Written Answers Nos. 152-172
152. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills to review the request made by a school (details supplied) to appoint an additional teacher in September 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11344/16]
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 the Primary Staffing 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 Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.
153. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the provision of replacement school buildings for a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11355/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy that the school referred to has recently applied to my Department for capital funding for improved and additional accommodation.
The application concerned has been considered and a decision will be conveyed to the school authority shortly.
154. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application by a school (details supplied) for funding for an additional classroom; if he will provide funding in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11358/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that the school referred to by the Deputy has made an application to my Department for capital funding for additional accommodation. The application is currently being assessed and a decision will be conveyed to the school authority as soon as this process is finalised.
155. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education and Skills the staff retention levels in Waterford Institute of Technology; his plans and timescale for completing the engineering block on its grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11375/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of the budgetary process in November 2011 a Government decision was taken to concentrate available educational capital resources on delivering school places and to restrict investment in higher education infrastructure to legally binding contractual commitments that existed at that time. The project referred to by the Deputy had not reached the point of being a legally binding contractual commitment by November 2011. Going forward, the needs of Waterford Institute of Technology will be considered in the context of capital resources available for the higher education sector and having regard to competing demands.
We have been informed by Waterford Institute of Technology that its staff retention levels are as follows.
The figures for 2015 are: 74 staff left, 15 of these on retirement. The turnover rate was 8.05% (74/919.48).
The figures for 2016 (up to March) are: 19 staff have left (no retirees). The turnover rate to date is 2.08% (19/914.64).
156. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Education and Skills why his Department declined an application by a school (details supplied) for a pathways to literacy course; if he is aware that this school has Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools band 1 status, and this is the second year running that its pupils have been denied this important intervention; if he will increase funding availability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11385/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe "Exploring Literacy Through the Arts" Summer Camps are available to DEIS Band 1 schools and have been running since 2000 when three schools were invited to partake in a pilot project. The initiative now extends to 42 camps. The administration of the scheme is carried out on behalf of my Department by Navan Education Centre.
Schools are allocated funding on the basis of clearly defined criteria which includes the quality of the application, the geographic spread of camps and the requirement to include a proportion of schools new to the initiative. The particular school to which the Deputy refers has received funding to deliver a camp in 2008 and from 2011 to 2014. The school did not appeal the decision.
157. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills to consider an application by a school (details supplied) to upgrade out-of-date science laboratories; if he will fund it under the summer works scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11396/16]
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 28 April last, details of which are also published on my Department's website, www.education.i.e.
Under SWS (2016-2017), valid applications from schools, including the school referred to by the Deputy, 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.
158. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 205 of 17 June 2015, if he has made a decision on a matter; if not, when he will; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11398/16]
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.
159. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills to approve an application by a school (details supplied) under the summer works scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11401/16]
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 28 April last, details of which are also published on my Department's website, www.education.i.e.
Under SWS (2016-2017), valid applications from schools, including the school referred to by the Deputy, 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.
160. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department provided funding for playgrounds under the recently announced summer works scheme; if not, if he will provide funding for this under the next summer works scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11402/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to confirm to the Deputy that applications for the provision and upgrade of play areas submitted by schools are assessed under Category 10 of the Summer Works Scheme (SWS) in accordance with the prioritisation criteria outlined in the Circular accompanying the Scheme. I also wish to advise the Deputy that the SWS will be applied on a multi-annual basis for the years 2016 and 2017. The Deputy will be aware that details of the successful applicants under the SWS (2016-2017) were announced on 28 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 SWS (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 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. This includes applications of the nature described by the Deputy. 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.
161. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 131 of 23 September 2015, the status of a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11407/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that a building project for the school to which he refers was included on the 6-year Construction Programme announced last November.
My Department is considering the long term projected pupil enrolment for the school in question which will determine the appropriate level of accommodation. My Department expects to be in further contact with the school concerned as soon as this process has been finalised.
162. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education and Skills the annual rental value of each vacant property and land holding of his Department. [11418/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy in relation to the annual rental value of vacant property and land in my ownership is not available.
163. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans in respect of grant assistance (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11446/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra168. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills to meet with a group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11486/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 163 and 168 together.
Under my Department's student grant scheme, eligible candidates may receive funding provided they are attending an approved course at an approved institution as defined in the scheme.
Private colleges operated on a for-profit basis are not listed as approved institutions for student grant purposes. However, tax relief on tuition fees may be available for students attending courses in private colleges. Details in relation to this relief are available from the Revenue Commissioners on www.revenue.ie.
I have arranged for my senior officials to meet this group in the coming weeks. I have also just announced a call for consultation on the Department's Statement of Strategy 2016- 2018 and have invited stakeholders to make submissions which can input into the development of this strategy. I would welcome any submissions that this group wish to make before the closing date of June 8, and will, of course, take their views into account in developing future policy.
164. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to end pay discrimination against newly qualified teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11448/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra171. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills how he will address the anomaly whereby newly qualified teachers, despite having been educated to a high standard for this profession, are paid 22% less than their colleagues who have been employed since before 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11531/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra196. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills when he will end the pay inequality that teachers who qualified after 2011 are subject to, given five years of salary cuts and the Government's proposal to establish a public service pay commission; the timeframe for the commission to act on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11781/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra197. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills why he has not ended the policy of inequality imposed on teachers, some of whom have lost over €20,000 for up to five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11783/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra198. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills when he will end pay inequality for teachers and make their pay equal for the equal work they do, given that the financial emergency is over, the economy is growing and we hear it is time to make work pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11785/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 164, 171 and 196 to 198, inclusive, together.
The Government has committed to establishing a Public Service Pay Commission to examine pay levels across the Public Service, including entry pay levels. The terms of reference and timescale for the Commission's work are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
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.
165. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills to expedite and grant an application by a school (details supplied) for funding for an additional classroom as a matter of urgency, given that the operational capacity of the school and the health and safety of pupils and staff are significantly compromised due to a lack of space; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11452/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that the school referred to by the Deputy has made an application to my Department for capital funding for additional accommodation. The application is currently being assessed and a decision will be conveyed to the school authority as soon as this process is finalised.
166. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills when maintenance works will be carried out on a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11476/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe maintenance works at the school to which the Deputy refers is window replacement and spalling concrete repairs. The brief for the works has now been finalised in my Department. The project is being devolved for delivery by the school itself. In this regard, the school has been informed that my Department will be writing to the Board of Management shortly to provide it with the brief and guidance on how to proceed with the procurement of the project.
167. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the appeal by a school of a decision (details supplied) regarding an extra teacher; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11484/16]
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 the Primary Staffing Appeals Board.
The school referred to by the Deputy submitted an application for consideration by the Appeals Board at its May meeting. The school will be informed of the decision of the Board shortly. The Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.
169. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills to support and expedite the provision of a physical education hall in a school (details supplied). [11487/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra170. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills to expedite the provision of a permanent building for a school (details supplied); and his Department's efforts to date to secure this. [11488/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 168 and 170 together.
In December 2012, outline planning permission in relation to the school development referred to by the Deputy was submitted to the relevant local authority but was refused on the grounds that the proposed means of access would endanger public safety by reason of traffic hazard or obstruction of road users. This was appealed by my Department to An Bord Pleanála but subsequently withdrawn to facilitate submission to the local authority of an amended outline planning permission in 2013, which was also refused on similar grounds. This decision was appealed by my Department to An Bord Pleanála but refused.
However, the Board considered that the matter of assessing alternative means of accessing these lands would benefit from a co-ordinated approach by my Department and the planning authority in the interests of achieving a comprehensive and balanced solution to ongoing access issues on this educational campus. My Department is continuing in its consultation with the local authority to find a solution to the access issue with a view to progressing a further planning application as soon as possible.
