Written Answers Nos. 107-116
107. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will expedite an application for the emergency accommodation grant scheme for a school (details supplied) in County Cork. [22199/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is in receipt of application from the School referred to by the Deputy for additional accommodation comprising of two mainstream classrooms and a resource room. The application is currently under consideration and once a decision is made my Department will be in direct contact with the school authorities.
108. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of vacancies on State boards under his aegis; and when each vacancy dates from. [22211/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFor the Deputy's information details of board appointments to State Boards under the remit of my Department, including the term of specific board appointments, can be downloaded from my Department's website at www.education.ie/en/The-Department/Agencies.
The Deputy should note that Board appointments, while made by me as Minister, are not in all cases made at my discretion. Individuals may be nominated for appointment by various organisations arising from the terms in the relevant statutes of the Body concerned.
In line with the guidelines for appointments to State Boards, which can be viewed on the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's website www.per.gov.ie the process for filling vacancies on State Boards under the aegis of the Department, is now normally managed by the Public Appointments Service (PAS), whereby applications are made through the dedicated website www. Stateboards.ie. An assessment process is undertaken by PAS leading to the creation of a list of candidates suitable for appointments to Boards.
109. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department or a body under its aegis has figures on numbers undertaking PhDs in each year since 2009, including PhD entry rates compared to completion rates in HEIs here; and if he will provide same. [22222/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of PhD enrolments and awards since 2008/2009 are set out in the tables.
Table 1 shows the number of total PhD enrolments over the past eight years. The year in each instance refers to the academic year. The 2016 returns contain academic year 2015/2016 enrolments and calendar year 2015 graduates (2014/2015 academic year graduates).
Full-time PhD programmes usually span over a three or four year period, part-time PhD programmes can span many more years than this.
Table 1
|
Course Year |
2008/2009 |
2009/2010 |
2010/2011 |
2011/2012 |
2012/2013 |
2013/2014 |
2014/2015 |
2015/2016 |
|
1 |
2,052 |
2,020 |
1,733 |
1,959 |
1,658 |
1,774 |
1,863 |
1,909 |
|
2 |
1,297 |
2,158 |
1,949 |
1,650 |
1,847 |
1,551 |
1,723 |
1,740 |
|
3 |
1,511 |
1,623 |
2,211 |
1,950 |
1,611 |
1,829 |
1,488 |
1,672 |
|
4 |
1,119 |
1,381 |
1,381 |
1,875 |
1,693 |
1,328 |
1,561 |
1,390 |
|
5 |
319 |
419 |
459 |
457 |
591 |
474 |
454 |
550 |
|
6 |
193 |
223 |
250 |
294 |
294 |
392 |
389 |
413 |
|
7 |
121 |
146 |
156 |
153 |
140 |
133 |
144 |
145 |
|
8 |
47 |
57 |
68 |
58 |
80 |
104 |
100 |
128 |
|
9 |
17 |
20 |
20 |
35 |
31 |
30 |
27 |
31 |
|
Other |
474 |
522 |
510 |
559 |
408 |
495 |
409 |
390 |
|
Total |
7,150 |
8,569 |
8,737 |
8,990 |
8,353 |
8,110 |
8,158 |
8,368 |
Table 2 outlines the number of PhD graduates over the past eight years. The graduate numbers in each year refer to enrolments that started between three and nine years ago in most instances.
Table 2
|
Award |
2007/2008 |
2008/2009 |
2009/2010 |
2010/2011 |
2011/2012 |
2012/2013 |
2013/2014 |
2014/2015 |
|
PhD |
1,048 |
1,210 |
1,222 |
1,447 |
1,532 |
1,737 |
1,749 |
1,429 |
110. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will expedite the refurbishment of premises in Trim, County Meath, which a school (details supplied) is waiting to occupy and which was promised over three years ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22234/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is my Department's intention to relocate the school referred to by the Deputy to their proposed new location as their long-term permanent accommodation. The new proposed building will, however, require significant remediation works and my Department will be in further contact with the Patron on this matter.
In the interim, the school has been advised to extend the lease at its current location to June 2018.
111. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Education and Skills the capitation grants allocated to primary and post-primary schools; the support given to these schools for the employment of teachers; if other financial supports are given to schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22259/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraCapitation Grants are paid to primary and voluntary secondary schools in the Free Education Scheme as a contribution towards schools general running expenses such as heating, lighting, cleaning, general upkeep, the stocking of libraries and the purchase of equipment etc. Schools in the Community and Comprehensive are funded on a budget basis. With regard to the Education and Training Board (ETB) sector, financial allocations are made to ETBs as part of a block grant. ETBs are given a high level of autonomy in the management and appropriation of this grant and each is allowed to distribute its allocations in line with its priorities and perceptions of need.
The following are links to the most recent circulars published on my Department's website in relation to capitation grants:
http://www.education.ie/en/Circulars-and-Forms/Active-Circulars/cl0028_2016.pdf.
http://www.education.ie/en/Circulars-and-Forms/Active-Circulars/cl0029_2016.pdf.
Teachers employed in Primary, Voluntary Secondary, Community and Comprehensive schools are paid on payrolls that are centrally operated by my Department. In the case of the ETB Sector my Department provides grants to each ETB to pay its teachers.
Other financial supports are given to primary and post-primary schools such as grants towards the cost of employing ancillary staff, ICT Infrastructure, Programme Grants, Capital projects, etc.
112. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will encourage schools to fly the flag and to teach their pupils the national anthem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22260/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraOur primary syllabus in Social, Personal and Health Education requires that each pupil becomes aware of his/her own culture and includes the national flag and anthem among the areas identified. It remains open to any school to encourage its students to learn and sing the anthem, at school events or otherwise. It is not Departmental policy to impose regulations on schools regarding national expression, so there are no directives or guidelines on the use of the anthem beyond that identified in primary SPHE. This is consistent with government practice in most countries today. In Ireland, schools are free to incorporate the learning of the anthem within their curricular provision, such as in music or singing lessons, and a number of initiatives in this regard have been given Departmental support. These include the distribution of a CD of the National Children's Choir signing our national anthem to every school some years ago, and the Taoiseach's launch of the Gael Linn 'Gaelbhratach' initiative earlier in 2015. This latter idea promotes the teaching of the national anthem from third class onwards, as part of an overall school approach to the use of Irish in communication.
As part of the Ireland 2016 commemorations, the Department advised the Department of the Taoiseach on guidelines for schools around the national flag, cooperated with the Defence Forces to ensure the delivery of a national flag to some 3,300 primary and special schools, and with the Thomas Francis Meagher Society to make flags available to over 700 post-primary schools as well. These flags were designed for internal display, or to be flown externally as best suited individual school circumstances and preferences. No school was compelled to take or fly a flag, but the vast majority have done so and engaged with the project most positively.
113. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the budget breakdown of the €98.7 million allocated for apprenticeships in 2017. [22280/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra115. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of each of the 40 new apprenticeship programmes to be introduced by 2020, as set out in the Action Plan to Expand Apprenticeships and Traineeships in Ireland 2016 to 2020, in tabular form. [22282/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra116. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the individual funding allocation to each of the 27 craft trade apprenticeship programmes and the two new apprenticeship programmes in each of the years 2016 to date in 2017. [22283/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 113, 115 and 116 together.
A budget allocation of €98.7 million has been made available for apprenticeship training in 2017. This is an increase of almost 42% on the 2016 spend of €69.6 million.
Of the NTF allocation, €77.4 million has been allocated to SOLAS for both craft and new apprenticeships in the further education and training (FET) sector. The SOLAS allocation also funds training allowances for apprentices on craft trades during all off-the-job phases, including the time they spend in Institutes of Technology.
€21.3 million has been made available to the HEA to fund the training costs of craft apprentices and new apprenticeships in the Institutes of Technology.
