Written Answers Nos. 380-399
380. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will put funding in place for a morning ferry to transport school children from Sherkin Island to Baltimore (details supplied). [41419/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra381. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will arrange that second level students living on Sherkin Island, west Cork, have their ferry fares incorporated into their school bus ticket as is the case with students on other islands. [41420/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 380 and 381 together.
School transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
Currently in the region of 114,000 children, including some 10,000 children with special educational needs, are being transported in over 4,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually.
The timetabling of ferry services is a matter for agreement between the Islanders and the ferry operator. Charges levied by the ferry operator are agreed with the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs which subsidises this passenger service. I understand that there was no charge for children using the ferry service in question.
382. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for training of apprenticeships for trades, in view of the urgent need for certain skills to build houses in the next number of months and years; his views on recent developments; his plans for apprenticeship training for trades; and the funding he will allocate for training apprenticeships for trades in each of the years from 2017 to 2021, in tabular form. [41488/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra383. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans regarding training for apprenticeships for trades, given the fact all these skills will be urgently required in view of the houses that need to be built in the next number of months and years; his views on any recent developments; his plans with respect to apprenticeships training for trades plans; the level of funding allocated each year from 2017 to 2021 for the area of training apprenticeships for trades, in tabular form; the number of apprentices he envisages will be delivered in each of the years 2017 to 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41489/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 382 and 383 together.
The forecast apprentice registrations in the 27 craft trades are set out in a table.
|
CRAFT |
Actual Registration 2016 |
Forecast Registrations 2017 |
Forecast Registrations 2018 |
Forecast Registrations 2019 |
Forecast Registrations 2020 |
|
BRICK & STONELAYING |
52 |
65 |
95 |
140 |
180 |
|
CARPENTRY & JOINERY |
399 |
570 |
700 |
810 |
1045 |
|
FLOOR & WALL TILING |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
PAINTING & DECORATING |
27 |
45 |
65 |
90 |
110 |
|
PIPEFITTING |
33 |
45 |
55 |
65 |
75 |
|
PLASTERING |
18 |
30 |
60 |
90 |
120 |
|
PLUMBING |
345 |
460 |
625 |
690 |
750 |
|
STONECUTTING |
2 |
14 |
14 |
14 |
14 |
|
WOOD MANUFACTURING & FINISHING |
71 |
90 |
110 |
125 |
140 |
|
TOTAL FOR CONSTRUCTION |
947 |
1319 |
1724 |
2024 |
2434 |
|
ELECTRICAL |
|||||
|
AIRCRAFT MECHANICS |
39 |
40 |
40 |
40 |
40 |
|
ELECTRICAL |
1343 |
1280 |
1360 |
1390 |
1415 |
|
ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENTATION |
106 |
100 |
110 |
120 |
130 |
|
ELECTRONIC SECURITY SYSTEMS |
28 |
35 |
45 |
55 |
65 |
|
INSTRUMENTATION |
10 |
14 |
14 |
14 |
14 |
|
REFRIGERATION & AIR CONDITIONING |
79 |
85 |
90 |
90 |
90 |
|
TOTAL FOR ELECTRICAL |
1605 |
1554 |
1659 |
1709 |
1754 |
|
M.A.M.F. |
163 |
175 |
185 |
200 |
225 |
|
FARRIERY |
5 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
|
INDUSTRIAL INSULATION |
10 |
14 |
14 |
14 |
14 |
|
METAL FABRICATION |
186 |
200 |
210 |
225 |
235 |
|
SHEET METALWORKING |
40 |
45 |
50 |
55 |
60 |
|
TOOLMAKING |
66 |
70 |
75 |
75 |
80 |
|
TOTAL FOR ENGINEERING |
470 |
512 |
542 |
577 |
622 |
|
AGRICULTURAL MECHANICS |
43 |
50 |
50 |
50 |
50 |
|
CONSTRUCTION PLANT FITTING |
59 |
75 |
80 |
80 |
80 |
|
HEAVY VEHICLE MECHANICS |
136 |
155 |
160 |
160 |
160 |
|
MOTOR MECHANIC |
420 |
420 |
420 |
420 |
420 |
|
VEHICLE BODY REPAIRS |
58 |
50 |
50 |
55 |
55 |
|
TOTAL FOR MOTOR |
716 |
750 |
760 |
765 |
765 |
|
PRINT MEDIA |
4 |
12 |
12 |
12 |
12 |
|
|
|||||
|
OVERALL TOTAL |
3,742 |
4,147 |
4,697 |
5,087 |
5,587 |
SOLAS has informed me that the forecast for future apprenticeship registrations is strong and the number of apprentices registered by employers in 2016 was almost 20% higher than in 2015. This increase in apprentice registration is primarily being driven by employers in the electrical, engineering and motor sectors with modest growth occurring in construction related apprenticeships. Budget 2017 saw €80 million made available from the National Training Fund (NTF). This is €20 million greater than the 2016 allocation to provide for increased apprenticeship activity in 2017. The 2018 and future year allocations will be considered through the budgetary process, taking into account forecast increased participation in existing apprenticeships and traineeships and the costs of development and roll out of new apprenticeship programmes and career traineeships.
