Written Answers Nos. 196 - 213
196. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application for funding for the purchase of a tablet device for a person (details supplied) with a special educational need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23174/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports, including applications for assistive technology.
Special Needs Organisers (SENOs) make recommendations to my Department where assistive technology is required. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in making recommendations for support, as set out in my Department's Circular 0010/2013.
In order to qualify for equipment under the assistive technology scheme, a child must have been diagnosed with a physical or communicative disability and must also have a recommendation in a professional assessment that the equipment is essential in order to allow the child to access the curriculum. It must also be clear that the existing I.T. equipment in the school is insufficient to meet the child's needs.
My Department has not, to date, received an application for assistive technology support for the child to which the Deputy refers.
The school should therefore contact the NCSE regarding a potential application for support in the first instance. All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.
197. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 206 of 5 April 2017, the status of a response to a person (details supplied) from his Department; if this application will be accepted on the basis of force majeure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23175/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the statutory based Student Grants Scheme, decisions regarding late applications are matters to be determined by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI).
My officials have made further enquiries with SUSI in respect of this applicant and have been advised that the position as set out in PQ response number 206 of 5 April 2017 remains unchanged i.e. the applicant did not renew her application before the priority closing date of 8 July 2016 or the final closing date of 3 November 2016.
Students wishing to make an application after the final closing date of 3 November 2016 must satisfy one of the following criteria in order to be granted access to make a late application:
1. The course started after the online closing date;
2. The applicant had a change of circumstance after the online closing date, regarding one or more of the following:
- Reckonable income;
- Number of dependent children;
- Relevant persons commencing an approved course;
- Normal residence;
- Nationality or immigration status; and/or
- Change of course or institution.
3. The applicant experienced extenuating circumstances that adversely affected her ability to make an application prior to the online closing date of 3 November 2016 e.g. a close bereavement or medical condition.
I understand that the applicant has not satisfied SUSI that any of the conditions necessary to make a late application apply in this instance.
198. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason his Department's land at Ashbourne, County Meath, is for sale in view of the fact that it is needed for public education and has also been the subject of discussions with Meath County Council for use as a public park. [23184/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Planning, Housing, Community and Local Government established a Housing Delivery Office to focus on land and site supply aspects of “Rebuilding Ireland”. As part of that exercise the Department of Education and Skills was asked to identify lands which could potentially be used for housing.
A site in Ashbourne, currently in the ownership of the Minister was considered in the context of housing delivery potential.
Based on Ashbourne’s status as a moderate sustainable growth town, the Department will be considering a portion of this site for future educational needs. The area of land to be reserved for educational purposes in the event that schools are required is currently being determined and likely future educational requirements are being considered as part of this process.
Officials from my Department are involved in discussions with officials from Meath County Council in relation to the future development of the site and plans for the Ashbourne area, and this is ongoing at present.
199. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 198, 206, 210, 211 and 212 of 9 May 2016, if he will clarify his reply that schools can plan a well-being programme without loss of teaching time for other subjects; and the way in which hours for the well-being programme will not impact on hours for other subjects. [23187/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraWellbeing and mental health are major priorities for my Department and are set out in the Action Plan for Education. I believe that we must improve supports for students in this area, in the context of increasing concern around issues like suicide and online bullying. That is why we have engaged in new activities in this area, including a series of consultations on the issue, and set out new policies in the area.
As part of this schools make an important contribution to students’ learning about wellbeing and for wellbeing. Substantial work is already taking place in schools to support students’ wellbeing. The Junior Cycle Wellbeing programme will require that 300 hours are allocated to wellbeing from 2017, and from 2020, this will increase to 400 hours.
I am quite satisfied that this will not impact negatively on the time available for other subjects.
This is because wellbeing is built on a number of pillars, which include subjects already offered. These are CSPE, PE and SPHE. Together, these three existing curriculum inputs already contribute 275 hours of the 300 hours which schools are required to allocate to wellbeing from next September. There are a range of options available to schools in determining how to meet the other 25 hours in the coming year, and the additional 100 hours required in 2020.
For instance, across the curriculum, a school can identify a number of elements of learning in other subjects (beyond CSPE, PE, SPHE and guidance-related learning) which relate to wellbeing. A school may also opt to include once-off whole-school events, as part of its provision for wellbeing, including for example, a healthy eating week. This would reflect the whole-school approach to wellbeing as advocated in the guidelines. Chapter 4 of the Guidelines for Wellbeing in Junior Cycle provides information for schools on possible options.