Operational funding for craft apprenticeships is not allocated by trade or discipline and programmes are planned and funded based on the level of registrations. The information sought by the Deputy in respect of development and equipment costs for new programmes approved to date for funding is set out in the, along with per capita operational costs. It should be noted that equipment and operational costs are only available for those new apprenticeships that have completed development and validation. Costs for further programmes will be determined as they move through development and validation and as new programmes are identified through the second call for proposals.
|
New Apprenticeship Programme Title |
Lead provider |
Projected Apprentice numbers |
Development Funding Approved |
Annual Unit Cost per apprentice* |
Equipment Costs |
|
Insurance Practice - Level 8 |
Institute of Technology Sligo |
67 (actual 2016) |
€15,000 |
€7,200 |
€0 |
|
Industrial Electrical Engineering – Level 7 |
Limerick Institute of Technology |
12 (actual 2016) |
€50,000 |
€10,000 |
€155,000 |
|
Polymer Process Engineer - Level 7 |
Athlone Institute of Technology |
32 |
€135,000 |
€10,000 |
€400,000 |
|
Manufacturing Technician – Level 6 |
Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (3 other co-ordinating providers) |
60 |
€85,000 |
€10,000 |
€500,000 |
|
Manufacturing Engineer – Level 7 |
Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (3 other co-ordinating providers) |
60 |
€85,000 |
€10,000 |
€500,000 |
|
International Financial Services Associate - Level 6 |
National College of Ireland |
€48,333 |
|||
|
International Financial Services Specialist - Level 8 |
National College of Ireland |
€48,333 |
|||
|
Accounting Technician Level 6 |
Accounting Technicians Ireland |
€25,000 |
|||
|
OEM Engineer Level 6 |
Cavan and Monaghan ETB |
€15,000 |
|||
|
HGV Driver Level 5 |
Cavan and Monaghan ETB |
€15,000 |
|||
|
Baker Level 6 |
Scottish Bakers |
€76,250 |
|||
|
ICT Network Engineer Level 6 |
FIT |
€12,500 |
|||
|
ICT Software Developer Level 6 |
FIT |
€12,500 |
|||
|
Butcher Level 5 |
Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim ETB |
€95,000 |
|||
|
Commis Chef Level 6 |
Kerry ETB |
€40,000 |
|||
|
Chef de Partie Level 8 |
|||||
|
Sous Chef Level 8 |
|||||
|
Executive Chef Level 9 |
Tralee Institute of Technology |
€45,000 |
|||
|
Engineering Services Management Level 7 |
Cork Institute of Technology |
€25,000 |
|||
|
Manufacturing ICT Engineer Level 7 |
Limerick Institute of Technology |
€50,000 |
|||
|
Property Services Professional Level 5 |
Ballsbridge College |
€4,000 |
|||
|
Retail Practice Level 5 |
Retail Ireland Skillnet |
€72,000 |
|||
|
International Financial Services Level 9 |
National College of Ireland |
€48,333 |
*The Unit cost includes: Recurrent Costs, Student Contribution and Consortia costs
Recurrent Cost = Operational Costs for the course in the Higher Education Institution
Student Contribution = pro rata of Annual Student Contribution of €3,000 for a full time higher education student
Consortium Costs = funding to cover the essential running costs of the consortium to meet the administration needs of the apprenticeship programme
114. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated individual start dates of the 40 new apprenticeship programmes to be introduced under the Action Plan to Expand Apprenticeships and Traineeships in Ireland 2016 to 2020, in tabular form. [22281/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra119. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the details of the original 35 category 2 and 25 category 3 apprenticeship proposals identified by the Apprenticeship Council in 2015, but removed from the Apprenticeship Council's report on new apprenticeship programme proposals June 2015. [22286/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 114 and 119 together.
The table provides a current status report on the 24 apprenticeship proposals that have been approved development funding by the Apprenticeship Council. The report sets out numbers on the 2 programmes that are currently operational and also indicative start dates for other programmes.
The first 20 on the attached list were in the original category one list arising from the 2015 call. Of the original category one list, two proposals in Commis Chef were merged and two welding proposals were also combined giving final category one total of 23. Three of these proposals in the areas of Travel and Tourism, Warehouse and Distribution Operative and Welding are not proceeding.
