Written Answers Nos. 162-181
162. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of times Tipperary ETB has been unable to fill positions internally and has had to advertise externally; the details of those posts; and the dates on which they were advertised externally. [41361/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provided sanction to replace a staff member at Assistant Principal level in the Clonmel office who was promoted. The post was advertised externally by the ETB in December 2016 following an unsuccessful attempt to fill it from an initial internal competition.
An Acting Adult Education Guidance Counsellor Post covering a career break was advertised internally in June 2017. As no applications were received the post was advertised externally in July.
163. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a copy of the plans and drawings for the Tipperary ETB training centres and offices in Nenagh, Thurles and Clonmel. [41362/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe ETB has provided the floor plan for the planned Thurles training facility. This will be based in an industrial premises in Thurles and has been approved by my Department and SOLAS. The floor plan attachment has been forwarded to the Deputy.
In relation to Nenagh I understand that the ETB is engaged in ongoing discussions regarding a further education and training centre to consolidate delivery in the town and district leading to increased services in the north of the county.
I am informed by the ETB that the Masterplan for Kickham Barracks, Clonmel is with Tipperary County Council.
Should the Deputy require further information, he might wish to note that, as with all ETBs, Tipperary ETB has a dedicated e-mail address for Oireachtas members as follows: Oireachtasqueries@tipperaryetb.ie.
164. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the expenditure on room rental and conference facilities by Tipperary ETB in each of the years 2013 to 2016 and to date in 2017. [41363/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe ETB has supplied the following information to my Department in response to the Deputy's question.
From time to time hotels have to be used for ETB events as no one ETB Facility can host all large ETB meetings/events and to use schools can be disruptive to students and staff. Costs incurred are as follows:
2013 - €6,710.95
2014 - €7,962.95
2015 - €21,168.80
2016 - €20,713.65*
2017 - €12,855.45
* Due to the rotation of the South Eastern Apprenticeship awards, Tipperary ETB hosted these awards on behalf of the South East Region.
165. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of posts that have changed location in Tipperary ETB in each of the years 2013 to 2016 and to date in 2017; the details of these posts; and the locations which they changed from and to. [41364/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs ETB teachers are employed by the ETB scheme, movement between schools from time to time and in accordance with changing needs is expected. In relation to administrative staff, my Department has been informed by the ETB that no administrative posts have changed location to date. However, where opportunities for internal acting-up appointments and consequential vacancies arise, existing staff are facilitated where possible, in remaining in their base location for the duration of the temporary appointment.
Should the Deputy require further information on recruitment in Tipperary ETB, he might wish to note that, as with all ETBs, Tipperary ETB has a dedicated e-mail address for Oireachtas members as follows: oireachtasqueries@tipperaryetb.ie.
166. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the processes and procedures in place for the way in which teaching allocations are distributed in Tipperary ETB. [41365/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTeacher allocations to all second level schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. The criteria for the allocation of posts are communicated to school managements annually and are available on the Department website. The Allocations section of my Department provides a staffing allocation to each ETB Scheme based on the teacher allocation rules. The distribution of this staffing allocation between its schools is a matter for the Chief Executive of each ETB scheme.
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). The deployment of teaching staff in a school, the range of subjects offered and ultimately the quality of teaching and learning are in the first instance a matter for the school management authorities.
167. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason different leave entitlements continue to be in operation for staff in Tipperary ETB which means workers on the same grade have different leave entitlements. [41366/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that the issue referred to by the Deputy is a legacy issue. Tipperary ETB management and my Department have liaised with the relevant trade union regarding this matter. The ETB has informed my Department that it is satisfied that it is compliant with the relevant Departmental circulars.
168. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the date on which the decision was made to create the director of further education, director of operations and director of schools posts across all ETBs. [41367/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2015, my Department obtained sanction from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, DPER, to increase the number of senior management posts at Education Officer level, now called Director, within the ETB sector, with some of the larger ETBs having a greater number of such posts.
Following subsequent engagement with ETBI and with the staff side, approval was obtained in May 2016 from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for a minimum of three Director posts in each ETB. A Public Appointments Service open competition was used to create panels to fill Director posts. This competition was initially advertised in April 2016. A subsequent competition to fill remaining vacancies was advertised in December 2016.
169. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the enrolment figures for 2015, 2016 and 2017 across all schools under the domain of Tipperary ETB. [41368/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraKey statistics and data on individual schools is available on my Department's website, including data on enrolment figures for individual schools, for the years 2015, 2016 and 2017. The following is the link to access such information: https://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Statistics/Data-on-Individual-Schools/.
