Written Answers Nos. 133 - 148
133. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education and Skills if funding will be provided to a school (details supplied) under the summer works scheme 2016 to 2017, or if funding will be approved under the emergency works scheme for roof works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23026/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of a Category 6 application for roof works under the Summer Works Scheme (2016-2017) from the school to which he refers.
Valid SWS (2016-2017) applications from schools in respect of Categories 3 to 10 that were not reached under round one approvals announced on 28th April last, will, subject to the overall availability of funding, qualify to be assessed under future rounds of the Scheme. 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. The application from the school in question is available to be considered in this context.
In the meantime, the school may use its minor works grant, which all primary schools received last November, to carry out the works in full or on a phased basis as that grant permits if the school considers them to be a priority.
The school in question previously applied for the works under the Department's Emergency Works Scheme. As the scope of works for the project are outside the terms of the Emergency Works Scheme, the project could not be considered for emergency funding. The purpose of the Emergency Works Scheme is to ensure the availability of funding for urgent works to those schools that are most in need of resources as a result of an emergency situation.
134. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he expects to be in a position to continue to make adequate provision in respect of primary and second level school places throughout County Kildare, having particular regard to the emerging demography; if he expects to have to make any adjustments to meet the demand, with particular reference to towns and villages experiencing greatest growth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23107/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn identifying the requirement for additional school places, 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 my 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. Following the 2015 demographic analyses, 13 new schools will open in 2017 and 2018 to cater for increased demographic needs nationwide.
A range of areas are experiencing increased demographic pressure and these are being kept under review by my Department to take account of updated data and the impact of capacity increases in these areas.
The school planning areas in County Kildare are experiencing some demographic growth. However, the level of growth and the rate of year-on-year increase are not to such an extent that would currently warrant the provision of additional new schools at this point.
The Deputy will be aware that 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. My Six-Year Programme includes 21 projects for County Kildare which have been committed for Major Capital funding and where construction is expected to commence over the period 2016 to 2021. The current status of all projects, including those in Kildare, may be viewed on my Department's website at www.education.ie and this will be updated regularly throughout the year.
With the addition of both planned and recently-delivered infrastructural provision in County Kildare, the existing schools between them are expected to be able to cater for the overall level of demographic demand for school places.
My Department is keeping the school planning areas in County Kildare under ongoing review to take account of updated child benefit data and updated enrolment data and also the impact of existing and planned capacity increases in these areas.
135. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the degree to which he expects special needs teaching requirements in all schools throughout County Kildare at primary and second level to be met in 2016; his proposals for the future in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23108/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra137. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the degree to which children with autism continue to have ready access to primary and second level school places throughout County Kildare; the extent to which any difficulties have arisen in meeting the ongoing requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23110/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 135 and 137 together.
The NCSE, through its network of locally based Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) allocates Special Needs Assistant (SNA) and Low Incidence Resource Teaching Hours support to schools for children with special educational needs (SEN) arising from a disability.
Resource hours are an additional teaching resource allocated to a school to support children in mainstream classes who have an identified Special Educational Need (SEN). SNA support is provided to a school to provide for the significant additional care needs of children with an identified SEN who require such support to attend school. These additional supports are allocated by the NCSE in accordance my Department's policy parameters.
The NCSE recently announced Resource Teaching allocations for the 2016/17 school year. The Resource Teaching allocation to support students in Co. Kildare schools equates to 303.58 teaching posts.
The NCSE recently announced SNA allocations for the 2016/17 school year. 547.22 SNA posts have been allocated to support students in mainstream classes, students in special classes and students in special schools in Co. Kildare.
The Deputy will be aware that the 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 NCSE is also 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.
The NCSE recently published a list of special classes for the 2016/17 school year. In total there will be 1,153 special classes available next year, which is an increase of over 100% in the number of special classes which were available in 2011, which was 548.
The NCSE has advised that for the coming school year there will be 127 early intervention classes, 525 primary ASD classes and 237 post-primary ASD classes, which represents an increase of approx. 16% on 2015/16 classes for children with autism.
From September 2016 there will be 66 Special classes in Co Kildare (up from 64 in 15/16): 59 classes are for students with ASD, including 6 Early Intervention Classes for children who are not yet school going age, 41 primary school classes and 12 at post primary level in mainstream schools. 2 of these classes are new classes due to open in September 2016, 1 at primary level and 1 at post primary level.
In addition there will be 1 class for students with mild General Learning Disability, 4 classes for students with a moderate General Learning Disability and 2 classes for students with a severe/profound General Learning Disability.
For the 2016/17 school year will be 73 class teachers for the 66 special classes.
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.
Details of all special classes for children with special educational needs, including those in Co. Kildare, are available on www.ncse.ie in county order, with new classes identified.
136. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which upgrading of extension works at a school (details supplied) is likely to progress in the near future in line with submissions made by the school authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23109/16]
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. The project is being progressed with a view to proceeding to tender and construction stages in 2018, as outlined in the programme. The architectural planning process for the project has commenced and in this regard, my Department recently carried out a site visit to the school.
138. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which his Department can assist the school authorities at Newtown, Enfield, County Kildare, in the provision of extra enhanced and upgraded accommodation, having particular reference to the availability of extra space; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23111/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that the school in question contacted my Department in March 2015 regarding its accommodation. My Department subsequently provided the school with an application form. To date, my Department has no record of receiving a completed application form and a further communication issued to the school. Any application received will be assessed in the context of current competing priorities and the need to prioritise available funding for essential classroom accommodation where additional teachers are being appointed.
139. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he expects to be in a position to accede to the request for extra facilities, including a sports hall, at a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23112/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that my Department's priority is to ensure that each child will have access to a physical school place. In October 2015, my Department advised the school in question that its application for a PE hall could not be grant-aided due to the need to prioritise the limited funding available for essential classroom accommodation to meet demographic demand.
The school has recently submitted a new application for capital funding. Once the assessment process has been completed, my Department will convey a decision directly to the school authority.
140. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he expects to be in a position to approve an increase in funding offered to a school (details supplied) given the increase in costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23113/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school to which the Deputy refers was allocated funding to build a standalone extension to include a mainstream classroom, resource rooms and circulation area.
I can confirm to the Deputy that the school authority applied to my Department for additional funding for the project. My Department subsequently sought further information from the school in respect of this application. To date, this information has not been received. When it is received and has been reviewed a decision will issue to the school authority without delay.
141. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will ensure that provision is made for an autism unit in one or both of the newly planned secondary schools for the Malahide and Swords area, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23129/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, a major programme of capital investment in schools was announced in November 2015. The establishment of nine new post-primary schools, including two new post primary schools for the areas referred to by the Deputy, were included in the announcement. The two new schools in question will be established in September 2017 in order to meet increasing demographic demand.
As part of the project brief development, the Department has been liaising with the National Council for Special Education in respect of the appropriate level of special education provision. In that regard I can confirm that Special Needs Units will be provided as part of the development in the case of both of the schools concerned.
142. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to advance the construction of a new school (details supplied) in County Cork. [23144/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy that the school in question has applied to my Department for major capital works. In that context, a technical site visit will be undertaken by officials from my Department, which will assist with the assessment of the application.
In that regard, my Department will be in contact with the school authority shortly for purposes of arranging the technical visit.
143. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application for funding from a school (details supplied) in County Kildare which is now urgent given that works need to be completed for the new school term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23148/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that my Department has been in contact with the school to which he refers, seeking additional details relating to the application. The school has indicated that the information will be provided. Once this information has been received, the application will be considered further and a decision will be conveyed directly to the school authority.
144. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will, as a matter of urgency, give approval to commence works at a school (details supplied) in County Cork, where the tender for the contract works has already been awarded and the works must be completed prior to the 2016 school term commencing. [23164/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that the school referred to by the Deputy submitted an application to my Department, earlier this month, for works to facilitate the amalgamation approved recently to proceed from 1st September 2016.
The application is currently under consideration and my Department will be in direct contact with the school when a decision is made.
145. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Skills if action will be taken to retain the school bus service under the primary school transport scheme for a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23166/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the terms of my Department's Primary School Transport Scheme 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 retention of a school transport service, provided this can be done within reasonable cost limits.
Bus Éireann has advised that the number of applicants for school transport for the 2016/17 school year, to the school in question, has fallen below this minimum number and as a result the service will not operate for this school year.
In general, families of eligible children will be paid the Remote Area Grant towards the cost of making private transport arrangements.
The terms of the Primary School Transport Scheme are applied equitably on a national basis.
146. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 254 of 12 June 2016, the exceptional circumstances that led to a university re-employing of a retired staff member under the terms of the employment control framework section 3(b); if he will provide evidence of research undertaken by the person retained under section 3(b) in the immediate period prior to retirement; if financial support has been provided by the university to a centre within the university; if the specific university employs or supports the employment of other staff at the centre named; the conditions the off-campus offices at the centre provide; and if any other retired staff are retained under section 3(b) or through other mechanisms by the university or by any company owned or partially owned by the university (details supplied). [23169/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraNot all of the information sought by the Deputy is available in my Department. Officials of my Department have requested the Higher Education Authority to collate the information and I will arrange for it to be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
147. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 183 of 8 June 2016, the updated status of an application for funding for additional accommodation for a school (details supplied). [23170/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is awaiting receipt of the information referred to in Parliamentary Question Number 183 of 8 June 2016 from the school. I understand that the school recently advised my Department that it is currently addressing the matter.
148. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an appeal for a transport grant for persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23175/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe case referred to by the Deputy is the subject of an appeal to the School Transport Appeals Board.
This Board is independent of my Department and I understand the case is due to be considered at their next meeting which is scheduled for 29th July 2016.
The Board will inform the family directly of their determination on the matter.
