Written Answers Nos. 75-95
75. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills if primary schools will avail of the JobBridge scheme for the purposes of filling ancillary positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10720/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraJob Bridge is a national internship scheme administered by the Department of Social Protection. The scheme was introduced to provide a pathway to appropriate employment, training and education opportunities for a specific cohort of jobseekers on the Live Register. Recognised Schools and Education and Training Boards may participate in the scheme if they wish under Department of Education and Skills Circular 46/2011, however, an internship must not cause an existing member of staff to be displaced from the school or be used to fill a current vacancy in the school. Interns are in addition to any staffing allocation a school/ETB has.
The JobBridge Scheme is administered and funded by the Department of Social Protection. The Department of Social Protection have informed me that in order to protect the JobBridge intern and to ensure the integrity of JobBridge, they have introduced a variety of control measures and criteria. These ensure that the internship does not displace an existing position; that it provides appropriate training and development experience; and that appropriate mentoring and support is provided to the intern. The Department of Social Protection monitors the scheme to ensure adherence to these conditions.
76. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will assist a school (details supplied) in resolving a serious and exceptional issue which has arisen; and if he will consider making an exceptional payment in this instance to the school. [10716/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is aware of the issues referred to by the Deputy. The Department has been in contact with the school Principal and has agreed to facilitate the school with the advance payment of the next tranche of capitation funding to enable it to address these issues. The school has been advised to contact the Department with regard to the schools funding requirements.
77. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question Nos 205 of 17 June 2015 and 205 of 10 November 2015, if he has made a decision on the matter or when he expects to make a decision on it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10721/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy is aware that the existing Gaeltacht entry scheme to the primary Bachelor of Education allows for the reservation of up to 10% of places in the colleges of education for Gaeltacht applicants. To qualify as a Gaeltacht applicant a person must be resident in an officially designated Gaeltacht area and it must be confirmed that the normal language of the home is Irish. The 20 year strategy for the Irish Language proposes that up to 20% of places in colleges of education would be retained for students educated through Irish in Gaeltacht schools and gaelscoileanna, with students in English medium schools also being eligible, subject to a high performance threshold in Irish in the Leaving Certificate. The Teaching Council has submitted advice on entry requirements to programmes of initial teacher education including the Gaeltacht entry scheme to the Bachelor of Education. The advice is being considered and I expect to make a decision on the matter shortly.
78. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application by two schools (details supplied) to amalgamate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10728/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, a project for the schools to which he refers is included in my Department's 6 Year Construction Programme that was announced in November last. The project will facilitate the proposed amalgamation of the two primary schools in Dingle.
My Department has been liaising with the schools and their Patron in relation to the amalgamation proposal and also in relation to the capital works required. My Department will continue to liaise with the schools' patron in the matter, and this can involve a meeting should this be required during the process.
79. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an internal dispute resolution application by the spouse of a person (details supplied). [10730/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials in my Department have commenced the process referred to by Deputy and a letter has issued to the person concerned acknowledging same. The determination on the case will issue within 3 months of the date of receipt of the application.
80. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to provide the accommodation needs of a primary school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10745/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is in receipt of an application for the provision of additional accommodation from the school referred to by the Deputy. The application is currently under consideration and my Department will be in direct contact with the school when a decision is made.
81. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the possibility of providing temporary accommodation to a primary school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10746/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that the school referred to by the Deputy was approved capital funding in 2015 for the provision of significant additional permanent classroom accommodation to meet essential school accommodation needs. In that regard, my Department has not been contacted by the school concerned regarding the question of temporary accommodation.
82. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the provision of permanent accommodation for a new secondary level school (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10747/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that a suitable permanent site for the school to which he refers has been identified and the acquisition process is underway. When this process is complete, the proposed project for the school concerned will progress into architectural planning.
83. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the provision of permanent accommodation in Carrigtwohill in County Cork to amalgamate two existing primary schools (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10748/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that a suitable site has been identified and the acquisition process is underway for the purpose of providing permanent school accommodation in Carrigtwohill.
As the Deputy will be aware, however, a process is currently underway by the Patron in relation to the proposed amalgamation of the two schools concerned. The building project that it will be possible to progress into architectural planning will depend on the outcome of this process.
84. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Education and Skills when he will make a permanent school building available for Abacas in Kilbarrack, in Dublin 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10770/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that the school in question is co-located in a permanent building with another school in Kilbarrack. This arrangement is possible due to declining enrolments in the other school.
I also wish to advise the Deputy that my Department provided funding to the school last November to re-configure its existing accommodation to facilitate the delivery of additional subjects.
Given the need to meet demographic growth, the delivery of new schools together with extension projects to meet future demand will be the main focus of the Department's budget for the coming years. My Department considers that the school's accommodation needs can be met in the current building for the foreseeable future.
85. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a school bus system to pupils, particularly at emergency accommodation locations where there is no alternative public bus route, for example, at the Clayton Hotel on the R139, given disruption many homeless children face in their schooling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10771/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
Under the terms of my Department's Scheme children are eligible for school transport where they reside not less than 3.2 or 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school or post primary centre as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
A minimum number of 10 eligible children residing in a distinct locality, as determined by Bus Éireann, are required before consideration may be given to the establishment of a school transport service, provided this can be done within reasonable cost limits.
Families of eligible children, for whom no transport service is available, may be eligible for the remote area grant towards the cost of making private transport arrangements.
Children who are not eligible for school transport may avail of transport on a concessionary basis subject to a number of conditions which are detailed in the scheme.
The school transport eligibility of children in emergency accommodation is considered in conjunction with Bus Éireann which operates the school transport scheme on behalf of the Department.
86. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will make further announcements under the summer works programme for schools at primary and secondary levels, beyond the category 1 and category 2 allocations he has already made. [10780/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that the Summer Works Scheme (SWS) will be applied on a multi-annual basis for the years 2016 and 2017. The Deputy will be aware that details of the 197 successful school applicants in Categories 1 and 2 under the SWS (2016-2017) were announced on 28th April last, details of which are also published on my Department's website, www.education.ie.
Under SWS (2016-2017), valid applications from schools that are not reached for funding reasons from within the funding made available in 2016 will qualify to be assessed for purposes of funding available in 2017, subject to the overall availability of funding. If this arises, the terms and conditions of the scheme as outlined in Circular Letter (0055/2015) which may be accessed on my Department's website, will continue to apply when allocating funding to such projects.
87. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the post primary school amalgamation in Doneraile in County Cork will proceed and when the new school will receive a roll number. [10781/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that the Deputy is referring in this case to the formal proposal received by my Department to amalgamate the two primary schools in Doneraile, County Cork. In that regard, I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department will be in direct contact with the school authority in the matter shortly.
88. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application by a school (details supplied) for funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10796/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that details of the successful applicants under the Summer Works Scheme (SWS) (2016-2017) were announced on 28th April last, details of which are published on my Department's website, www.education.ie. €30 million of the €80 million announced for the multi-annual Summer Works Scheme (2016-2017) is now being allocated for vital gas works and electrical upgrades in schools. 197 primary and post primary schools were included in the first round of successful applicants.
Under SWS 2016 and 2017, valid applications from schools that were not reached for funding reasons from within the funding made available in 2016 will qualify to be assessed for purposes of the funding available in 2017, subject to the overall availability of funding. If this arises, the terms and conditions of the scheme as outlined in Circular Letter (0055/2015) which may be accessed on my Department's website, will continue to apply when allocating funding to such projects. An application from the school referred to by the Deputy is available to be considered in this context.
89. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an appeal by a person (details supplied) for a student grant will be awarded as all requesting documentation has been submitted showing that the family’s income is within the meanstest to be eligible for the grant. [10799/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials in my Department have confirmed that the student referred to by the Deputy, has appealed the decision of the awarding authority to the statutory independent Student Grants Appeals Board.
The appeal was received by the Board on 28 April 2016 and will be heard within the 60 day timeframe provided for in the Student Support Act 2011. The Board will notify the student directly of the outcome of the appeal.
90. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to engage with the current review of the national drugs strategy. [10858/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is represented on the Steering Group that has been established by the Department of Health to develop a new National Drugs Strategy. As part of the development of the new strategy, the Department of Health has engaged an independent expert team to conduct a review of the implementation of the current strategy. Officials from my Department met with the expert team conducting the review in January 2016.
91. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will commit to a timeframe to end the pay inequality that teachers endure; when he hopes to establish the public service pay commission and potentially end the situation whereby appointed teachers after 2012 are receiving significantly less pay for equal work and given the healthier outlook of the economy if this will be a priority for him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10859/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra95. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills his timeframe to end the pay inequality that teachers endure and to establish a public service pay commission; why he has not moved towards ending the policy of inequality imposed on teachers, some of whom have been discriminated against in the amount of €20,000 plus for up to five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10867/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 91 and 95 together.
The Government has committed to establishing a Public Service Pay Commission to examine pay levels across the Public Service, including the entry pay levels to which the Deputy refers.
The Government recognises the importance of being able to attract quality new entrants to the Public Service, particularly so in important professional areas like education. The restrictions in entry pay levels were introduced in 2011 and 2012 across the public service at a time when the pressure in public finances was severe and the scope for new recruitment was very restricted. Under the Lansdowne Road Agreement the process of restoring public pay is commencing. An important feature of this is the flat rate increase which is being implemented. This is proportionately more valuable to those early in their careers. Restoration of the supervision and substitution payment is provided for subject to co-operation with the Lansdowne Road Agreement. The Lansdowne Road Agreement did not address the issue of pay of new entrants. My Department continues to seek to engage with teacher unions on issues of mutual concern and has recently reached agreement with INTO and TUI in respect of:
- discussions to improve the position of teachers on fixed-term and part-time teaching
- a robust review of in-school management structures
- an increase in the quantum of the extra Croke Park hours which do not have to be worked on a "whole school" basis The Government has also indicated that it will support the gradual negotiated repeal of FEMPI measures having due regard to the priority to improve public services and in recognition of the essential role played by public servants.
92. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of secondary school places currently available for children with autism in Dublin 15 for September 2016. [10860/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra93. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills the options and services available for children with autism who have been refused secondary school places in Dublin 15 for September 2016; and the accommodations his Department is making to ensure that they can access education in their locality. [10861/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take questions 92 and 93 together. I wish to advise the Deputy that the policy of my Department is that children with special educational needs, including children with autism, should be included where possible and appropriate in mainstream placements with additional supports provided. In circumstances where children with special educational needs require more specialised interventions, special school or special class places are also available.
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.
Recent years have seen an increase in the number of SNAs from 10,575 posts in 2011 to 12,040 in June 2016. Almost 40% of all students with SNA provision are students with Autism. Over the same period the number of ASD special classes in mainstream primary and post primary schools has increased by 435, from 330 in 2011 to 765 in 2015. A further 168 ASD special classes are due to open in 2016.
The NCSE has advised that there are currently 2 autism specific classes at post primary level in the area referred to by the Deputy. Each special class for autism has a 6:1.5 pupil teacher ratio at post primary level as well as Special Needs Assistant support normally amounting to 2 SNAs for a class of 6 children.
The NCSE continues to monitor and review the requirement for special class places in particular areas and has capacity to establish such new special classes where necessary subject to the willingness of schools to open classes. Full details of all of the special classes that are currently provided is available at www.ncse.ie.
I have arranged for the Deputy's request for specific detail in relation to placement availability in the area referred to, to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.
Children with autism may also be eligible for home tuition if a school placement is not available for them and/or where a determination is awaited in respect of an expulsion or refusal to enrol taken under section 29 of the Education Act, 1998. Details in relation to the Home Tuition schemes are available on my Department's website at www.education.ie.
94. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a business (details supplied) will be paid moneys due for works carried out in 2013. [10862/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school referred to by the Deputy was allocated a grant under my Department's Emergency Works Scheme in 2013.
To date the school authority have not submitted the required documentation to draw down the allocated funding. The Planning and Building Unit of my Department are currently liaising with the school authority in an effort to resolve this matter.
As soon as the required documentation is received the grant will be paid to the school authority who will then be in a position to pay the contractor concerned.
