Written Answers Nos. 201 - 220
201. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if, in respect of student grant applications, he will engage with SUSI in regard to it taking into account the expenses of parents of students who are in debt settlement arrangements. [23793/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraStudent grant applications are means tested on gross income from all sources earned inside and outside the State within a specified reference period. Gross income, before the deduction of income tax or universal social charge, is assessed with certain specified social welfare and health service executive payments excluded. The assessment of income from the same starting point is deemed to be fair and reasonable because this approach eliminates any distortion which might arise from different spending decisions in different households.
All applications for a maintenance grant are means tested based on the reckonable income for the previous tax year.
However, article 32 of the Student Grant Scheme allows for the review of eligibility during the academic year, if there is a permanent change in circumstance, relating to a number of events including a drop in reckonable income which is likely to obtain for the duration of the approved course or for the foreseeable future.
Any candidate, whether employed or self-employed, who experiences a reduction in reckonable income of a permanent nature, may apply to have their eligibility reviewed under the change in circumstances clause. Where a candidate can provide satisfactory documentation to confirm that the reduction in income is permanent, their grant eligibility would be based on their revised (i.e. current) income rather than on their income for the previous tax year.
202. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a school (details supplied) is not included on the list of schools recognised by his Department for inclusion regarding the incremental pay scale. [23835/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe criteria for the award of incremental credit to recognised post-primary teachers are set out in Circular 29/2010. These terms were agreed under the auspices of the Teachers Conciliation Council which is comprised of representatives of teachers, school management, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the Department of Education and Skills and is chaired by an official of the Workplace Relations Commission.
Regarding service in a private school Circular 0029/2010 states that for qualified teaching service to be recognised for incremental credit that service must be:
"a) Teaching service that is demonstrated by evidence provided by the teacher, to the satisfaction of the Department or Chief Executive Officer of the Vocational Education Committee as appropriate,
i) to have been given in a school which
(1) is situated in a Member State of the EU
(2) has been in existence for a period of at least 10 years at the date the application for the award of incremental credit is submitted,
(3) offers a range of studies which incorporates all of the courses prescribed on the national curriculum of the State in which the school is located,
(4) offers a full range of classes to all pupils within its designated range,
(5) is funded by the payment of pupil fees,
(6) is open to receive pupils for the duration of the Post-Primary school year".
If the institution referred to by the Deputy met all of the above criteria, service given in that institution may be considered for the award of incremental credit.
203. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the planned extension and refurbishment works at a second level school (details supplied); when he expects the project to commence and be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23840/16]
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.
Officials from my Department will be in direct contact with the school authorities shortly in relation to the steps to be taken to progress the school project into architectural planning.
204. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the role he envisages certain third level institutions will play in a certain project (details supplied); the funds which have been committed by the institutions concerned, by his Department and by any other body under the aegis of his Department, towards the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23871/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraBoth my Department and the Higher Education Authority are aware that a masterplan is in place for the project referred to by the Deputy. However, to date, a formal funding application regarding the masterplan has not been received from either of the third level institutions concerned. Consequently, my Department has not made any commitment to funding this project at this time. Any such funding request would be considered in the context of the capital resources available for the higher education sector and having regard to competing demands. My Department is not aware of any funding commitment by any body under our aegis either.
Notwithstanding this, my Department has been advised that neither of the third level institutions referred to are parties directly to the masterplan but will continue to assist in enabling delivery of the masterplan through their existing teaching, research and innovation operations in their neighbouring and wider campuses.
205. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a bus route in County Kildare (details supplied) will continue this year, the number of pupils eligible for this route due to changes in eligibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23893/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the terms of my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest Post Primary School/Education Centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
Bus Éireann has advised that, based on current applications, there are no plans to change the service in question for the 2016/17 school year.
206. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Education and Skills the supports available for children with dyslexia attending mainstream school within that school system; if specific resource hours can be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23900/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll mainstream Primary schools have been allocated significant additional teaching resources under the General Allocation Model (GAM) to cater for children with high incidence special educational needs, including Specific Learning Disability (SLD), of which dyslexia is one such SLD.
All Post Primary schools have also been allocated additional teaching resources for pupils with high incidence special educational needs, including SLDs. It is a matter for individual schools to use their professional judgment to identify pupils who will receive this support and to use the resources available to the school to intervene at the appropriate level with such pupils. Schools are supported in this regard by the National Educational Psychological Services.
Schools are not required to apply directly to my Department for learning support for SLDs such as dyslexia. Schools should monitor and utilise their allocation of additional teaching support to best support the needs of identified pupils, in accordance with my Department's guidance. The teaching time afforded to each individual pupil is decided and managed by schools, taking into account each child's individual learning needs.