In late 2016 re-engagement with category two and three proposers took place and arising from that process development funding was approved for a further four proposals this year in the areas of Property Services, Retail Practice, Engineering Services Management and Manufacturing ICT Engineer. A number of other proposals, although not yet approved development funding, are proceeding and will shortly submit detailed development plans and an application for development funding to the Apprenticeship Council. These proposals are listed as “at stage 2” on page 24 of the Developing a National Apprenticeship handbook, which is available at http://www.apprenticeship.ie/en/apprentice/Shared%20Documents/Handbook_document.pdf.
Proposals for an apprenticeship in any occupation not listed on page 24 of the handbook will need to be made through the second call for proposals and this is how new apprenticeships will be introduced to meet the targets set out in the Action Plan to Expand Apprenticeship and Traineeship.
Proposers took part in the 2015 call on the understanding that details of their proposals would only be published at the point that they were approved to proceed. On that basis, I cannot give details of category two or three proposals other than those that appear in the handbook.
|
Apprenticeship |
Industry-led consortium (lead body) |
Co-ordinating provider |
Project plan and development funding |
Occupational profile |
Validation and QA |
Industrial Training Order |
Implementation plan and budget (SOLAS/HEA) |
Employer approval Apprentice Registration |
TARGET roll out date (as indicated by consortium) |
|
|
1 |
Insurance PractitionerLevel 8 3 years |
Insurance Institute of Ireland |
Sligo IT |
Funding approved Dec 15 |
Approved June 2016 |
Sligo IT May 2016 Completed |
ITO in place (2016) |
Agreed - HEA |
44 employers approved; 67 apprentices registered |
September 2016 |
|
2 |
Industrial Electrical Engineer Level 7 2 years |
Stryker |
Limerick IT |
Funding approved Dec 15 |
Approved July 2016 |
Limerick IT June 2016 Completed |
ITO in place |
Agreed - HEA |
7 employers approved; 12 apprentices registered |
November 2016 |
|
3 |
Polymer Processing EngineerLevel 7 3 years |
Medtech Ireland, IBEC |
Athlone IT |
Funding approved Dec ‘15 |
Approved September 2016 |
Athlone IT Jan ‘17 |
ITO in place |
Agreed - HEA |
Registration in progress |
May 2017 |
|
4 |
Manufacturing Technician Level 6 2 years |
Medtech Ireland, IBEC |
GMIT |
Funding approved Dec ‘15 |
Approved September 2016 |
GMIT Feb ‘17 |
ITO in place |
Agreed - HEA |
Registration in progress |
June 2017 |
|
5 |
Manufacturing Engineer Level 7 3 years |
Medtech Ireland, IBEC |
GMIT |
Funding approved Dec ‘15 |
Approved September 2016 |
GMIT Feb ‘17 |
ITO in place |
Agreed - HEA |
Registration in progress |
June 2017 |
|
6 |
Commis chef Level 6 2 years |
IHF/RAI/Failte Ireland |
Kerry ETB |
Funding approved Jan ‘16 |
Approved June 2016 |
QQI June 2017 |
ITO in place (2016) |
TBC – SOLAS |
Q3/4 2017 |
|
|
7 |
International Financial Services Associate Level 6 2 years |
Financial Services Ireland, IBEC |
National College of Ireland |
Funding approved Dec 15 |
Approved June 2016 |
QQI June 2017 |
ITO in place (2016) |
TBC – HEA |
Q3/4 2017 |
|
|
8 |
International Financial Services Specialist Level 8 2 years |
Financial Services Ireland, IBEC |
National College of Ireland |
Funding approved Dec 15 |
