Written Answers Nos. 91 -98
91. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will continue to make adequate provision for primary and secondary level school places in County Kildare, having regard to the emerging demography; if he will to have to make adjustments to meet demand, with particular reference to towns and villages experiencing the greatest growth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11121/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department uses a Geographical Information System (GIS) to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise. The GIS uses data from the Central Statistics Office, Ordnance Survey Ireland, the Department of Social Protection and my Department's own databases. With this information, my Department carries out nationwide demographic exercises at primary and post primary level to determine where additional school accommodation is needed.
The school planning areas in County Kildare are experiencing some demographic growth, however, not to such an extent that would currently warrant the provision of new schools. These areas are being kept under ongoing review by my Department to take account of updated child benefit data and updated enrolment data and the impact of existing and planned capacity increases to schools within the planning areas.
In November 2015, my predecessor announced the major school projects, including those for Kildare, that will commence construction from 2016 - 2021 as part of my Departments Six-Year Programme. The programme aims to prioritise new building projects and major extensions in areas where significant demographic need has been established. The Programme also provides for devolved funding for additional classrooms for schools outside the plan where an immediate enrolment need has been identified, such as the appointment of an additional teacher. In addition, the Programme prioritises projects that have a deficit of mainstream accommodation for projected enrolments, require refurbishment and replacement of poor accommodation. The Deputy will be aware that extensions to two primary schools in Clane were approved under the Five-Year Plan. One project has been completed and the other is progressing through architectural planning. Also, in recent years four new schools have opened in County Kildare, comprising two new primary schools which opened in 2012 and 2013 and two new post-primary schools which opened in 2014 and 2015.
The current status of all projects, including those in County Kildare, may be viewed on my Department's website at www.education.ie and this will be updated regularly throughout the year.
92. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there will be an adequate supply of apprentices through the existing apprenticeships schemes; if particular trades or professions are experiencing shortfalls; his proposals to address these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11122/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing a number of years of decline, registrations in the 27 existing apprenticeship trades are rising as the employment and economic situation improves. At the end of 2014, registrations were up 40% on 2013. In 2015 there were 3,153 registrations in the existing trades which represents a further 17% increase in registrations on 2014. SOLAS have informed me that registrations are forecast to increase to 3390 in 2016, 4219 in 2017 and 5089 in 2018. Off the job provision in the 27 existing trades is planned and funded by SOLAS and the Higher Education Authority in light of forecast registrations.
93. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will augment the career guidance service throughout secondary level education; if he anticipates improvement in the short and medium term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11123/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government 'A Programme for a Partnership Government' has a commitment to reintroduce guidance counselling to secondary schools.
The current budget provides an improved staffing allocation to second level schools for the purpose of enhancing guidance provision. This improvement takes effect from next September. It brings the basis of allocation from 19:1 to 18.7:1 for the 2016/17 school year. This improvement of 0.3 in PTR allocation is a restoration of 50% of the teaching resources that were removed when the allocation of guidance posts was brought within quota.
The delivery of the 50% restoration through a change in the staffing schedule will allow each school to determine how best to allocate the additional resources to meet the guidance needs of the school. The circular issued earlier this year by my Department outlining the allocation of teaching resources clearly stated that this additional resource is to complement existing resources in order to best meet the guidance needs of the school in line with the school's guidance plan.
At the time of the guidance cuts, all 195 second-level schools in DEIS were given targeted support by a more favourable staffing schedule of 18.25:1. This was a 0.75 point improvement compared to the current PTR of 19:1 that applies in non-fee paying second-level schools.
That was a very important protection for the cohort of our schools in DEIS most in need of support. DEIS schools will also further benefit from the 0.3 improvement to the staffing schedule which will give them an enhanced allocation on the basis of 17.95:1 in respect of the 2016/17 school year. In the next Budget I will consider the best approach to further meeting commitments in the Programme for Government.
94. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will meet special needs teaching requirements in primary and secondary level schools in County Kildare in 2016; his proposals for the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11124/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's policies focus on ensuring that all children can have access to an education appropriate to their needs, preferably in school settings through the primary and post primary school network.
A range of placement options for pupils with special educational needs is provided, in order to ensure that all pupils can receive a school placement. Many pupils with special educational needs will be able to attend a local mainstream school, whereas for pupils who have needs which require more specialist interventions, special class and special school placements are provided for.
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 Resource Teaching allocations, the establishment of special classes and special schools in various geographical areas as required, including Co. Kildare. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.
Approximately 17% of the entire budget of my Department – some €1.4 billion – is being spent in support of children with Special Educational Needs in Schools, including schools in Co. Kildare. The provision now includes over 11,800 Learning Support/ Resource Teachers, an increase of over 2,200 since 2011; 12,040 Special Needs Assistants (SNAs), an increase of 1,465 since 2011: provision for over 1,000 Special Classes attached to mainstream schools, an increase of over 460; and some 1,100 teachers in 125 Special Schools at reduced pupil teacher ratios.
The overall level of investment being provided will ensure that provision can continue to be made to provide for the educational requirements of children with special educational needs, enrolled in all schools, to ensure that children with special educational needs can continue to have access to educational facilities in line with their requirements, for the current school year and in future school years.
95. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will progress the upgrading of extension works at a school (details supplied) in the near future in line with submissions made by the school authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11125/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that a major building project for the school to which he refers was included on the 6-year Construction Programme announced last November. In the context of progressing the project, my Department has requested technical documentation and drawings from the school. When received, my Department will be in further contact with the school in the context of initiating the architectural process for the project.
96. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is concerned at the pupil teacher ratio in primary and secondary schools in County Kildare; if he will improve the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11126/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraBudget 2016 provides for a one point adjustment to the staffing allocation to primary schools, which will be implemented for the 2016/17 school year. This will see the primary staffing schedule operate on the basis of a general average of 1 classroom teacher for every 27 pupils. Lower thresholds apply for DEIS Band 1 schools, ranging from 20:1 to 24:1 depending on the type of school. The pupil teacher ratio in the current school year is 1 classroom teacher for every 28 pupils. Staffing arrangements for the 2016/17 school year are available in Circular 0007/2016, which is published on the Department website.
This budget also provides for an improved staffing allocation to second level schools for the purpose of enhancing guidance provision. This improvement takes effect from next September. It brings the basis of allocation from 19:1 to 18.7:1 for the 2016/17 school year.
Post Primary DEIS schools will also further benefit from the 0.3 improvement to the staffing schedule which will give them an enhanced allocation on the basis of 17.95:1 in respect of the 2016/17 school year.
In the next Budget I will consider the best approach to further meeting commitments in the Programme for Government.
97. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills when he will issue approval in respect of life-long learning provisions mooted for North County Kildare in line with requirements, with particular reference to the acquisition of the necessary premises to accommodate the demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11127/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra98. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if and when he will approve the proposed centre at Maynooth for Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11128/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 97 and 98 together.
The business case put forward by the Kildare Wicklow ETB for the development of a new Education and Training Facility in Maynooth, County Kildare, requires a substantial capital investment.
There is currently no dedicated capital funding for Further Education and Training projects and my Department's overall capital budget for 2016 is fully allocated. My Department, in consultation with SOLAS, will keep this proposal under consideration in the context of competing demands for capital investment should capital resources become available in 2016 and also in the context of capital estimates for 2017 and future years.
