Tuesday, 14 Feb 2017

Written Answers Nos. 192-216

Summer Works Scheme Applications

Ceisteanna (192)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

192. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills when an announcement will be made regarding the summer works scheme for 2017; the amount of funding which will be available for the scheme; the priority and category of works which will be grant aided; if new applications can be made by schools for consideration for funding under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6984/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

I wish to advise the Deputy that nearly 50% of schools have applied for inclusion under the Summer Works Scheme (SWS) which reflects a very high demand. The current SWS was announced in late 2015 and is being applied on a multi-annual basis for the years 2016 and 2017. We are therefore not accepting further applications at this time. 

Details of successful school applicants in respect of Categories 1 and 2 were announced in April last and are published on my Department’s website www.education.ie. Assessment of valid projects in further categories is now being undertaken by my Department, subject to the overall availability of funding, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the scheme as outlined in Circular Letter (0055/2015), which may be accessed on my Department's website. I expect to be in a position to announce a further round of the SWS in due course.

As the assessment process is currently underway it is not possible to indicate at this time the categories of works that the Department expects to grant aid. In that regard it is anticipated that the level of allocation for this round will be similar to the previous round in 2016, i.e. in the region of €30 million.

Schools Building Projects Status

Ceisteanna (193)

Tony McLoughlin

Ceist:

193. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to provide a school (details supplied) with a new school building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6985/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

I can advise the Deputy that Department Officials met with the school authority referred to in recent weeks to discuss the accommodation issues arising at the school in question.

More recently, I understand my Department has been in contact with the Chairperson of the Board of Management in respect of the schools intention to submit an application for additional accommodation for September 2017. Once the application is received, the matter will be considered further.

Higher Education Authority Funding

Ceisteanna (194)

Mary Butler

Ceist:

194. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Education and Skills the detail of the current borrowings in excess of €1 million only of all HEA funded higher education institutions, in tabular form; the original value and date of the loan; and the purpose of the loan and the repayment schedules, interest rates, lenders and nature of any State guarantee or underwriting of the loan. [6989/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available in my Department. Officials of my Department have requested the information from the Higher Education Authority and available information will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

National Educational Psychological Service Data

Ceisteanna (195)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

195. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide the names and addresses of the 47 schools in County Cork which do not currently have access to a NEPS psychologist for the purposes of carrying out educational assessment. [6994/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

As the Deputy may be aware my Department’s National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) provides an educational psychological service to schools through the direct assignment of a NEPS psychologist and in some cases by providing schools access to the Scheme for Commissioning Psychological Assessments (SCPA) where 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. SCPA is utilised, in the main, where as yet unfilled vacancies exist in NEPS staffing provision locally or where staffing resource is lost through extended leave (maternity, sick or carer’s leave).

I attach for the Deputy’s information a list of some 93 schools in County Cork who currently derive this service through the abovementioned SCPA scheme rather than through a NEPS psychologist. In the case of these schools, NEPs psychologists may no longer be assigned to those schools as a result of retirement, resignation or transfer to another NEPs region.

The Public Appointments Service (PAS) maintain regional recruitment panels of qualified personnel to fill these vacancies. During 2016, despite my Department's best efforts the panels did not produce recruits for NEPS in relation to all vacancies, the panels were therefore closed.

A new national recruitment competition was put in place last Autumn by PAS to fill all vacancies within all NEPS Regions. The resulting interview process associated with this competition was completed last week and recruitment panels for each NEPS region, including Cork, will now be formed. PAS will finalise the processing of the candidates, including Garda vetting, and propose each candidate in series to my Department Human Resources Section for contract negotiations and formal job offer.

It is envisaged that the process will produce new NEPS psychologists for assignment to schools, including that to which the Deputy refers in his question, by the end of the current academic year. However it is important to point out that in cases where NEPS service is not available through staffing vacancy or temporary absence of staff, as described above, the schools affected continue to have access to a psychologist through the Scheme for Commissioning Psychological Assessments to undertake pupil assessment work.

I would also confirm that all schools are able to access full NEP supports in the event of a critical incident irrespective of their having ongoing access to an assigned NEPS psychologist or not.

List of Cork City and County Schools who do not currently have access to a NEPS Psychologist to undertake pupils assessment but who have instead access to the SCPA Scheme for this purpose

