Written Answers Nos. 678-707
678. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills to retain an English-as-an-additional-language post in a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5707/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe criteria used for the allocation of teachers to schools is published annually on the Department's website. The staffing arrangements, including the staffing appeal process, for the coming school year 2016/17 are set out in Circular 0007/2016 which is available on the website.
The staffing appeal process at primary level includes the provision whereby schools with a high concentration of pupils requiring English as an additional language (EAL) can apply for temporary language support posts.
The first meeting of the Primary Staffing Appeals Board was held in March. The Department did not receive an appeal from the school referred to by the Deputy. The Appeals Board will meet again in May. The closing date for receipt of applications to that meeting is Wednesday 11th May.
679. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills to permit a mainstream teacher to continue in a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5708/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe criteria used for the allocation of teaching posts for the 2016/2017 school year is set out in Circular 0007/2016, available on the Department website. The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the 30 September 2015.
The staffing schedule also includes an appeals mechanism for schools to submit an appeal under certain criteria to an independent Appeals Board.
The school referred to by the Deputy submitted an application for consideration by the Appeals Board at its meeting in March. The appeal was refused by the Appeals Board on the basis that the grounds of the appeal did not warrant the allocation of an additional post under Circular 0007/2016.
The Appeals Board operates independently of the Minister and the Department and its decision is final.
680. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills to develop a course for a trade (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5711/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are a number of courses available in bicycle maintenance and mechanics, as well as many people gaining workplace training and experience in this area. The bulk of provision is through evening courses. No proposals were received in this area by the Apprenticeship Council in response to their recent call for proposals for the development of new apprenticeships.
681. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding equality in the education system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5718/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraRegarding school admissions, parents can choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available the pupil should be admitted. However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available a selection process may be necessary. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.
Under the Equal Status Act, schools are not permitted to discriminate in admission on any of the grounds set out in the Act. However the Act contains an exemption which permits schools in which the objective is to provide education that promotes certain religious values to admit a student of a particular religion in preference to others.
The Education (Admission to Schools) Bill 2015 published in April of last year contained a number of important changes to make enrolment policies fairer and more transparent. The issue of the need to amend the Equal Status Act was not a feature of the consultation paper published in advance of the Admission to Schools Bill. When the Oireachtas committee considered this matter, it simply noted that "there is a potential tension between Articles 42 (Education) and 44 (Religion) of Bunreacht na hÉireann, and this poses a particular difficulty when legislating in this policy area." No amendment to the Equal Status Act has been included in the published Admission to Schools Bill. I have subsequently made clear my view that this is a matter that does need to be reviewed and addressed, and will need to be a priority for the next Government.
The Report of the Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector which was published in April 2012 made a series of recommendations which included a recommendation that the Rules for National Schools, published in 1965, be reviewed and updated, beginning with the deletion of Rule 68. Rule 68 stated that Religious Instruction was the most important part of the curriculum and that a religious spirit should "inform and vivify the whole work of the school."
I accepted this recommendation and rescinded Rule 68 in January of this year. Its removal is designed to ensure that the basis on which schools operate is in keeping with the diverse and welcoming nature of our modern school system.
682. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills to review an application for a children's pension by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5720/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person in question is in receipt of a pension from my Department under the Primary School Teachers Spouses' and Children's Pension Scheme, as the spouse of a deceased teacher.
Eligibility for children's pension under the scheme of which the deceased was a member is restricted to the children born of the member's marriage, children adopted by the member while in service and to step-children of the member where such children were dependent on the member while living. Pension is not payable in respect of the member's granddaughter notwithstanding that the spouse of the member is the child's guardian.
The provisions of the superannuation scheme are of general application and it is not open to me to depart from them in individual cases.
683. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills why permanent post-primary schoolteachers have no work location transfer options available to them which do not require their permanent status to be removed; her plans to introduce a national voluntary redeployment scheme for post-primary level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5736/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe core function of the redeployment arrangements is to facilitate the redeployment of surplus permanent and CID holding teachers to other schools that have vacancies. The redeployment of all surplus permanent teachers is key to my Department's ability to manage within its payroll budget and ceiling on teacher numbers.