The following table displays the enrolments for Tipperary ETB for the periods requested:
|
School |
2015 |
2016 |
2017* |
|
Borrisokane Community College |
572 |
588 |
600 |
|
Comeragh College, Carrick-on-Suir |
256 |
302 |
349 |
|
Central Technical Institute, Clonmel |
446 |
443 |
476 |
|
Scoil Ruain, Killenaule |
410 |
418 |
392 |
|
Nenagh College |
460 |
496 |
512 |
|
Newport College |
174 |
172 |
187 |
|
Templemore College of Further Education |
294 |
225 |
265 |
|
St. Ailbes School, Tipperary Town |
288 |
311 |
310 |
|
Coláiste Mhuire Co-Ed, Thurles |
384 |
412 |
447 |
|
Coláiste Dún Iascaigh, Cahir |
646 |
660 |
663 |
|
Coláiste Phobal, Roscrea |
660 |
672 |
680 |
*Provisional
171. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the capital expenditure by SOLAS in County Tipperary in each of the years 2013 to 2016 and to date in 2017, by location and date. [41370/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra185. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the detail of all capital expenditure given by SOLAS to Tipperary ETB between 2013 to 2017, by location and date. [41538/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 171 and 185 together.
I wish to advise the Deputy that my department provided an annual allocation of €2.5 million to SOLAS for capital expenditure on equipment and small capital works in training centres across all Education and Training Boards.
SOLAS has confirmed that the there has been no allocation for capital expenditure to Tipperary ETB during the period requested.
172. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the expenditure by SOLAS in County Tipperary in each of the years 2013 to 2016 and to date in 2017. [41371/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra186. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the detail of all current expenditure given by SOLAS to Tipperary ETB between 2013 to 2017, by location and date. [41539/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 172 and 186 together.
The information requested by the Deputy regarding payments from SOLAS to Tipperary ETB in the years 2014 to 2016 in respect of current expenditure is outlined in the following table. The 2017 annual allocation is also provided. SOLAS was established in October 2013 and allocated full year funding to the Education and Training Boards from 1 January 2014. Grants are provided by education and training programme and not by location.
Tipperary ETB - Further Education and Training Funding: 2014 - 2017
|
Funds Disbursed 2014 |
Funds Disbursed 2015 |
Funds Disbursed 2016 |
CURRENT Allocation 2017 |
|
|
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
|
|
SOLAS Direct Expenditure - Training Provision in Tipperary 1 Jan- 30 Jun * |
3,035,059 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
SOLAS Funding to TETB for FET Provision** |
10,587,191 |
14,844,697 |
15,042,955 |
16,995,264 |
|
TOTAL FURTHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING |
13,622,250 |
14,844,697 |
15,042,955 |
16,995,264 |
173. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the financial or professional management of ETBs. [41372/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe restructuring of this sector since 2013 has strengthened and enhanced local education and training. It represents a major component of the public service transformation agenda. The new configuration has also facilitated new provisions including the establishment of SOLAS, the dissolution of FÁS and paved the way for the transfer of training functions and training centres to the newly formed ETBs.
ETBs carry out their duties in relation to the provision of education and training in accordance with Education and Training Boards Act 2013 and under the legislation that established SOLAS in 2013. The financial and professional management functions are carried out in accordance with the legislation, as well as relevant governmental and departmental circulars and the ETB's own strategies and objectives thereunder.
The implementation of these functions are benefitting from a number of current developments.
To better reflect the reconfiguration of the sector, the senior management structure in ETBs has recently been augmented by the allocation of Directors of Schools, Further Education and Training and Organisation Support and Development to each ETB. Plans are also advanced for the establishment of shared services facilities in the areas of finance and payroll which should result in improved efficiency and consistency in financial and payroll management.
My Department also works closely with Education and Training Boards Ireland, ETBI, on behalf of the sector, in relation to delivery of strategy and reform. ETBI has established forums representing functions of the ETBs, which provide a mechanism for ETB management to engage collectively on the further development of the relevant functional areas.
174. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the job specification that was advertised for the first chief executive of Tipperary ETB. [41373/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe establishment of 16 ETBs, through the merger of the former 33 VECs created a situation where there was not a sufficient number of posts at the Grade of Chief Executive to accommodate all of the existing post holders who had been appointed in a permanent capacity.
To address the redeployment of surplus post holders and in accordance with Government policy, my Department entered into an agreement with SIPTU, the trade union which represented the Chief Executive Officers, CEO, of VECs, on a redeployment scheme for CEOs in the context of the Croke Park agreement. This scheme was used, in the first instance, to determine the appointment of Chief Executives to the new Education and Training Boards, following the enactment of the relevant legislation.
In accordance with the agreed redeployment scheme and with the provisions of the Education and Training Boards Act 2013, the Minister of the day designated the first chief executive of each of the ETBs, including Tipperary Education and Training Board. Consequently, no job specification was advertised for the first chief executive of Tipperary ETB.
The functions of the Chief Executive of an ETB are set out in the Education and Training Boards Act, 2013
175. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way in which the ETBI is funded. [41375/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraETBI is the body recognised in statute as the body which collectively represents Education and Training Boards.