My Department's Circulars SP ED 02/05 and 70/2014 provide guidelines for primary and post primary schools respectively in relation to the utilisation of additional teaching resources which have been allocated to them for pupils with special educational needs.
Specific Learning Disability is not a disability category included in the list of low incidence disabilities which are eligible for the allocation of resource teaching hours to individual students, under the terms of the relevant circulars.
As the allocation of support for pupils with SLDs is managed locally by schools, a parent who feels that their child requires additional learning support in school should raise this matter directly with their school Principal in the first instance, or with the Board of Management of the school.
In policy advice provided to my Department in 2013 the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) advised that the current system for allocating resource hours to schools to support pupils with specific disabilities is potentially inequitable. This is because the current system fails to take account of the individual needs of the children concerned.
The NCSE recommended that a new model would be developed through which resources would be provided to schools on the basis of profiled needs of each school. My Department has developed the recommended new model and a pilot of the new model was implemented over the 2015/2016 school year in 47 schools.
The pilot has now been completed and a report of a review of the outcomes of the pilot is being finalised. Following consideration of this report, decisions will be taken as to the timeframe for the introduction of the proposed new model. In the meantime there are no plans to extend the list of disability categories for which resource teaching hours will be allocated.
Further supports which are provided to support pupils with Dyslexia include funding for schools for the purchase of specialised equipment; an information resource pack on Dyslexia which has been made available to all primary and post-primary schools as well as provision for continuing professional development for teachers with additional training needs in the area of Dyslexia through the Special Education Support Service (SESS).
207. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to continue to extend eligibility to free transport to children from an area (details supplied) in order that they can continue to avail of free transport to their current secondary school, pending the outcome of the Government's review of the school transport scheme. [23981/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the terms of my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for school transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest school as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
During the 2014/15 school year Bus Éireann discovered that a number of children were incorrectly assessed as eligible for school transport and were availing of free transport because they held valid medical cards.
The families were informed of this error and were also advised by Bus Éireann that from the 2016/17 school year the terms of the scheme will apply.
The children in question may avail of school transport on a concessionary basis which is subject to a number of conditions including the availability of spare seats on an existing service and payment of the annual charge.
In this regard families should liaise with their local Bus Éireann office at 074 9131008 regarding the availability of transport on a concessionary basis for the 2016/17 school year.
It is important that the terms of the Scheme are applied equitably on a national basis.
208. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views in respect of the expulsion of a pupil from a Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board school, if any other party may seek to appeal the decision to overturn said expulsion, the conditions under which this may occur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23985/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe position regarding expulsions is that Section 29 of the Education Act, 1998 provides for an appeal by a parent or guardian to the Secretary General of my Department or in the case of an Education and Training Board (ETB) school to the ETB in the first instance, where a Board of Management of a school, or a person acting on behalf of the Board, expels a student.
In the case of a school which is established or maintained by an ETB, an appeal against a decision of the board of such a school shall lie, in the first instance, to the ETB and thereafter to the Secretary General of my Department. In general appeals must be made within 42 days of receipt of the Board of Management's decision.
Application forms for Section 29 Appeals are available on my Departments website at the following link: http://www.education.ie/en/Parents/Services/Appeal-against-Permanent-Exclusion-Suspension-or-Refusal-to-Enrol/Section-29-Appeals-Application-Form.doc or from Section 29 Appeals Unit, Friars Mill Road, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, Phone: 0761 108588.
209. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of posts of responsibility, PORs, appointed for every year since 1992 for each post-primary school, in tabular form. [23986/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is not available in the format required. I will arrange for data on the overall numbers of PORs for recent years to be forwarded to the Deputy.
210. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of posts of responsibility appointed for every year since 1992 for each post-primary Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board school, in tabular form. [23987/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe filling of promotion posts in schools is primarily a matter for the management authority of each school in accordance with appointment procedures agreed between the managerial authorities, teacher unions and my Department.
The information requested by the Deputy in relation to teachers employed in the ETB sector and the status of their posts is not available in my Department as it is held at individual ETB level. It is a matter for the individual ETB scheme, as employer, to manage the filling of posts of responsibility with that ETB.
211. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills to ensure that no bus routes are discontinued due to the continuing implementation of the nearest school rule introduced in 2012 (details supplied) in advance of the new school term pending the outcome of the Government's review of the school transport scheme. [23992/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government commits to review the concessionary charges and rules element of the School Transport Scheme prior to Budget 2017.
Pending this review, there will be no planned programme of downsizing school buses in the coming school year. There will be route changes and variations in line with normal operational decisions that occur from year to year, and any impacts in terms of increases or decreases of available places will be marginal, in line with what occurs every year.
It is important to point out that this has no relevance or impact whatsoever for children who are eligible for school transport.
212. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a higher education grant application in respect of persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24008/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of a comprehensive customer service and communications strategy provided by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI), to ensure that all necessary avenues are open to applicants to receive the information they need, a dedicated email and phone line service is provided by SUSI for Oireachtas members. This was established to meet an identified need for applicants who choose to engage the assistance of their public representatives in making enquiries about their grant applications.
This service complements the established channels provided by SUSI which include online application tracking, a dedicated website, a telephone helpdesk, email and social media, including Facebook and Twitter.
Enquiries may be emailed direct to SUSI at oireachtas@susi.ie. Staff in SUSI are responding to email queries within a matter of days.
213. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status on the provision of ASD units at secondary level in County Kildare where there have been shortages of space as children move from ASD units in primary school; the number of ASD units at secondary level in County Kildare; the number of new places being provided for school year 2016-2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24020/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that this Government is committed to ensuring that all children with Special Educational Needs, including those with autism, can have access to an education appropriate to their needs, preferably in school settings through the primary and post primary school network.
Such placements facilitate access to individualised education programmes which may draw from a range of appropriate educational interventions, delivered by fully qualified professional teachers, with the support of Special Needs Assistants and the appropriate school curriculum. There are approximately 14,000 students with ASD in the school system.
- 63% are educated in mainstream classes
- 23% are educated in special classes in mainstream primary and post-primary schools; and
- 14% are educated in special schools.
In respect of children with ASD who cannot be accommodated in mainstream education, they may be enrolled in special classes or special schools where more intensive and supportive interventions are provided. The Deputy will also be aware that it is the role of the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) to make appropriate arrangements to establish special classes in schools in communities where the need for such classes has been identified.
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.
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.
Of these, there will be 59 ASD classes in Co. Kildare, 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. 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.
As the Deputy's request is for specific detail in relation to placement availability in the area referred to, I have arranged for it to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.
214. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for funding for the commencement of the new build at a school (details provided) to be accelerated for the provision of the new school build following the granting of the planning permission for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24031/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning - Stage 2b - Detailed Design, which includes the applications for Planning Permission, Fire Cert and Disability Access Cert and the preparation of Tender Documents.
A decision to grant planning permission for the project was issued by the Local Authority on 4 July 2016.
The Design Team are currently finalising the applications for the Fire Certificate and Disability Access Certificate for submission to the Local Authority.
Once all statutory approvals are secured the Design Team will complete the Stage 2(b) report for submission to my Department and following review of that report my officials will then revert to the school with regard to the further progression of the project.
It is not possible at this stage to give an indicative timeline for when construction will commence and the duration of the works.
215. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills to provide in tabular form the total number of participants under Skillnets annually from 2011 to date in 2016; the total amount given to programme funding annually; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24143/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information sought by the Deputy is set out in the following table.
It should be noted that over this period approximately 80% of funding to Skillnets has been used to provide training programmes to those in employment, with the remaining 20% dedicated to the provision for those who are unemployed. It should also be noted that Skillnets programmes are often of relatively short duration.
|
Year |
Budget allocation €‘000 |
Participants Trained |
|
2011 |
€14.500 |
42,113 |
|
2012 |
€14.500 |
44,305 |
|
2013 |
€14.500 |
45,878 |
|
2014 |
€15.690 |
46,449 |
|
2015 |
€16,200 |
48,923 |
|
2016 |
€16,200 |
- |
216. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills to provide in tabular form the total expenditure under the national training fund divided between funding allocated to those in employment and funding for those unemployed on an annual basis over the period 2011 to date in 2016; to provide the percentage breakdown of the same funding between training for those currently in employment and those unemployed; the total number of participants under this programme annually according to this same breakdown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24147/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra217. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount collected from the national training levy in each of the years 2011 to 2016 to date; a breakdown of the use of this funding by types of course or programme, by apprenticeship, by traineeship, by further education, by third level, by research, and so on; the purpose of the fund and the evolution of its use over the past number of years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24148/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 216 and 217 together.
The National Training Fund (NTF) was established in 2000 to raise the skills of those in employment and to provide training to those who wish to acquire skills to take up employment. It is also used to provide information in relation to existing, or likely future requirements for skills in the economy. All training programmes are funded from the NTF and a small amount of funding is allocated to the VTOS further education programme. All other further education programmes are funded from the exchequer. The information requested by the Deputy in respect of NTF income and expenditure is set out in the following table. The information requested on programme participants is being compiled and will be sent to the Deputy as soon as possible.