A voluntary redeployment scheme will operate on a pilot basis this year, details of which are available on my Department's website.
684. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills to provide funding to a school extension (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5737/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am pleased to advise the Deputy that my Department approved funding to the school in question for additional accommodation. This decision was conveyed to the school in March 2015.
However, I understand that the school concerned was recently in contact with my Department regarding the provision of funding for further school accommodation. An application in that regard is awaited from the school.
685. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills to agree a site for a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5740/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that a project for the school to which he refers was included in the Department's school buildings 6 year Programme.
In that regard my Department will be in contact with the school authorities shortly for purposes of arranging a technical visit to consider the options for progressing the project.
686. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount of money Bus Éireann paid to Córas Iompair Éireann from the revenue received for school transport services from 2005 to 2016 to date, in tabular form; the purpose of these payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5743/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraBus Éireann has advised that the level of detailed information sought by the Deputy is not readily available.
In this regard I have asked Bus Éireann to forward the information directly to the Deputy.
687. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding school transport in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5749/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that Bus Éireann is responsible for the planning and timetabling of school transport routes.
Bus Éireann endeavours, within available resources, to ensure that each eligible child has a reasonable level of school transport service in the context of the Scheme nationally.
Bus Éireann has advised that the set down point in question is the only suitable turning point for buses serving the schools in question.
Bus Éireann has further advised that some of the school transport services pass the schools each morning and depending on the direction that the bus is coming from, children are set down at their school. In the evening all children must travel to meet the services at a central point.
Central drop off and collection points are a common feature of the school transport scheme and the level of service available to the children in question is considered reasonable in the context of the scheme nationally.
688. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the pay of drivers in Bus Éireann; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5752/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraBus Éireann has advised that in 2014 four hundred and twenty four part-time School Bus Drivers were employed.
The hourly rates of pay for Bus Éireann Part-time School Bus Drivers, applicable from July 2008, were as follows:
|
New Entrants |
€13.13 per hour |
|
After 1 Year |
€13.66 per hour |
|
After 4 Years |
€14.19 per hour |
|
After 6 or more Years |
€14.71 per hour |
|
After 8 or more years |
€15.23 |
|
Effective from 1st January, 2009 |
The average weekly hours during the school year in 2014 were 31.13 hours. The average weekly pay was €474. The only items which make up driver costs on the School Transport Statement of Account are the cost of drivers carrying out school transport work, payments made to Bus Éireann Part-time School Bus Drivers upon retirement and illness benefit. The School Transport Account is only charged for school transport work carried out by the drivers.
The annual statement of account prepared by Bus Éireann includes an audit opinion provided by Bus Éireann's external auditors. For 2014 and prior years the opinion states that the financial information of Bus Éireann's School Transport Scheme is prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with the Summary of Accounting Arrangements relating to the Transport Scheme for Primary and Post-Primary School Children dated 1 January 1975.
In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the entity's preparation of a School Bus Statement of Account in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity's internal control. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the School Bus Statement of Account.
The auditors have stated that they believe that the audit evidence they have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for their audit opinion.
689. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Skills to ensure a reader is provided to a person (details supplied) for the leaving certificate examination. [5754/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
Full details of the scheme are available from their website: www.examinations.ie/candidates/reasonableaccommodations.
In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
690. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the provision of a sports hall for Adamstown Community College in County Dublin, including the timescale for this project, the scale of the hall and the facilities it will provide. [5769/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe developer has confirmed that a project manager and architect have been appointed to oversee the development of the sports facilities and the appointment of other design team members is underway.
Dublin and Dun Laoghaire Education and Training Board has arranged a meeting with the developer to discuss the formulation of preliminary designs based on the standard requirements for educational PE facilities in line with Department of Education and Skills guidelines. A programme for delivery of the project forms part of the current discussions.
Once preliminary designs are available, arrangements will be made to consult with the relevant school representatives prior to planning submissions being made and it is anticipated that details of the programme for delivery will also be available at that point.