10/02/2017

Roll No.	TYPE	Region	County	School	Address 1	Address 2	Address 3
12263B	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	GOGGINSHILL N S	BALLINHASSIG	CO CORK
12473M	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	GREENMOUNT MONASTERY NS	SCOIL MUIRE NA NGRAS	GREENMOUNT	CO CORK
13980L	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	S N B TOGHER CORK	TOGHER	CORK
14433K	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	ABBEYSTREWRY N S	SKIBBEREEN	CO CORK
16746S	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	BALLYGARVAN N S	BALLYGARVAN	CO CORK
17323S	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	MONKSTOWN N S	MONKSTOWN	CO CORK
20088F	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	SCOIL MHUIRE N.S.,	SCHULL	CO CORK
20105C	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	STAR OF THE SEA PRIMARY SCHOOL	PASSAGE WEST	CO CORK
20335T	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	Scoil Phadraig Naofa	Foxwood	Rochestown
62301N	Post-primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	Colaiste An Phiarsaigh	Gleann Maghair	Corcaigh
71102I	Post-primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	Schull Community College	Colla Road	Schull	Co Cork
91391H	Post-primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	St Peter's Community School	Passage West	Co Cork
02278I	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	MILLSTREET CONVENT N S	MILLSTREET	CO CORK
04578H	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	BALLYVONGANE MIXED N S	AGHINA	CO CORK
05656G	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	S N AN GHOILIN	SCIOBAIRIN	CO CORK
08393P	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	S N RATH DUBH	GRENAGH	CO CORK
11236Q	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	NEWMARKET B N S	NEWMARKET	CO CORK
11931L	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	S N IOSEPH	DRINAGH	DUNMANWAY	CO CORK
12383L	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	UNION HALL MIXED N S	Union Hall	CO CORK
13976U	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	ST MATTHIAS N S	CHURCH ROAD	BALLYDEHOB	CO CORK
14227H	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	KILCOE NS	SKIBBEREEN	CO CORK
14993C	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	S N RAE NA NDOIRI	RAE NA NDOIRI	MAIGH CHROMTHA	CO CHORCAI
15140A	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	BALLINGREE MXD N S	MACROOM	CO CORK
15516T	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	CLONPRIEST N S	YOUGHAL	CO CORK
15563F	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	LISHEEN MIXED N S	SKIBBEREEN	CO CORK
15646J	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	COOMHOLA N S	BANTRY	CO CORK
16087E	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	KEALKIL N S	BANTRY	CO CORK
16396R	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	BOHERBUE N S	BOHERBUE	CO CORK
16648S	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	ATH TREASNA G N S	ATH TREASNA	CO CORK
16885J	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	ADRIGOLE N S	ADRIGOLE	BANTRY	CO CORK
16955E	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	S N NA MONA FLICHE	MACROOM	CO CORK
17079K	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	S N CARRAIG AN IME	MACROOM	CO CORK
17706L	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	S N AN MHAOILINN	NEWMARKET	CO CORK
18301N	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	S N MHUIRE B	MILLSTREET	CO CORK
18388F	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	SCOIL NAOMH MICHEAL	CHURCH ROAD	BLACKROCK	CORK
18422C	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	SCOIL NA NOG	GLEANN MAGHAIR	CO CHORCAI
19307H	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	DERRINAGREE N S	DERRINAGREE	MALLOW	CORK
19525R	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	MHICHIL NAOFA	BALLINAKILLA	BERE ISLAND	BANTRY
19557H	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	CAHERAGH NS	CAHERAGH	CO CORK
19801P	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	DRIMOLEAGUE JUNIOR SCH	DRIMOLEAGUE	CO CORK
20413N	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	Douglas Rochestown Educate Together N.S.	c/o Douglas Hall AFC	Moneygourney	County Cork
62330U	Post-primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	Patrician Academy	Mallow	Co Cork
62350D	Post-primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	St Mary's Secondary School	Convent Of Mercy	Mallow	Co Cork
62450H	Post-primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	St. Mary's Secondary School	Convent Of Mercy	Charleville	Co Cork
62540I	Post-primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	Deerpark C.B.S.	St Patrick's Road	Cork
81009B	Post-primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	Boherbue Comprehensive School	Boherbue	Mallow	Co Cork
91390F	Post-primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	Millstreet Community School	Millstreet Town	Co Cork
62693K	Post-primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	Presentation Secondary School	Ballyphehane	Cork
81008W	Post-primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	Ashton School	Blackrock Road	Cork
91516B	Post-primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	Skibbereen Community School	Skibbereen	Co Cork
08430S	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	SCOIL NAOMH SEOSAMH	SKIBBEREEN	CO CORK
12203G	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	S N NAOMH ANTAINE	BALLINLOUGH	CORK
13747F	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	RIVERSTOWN N S	GLANMIRE	CO CORK
13889C	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	SHANBALLY N S	RINN SCIDE	CO CORK
17804L	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	S N CNOC NA MANACH	MINANE BRIDGE	CORK
18292P	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	GAELSCOIL AN TEAGHLAIGH NAOFA	BAILE FEITHEAN	CO CHORCAI
18566D	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	S N ATHAIR MAITIU C	AN TOCHAIR	CORCAIGH
18713N	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	S N FIONAN NA REANNA	NOHOVAL	BELGOOLY	CO CORK
18734V	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	REALT NA MAIDINE	BALLYPHEHANE	CORK
19381T	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	RATHMORE N S	BALTIMORE	SKIBBEREEN	CO CORK
20009G	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	GAELSCOIL DR M UI SHUILLEABHAIN	AN SCIOBAIRIN	CO CHORCAI
20106E	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	SCOIL NIOCLAIS	FRANKFIELD	GRANGE	CORK
20389T	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	Scoil Maria Assumpta	Ballyphehane	Cork
20477Q	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	St Patrick's Boys' National School	Skibbereen	Co Cork
68263P	Post-primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	Carrigaline Educate Together School	Carrigaline	Co. Cork
68264R	Post-primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	Edmund Rice School College	Carrigaline	Co. Cork
71120K	Post-primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	Cork College Of Commerce	Morrison's Island	Cork
71122O	Post-primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	Colaiste Stiofán Naofa	Tramore Road	Cork
76333G	Post-primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	Carrigtwohill post-primary school	Carrigtwohill	Co. Cork
62260C	Post-primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	Coláiste Cholmáin	Mainistir Fhearmuí	Co Chorcai
62270F	Post-primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	Loreto Secondary School	Fermoy	Co Cork
70990M	Post-primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	Coláiste an Chraoibhin	Duntaheen Road	Fermoy	Co Cork
76064F	Post-primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	Glanmire Community College	Glanmire	Co. Cork
01867W	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	CASTLELYONS B N S	FERMOY	CO CORK
04054T	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	BALLINDANGAN MIXED N S	MITCHELSTOWN	CO CORK
10523O	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	FERMOY ADAIR N S	FERMOY	CO CORK
11337W	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	KILMAGNER N S	FERMOY	CO CORK
12382J	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	CURRIGLASS NS	CURRIGLASS	MALLOW	CO CORK
14107U	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	CASTLETOWNROCHE N S	CASTLETOWNROCHE	CO CORK
15594Q	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	GRANGE FERMOY N S	FERMOY	CO CORK
15701O	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	BARTLEMY N S	RATHCORMAC	FERMOY	CO CORK
16271U	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	WATERGRASSHILL N S	WATERGRASSHILL	CO CORK
16683U	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	BISHOP MURPHY MEMORIAL SCHOOL	FERMOY	CO. CORK.
17505B	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	S N CILL RUADHAIN	GLANMIRE	CO CORK
17528N	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	S N NAOMH CAITRIONA	CONNAITHE CONNA	CO CORK
17609N	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	RATHCORMAC N S	RATHCORMAC	CO CORK
17868O	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	SCOIL FREASTOGAIL MUIRE	FERMOY	CO CORK
17955J	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	MUIRE GAN SMAL	CLUAIN DILLEAIN	FERMOY	CO CORK
18196T	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	S N GLEANNAMHAIN	GLANWORTH	CO CORK
18377A	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	IOSEF NAOFA	FERMOY	CO CORK
18472R	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	SCOIL CHAITRIONA	BALLYNOE	MALLOW	CO CORK
19851H	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	GAELSCOIL DE HIDE	MAINISTIR FHEARMAI	CO CHORCAI
20204E	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	Scoil Mháirtin	Kilworth	CO CORK