National Training Fund 2011-2016
|
National Training Fund |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 Estimate |
|
- |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
|
Income |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
National Training Levy |
316,000 |
299,000 |
317,000 |
338,000 |
364,000 |
382,919 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Expenditure |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Training Programmes for those in Employment |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Apprenticeships - SOLAS |
54,236 |
52,467 |
39,600 |
39,600 |
42,600 |
60,100 |
|
Training Networks Programme - Skillnets |
11,600 |
11,471 |
11,020 |
11,924 |
12,636 |
12,636 |
|
Training Grants to Industry |
6,175 |
5,755 |
5,803 |
6,500 |
6,500 |
6,500 |
|
Workplace Basis Education Fund |
2,800 |
2,170 |
2,550 |
2,800 |
2,800 |
2,800 |
|
Community & Voluntary Organisations – The Wheel |
375 |
375 |
375 |
375 |
375 |
375 |
|
Continuous Professional Development- Engineer’s Ireland |
75 |
75 |
75 |
75 |
75 |
75 |
|
Total Expenditure for those in Employment |
75,261 |
72,313 |
59,423 |
61,274 |
64,986 |
82,486 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Training Programmes for Employment |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Training Programmes for Unemployed - SOLAS |
228,104 |
243,719 |
237,959 |
222,625 |
212,008 |
226,266 |
|
LMETF - Momentum |
0 |
1,144 |
10,000 |
8,000 |
11,800 |
7,100 |
|
Springboard - HEA |
0 |
10,166 |
18,353 |
23,688 |
22,438 |
22,438 |
|
ICT Skill Conversion Course - HEA |
0 |
2,600 |
3,347 |
5,000 |
5,000 |
5,380 |
|
Training Networks Programme - Skillnets |
2,900 |
3,029 |
3,480 |
3,766 |
3,564 |
3,564 |
|
VTOS |
0 |
0 |
7,500 |
13,441 |
6,000 |
6,000 |
|
European Globalisation Adjustment Fund |
1,721 |
861 |
429 |
889 |
79 |
500 |
|
Technical Support Grant – D/SP |
4,087 |
5,919 |
3,810 |
3,669 |
3,200 |
3,200 |
|
Community Employment – D/SP |
0 |
0 |
3,590 |
3,731 |
4,200 |
4,200 |
|
Total Expenditure for Unemployed |
236,812 |
267,438 |
288,468 |
284,809 |
268,289 |
278,648 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Total Expenditure for those in Employment and Unemployed |
312,073 |
339,751 |
347,891 |
346,083 |
333,275 |
361,134 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
% Breakdown of Expenditure |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Training for those in Employment |
24% |
21% |
17% |
18% |
19% |
23% |
|
Training for Unemployed |
76% |
79% |
83% |
82% |
81% |
77% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Funding for Provision of Information on Skills Requirements |
1,376 |
1,138 |
906 |
816 |
706 |
860 |
218. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of implementing a living wage of €11.50 for all employees directly employed or in agencies funded by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24159/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe data requested by the Deputy are not collected or collated by my Department.
There are over 3,700 individual employers in the education and training sector.
219. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the discussions his Department has had with suppliers or service contractors to his Department or to agencies of his Department to ensure that employees of such suppliers and contractors are paid the living wage of €11.50 per hour; the cost of implementing this wage for these employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24174/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFor the Deputy's information, the Living Wage is a voluntary societal initiative centred on the social, business and economic case to ensure that, wherever it can be afforded, employers will pay a rate of pay that provides an income that is sufficient to meet an individual's basic needs, such as housing, food, clothing, transport and healthcare. The Living Wage is voluntary and has no legislative basis and is therefore not a statutory entitlement. Consequently this condition is not imposed on suppliers or contractors and contract discussions are not held on this specific issue.
It differs from the National Minimum Wage which is a statutory entitlement and has a legislative basis. The Low Pay Commission was established to annually assess the appropriate level of the National Minimum Wage. The national minimum hourly rate of pay increased on 1 January 2016 following Government acceptance of the Low Pay Commission recommendation of July 2015.
Separately, wage rates and other conditions of employment are provided for in Employment Regulation Orders for the Contract Cleaning and Security sectors.
220. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of the widespread concern in relation to the part-time employment of a large number of retired teachers, if his Department will ensure that schools adhere to the regulations laid down by his Department where part-time teaching opportunities arise and ensure that qualified unemployed teachers are not denied such jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24187/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe policy of my Department is to ensure, as far as possible, that the Managerial Authorities of Primary and Post Primary schools give priority to unemployed registered teachers who are fully qualified when filling vacant teaching posts. It is schools that employ teachers and not my Department. However my Department has issued a number of Circulars addressing this issue in recent years. Circular 31/2011 details a cascade of measures for the recruitment of teachers, prioritising registered teachers over retired registered teachers and unregistered people.
A retired teacher who returns to teaching on or after 1 February 2012 will commence at the first point of the incremental salary scale (i.e. the lowest point or starting salary for teachers). Incremental credit for service prior to 1 February 2012, qualification allowances and certain job role allowances are also not payable. This measure represents a significant financial disincentive for teachers who retired at the top of their salary scale, often with a post of responsibility allowance, to return to teaching.