The developer has indicated that the overall Planning Scheme requirement for community facilities will form part of their plans. Officials from South Dublin County Council are involved in consultations with the developer in relation to this element.
691. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills to amend the provision under the home school community liaison scheme whereby the existing co-ordinator having served the maximum five-year period may not reapply immediately for the position; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5778/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's Circular 0058/2013 "Assignment of Home School Community Liaison Coordinators within DEIS schools" governs the procedures that must be followed by participating DEIS schools in relation to Home School Community Liaison (HSCL) assignments. The contents of this Circular were agreed with the Teacher Unions and Management Bodies prior to issue. The circular in question directs schools to implement the relevant procedures and there are no plans to amend the contents of same.
It is the responsibility of the Board of Management/Chief Executive Education and Training Board, as the Employer, in each participating school to adhere to the Circular, including the specific assignment periods and the rotational requirement attached to the HSCL post.
A key feature of the HSCL Scheme is the principle of the rotation of the HSCL post among eligible staff in the school. This is to ensure that all staff gain first-hand experience of the issues that contribute to educational disadvantage and bring this experience into the classroom.
692. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna cad é an líon iomlán foirne atá fostaithe ina Roinn faoi láthair; cé mhéad duine acu siúd atá ag feidhmiú i bpoist atá daingnithe (i scéim teanga, nó ar aon bhealach eile) mar phoist a bhfuil riachtanas Gaeilge ag baint leo; an bhfuil sé i gceist aon phoist eile de chuid na Roinne a aithint mar phoist a bhfuil riachtanas Gaeilge ag baint leo; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [5821/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra693. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna an bhfuil sé mar dhualgas oifigiúil ar bhaill foirne aonair ar leith de chuid a Roinne seirbhís a sholáthar trí Ghaeilge d’aon duine a lorgaíonn í nó an ar bhonn deonach amháin a thoilíonn baill foirne a Roinne seirbhís trí Ghaeilge a sholáthar; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [5837/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraTógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimhireacha 692 agus 693 le chéile.
Faoi láthair tá 1,300 nó mar sin duine fostaithe inson Roinn Oideachais agus Scileanna.
Is iad na príomhghráid sa Roinn atá gafa le seirbhísí a sheachadadh ar phobal na Gaeilge ná na gráid a bhaineann le cigireacht na scoileanna agus le soláthar na seirbhísí síceolaíochta oideachais a chuireann An tSeirbhís Náisiúnta Síceolaíochta Oideachais ar fáil do scoileanna i gceantair Ghaeltachta agus do Ghaelscoileanna. Tá 24 síceolaí oideachais sa tSeirbhís faoi láthair atá inniúil sa Ghaeilge agus a chuireann a gcuid seirbhísí proifisiúnta ar fáil trí Ghaeilge. Tá 51 cigire i Rannán Chigireacht na Scoileanna ag an mbunleibhéal agus tá 48 díobh seo freagrach as scoileanna ina múintear an siollabas trí Ghaeilge. Tá 11 de na cigirí seo freagrach as scoileanna Gaeltachta mar go bhfuil na scoileanna sin mar chuid den cheantar acu. Ag an mbunleibhéal is speisialtóirí in ábhar-réimsí na cigirí den chuid is mó. Cuireann foireann na cigireachta iar-bhunleibhéal a cuid seirbhísí ar fáil chomh maith do scoileanna ina múintear an curaclam trí Ghaeilge. Faoi láthair tá dóthain de bhaill foirne proifisiúnta ann atá inniúil sa Ghaeilge chun seirbhísí proifisiúnta a sheachadadh do na scoileanna i gceist. I dteannta sin tá líon oifigigh riaracháin atá ábalta plé le fiosrucháin trí mhéan na Gaeilge".
694. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills why an application for a higher education grant by a person (details supplied) in County Kildare has been refused; if she will review the application with a view to granting it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5865/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of a comprehensive customer service and communications strategy provided by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI), to ensure that all necessary avenues are open to applicants to receive the information they need, a dedicated email and phone line service is provided by SUSI for Oireachtas members. This was established to meet an identified need for applicants who choose to engage the assistance of their public representatives in making enquiries about their grant applications.
