Written Answers Nos. 77 - 83
77. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills to clarify the commitment outlined in the programme for Government in respect of raising the school starting age to five years old; if this will apply to all students; when he will implement this measure; the consultation that has taken place with the relevant stakeholders on this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11037/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe compulsory school starting age is 6 years of age and the Rules for National Schools provide that a child must be at least 4 years of age before being enrolled in a National School.
The Programme for Government gives a commitment to target investment in children's early years and in this regard, one of the measures refers to a second preschool year which will help prepare young children for starting school and which will mean that most children will be 5 years of age when they start school.
This commitment will be considered in the context of the next budget.
78. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills why a student (details supplied) has been refused access under the school transport scheme despite having travelled to school under the scheme since September 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11038/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra79. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students similarly affected by an oversight of Bus Éireann under the school transport scheme which has resulted in a student (details supplied) being deemed ineligible for school transport to the school the student has been attending for a number of years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11039/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 78 and 79 together.
Under the terms of my Department's Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 3.2 kms from and are attending their nearest national school as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
The children referred to by the Deputy are not attending their nearest school and are therefore not eligible for school transport. However, Bus Éireann has confirmed that these children are currently availing of a school transport service.
In the case of the child that was incorrectly granted eligibility for school transport will retain this eligibility for the current school year and for the 2016/17 school year; the terms of the scheme will be applied with effect from the 2017/18 school year.
In relation to the number of children that have been incorrectly assessed for school transport eligibility Bus Éireann has advised that although the total number is not available, in the context of the 114,000 children availing of school transport, the number is not significant.
80. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a student diagnosed with epilepsy is eligible for school transport under the scheme for school transport for children with special educational needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11040/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra81. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of children diagnosed with epilepsy who avail of school transport under the primary school transport scheme; the post-primary school transport scheme; the scheme for school transport for children with special educational needs; those who avail of concessionary school transport; those who receive the remote area grant for school transport, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11041/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra82. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students who have been refused access to the primary or post-primary school transport schemes on foot of a diagnosis of a medical condition or disability; the number of these who are catered for under the scheme for school transport for children with special educational needs; the number who are supported through the remote area grant; the number who are not supported by any school transport scheme and avail of private transport, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11042/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 80 to 82, inclusive, together.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children with special educational needs arising from a diagnosed disability. Children are eligible for transport where they:
- have special educational needs arising from a diagnosed disability in accordance with the designation of high and low incidence disability set out in Department of Education and Skill's (DES) Circular 02/05
and
- are attending the nearest recognised: mainstream school, special class/special school or a unit, that is or can be resourced, to meet their special educational needs.
Eligibility is determined following consultation with the National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENO). An Application Form for school transport is completed and signed by the Parents, School Principal and the SENO prior to or at the time of first enrolment.
Applications for transport provision, under the terms of this scheme, should only be completed in circumstances where children are not in a position to avail of standard school transport services.
In relation to children who are availing of school transport under my Department's Primary or Post Primary School Transport Scheme I can advise the Deputy that information regarding a child's medical condition or disability is not part of the application process; therefore the figures requested by the Deputy are not available.
In total there are some 114,000 children availing of school transport services including almost 10,000 children with special educational needs. In addition over 1,200 families received the Remote Area Grant in 2015.
83. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills to provide a commitment not to increase the student contribution fee; if he will reduce this fee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11043/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile the student contribution now stands at €3,000, it is important to recognise that the State pays this contribution on behalf of almost 50% of undergraduate students. Tax relief provisions are also available so that second and subsequent siblings do not have to bear the full cost. In addition, higher education institutions have provisions in place to allow students to pay the contribution in two moieties.
The sector has expanded considerably in recent years, both in terms of meeting increased demand from school leavers and also in providing opportunities for people to upskill and reskill under programmes like Springboard. The number of students (full-time equivalents) attending higher education has grown from 163,000 in 2008/09 to 192,000 in 2014/15. Demand for higher education is projected to continue to grow over the next decade as a result of demographics placing further pressures on the system.
In light of this, the previous Government established an Expert Group to examine future funding requirements for higher education and to present options for developing a sustainable long term funding strategy for the sector. This Group has completed its work and its report will shortly be considered.
The Report of the Expert Group will allow for a real and meaningful discussion on the funding requirements of the sector and how those requirements should be met. The engagement with the cross-party Oireachtas Committee will ensure that all views can be heard and considered on the most appropriate way forward for the Irish higher education system.