National Educational Psychological Service Expenditure

Ceisteanna (196)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

196. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost to NEPS in County Cork under the scheme for commissioning psychological assessments each year for the past five years for private educational assessments by psychologists. [6995/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

I attach for the Deputy’s information detail of the cost, borne by my Department, of assessments commissioned by Co. Cork schools for the past five year under the Scheme for the Commissioning of Psychological Assessments.

Cost by Year of Educational Psychological Assessments paid for by NEPS under the SCPA scheme for Schools in Co. Cork

-	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016
Number of SCPA Assessments	337	280	161	230	178
Cost €	102,448	85,120	48,944	69,920	54,112

National Educational Psychological Service

Ceisteanna (197)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

197. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of pupils in County Cork currently awaiting an educational assessment under the scheme for commissioning psychological assessments; the length of time each child currently on the waiting list has been waiting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6996/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

As the Deputy may be aware my Department’s National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) provides an educational psychological service to schools through the direct assignment of a NEPS psychologist and in some cases through by providing schools access to the Scheme for Commissioning Psychological Assessments (SCPA) where 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. SCPA is utilised, in the main, where as yet unfilled vacancies exist in NEPS staffing provision locally or where staffing resource is lost through extended leave (maternity, sick or carer’s leave).

By way of information to the Deputy school are advised as to the access path contact details and level of access to the SCPA panel in the course of the academic year. It is school authorities that make the appropriate arrangements in relation to those pupils for whom assessment is indicated and schedule the assessment directly with the panel psychologist. My Department’s NEPS service receive, post hoc, confirmation that the assessment has taken place, certification that it has been satisfactorily delivered and shared with parents and a copy of the assessment report produced. On this basis an agreed payment is made by NEPS to the SCPA psychologist involved.

National Educational Psychological Service Staff

Ceisteanna (198)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

198. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of whole time equivalent NEPS positions which will be recruited in County Cork under the recruitment competition put in place by the Public Appointments Service; and the current whole time equivalent NEPS staff complement in County Cork. [6997/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

As the Deputy may be aware my Department’s National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) provides an educational psychological service to schools through the direct assignment of a NEPS psychologist and in some cases through by providing schools access to the Scheme for Commissioning Psychological Assessments (SCPA) where 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. SCPA is utilised, in the main, where as yet unfilled vacancies exist in NEPS staffing provision locally or where staffing resource is lost through extended leave (maternity, sick or carer’s leave).

I attach for the Deputy’s information a list of some 93 schools in County Cork who currently derive this service through the abovementioned SCPA scheme rather than through a NEPS psychologist. In the case of these schools, NEPs psychologists may no longer be assigned to those schools as a result of retirement, resignation or transfer to another NEPs region. 

Cork is part of the NEPS Mid-Munster Region comprising two offices (Cork and Clonmel) providing service to schools in Cork City & County and South Tipperary. The Cork office providing service in the main to Cork City and County schools has a staffing complement of 21 psychologists (18.9 whole-time equivalents). Currently three vacancies exist in this office.

A new national recruitment competition was put in place last Autumn by PAS to fill all vacancies within all NEPS Regions. The resulting interview process associated with this competition was recently completed and recruitment panels for each NEPS region, including Cork, will now be formed. PAS will finalise the processing of the candidates, including Garda vetting, and propose each candidate in series to my Department Human Resources Section for contract negotiations and formal job offer.

Currently in relation to the Cork Office it is planned that one vacancy, and recruited from the end of the old panel, will be filled shortly. Another will be filled through a transfer of a psychologist from another NEPS Region upon completion of her maternity leave. The third vacancy will be filled from the new panel described above. It is  envisaged that all three should be in place by the end of the current academic year.  

However it is important to point out that in cases where NEPS service is not available through staffing vacancy or temporary absence of staff, as described above, the schools affected continue to have access to a psychologist through the Scheme for Commissioning Psychological Assessments to undertake pupil assessment work.