This service complements the established channels provided by SUSI which include online application tracking, a dedicated website, a telephone helpdesk, email and social media, including Facebook and Twitter.
Enquiries may be emailed direct to SUSI at oireachtas@susi.ie. Staff in SUSI are responding to email queries within a matter of days.
If an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a student grant or that the rate of grant awarded is not the correct one, 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 Grants Appeals Board within the required timeframe.
695. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills to approve an additional classroom teacher for a school (details supplied) in County Cork from September 2016 in accordance with the staffing schedule. [5908/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school to which the Deputy refers applied to the Department for the provision of an additional mainstream class teacher for September 2016. This post was not approved as the long term projected staffing for the school is Principal + 24 mainstream class teachers.
The school has appealed the Department decision and the school were advised that its long term staffing is Principal + 24 mainstream class teachers.
The school has submitted additional information which is currently under consideration. When this information is examined the Department will be in direct contact with the school authorities.
696. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application for a special needs assistant for a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [5910/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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. The criteria by which SNA support is allocated to pupils is set out in my Department's Circular 0030/2014.
All schools were asked to apply for SNA support for the 2016/17 school year by 29th February 2016. SENOs will continue to process applications for access to SNA support which are received after this deadline. Such applications will be processed in the order in which the applications have been received.
Details of the manner in which a school or parent may appeal the level of SNA 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 on the NCSE website.
As the matter referred to in this question relates to an SNA allocation for an individual child, I will arrange to have the matter referred to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
697. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills to ensure additional accommodation is made available in the autism unit in a school (details supplied) in County Cork for autistic siblings of children currently attending there. [5911/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra698. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills to retain the early intervention unit in a school (details supplied) in County Cork and accommodate additional students in the autism spectrum disorder 1 classroom. [5912/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 697 and 698 together.
I wish to advise the Deputy that the enrolment of a child to a school is a matter, in the first instance, for the parents of the child and the Board of Management of a school.
However, parents/guardians who may need advice or are experiencing difficulties in identifying a school placement should contact their local Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO) who can assist in identifying an appropriate educational placement for their child. Contact details are available on www.ncse.ie.
The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from primary and post primary schools for special educational needs supports, including the establishment of special classes in various geographical areas as required. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.
SENOs engage with schools annually in order to plan for, and to open, new special classes each year, in order to ensure there are sufficient special class placements available at primary and post primary school level to meet demand in a given area.
The NCSE has advised that SENOs are currently liaising with schools in Cork City and County regarding the establishment of classes for the 2016/17 school year.
In all cases the policy of my Department is that children should be enrolled in appropriate placements in line with the recommendations set out in their assessment. In relation to this school, the NCSE has indicated that at present there is not a basis for extending the special class provision.
699. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 454 of 22 March 2016, wherein she stated Bus Éireann's school bus maintenance costs per kilometre, to confirm whether she has a control system in place for maintenance charges and other charges that is independent of Bus Éireann's internal control; her views on assurances received from Bus Éireann regarding school transport services given the qualified certificate in the auditor's report for the annual Bus Éireann statement of account which stated that the opinion of the auditor is not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity's internal control; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5923/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraBus Éireann is subject to two systems of audit inspection, both of which are independent of Bus Éireann.
In addition to the independent audit inspection undertaken by PricewaterhouseCoopers that the Deputy alluded to, CIE Group Internal Audit also conduct regular audits on Bus Éireann offices.
The Company also has an Audit Review Group in place, which includes members of the Board of Bus Éireann, providing further oversight.
The annual statement of account prepared by Bus Éireann includes an audit opinion provided by Bus Éireann's external auditors. For 2014 and prior years the opinion states that the financial information of Bus Éireann's School Transport Scheme is prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with the Summary of Accounting Arrangements relating to the Transport Scheme for Primary and Post-Primary School Children dated 1 January 1975.
In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the entity's preparation of a School Bus Statement of Account in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity's internal control. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the School Bus Statement of Account.
The auditors have stated that they believe that the audit evidence they have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for their audit opinion.
In light of the foregoing I am satisfied with the assurances given by Bus Éireann in this regard.
700. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 451 of 22 March 2016 and the high cost of maintenance per kilometre for school buses used by Bus Éireann, to clarify the meaning of additional safety measures being demanded by Bus Éireann; the additional measures in place and the reason they are not being implemented across the entire bus fleet used for school transport; if this highlights a safety concern for the children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5955/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraBus Éireann has advised that each school bus contractor, as an individually licensed Road Passenger Transport Operator in their own right, is responsible for the maintenance of their own vehicles and the maintenance systems that they put in place to ensure their vehicles comply in all respects with all applicable laws, including the Road Traffic Acts, the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Acts, the Road Safety Authority (CVR) Act and any relevant provisions of European law.
There is a direct correlation between the strength of the maintenance system and the cost of vehicle maintenance. The additional safety measures demanded by the Company includes the procedures that it has put in place with random checks of maintenance standards and audits on Bus Éireann and Contractors' buses equally. This investment in best practice vehicle maintenance improves the standards of all vehicles that are used to provide services under the School Transport Scheme nationally, and not only those operated directly by Bus Éireann.
Bus Éireann also conducts thorough six-weekly preventative maintenance checks incorporating stringent safety inspections on all of its school transport vehicles. Similarly, Contractors are contractually obligated by Bus Éireann to carry out a safety inspection of each school bus at a maximum of six-weekly intervals in line with guidelines issued by the Road Safety Authority.
Bus Éireann obliges all Contractors to sign a Contract Agreement with onerous conditions as additional safety measures. Contractors are contractually obligated, for example, to use only approved vehicles, to operate services in accordance with Bus Éireann's instructions, to pick up at approved pick up points, and to provide documentary evidence that safety critical documents such as vehicle roadworthiness certificates, motor insurance with appropriate levels of cover, and PSV Licences are kept current and up to date. Contractors must advise Bus Éireann immediately of any contemplated change of vehicle, and their drivers must be vetted, be medically fit, be licensed to drive the size of vehicle, be able to communicate in English without the aid of a translator, and must comply with Driver CPC regulations.
The contract obliges each contractor to keep themselves informed and comply with all recommendations issued by the manufacturer of each school bus as well as all guidelines and recommendations relating to the services including those issued by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Road Safety Authority.
I can assure the Deputy that the safety of children travelling on the school transport service continues to be of paramount importance to my Department and Bus Éireann and the measures put in place by Bus Éireann serve to provide assurance that all services provided under the School Transport Scheme are operated to a high standard of safety.
701. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills to review an unsuccessful appeal by a school (details supplied) in County Kerry for a mainstream post, given the exceptional circumstances and the rapidly increasing enrolment for the 2016-17 term; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5956/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe criteria used for the allocation of teaching posts for the 2016/2017 school year is set out in Circular 0007/2016. The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the 30 September 2015.
The staffing arrangements at primary level also include an appeals mechanism for schools to submit an appeal under certain criteria to an independent Appeals Board.
The school referred to by the Deputy submitted an application for consideration by the Appeals Board at its March meeting. The Appeals Board determined that the appeal did not satisfy all of the published criteria as set out in Circular 0007/2016.
The Appeal Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.
702. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she is aware of the concerns of many members of the teaching staff in the Tralee Institute of Technology in County Kerry relating to the proposed development of a Munster technological university in conjunction with Cork Institute of Technology; how she will address their many concerns; if she will take an active role in resolving the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5962/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra719. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills her timeframe for the conclusion of the legislation for new structures for institutes of technologies; if she intends to leave this legislation to the incoming Minister or if she is determined to have it go through the Houses of the Oireachtas; if so, if she is willing to accept further amendments to address the concerns of the sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6101/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 702 and 719 together.
The National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030, published in 2011, provides a framework for the development of the higher education sector to 2030. This Government has made considerable progress in implementing the recommendations set out in the Strategy, significantly advancing the goal of achieving a modernised, more flexible and responsive higher education system that is accountable for high quality performance across the full range of higher education activities.