SOLAS regularly conducts evaluations on the imbalances in skills supply and demand in the workplace, including the construction sector and provides forecasts of the apprenticeship requirements over a five year period. SOLAS in partnership with the Higher Education Authority and Education and Training Boards Ireland ensures sufficient training provision and resources are in place to meet the labour market demands for apprentices. SOLAS has recently produced the 2016 National Skills Bulletin (NSB) where shortage indicators are highlighted across a range of construction-related occupations. The data and trends provided in the 2016 NSB will feed into the annual service planning process which incorporates the planning of construction related apprenticeships by SOLAS in conjunction with Education and Training Boards and Institutes of Technology. The forecast for future apprenticeship registrations remains strong and it is predicted that craft based apprentice registrations will continue to grow incrementally up to 2020. SOLAS is working with its partners to ensure adequate capacity exists within the education and training sector to meet this expected increase in apprentice registrations over the next five years.
384. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will expedite an educational assessment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41518/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can inform the Deputy that my Department's National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) provides educational psychology service to all primary and post primary schools through an assigned NEPS psychologist and in some cases through the Scheme for Commissioning Psychological Assessments (SCPA), full details of which are on the Department's website. Under this scheme schools can have an assessment carried out by a member of the panel of private psychologists approved by NEPS, and NEPS will pay the psychologist the fees for this assessment directly.
In common with many other psychological services and best international practice, NEPS has adopted a consultative model of service. The focus is on empowering teachers to intervene effectively with pupils whose needs range from mild to severe and transient to enduring. Psychologists use a problem solving and solution oriented consultative approach to maximise positive outcomes for these pupils. NEPS encourages schools to use a continuum based assessment and intervention process whereby each school takes responsibility for initial assessment, educational planning and remedial intervention for pupils with learning, emotional or behavioural difficulties. Teachers may consult their NEPS psychologist should they need to at this stage in the process. Only in the event of a failure to make reasonable progress, in spite of the school's best efforts in consultation with NEPS, will the psychologist become involved with an individual child for intensive intervention or assessment.
This system allows psychologists to give early attention to urgent cases and also to help many more children indirectly than could be seen individually. It also ensures that children are not referred unnecessarily for psychological intervention.
I have made enquiries in the matter of the pupil referred to in the Deputy's question and can inform the Deputy that a meeting has been scheduled to take place this month between school authorities, the child's parents and the NEPS psychologist to determine what actions are appropriate in his regard.
385. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a matter regarding a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41519/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe longer term options in respect of the provision of improved accommodation for the school, to which the Deputy refers, are currently being considered in the context of other school developments in the area and the reorganisation of existing accommodation.
In that context, my Department is currently liaising with the school authorities in the area, including the school in question, with a view to identifying an accommodation solution for the school.
386. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of EU students who are registered to study here as full-time undergraduates in higher education institutions for each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41522/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of full time undergraduate enrolments by domicile origin for the last ten academic years is provided in the following table.