I would also confirm that all schools continue to be able to  access full NEP supports in the event of a critical incident irrespective of their having ongoing access to an assigned NEPS psychologist or not.

List of Cork City and County Schools who do not currently have access to a NEPS Psychologist to undertake pupils assessment but who have instead access to the SCPA Scheme for this purpose.

10/02/2017

Roll No.	TYPE	Region	County	School	Address 1	Address 2	Address 3	Address 4
12263B	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	GOGGINSHILL N S	BALLINHASSIG	CO CORK
12473M	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	GREENMOUNT MONASTERY NS	SCOIL MUIRE NA NGRAS	GREENMOUNT	CO CORK
13980L	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	S N B TOGHER CORK	TOGHER	CORK
14433K	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	ABBEYSTREWRY N S	SKIBBEREEN	CO CORK
16746S	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	BALLYGARVAN N S	BALLYGARVAN	CO CORK
17323S	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	MONKSTOWN N S	MONKSTOWN	CO CORK
20088F	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	SCOIL MHUIRE N.S.,	SCHULL	CO CORK
20105C	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	STAR OF THE SEA PRIMARY SCHOOL	PASSAGE WEST	CO CORK
20335T	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	Scoil Phadraig Naofa	Foxwood	Rochestown		Co. Cork
62301N	Post-primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	Colaiste An Phiarsaigh	Gleann Maghair	Corcaigh
71102I	Post-primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	Schull Community College	Colla Road	Schull	Co Cork
91391H	Post-primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	St Peter's Community School	Passage West	Co Cork
02278I	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	MILLSTREET CONVENT N S	MILLSTREET	CO CORK
04578H	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	BALLYVONGANE MIXED N S	AGHINA	CO CORK
05656G	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	S N AN GHOILIN	SCIOBAIRIN	CO CORK
08393P	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	S N RATH DUBH	GRENAGH	CO CORK
11236Q	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	NEWMARKET B N S	NEWMARKET	CO CORK
11931L	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	S N IOSEPH	DRINAGH	DUNMANWAY	CO CORK
12383L	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	UNION HALL MIXED N S	Union Hall	CO CORK
13976U	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	ST MATTHIAS N S	CHURCH ROAD	BALLYDEHOB	CO CORK
14227H	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	KILCOE NS	SKIBBEREEN	CO CORK
14993C	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	S N RAE NA NDOIRI	RAE NA NDOIRI	MAIGH CHROMTHA	CO CHORCAI
15140A	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	BALLINGREE MXD N S	MACROOM	CO CORK
15516T	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	CLONPRIEST N S	YOUGHAL	CO CORK
15563F	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	LISHEEN MIXED N S	SKIBBEREEN	CO CORK
15646J	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	COOMHOLA N S	BANTRY	CO CORK
16087E	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	KEALKIL N S	BANTRY	CO CORK
16396R	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	BOHERBUE N S	BOHERBUE	CO CORK
16648S	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	ATH TREASNA G N S	ATH TREASNA	CO CORK
16885J	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	ADRIGOLE N S	ADRIGOLE	BANTRY	CO CORK
16955E	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	S N NA MONA FLICHE	MACROOM	CO CORK
17079K	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	S N CARRAIG AN IME	MACROOM	CO CORK
17706L	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	S N AN MHAOILINN	NEWMARKET	CO CORK
18301N	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	S N MHUIRE B	MILLSTREET	CO CORK
18388F	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	SCOIL NAOMH MICHEAL	CHURCH ROAD	BLACKROCK	CORK
18422C	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	SCOIL NA NOG	GLEANN MAGHAIR	CO CHORCAI
19307H	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	DERRINAGREE N S	DERRINAGREE	MALLOW	CORK
19525R	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	MHICHIL NAOFA	BALLINAKILLA	BERE ISLAND	BANTRY	CO CORK
19557H	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	CAHERAGH NS	CAHERAGH	CO CORK
19801P	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	DRIMOLEAGUE JUNIOR SCH	DRIMOLEAGUE	CO CORK
20413N	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	Douglas Rochestown Educate Together N.S.	c/o Douglas Hall AFC	Moneygourney	County Cork
62330U	Post-primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	Patrician Academy	Mallow	Co Cork
62350D	Post-primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	St Mary's Secondary School	Convent Of Mercy	Mallow	Co Cork
62450H	Post-primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	St. Mary's Secondary School	Convent Of Mercy	Charleville	Co Cork
62540I	Post-primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	Deerpark C.B.S.	St Patrick's Road	Cork
81009B	Post-primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	Boherbue Comprehensive School	Boherbue	Mallow	Co Cork
91390F	Post-primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	Millstreet Community School	Millstreet Town	Co Cork
62693K	Post-primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	Presentation Secondary School	Ballyphehane	Cork
81008W	Post-primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	Ashton School	Blackrock Road	Cork
91516B	Post-primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	Skibbereen Community School	Skibbereen	Co Cork
08430S	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	SCOIL NAOMH SEOSAMH	SKIBBEREEN	CO CORK
12203G	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	S N NAOMH ANTAINE	BALLINLOUGH	CORK
13747F	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	RIVERSTOWN N S	GLANMIRE	CO CORK
13889C	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	SHANBALLY N S	RINN SCIDE	CO CORK
17804L	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	S N CNOC NA MANACH	MINANE BRIDGE	CORK
18292P	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	GAELSCOIL AN TEAGHLAIGH NAOFA	BAILE FEITHEAN	CO CHORCAI
18566D	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	S N ATHAIR MAITIU C	AN TOCHAIR	CORCAIGH
18713N	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	S N FIONAN NA REANNA	NOHOVAL	BELGOOLY	CO CORK
18734V	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	REALT NA MAIDINE	BALLYPHEHANE	CORK
19381T	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	RATHMORE N S	BALTIMORE	SKIBBEREEN	CO CORK
20009G	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	GAELSCOIL DR M UI SHUILLEABHAIN	AN SCIOBAIRIN	CO CHORCAI
20106E	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	SCOIL NIOCLAIS	FRANKFIELD	GRANGE	CORK
20389T	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	Scoil Maria Assumpta	Ballyphehane	Cork
20477Q	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	St Patrick's Boys' National School	Skibbereen	Co Cork
68263P	Post-primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	Carrigaline Educate Together School	Carrigaline	Co. Cork
68264R	Post-primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	Edmund Rice School College	Carrigaline	Co. Cork
71120K	Post-primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	Cork College Of Commerce	Morrison's Island	Cork
71122O	Post-primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	Colaiste Stiofán Naofa	Tramore Road	Cork
76333G	Post-primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	Carrigtwohill post-primary school	Carrigtwohill	Co. Cork
62260C	Post-primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	Coláiste Cholmáin	Mainistir Fhearmuí	Co Chorcai
62270F	Post-primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	Loreto Secondary School	Fermoy	Co Cork
70990M	Post-primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	Coláiste an Chraoibhin	Duntaheen Road	Fermoy	Co Cork
76064F	Post-primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	Glanmire Community College	Glanmire	Co. Cork
01867W	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	CASTLELYONS B N S	FERMOY	CO CORK
04054T	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	BALLINDANGAN MIXED N S	MITCHELSTOWN	CO CORK
10523O	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	FERMOY ADAIR N S	FERMOY	CO CORK
11337W	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	KILMAGNER N S	FERMOY	CO CORK
12382J	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	CURRIGLASS NS	CURRIGLASS	MALLOW	CO CORK
14107U	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	CASTLETOWNROCHE N S	CASTLETOWNROCHE	CO CORK
15594Q	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	GRANGE FERMOY N S	FERMOY	CO CORK
15701O	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	BARTLEMY N S	RATHCORMAC	FERMOY	CO CORK
16271U	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	WATERGRASSHILL N S	WATERGRASSHILL	CO CORK
16683U	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	BISHOP MURPHY MEMORIAL SCHOOL	FERMOY	CO. CORK.
17505B	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	S N CILL RUADHAIN	GLANMIRE	CO CORK
17528N	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	S N NAOMH CAITRIONA	CONNAITHE CONNA	CO CORK
17609N	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	RATHCORMAC N S	RATHCORMAC	CO CORK
17868O	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	SCOIL FREASTOGAIL MUIRE	FERMOY	CO CORK
17955J	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	MUIRE GAN SMAL	CLUAIN DILLEAIN	FERMOY	CO CORK
18196T	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	S N GLEANNAMHAIN	GLANWORTH	CO CORK
18377A	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	IOSEF NAOFA	FERMOY	CO CORK
18472R	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	SCOIL CHAITRIONA	BALLYNOE	MALLOW	CO CORK
19851H	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	GAELSCOIL DE HIDE	MAINISTIR FHEARMAI	CO CHORCAI
20204E	Primary	Mid-Munster	Cork	Scoil Mháirtin	Kilworth	CO CORK