With regard to the institute of technology sector, the Strategy recommended significant reforms to position the sector to meet national strategic objectives. In particular, the Strategy recommended consolidation within the sector and a pathway of evolution for those consolidated institutes of technology, to allow them to demonstrate significant progress against robust performance criteria and to apply to become technological universities.
The main purpose of the Technological Universities Bill, which was published in December 2015, is to give effect to the recommendations set out in the National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030 with regard to the institute of technology sector, including the development of a new technological university model. In addition, the Bill provides for a number of important reforms to the governance and operation of the existing institutes of technology.
The Bill sets out the process for the establishment of technological universities. These institutions will be distinctly different from traditional universities and institutes of technology by virtue of their mission. This differentiated mission includes –
- a systematic focus on the preparation of graduates for complex professional roles in a changing technological world,
- the advancement of knowledge through applied research and scholarship and the dissemination of this knowledge to meet the needs of society and enterprise, and
- the particular contribution the university will make to the needs of the region in which it is located.
The Technological University Bill, as published, reflects technological universities' multi-campus nature and their regional focus. Merging institutes will be multi-campus entities which will continue to provide a broad range of programmes of education and training in each of their campuses. These institutions will be linked to industry, and will have an enormous impact on our capacity to create and retain jobs in regions such as the South-East and the North-West.
I want to be very clear on this point - the development of technological universities has the potential to deliver greater opportunity to students in these regions, to staff working in the institutions, and to the broader local economy and society. While merging institutes will be required to establish unified governance and management structures, they will be multi-campus entities which will continue to provide a broad range of programmes of education and training in each of their campuses. Indeed, by creating institutions of greater scale and strength, high quality multi-campus technological universities will be able to bring greater social and economic benefits to their respective regions through the delivery of a broad range of high quality education and training in each of their campuses.
I would also like to underline that this is much more than a rebranding exercise – the institutions concerned are required to merge and to achieve high standards across a range of areas before being designated as technological universities. These include standards relating to the qualifications of staff, the quality of research output, the proportion of students engaged in lifelong learning, and other relevant issues.
I would also note that the policy underpinning the Technological Universities Bill has been developed over a significant period. The National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030 was adopted in 2011, the Programme for Government included a commitment to the establishment of a multi-campus technological university in the South East, the Higher Education Authority published the criteria for designation as a technological university in 2012, the General Scheme of the Bill was published, and was subject to Oireachtas Scrutiny by the Joint Committee on Education and Social Protection in April of 2014. I am aware that the TUI participated in this process, and many of the Committee's recommendations have been taken into account during the drafting of the Technological Universities Bill.
The procedure for application for designation as a technological university, as set out in the Technological Universities Bill 2015, is a reiteration of the fourth and final stage of the earlier published 'process and criteria for designation as a technological university'. The proposed consolidations now emerging within the institute of technology sector, and the development of technological universities as a result, will protect and enhance the distinctive career and enterprise focused missions of institutions in the traditional institute of technology sector while also enhancing their strength and scale. This improvement in scale will be particularly important in relation to the challenge that applicants for technological university status must address in improving their competitive position nationally and internationally.
Two of the consortiums have successfully passed stage 3 of the four-stage process which involved the assessment of their project plans by an international panel of experts. These are the TU4Dublin consortium, made up of Dublin Institute of Technology, Institute of Technology, Tallaght and the Institute of Technology, Blanchardstown, and the Munster Technological University consortium, made up of Cork Institute of Technology and the Institute of Technology Tralee.
As these proposals have progressed through the four stage process I have reiterated the importance of, and the need for, a process of consultation and engagement with all staff and students.
The mergers outlined above cannot proceed until the Technological Universities Bill has been enacted and the relevant provisions commenced. Therefore this Bill, in providing the legislative underpinning for those institutes of technology who have established partnerships and wish to merge, represents an essential milestone in the modernisation and reform agenda for higher education institutions.
I would also like to point out that institutes of technology which do not choose to follow the evolutionary path set out in the National Strategy for Higher Education, and in this Bill, will continue to make an important contribution to higher education and particularly to the development of their region.
