delegation of parents from the school with whom she recently discussed this the provision of this important facility. [44714/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs previously outlined to the Deputy, my Department is seeking to ensure that Castlethorn Construction will honour the provisions of the original agreement with regard to the delivery of a community centre. Discussions with Castlethorn Construction are ongoing with a view to reaching an acceptable outcome.
Officials from my Department have recently reverted to representatives of Castlethorn Construction regarding a proposal to facilitate the delivery of the community centre and await their response.
I recently met with a delegation of parents from the school and will provide an update to them on the situation shortly.
516. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills the length of time Castlethorn Construction was given by the education and training board to build the sports hall and community centre at Adamstown community college in Lucan in County Dublin from the start date of the original contract, and if, when and by how long the original completion date was extended. [44715/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware officials from my Department are engaged in discussions with Castlethorn Construction with a view to ensuring that the community facilities are delivered.
The Deputy will appreciate that given the sensitivities attached to the ongoing discussions between officials from my Department and Castlethorn Construction it would not be appropriate for me to disclose any further information at this time.
517. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will increase the capitation and ancillary grant in 2015 to 2016 to cover the increase in the minimum wage for cleaners, secretaries and caretakers in schools which comes into effect on 1 January 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44733/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe majority of primary and voluntary secondary schools in the Free Education Scheme receive grant assistance to provide for secretarial and/or caretaking services. Within the grant schemes, it is a matter for each individual school to decide how best to apply the grant funding to suit its particular needs and the Department does not stipulate how these services are to be obtained. Where a school uses the grant funding to employ a secretary or caretaker, such staff are employees of individual schools. My Department therefore does not have any role in determining the pay and conditions under which they are engaged. These are matters to be agreed between the staff concerned and the school authorities.
Notwithstanding the above, my Department recently engaged in an arbitration process regarding the pay of School Secretaries and Caretakers who are employed using grant funding. The Arbitrator recommended increases in the hourly rates paid to School Secretaries and Caretakers and the establishment of a minimum hourly pay rate.
The Arbitrator's recommendations have now been accepted by both sides. My Department will shortly issue a Circular to schools giving effect to the measures to apply from 1 January 2016 i.e. an increase of 2.5% in the hourly pay rate and the introduction of a minimum hourly rate of €10.25.
In addition to this, other staff who are employed in schools through grant funding but who are not comprehended by the Arbitrator's recommendation will benefit from the pay increases introduced under the FEMPI Act 2015 and also, where applicable, by the recently announced increase in the National Minimum Wage which also take effect from 1 January 2016. The Circular will provide guidance to school management authorities in relation to the implementation of these measures at local school level.
518. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if it is compulsory for a special needs assistant to retire at 65 years of age, if there is a mechanism to appeal this ruling; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44736/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn accordance with the Superannuation scheme a Special Needs Assistant (SNA) who is not "a new entrant" under the terms of the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004, must retire at the end of the school year in which he/she reaches age 65.
The abolition of the compulsory retirement age under the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 applies to new entrants only. The retirement provisions, which apply to public servants (including SNAs) who are not new entrants, are not affected by the Act.
Therefore a Special Needs Assistant employed prior to the Act is not a new entrant and must retire at the end of the school year in which he/she reaches the age of 65.
519. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a school (details supplied) in County Kerry will be able to reapply for delivering equality of opportunity in schools status given that its feeder schools mainly have this status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44785/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy may be aware that a 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 in order to inform future policy direction in this important area. While this process is underway, I do not intend to make any changes to the current programme.