Question No. 199 answered with Question No. 169.

Disadvantaged Status

Ceisteanna (200)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

200. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to his correspondence (details supplied), the status of the review of the DEIS programme; when the review will be finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7014/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

As the Deputy may be aware, DEIS Plan 2017 was launched yesterday.

The DEIS Plan presents an ambitious set of objectives and actions to support children and young people who are at greatest risk of educational disadvantage, and introduces over 100 actions to support:

- A new methodology for the identification of schools

- A more effective system of resource allocation to ensure that resources are matched to identified education need in schools

- Better interdepartmental and interagency working to achieve more effective delivery of services in and around schools

- A pilot approach to introduce measures which have been show to work well in improving educational outcomes

- A monitoring and evaluation framework to gather better information on school performance

The Plan builds on the experiences of existing DEIS schools and draws on international best practice. It sets out new targets to:

- Further improve literacy and numeracy

- Improve school completion rates

- Improve progression to further and higher education

The Plan identifies more than 100 actions in support of tackling educational disadvantage to ensure that children at greatest risk of educational disadvantage can achieve their potential. These include:

As an immediate action under the Plan over 100 additional schools identified will receive extra supports with some 20,000 pupils benefitting. Details of these schools are available on my Department's website at http://www.education.ie/en/Schools-Colleges/Services/DEIS-Delivering-Equality-of-Opportunity-in-Schools-/DEIS-Plan-2017-New-DEIS-Schools-List.pdf

The fact that a school has not been included in the programme on this occasion does not preclude its inclusion at a later date, should its level of disadvantage warrant the allocation of additional resources.

The new DEIS school support programme will be implemented from September 2017, with ongoing work with education partners and other stakeholders to ensure successful delivery of its objectives.

School Curriculum

Ceisteanna (201, 209)

Catherine Connolly

Ceist:

201. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason history is no longer a core subject in the junior cycle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7077/17]

Paul Murphy

Ceist:

209. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the continuation of history in the junior cycle; his further views on the fact that fewer students are studying history; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7221/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

Through comparing education internationally, it has been found that in high performing education systems such as New Zealand, Queensland, Estonia and Finland, schools have been given greater autonomy and flexibility in the programmes they offer.