The National Strategy recommended that the governance structures of all higher education institutions should be reformed to ensure that they are fit for purpose and have the expertise relevant to the governance of a modern higher education institution. The Technological Universities Bill 2015 sets out a detailed and appropriate legislative framework for the reform of the institute of technology sector and for the establishment of a new type of higher education institution, technological universities.
I am firmly of the view that its passage will enable the technological sector to continue to provide high quality education and research as part of a more coherent and coordinated higher education system.
In relation to the position of the Technological Universities Bill, this Bill was at Report Stage at the time of dissolution of the previous Dáil in February 2016. There is no finalised timeframe for the enactment of this legislation; however, since the Committee Stage of the Bill, my Department has engaged directly with the TUI on its concerns in relation to the Bill. I have also met directly with TUI representatives. As a result of this engagement and the Committee Stage debate, I tabled a number of amendments at Report Stage to deal with some of the concerns raised directly with me.
Finally, I would like to re-iterate that the TUI, as staff representatives, have consistently sought a full process of consultation in relation to both the process and the legislation, and this has been followed through on by myself, as Minister, the Department and the respective institutes involved in the process.
703. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of children who were unsuccessful in securing a junior infant place in a school (details supplied) in County Dublin for the year 2016-2017; the number of these children who were in category 1, Catholics in the immediate catchment area; the number in category 2, non-Catholics in the immediate catchment area; the actions she is taking to increase primary school capacity given the number of children who failed to secure a local school place and the future housing developments in the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5981/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in the area. It is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998. The enrolment policy must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. Parents can choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available the pupil should be admitted. However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available a selection process may be necessary and this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice. There is no requirement on schools to report to my Department on such arrangements. The Educational Welfare Service of the Child and Family Agency (EWS) is the statutory agency which can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The EWS can be contacted at 01-7718500.
My Department uses a Geographical Information System to identify the areas under increased demographic pressure nationwide. The system uses data from the Central Statistics Office, Ordnance Survey Ireland, the Department of Social Protection and information from the Department's own databases. With this information, my Department carries out nationwide demographic exercises to determine where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and at post-primary level. The outcome of the latest demographic exercises was that in November 2015, I announced that 4 new primary schools and 9 new post-primary schools will open in 2017 and 2018 to cater for increased demographic needs. A range of areas nationwide are experiencing increased demographic pressure and these will be kept under ongoing review by my Department.
In relation to the school referenced in the details supplied I can advise that a building project to provide for a 24 classroom primary school is currently under construction and is expected to be ready for occupation in May 2016.
704. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills why reasonable accommodation was not sanctioned for a person (details supplied) in County Cork; the options open to this person; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6011/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
Full details of the scheme are available from their website: www.examinations.ie/candidates/reasonableaccommodations.
In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
705. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the rules governing the qualification and proficiency in Irish that teachers must have in order to teach in a special school even if no Irish is taught in that school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6012/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder Section 30 of the Teaching Council Act, 2001, as amended, a person who is employed as a teacher in a recognised school must be registered with the Teaching Council in order to be remunerated out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas. The conditions for registration including Irish Language Requirement are a matter for the Teaching Council.
706. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the anticipated timing and payment methods used for the payment of maintenance grants to students for the 2016-17 college year under the student universal support Ireland system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6015/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraStudents once awarded a maintenance grant for the 2016/17 academic year will be paid on a monthly basis. Payments will be made by Electronic Fund Transfer.
707. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if income from employment earned towards the end of 2015 by a prospective applicant under the student universal support Ireland system for the 2016-17 college year is reckonable; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6016/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAssessment of means under my Department's student grant scheme is based on gross income from all sources of the applicant and his/her parent(s)/legal guardian, where applicable, with certain social welfare and health service executive payments being exempt.
It is necessary, therefore, that information regarding all income, including that from after school/weekend employment, is accounted for when completing the grant application form. However, in the assessment of means, allowance is made for "holiday earnings" on the part of the applicant and accordingly a deduction is allowed for reasonable holiday earnings i.e. income earned by the applicant from employment outside of term time but within the reference period. The details of the maximum deduction for holiday earnings will be announced shortly when the Student Grant Scheme 2016 is available.