The Junior Cycle subject specifications and syllabuses developed by the NCCA set out the minimum time to be allocated to subjects. The development of these specifications was informed by extensive consultation and engagement with stakeholders. It is important to note that these are minimum time allocations.
Subject to meeting the minimum thresholds, schools have flexibility in allocating time to subjects. Through a process of consultation, individual schools should consider the local context and students’ learning needs and interests, when decisions regarding timetabling are being made. In effect this enables schools to allocate time in excess of the minimum to subjects, if it deems that this is appropriate in meeting students’ needs, and in the context of the full programme provided.
200. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an enforceable contract has been finalised for the purchase of a site (details supplied); if a price has been agreed; if a closing date has been agreed; if there are conditions precluding the agreement of a closing date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23206/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials from my Department are working to progress the acquisition of a site which is zoned for school provision to accommodate the school to which the Deputy refers.
Agreement in principle, including agreement on price, has been reached with the landowner and the conveyancing process for this site is at an advanced stage. My Department is not aware of any impediments to the completion of this acquisition and officials are working to progress matters as quickly as possible.
201. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna cén uair a thabharfar cinneadh ar an iarratas ó scoil (sonraí leis seo) chun ceithre sheomra ranga réamhdhéanta móide oifig/seomra cruinnithe a fháil i bhfianaise na práinne a bhaineann le cinneadh a fháil, d’fhonn cead pleanála a fháil do na seomraí seo ionas go mbeidh siad ar fáil do mhí Mheán Fómhair seo chugainn, á chur i gcuntas go ndearnadh cinneadh stádas Deis 1 a bhronnadh ar an scoil seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [23245/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIs féidir liom a dheimhniú go bhfuil iarratas ar chóiríocht bhreise faighte ag mo Roinn ón scoil a bhfuil an Teachta ag tagairt di. Tá an t-iarratas á bhreithniú agus beidh mo Roinn i dteagmháil go luath le húdarás na scoile faoin ábhar.
202. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if additional school accommodation will be provided at a school (details supplied) by September 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23253/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, a building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is included in the 6 Year Construction Programme. In that regard, my Department is in receipt of an application from the school for temporary accommodation to address its interim accommodation needs. The application is currently under consideration and a decision will be conveyed to the school authorities shortly.
203. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress of the proposed new national school in Kanturk, County Cork; if he will provide a timeline for the commencement and completion of this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23254/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware the delivery of a new primary school in Kanturk has been devolved to the Office of Public Works (OPW).
The Department is currently progressing the necessary legal arrangements in respect of off-site works in order to facilitate the progression of the project. In tandem with this the OPW is currently preparing tender documentation.
As soon as this work is completed approval will be given to the OPW to seek tenders. It is not possible at this stage to give a date for the commencement and completion of this project.
204. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there has been an increased focus upon the junior certificate application for special accommodations; if a person is not approved for special accommodation in their application for the junior certificate, if this means that they will be disqualified from making an application for social accommodations during leaving certificate examinations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23302/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations.
The State Examinations Commission operates a scheme of Reasonable Accommodations in the Certificate Examinations. Full details of the scheme are available from their website:
www.examinations.ie/candidates/reasonableaccommodations
In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
205. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the amalgamation of three schools (details supplied); the status of the divesting of a school (details supplied) to a third party; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23342/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that my Department has received a proposal directly from the schools referred to in the details supplied by the Deputy relating to a proposed reorganisation.
My Department was recently in contact with the principal of one of the schools, who is acting on behalf of the three schools and advised her that a further demographic review is being undertaken by my Department where the projected pupil enrolments in the school planning area in question would be examined so that the overall capacity in the area to meet demand could be established. It was explained to the principal that this analysis could have a bearing on the accommodation position in respect of the schools concerned. It was explained also that as this is part of a nationwide demographic review, that it will require some time to complete.
My Department also indicated that we will seek to liaise further with the schools in due course.
206. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government when he will publish the wind turbine guidelines. [22775/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince May 2016, I have been liaising closely with my colleague Minister Naughten, having regard to his responsibility for renewable energy policy, on the review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines relating to noise, setback distance and shadow flicker, recognising the need to bring the review to a close and provide certainty on the matter to all stakeholders, local authorities, the energy sector and the wider community.
In light of the commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government to finalise the Guidelines and on-going policy and legal developments in this area, my Department, in conjunction with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, is continuing to advance work on the Guidelines and related matters in order to bring the various issues to a conclusion as early as possible. I expect to be in a position to make a statement on the matter in the coming weeks, outlining the proposed revisions to the Guidelines and the timelines for implementation of the various elements shortly.