When schools in Ireland are implementing the new Framework for Junior Cycle, they too will have the autonomy and flexibility to design programmes within the parameters of the framework, mindful in particular of the needs of their students and their teaching resources. I am in favour of leaving the decisions on what is offered to the discretion of the school, and of students having as broad a range of options to choose from as possible.

Because the total number of full subjects which can be done for assessment in junior cycle is ten, it is likely that schools will retain most or all of their current subjects in their junior cycle going forward.

Currently, over 90% of students choose History, although it is compulsory only in voluntary secondary schools, not much more than half our post-primary schools. Curriculum choice is important in motivating students to learn and to remain in school to completion of senior cycle.

Schools across all sectors offer History. History teachers attract students to their subject through their own love and passion for History, and by engaging the natural curiosity of their students in, for example, the lives of people, the origins of the modern world and in objects and documents from the past. History is generally the 5th most popular subject in the Junior Certificate examination.

I have every confidence that, through the implementation of the Framework for Junior Cycle the place of History will be retained and given a new impetus across the junior cycle curriculum. A new specification for Junior Cycle History is being developed by the NCCA. This involved extensive consultation with key stakeholders and the public, which finished recently, during which over 200 submissions were received. The new specification will be available for implementation in all schools from September 2018.

The Leaving Certificate History syllabus attracts about 25% of the total cohort of students. The aim is to make the new specification for Junior Cycle History more attractive, so young people can see it as a realistic option, rather than focusing on learning content by heart. Many people believe that uptake in senior cycle could be improved if the junior cycle History was made more attractive, more relevant and perhaps less of a race against time.

In the new Framework for Junior Cycle, all schools are expected to provide opportunities for students to achieve 24 statements of learning over the period of junior cycle. These statements include valuing local, national and international heritage and understanding the importance of the relationship between past and current events, the forces that drive change, and understanding the origins and impacts of social, economic and environmental aspects of the world around them.  Even where students do not take History as a full subject, it is to be hoped that opportunities to achieve such statements through other forms of historical study can be provided to them.

The minimum time allocated for subjects such as History will be 200 hours over the three years of junior cycle, or the equivalent of three 40-minute periods per week over three years. For many schools, this will lead to an increased time provision for History as a subject, and it will no longer be nominally linked to Geography as previously.

This new minimum time stipulation for History as a subject should allow not only for a deepening of a student's historical knowledge but also of his or her ability to analyse, interpret, write and develop historical skills more thoroughly. Those very skills, and attitudes, can indeed be hugely important in ensuring that students are able to understand and interpret all forms of history, news and current affairs too.

School Accommodation Provision

Ceisteanna (202)

James Browne

Ceist:

202. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a decision will be made on an application by a school (details supplied) in view of the fact that the school will need to start construction to facilitate students for next year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7124/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

I can confirm that my Department has received an application for additional accommodation from the school referred to by the Deputy. My Department is assessing the application and a decision will be conveyed directly to the school authorities as soon as the assessment process has been completed. 

Schools Building Projects Status

Ceisteanna (203)

John Lahart

Ceist:

203. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Skills the stage the tendering process is at for permanent buildings for a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7125/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The project to which the Deputy refers is at an advanced stage of the tender process. Once the tender process is complete the design team will submit a tender report to my Department for review. Following that review and subject to no issues arising, it is envisaged that the project will then progress to construction in the coming months.

Student Accommodation

Ceisteanna (204)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

204. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of meetings he has had with relevant parties in developing the national student accommodation strategy, which was assigned to his Department under the rebuilding Ireland housing plan, action 4.7, to be delivered in quarter 2 2017; the name of each person he has met in developing the strategy; the organisation each represented; and the date the meeting took place. [7129/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

Alleviating the housing crisis is a cross-Government priority and the available analysis indicates that the lack of suitable rental accommodation for students is driving up rents in the private rental sector, particularly in areas where demand for rental property is high. This is contributing to what we know is already a considerable strain on some students and their families to participate in higher education with knock-on effects on completion rates. The reality is that dealing comprehensively with this issue will only take place as part of a more general programme to address the major housing and homelessness issue.

Accordingly, my colleague Mr. Simon Coveney T.D., Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, on 19 July 2016 published “Rebuilding Ireland – an Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness”, following Government approval of this comprehensive and ambitious Plan. The full plan can be accessed at: http://rebuildingireland.ie/Rebuilding%20Ireland_Action%20Plan.pdf

My Department worked closely with the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government in developing this Plan, with a specific focus on student accommodation, and I very much welcome the commitments contained in the plan and I look forward to working with colleagues on a cross-Departmental basis to ensure that the commitments contained in the Plan are implemented as soon as practicable.

As outlined in the Action Plan for Education 2017 and in the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan, my officials have been working closely with officials from the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government and with other relevant stakeholders with a view to implementing all of the relevant actions in relation to student accommodation that were detailed in Rebuilding Ireland. Under the Action Plan for Education 2017, we will publish a national student accommodation strategy which will set out a broad framework for delivery of an enhanced level of student accommodation.

In addition to this an inter-departmental steering group on student accommodation has been established which is chaired by the Deputy Secretary General of my Department. This steering group is comprised of officials from my Department in addition to representatives from the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the Department of Finance, the Higher Education Authority, the Irish Universities Association, the Technological Higher Education Association, the Union of Students in Ireland, the University of Limerick, Trinity College Dublin and the National Treasury Management Agency. This steering group has met on four occasions with the fifth meeting scheduled for March 2017.