Approved June 2016 |
QQI June 2017 |
ITO in place (2016) |
TBC – HEA |
Q3/4 2017 |
|
|
9 |
Accounting Technician Level 6 2 years |
Accounting Technicians Ireland |
ETB - TBC |
Funding approved Dec 15 |
Approved June 2016 |
QQI Q3 2017 |
ITO in place (2016) |
TBC – SOLAS |
Q3/4 2017 |
|
|
10 |
Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) EngineerLevel 6 3 years |
CombiLift |
Cavan and Monaghan ETB |
Funding approved Dec 15 |
Approved June 2016 |
QQI Q3 2017 |
ITO in place |
TBC – SOLAS |
Q3/4 2017 |
|
|
11 |
HGV Driver Level 5 3 years |
IRHA |
Cavan and Monaghan ETB |
Funding approved Dec ‘15 |
Approved June 2016 |
QQI Q3 2017 |
ITO in place (2016) |
TBC – SOLAS |
Q3/4 2017 |
|
|
12 |
BakerLevel 5 3 years |
Scottish Bakers |
Funding approved Dec ‘16 |
Approved June 2016 |
QQI Q4 2017 |
ITO in place (2016) |
TBC – SOLAS |
Q4 2017 |
||
|
13 |
Telecom Field TechnicianLevel 6 2 years |
eir |
ETB – TBC |
Funding approved May‘16 |
Approved July 2016 |
QQI Q4 2017 |
New ITO required – in development May 2017 |
TBC – SOLAS |
Q4 2017 |
|
|
14 |
ICT Network Engineer Level 6 2 years |
Fast-Track into Technology (FIT) |
ETB- TBC |
Funding approved Dec ‘15 |
Approved October 2016 |
QQI Q3 2017 |
New ITO required – in development May 2017 |
TBC – SOLAS |
Q3/4 2017 |
|
|
15 |
ICT Software Developer Level 6 2 years |
FIT |
ETB – TBC |
Funding approved Dec ‘15 |
Approved October 2016 |
QQI Q3 2017 |
New ITO required – in development May 2017 |
TBC – SOLAS |
Q3/4 2017 |
|
|
16 |
Craft Butchery Level 6 2 years 6 months |
Association of Craft Butchers Ireland |
ETB – TBC |
Funding approved Jan ‘16 |
Approved Dec 2016 |
QQI Q4 2017 |
New ITO required – in development May 2017 |
TBC – SOLAS |
Q4 2017 |
|
|
17 |
Chef de PartieLevel 7 2 years |
Restaurants Association of Ireland |
IT Tralee |
Funding approved Sept‘16 |
Not yet submitted for approval |
IT Tralee tbc |
ITO in place (2016) |
TBC – HEA |
2018 |
|
|
18 |
International Financial Services Advanced Specialist Level 9 2 years |
Financial Services Ireland |
National College of Ireland |
Funding approved Dec 15 |
Approved June 2016 |
QQI Q4 2017 |
ITO in place (2016) |
TBC – HEA |
2018 |
|
|
19 |
Sous ChefLevel 8 2 years |
Restaurants Association of Ireland |
IT Tralee |
Development funding not yet approved |
Not yet submitted for approval |
TBC |
ITO in place (2016) |
TBC – HEA |
2018 |
|
|
20 |
Executive ChefLevel 9 2 years |
Restaurants Association of Ireland |
IT Tralee |
Development funding not yet approved |
Not yet submitted for approval |
TBC |
ITO in place (2016) |
TBC – HEA |
2018 |
|
|
21 |
Property Services (Cat 2) Level 6 2 years |
Sherry Fitzgerald |
City of Dublin ETB (Ballsbridge College) |
Funding approved Feb ’17 |
Not yet submitted for approval |
TBC |
TBC |
TBC – SOLAS |
2018 tbc |
|
|
22 |
Retail Practice (Cat 2) Level 5 2 years |
Retail Ireland |
Retail Ireland |
Funding approved Feb ’17 |
Not yet submitted for approval |
TBC |
TBC |
TBC – SOLAS |
2018 tbc |
|
|
23 |
Engineering Services Management (Cat 2) Level 7 2 years |
Construction Industry Federation (CIF) |
Cork IT |
Funding approved Feb ’17 |
Not yet submitted for approval |
TBC |
TBC |
TBC – HEA |
2018 tbc |
|
|
24 |
Manufacturing ICT Engineer (Cat 2) Level 7 2 years |
Limerick for Engineering and Limerick for IT Industry Group |
Limerick IT |
Funding approved Feb ’17 |
Not yet submitted for approval |
TBC |
TBC |
TBC – HEA |
2018 tbc |