It is important to mention that as part of the overall review, and having regard to a recent ECJ Judgement relating to the Belgian/Wallonian wind energy guidelines, it is proposed to undertake a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) of the proposed revisions to the 2006 Guidelines before they come into effect. This is in accordance with the requirements of EU Directive 2001/24/EC on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment, the SEA Directive. SEA is a process by which environmental considerations are required to be fully integrated into the preparation of plans and programmes which act as frameworks for development consent, prior to their final adoption, with public consultation as part of that process.
In light of the SEA requirement, it is likely that while the proposals for revisions to the Guidelines will be available shortly, the Guidelines will not be finalised and come into effect until the end of the year. In the meantime, the current Guidelines remain in force.
When finalised revised Guidelines will be issued under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. Planning authorities, and, where applicable, An Bord Pleanála must have regard to guidelines issued under Section 28 in the performance of their functions generally under the Planning Acts.
207. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the levels of funding his Department has provided over the past five years for the seniors alert scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23056/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra208. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will consider increasing the funding supports and availability of the seniors alert scheme in particular items such as pendant alarms and panic buttons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23057/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 207 and 208 together.
My Department is responsible for the Seniors Alert Scheme, which encourages support for vulnerable older people, including those in declining health and/or those living in isolated rural communities, by providing grant assistance towards the purchase and installation of personal monitored alarms. The aim of the scheme is to enable older persons of limited means to continue to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind.
The Government’s commitment to the Seniors Alert Scheme is set out in the Programme for Partnership Government, which provides for significant investment in this demand-led scheme.
The scheme is administered on my Department’s behalf by Pobal. Following a recent review of the scheme, a new version of the Seniors Alert Scheme will be launched in September 2017. The design of the new iteration is currently under consideration.
The funding allocated and drawn down each year from 2012 to 2016 and the allocation in 2017 are outlined in the following table.
|
Seniors Alert Scheme |
2012 €'000s |
2013 €'000s |
2014 €'000s |
2015 €'000s |
2016 €'000s |
2017 €'000s |
|
Allocation |
2,350 |
2,350 |
2,350 |
2,350 |
2,600 |
2,300 |
|
Drawdown |
2,524 |
2,321 |
1,706 |
1,539 |
1,800 |
- |
209. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the status of funding for a group wastewater scheme in Kilmacredock, County Kildare; the timeframe and likelihood of the scheme being progressed to completion; and if other funding is available for the scheme. [22677/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraKildare County Council included a proposed Kilmacreddock/Barrogstown Group Sewerage Scheme in their 2013, 2014 and 2015 requests for funding under my Department's Rural Water Programme. My Department approved a grant of €12,493 under the 2014 programme for a Feasibility Study on the proposed scheme. The Study, in its recommendations, stated that the preferred and least cost option was to upgrade the individual on-site wastewater treatment systems (septic tank or similar systems) and the estimated cost of this option would exceed €14,000 per house. The approach proposed in the Study is not fundable under my Department’s Group Sewerage Grant Scheme and Kildare County Council was informed accordingly.
Kildare County Council did not include this scheme in its bid for funding under the Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme 2016-2018.
210. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the status of funding for Ballyna group water scheme in County Kildare; the timeframe and likelihood of the scheme being progressed to completion; and if other funding is available for the scheme. [22678/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department engaged with Kildare County Council on costs associated with the proposed Ballyna Group Water Scheme in 2015. Kildare County Council did not include this scheme in its 2016 bid for funding under the Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme 2016-2018.
I understand that proposals for Ballyna Group Water Scheme are dependent upon related investment in major public water infrastructure by Irish Water. Since 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 1800 578 578.
211. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will meet the commitment in the review of the programme for Government to introduce legislation to give effect to new licensing arrangements in respect of large scale commercial peat extraction adopted by quarter two 2017. [22693/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is currently reviewing draft Regulations under the European Communities Act 1972, which will establish a new regulatory regime in respect of large-scale peat extraction. In light of comments received during consultations with interested parties and stakeholders, I expect that these Regulations will be finalised by the end of June.
212. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his plans to allocate funding to Monaghan County Council to purchase a park (details supplied) as a heritage site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22699/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have no function in this matter. The provision of funding to local authorities for specific purposes rests with the appropriate Minister, in this case the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.
213. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will liaise with Irish Water in order to carry out essential works to the water infrastructure on Main Street, Ballymahon, County Longford. [22717/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. The installation of water services infrastructure is an operational matter for the utility and one in which I have no function.
Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email at oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 1890 578 578.