Teachers' Remuneration

Ceisteanna (205, 206, 211)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

205. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if, with regard to the pay deal which was rejected by the ASTI, he will provide clarification on whether the proposed deal would apply to members that may now wish to leave the union at this juncture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7149/17]

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

206. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the pay scale for teachers that are currently associated with the ASTI in an ASTI school that may wish to leave the union and join the TUI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7150/17]

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

211. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills his position regarding the pay scale for teachers that are currently associated with the ASTI in an ASTI school that may wish to leave the union and join the TUI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7237/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 205, 206 and 211 together.

Decisions in respect of union membership are matters for the individual teacher concerned and my Department does not have a position on this issue. Where teachers have questions as to the benefits of membership of a particular union, those questions should be addressed to the relevant union.

The current position is that the Lansdowne Road Agreement as set out in Section 2 of Circular 0045/2016 applies to teachers employed in Designated Community Colleges, Community and Comprehensive Schools and Voluntary Secondary Schools who are TUI members. The Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts 2013 and 2015 as set out in Section 3 of the Circular applies to all other teachers employed in such schools. The circular is available on my Department’s website and can be accessed at:

http://www.education.ie/en/Circulars-and-Forms/Active-Circulars/cl0045_2016.pdf

In addition, a comprehensive FAQ document is also available on my Department’s website:

http://www.education.ie/en/Education-Staff/Information/Public-Service-Stability-Agreement-Haddington-Road/FAQs-on-the-Lansdowne-Road-Agreement-Post-Primary-Teachers.pdf

As is the norm with public service collective agreements, the Lansdowne Road Agreement was negotiated with trade unions which are recognised as representing staff in the public service (including teachers). It is normal practice in the public service that the decision of the trade union recognised as holding representative rights for a particular grade or sector will determine the position for all relevant staff in that grade/sector. This context does not allow for acceptance or rejection of collective agreements by staff on an individual basis.

Accordingly, there is no proposal at this time to treat teachers separately based on the fact that they are not a member of a trade union. However, since the announcement of the ASTI ballot result my Department has received a number of queries from both ASTI members and teachers who are not members of a trade union about union membership. Therefore, having regard to the circumstances of the dispute with the ASTI, this is an issue that I will keep under review going forward.

Education and Training Boards

Ceisteanna (207)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

207. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made to date in examining a submission by the GRETB in relation to the redevelopment of Galway Technical Institute, which was initially submitted in 2011 and resubmitted in recent months; the reason for the delay in this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7172/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy John Halligan)

I wish to advise the Deputy that a major capital development proposal was received from the then City of Galway VEC, now Galway and Roscommon ETB, in relation to Galway Technical Institute in 2011.  In November 2015, the Department received further correspondence from Galway and Roscommon ETB on the matter.

The Deputy will be aware that my Department’s current priority is focused on the provision of essential classroom accommodation to meet demographic demand in the primary and post primary school sectors.

As a project for the Institute was not included in my Department’s 6 year Construction Programme (2016-2021), it is not possible to provide an indicative timeframe for the progression of a building project for the Institute at this time. The ETB in question is aware of this position.

Teaching Qualifications

Ceisteanna (208)

Mick Barry

Ceist:

208. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a person with a recognised teaching qualification who is employed as a Youthreach resource person applies for a position within the post-primary sector as a subject teacher, principal or deputy, with the required minimum of five years wholetime teaching service for appointment of principal or deputy principal, if relevant experience within their Youthreach employment can be considered for appointment to the position as advertised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7220/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The recruitment and appointment of teachers to fill teaching posts is a matter for the individual school authority, subject to procedures agreed under Section 24(3) of the Education Act 1998 (as amended by the Education (Amendment) Act 2012).

In accordance with Department Circular 31/2011, schools are required to employ appropriately qualified and registered teachers.

In relation to promotional posts at second level, Circular PPT 05/02 sets out eligibility criteria for teachers who wish to apply for Principal and Deputy Principal posts “Candidates for appointment to the post of Principal or Deputy Principal will be required to have a minimum of five years’ whole-time teaching service or its equivalent”.

In general equivalent service for this purpose is service which attracts incremental credit as a teacher.

Question No. 209 answered with Question No. 201.

Schools Building Projects Status

Ceisteanna (210)

Darragh O'Brien

Ceist:

210. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the provision of a new school premises for a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7236/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The 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. All statutory approvals have been obtained.

The stage 2b submission has been submitted to my Department and has been reviewed. Following this review my Department issued comments to the Board of Management on 7th February and has requested confirmation from the Board that a lease for the new school site has been finalized between the Patron body and the land owner. Confirmation that the lease has been secured will be required before stage 2(b) can be fully approved. Upon receipt of this confirmation my Department will then revert to the Board of Management with regard to further progression of the project.

Question No. 211 answered with Question No. 205.

School Admissions

Ceisteanna (212)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

212. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the consultation period regarding the schools' admission policies has been significantly reduced from 12 weeks to four weeks; if he will restore the timeframe having regard for the voluntary make up of schools boards of management and to allow for the greatest possible on the ground participation and feedback; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7288/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

As the Deputy is aware I have recently commenced a consultation process on the role of denominational religion in the school admission process and possible approaches for making changes.

I believe that it is unfair that preference is given by publicly-funded religious schools to children of their own religion who might live some distance away, ahead of children of a different religion or of no religion who live close to the school.

I also believe that it is unfair that parents, who might otherwise not do so, feel pressure to baptise their children in order to gain admission to the local school and I intend to reform the school admissions system in relation to the role that religion can play in that process.