Full-time Undergraduate Enrolments in All HEA-Funded Institutions by Academic Year
|
Domicile |
2006/2007 |
2007/2008 |
2008/2009 |
2009/2010 |
2010/2011 |
2011/2012 |
2012/2013 |
2013/2014 |
2014/2015 |
2015/2016 |
|
Ireland |
109,554 |
112,178 |
117,701 |
126,610 |
132,117 |
134,550 |
135,346 |
135,866 |
137,440 |
141,091 |
|
Northern Ireland |
699 |
693 |
655 |
698 |
625 |
639 |
540 |
585 |
640 |
689 |
|
(Other) EU |
1,943 |
2,130 |
2,312 |
2,320 |
2,476 |
1,975 |
2,171 |
2,432 |
2,471 |
2,826 |
|
Non-EU |
4,357 |
5,715 |
5,519 |
5,291 |
5,123 |
5,216 |
7,285 |
9,572 |
10,513 |
11,837 |
|
Unknown |
108 |
62 |
90 |
156 |
105 |
103 |
109 |
90 |
131 |
274 |
|
Total |
116,661 |
120,778 |
126,277 |
135,075 |
140,446 |
142,483 |
145,451 |
148,545 |
151,195 |
156,717 |
387. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a decision will be made on an application for a much needed extension to a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41560/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that my Department has received an application for prefab replacement and other ancillary works from the school referred to by the Deputy.
As the Deputy may be aware, it is my intention to replace purchased school prefab accommodation with permanent accommodation, where the need is established, over the lifetime of my Department's capital programme. A funding provision of €180 million is being made available from 2019 for this initiative in the programme. In that regard, my Department has advised the school, in question, that its application can be considered further under the programme at that stage.
In relation to the other works referred to, the school may use its minor works grant, which all primary schools received last November, to carry out remedial works in full or on a phased basis as that grant permits, should the school consider them to be a priority.
388. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department will consider funding an initiative by a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41578/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn general, individual school authorities are responsible, in the first instance, for ensuring the safety and welfare of children and others in their care.
The issue of road safety measures outside the vested site areas of schools on public roads, such as road signage, traffic calming measures etc., is a matter, for the relevant Local Authority. Local Authorities have the power to decide on road safety measures outside schools to ensure that measures are in place to protect the safety of local school children. My Department has no function in this matter.
Should safety measures be required within the vested school site it is open to the school authority to make an application for funding under any future Summer Works Scheme.
389. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a school bus transport ticket will issue to a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41587/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
Currently in the region of 114,000 children, including some 10,000 children with special educational needs, are being transported in over 4,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually.
In general, children are eligible for school transport if they are attending their nearest school and satisfy the requisite distance criteria.
Bus Éireann has confirmed that the child in question is not eligible for school transport but may be issued with a ticket on a concessionary basis for the 2016/2017 school year upon payment of the appropriate charge.
The family in question should liaise with the local Dublin area Bus Éireann office in Broadstone, Dublin 7, phone 01 8302222, in relation to this matter.
390. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the Technological Universities Bill 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41590/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the new Programme for Government outlines that this new Government will continue to support the creation of Technological Universities.
This is in line with the National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030 which provides a framework for the development of the higher education sector to 2030. With regard to the institute of technology sector, the Strategy recommended significant reforms to position the sector to meet national strategic objectives. In particular, the Strategy recommended consolidation within the sector and a pathway of evolution for those consolidated institutes of technology, to allow them to demonstrate significant progress against robust performance criteria and to apply to become technological universities.
In relation to the legislation, the second Government Legislative Programme of this new Partnership Government was published on 27 September 2016, and the Technological Universities Bill is listed on the Dáil Order Paper and is awaiting Committee Stage.
I recognise that there were a significant number of matters raised previously in respect of the Bill at both Committee and Report Stage. It is my intention to consult with all of the relevant stakeholders in relation to both the matters raised during the legislative process and the commitments contained in the Programme for Government.
Following the finalisation of this consultation process I will then advance the legislation having determined a position in relation to any matters raised as part of this consultation process.
391. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a scribe for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41623/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides supports for students in higher education with disabilities through the Fund for Students with Disabilities.
The Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) is administered by the Higher Education Authority on behalf of my Department.
The FSD provides funding to students in approved colleges of further and higher education for the delivery of key services, reasonable accommodations and supports for learners with disabilities on full-time approved courses.
The student referred to by the Deputy is advised to contact the Access Officer in the institution he is attending to see whether supports are available under the FSD.
392. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application for additional accommodation by a school (details supplied) which was lodged with his Department in December 2014; if the application has been approved; when funding will be made available; when he anticipates a commencement date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41631/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe application to which the Deputy refers is under consideration in my Department. A decision will be taken as quickly as possible and the school will be notified directly of the outcome.
393. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an application for a partial redundancy for a person (details supplied) has been received by his Department; and when he expects payment for same. [41632/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for compensation for loss of hours for the person referred to by the Deputy has been received in my Department. Information required to process the claim has been requested from the school and any payment due will be processed on receipt of this information.
394. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application for a full time SNA in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41676/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Council for Special Education (NCSE), which is an independent statutory agency, is responsible, through its network of Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports, including SNA support.
The NCSE allocates SNA support to schools in accordance with the criteria set out in my Department's Circular 0030/2014, which is available on my Department's website at www.education.ie, in order that students who have care needs can access SNA support as and when it is needed.
Responsibility for deciding on the quantum of educational supports and resources to be allocated to schools to support individual pupils rests with the NCSE.
It should be noted that SNA allocations are not made to individual children, but are made to schools to support the care needs of children with assessed special educational needs in the school.
Where a school wish to appeal the SNA support allocation which has been made to them, they may do so through the NCSE appeal process, details of which are set out at www.ncse.ie. The option to invoke the NCSE appeals process is open to the school in question.
All schools have the contact details of their local SENO. Contact details are also available on the NCSE website. The local SENO is also available to discuss any concerns that parents have about the present or future educational needs of their child.
As the Deputy's question relates to an individual child, the matter has been referred to the NCSE for direct reply.
395. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of Bus Éireann and contractor vehicles, including whether they are large, medium, mini or taxi, operating the school transport scheme, in tabular form. [41692/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra396. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary and post-primary pupils availing of school transport in 2015 and 2016, in tabular form; and if they are eligible or concessionary. [41693/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 395 and 396 together.
School transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
Currently in the region of 114,000 children, including some 10,000 children with special educational needs, are being transported in over 4,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually.
The tables provide a breakdown of the number of children who availed of school transport services in 2015 and 2016:-
|
Primary |
Post Primary |
|||
|
Eligible |
Concessionary |
Eligible |
Concessionary |
|
|
2015 |
37,585 |
11,254 |
54,012 |
11,041 |
|
2016 |
36,519 |
12,280 |
52,479 |
13,093 |
The number and type of vehicle operating school transport services in 2016 are as follows:-
|
Large Buses |
Medium Buses |
Mini Buses |
Taxis |
|
|
Bus Éireann |
395 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
|
Contractor |
686 |
827 |
1,513 |
1,032 |
397. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a new school building (details supplied); if a new location has been identified; the timeframe for the completion of the school; the timeframe by stage and date; if barriers to the completion of the project within this timeframe have been identified to date; the nature of these barriers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41747/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that a permanent accommodation solution for the school to which he refers, has been identified. My Department will be in contact with the school authority in due course. However, due to the sensitivity of the position, my Department is unable to comment further at this time.
398. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Skills the value of capital investment projects and grants under way or approved for funding by his Department, for County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41774/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that capital funding to schools is approved by my Department under the following schemes i.e. Major Projects, PPP Projects, Additional Accommodation, Emergency Works, Summer Works, ICT Infrastructure and Minor Works Grant Schemes. The total value of grants approved under these headings to schools in County Wexford is set out in the table.
|
Project Category |
Funding |
|
Major Projects |
€38.4 million |
|
PPP Projects |
** |
|
Additional Accommodation |
€7.6 million |
|
Emergency Works Scheme |
€1.1 million |
|
Summer Works Scheme |
€1.1 million |
|
Grant Scheme for ICT Infrastructure 2016-2017 school year |
Over €1 million |
|
Minor Works Grant Scheme 2016-2017 school year |
Almost €1 million |
** Loreto Secondary School, Wexford town, is one of six school projects planned for delivery under the Department's Bundle 5 Public Private Partnership (PPP) programme. However, it is not possible to provide a separate value for this project.
Funding has also been allocated to enable Institute of Technology Carlow to acquire a site in County Wexford, with a view to developing a new purpose-built campus. Due to commercial sensitivities, it is not possible to provide details of this funding.