I have set out four possible approaches for dealing with the issue, in primary schools in the first instance, including:

- A catchment area approach, prohibiting religious schools from giving preference to children of their own religion who live outside the catchment area ahead of non-religious children who live inside the catchment;

- A ‘nearest school rule’, allowing religious schools to give preference to a religious child only where it is that child’s nearest school of that particular religion;

- A quota system, which would allow a religious school give preference to children of its own religion in respect of only a certain proportion of places, meaning that the remaining places would be allocated based on other admissions criteria – proximity to the school, lottery etc.;

- An outright prohibition on religious schools using religion as a factor in admissions, meaning that all places would be allocated based on other factors. Within this approach, there is capacity to allow religious schools to require parents or students to indicate some support or respect for the ethos of the school.

I am also mindful of the need to avoid possible pitfalls and unintended consequences with each of these approaches, including most importantly possible impacts on minority religions and on the wishes of Protestant, Jewish, Islamic and other communities to be able to run schools in accordance with their ethos and admit children from their communities to attend those schools.

Other possible consequences to be avoided include possible breaches of the constitution, technical and administrative difficulties impacting on the capacity to effectively run the system of over 4000 schools and the possibility of creating ‘postcode lotteries’, such as other countries have experienced, resulting in pronounced divergence in the quality of schools in more advantaged compared to less advantaged areas.

I initially allocated 4 weeks for receipt of submissions to the consultation, however, I received a number of representations from stakeholder groups who stand to potentially be impacted by any changes, coming from different sides of the debates involved, as well as from Oireachtas colleagues on different sides of the Houses urging that the time period for the consultation be extended.

I have also been made aware of the impact of the mid-term break and the need to allow groups who depend on volunteers, such as the boards of management of schools, to have the time to consult their members and communities and submit responses which are properly considered and comprehensive.  I am anxious to facilitate the fullest possible engagement from all stakeholders and I recognise and appreciate the work and commitment of members of boards of management and I value their input in this consultation.

Consequently, I have announced an extension of the time period for the receipt of written submissions in this consultation process by 4 weeks, meaning that the new deadline is Monday 20 March. This means that the total time available for written submissions is 8 weeks.

This phase of receiving written submissions is part of the broader 12 week consultation process which will include additional steps, including any follow-up consultation that is required, collation of responses and development of next steps. These steps will require additional time, and I am conscious of legislative deadlines impacting on this work, in particular the Equal Status (Admissions to Schools Bill) which is due before the House again shortly.

School Patronage

Ceisteanna (213)

Joan Burton

Ceist:

213. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress to date in the Government reaching its target of 400 non-denominational and multidenominational schools by 2030; the number of such schools to be opened in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7305/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The Deputy will be aware that I recently announced new plans aimed at providing more multi-denominational and non-denominational schools across the country, in line with the choices of families and school communities and the Programme for Government commitment in this area.

This will involve the Education and Training Boards in the initial phase, as the State’s local education authorities, identifying areas where there is likely to be demand for greater diversity and they will work with pre-school services to establish evidence of this demand among the cohort of pre-school parents. There will then be discussions between individual ETBs and the existing patrons/landowners concerning the possible transfer of schools to accommodate this demonstrated demand for diversity.

Each ETB will then prepare a report for the Department outlining the levels of demand within their functional areas and the responses of the existing patrons as to how this might be accommodated through the reconfiguration of existing school provision.

In the subsequent implementation phase, where the level of demand for multidenominational schools is sufficient to justify transfer of a school from denominational to multi-denominational patronage, a process will commence to give effect to that. There will be a role for the existing patron/landowner in consulting with local community and school interests and taking into account proposals from different prospective multi-denominational patrons.  It is envisaged that transfers will largely be by way of voluntary transfer of live schools by existing patrons.

As the Deputy will also be aware my Department uses a Geographical Information System to identify areas under increased demographic pressure nationwide. When it is decided that a new school is required to meet demographic needs my Department runs a separate patronage process to decide who will operate the school. Following patronage processes, which give significant weight to parental demand, the vast majority of new schools which are established come under multi-denominational patronage. In 2016, seven new multi-denominational post-primary schools opened, with a further five opening in September 2017.  Five new multi-denominational primary schools opened in 2016. Three new primary schools will open in September 2017 and the patronage process for these schools is currently underway.       

Disadvantaged Status

Ceisteanna (214)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

214. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the target under DEIS 1 to extend the library project to 50 schools has not been met (details supplied); the proposed timeframe in which it can be met in the future; if he will confirm that following the current DEIS review that the library project will be expanded and extended as previously planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7320/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The Library Project referred to is the Junior Cycle Schools Programme (JCSP) Demonstration Library Project.

My Department is not currently accepting any new applications for the JCSP. The JCSP will be subject to a review at a future date when a substantial proportion of the new Framework for Junior Cycle is in place.

Question No. 215 answered with Question No. 170.

Summer Works Scheme Applications

Ceisteanna (216)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

216. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Skills if consideration will be given to an application (details supplied) under the summer works scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7326/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of a Category 10 external environment project application under the Summer Works Scheme (2016-2017) from the school to which she refers.

Nearly 50% of schools have applied for inclusion under the scheme which reflects a very high demand. Details of successful school applicants in respect of Categories 1 and 2 were announced in April last and are published on my Department’s website www.education.ie. 

Assessment of valid projects in further categories is now being undertaken by my Department, subject to the overall availability of funding, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the scheme as outlined in Circular Letter (0055/2015), which may be accessed on my Department's website. The application from the school in question is available to be considered in this context.