Similar to the funding provided by my Department to school management bodies, an annual grant of €168,650 is provided to ETBI as a contribution toward the annual general running costs of carrying out its core business.
The Department also supports a number of posts based in ETBI for the purpose of supporting departmental priorities such as driving the reform programme and the Further Education and Training strategy for the ETB sector and supporting linkages with SOLAS.
These supports are provided in accordance with the Department's service level agreement with ETBI.
176. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the budget allocation for ETB schools in each of the years 2013 to 2017. [41376/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraEducation and Training Board, ETB, schools are not funded directly by my Department but are funded via budget allocations provided on a block grant basis to each ETB. ETBs are responsible for allocating funding between schools under their respective remits. ETBs are afforded considerable flexibility in the use of resources while having a responsibility to ensure that value is obtained from the funding provided.
The figures outlined in the table include funding for the pay of certain ETB staff provided by my Department, funding for the day-to-day running of schools, specific grants (e.g. book grant, transition year programme), targeted expenditure (e.g. DEIS funding), funding for student grants, funding for capital projects (which can vary from year to year depending on number of projects) and also ETB head office running costs.
The initial allocation figure for 2017 is €1.311 billion. This figure is subject to change as the year evolves.
It should be noted that ETBs also receive funding from sources other than my Department, for example through self-financing programmes or from other Departments and agencies, most notably for further education and training which is funded by SOLAS.
The annual accounts for each ETB provide detailed information on funding from all sources and how it was used. These accounts, when finalised and audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General, are published on the Oireachtas website.
Funding to ETBs for the Period July 2013 to 2016 including Allocation for 2017*
|
ETB |
July to Dec 2013* |
2014** |
2015** |
2016** |
2017 Allocation** |
|
Total |
€638,422,407 |
€1,089,108,527 |
€1,226,896,930 |
€1,243,395,724 |
€1,311,348,320 |
* payments made in respect of Standard Expenditure (Net Pay & Net Non-Pay), Associated & Targeted Expenditure (grants), Programme Expenditure (Further & Adult Education, Student Support Services, Self-financing Projects, Capital)
** payments made in respect of Standard Expenditure (Net Pay & Net Non-Pay), Associated & Targeted Expenditure (grants), Programme Expenditure (Student Support Services, Self-financing Projects, Capital) - Funding in respect of Further & Adult Education not included as this funding is administered through SOLAS with effect from 2014
177. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a complaint (details supplied) was not followed through the prescribed channels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41389/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Education Act 1998 sets out the key roles and functions that are discharged by Patrons and Boards of Management in the running of schools. The Board of Management is the body of persons appointed by the Patron to manage the school on behalf of the patron and the functions of the Board are set out in Section 15 of the Act.
Any queries or concerns regarding the Board of Management should be addressed to the Patron of the school concerned.
178. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide details of the survey on school uniforms that was carried out in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41460/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the provisions of the Education Act, 1998, the Board of Management is the body charged with the direct governance of a school. In late 2013, as part of an initiative in this area, schools were requested to ballot parents on school uniform policy. This move was aimed at giving parents a say on what, if any, uniforms a school should have and, in turn, to tackle the high costs of some uniforms. This exercise was carried out on a local basis by individual school managements. There was no requirement on them to report the results to the Department.
At my request the National Parents Council Primary and National Parents Council Post Primary surveyed parents regarding their experience of this consultation process and they collated data in May 2014. They issued their report to the Minister for Education and Skills regarding the parents’ survey on the implementation of Circular 0063/2013.
Following the implementation of the Circular, school authorities will be required to adopt the following principles of cost-effective practice which will put a greater emphasis on reducing the cost of school uniforms and other costs:
- All elements of a school uniform should be purchasable from various stores;
- Only iron on or sew on crests should be used;
- Wherever possible, generic rather than branded items should be specified (e.g. uniform, clothing, IT tablets, sports equipment etc.);
- Provide parents with a list of all required items and indicate the likely costs of these required items at best value stores;
- Provide a book rental scheme;
- Phase out, between now and September 2018, the use of workbooks which cannot be reused;
- Where an exclusive supply arrangement applies, it should be tendered for regularly and;
- The Board of Management in each school will have to review the cost of items which they require parents to purchase and to make this information available to the school community.
Schools will consult with parents on their views and ask for suggestions on cost reduction initiatives. Parents will be asked for their views about school uniform costs, and other costs, through a questionnaire.
In relation to workbooks, the Circular advises that schools should phase out, between now and September 2018, the use of workbooks which cannot be reused.
My Department is very aware of the appropriate contribution that well-designed learning activities can make in the classroom. Resources that align well with the learning objectives of the curriculum (including workbook tasks) and which foster development of key skills and concepts are an important support for classroom learning and teaching and can help to consolidate students’ understanding.
Used skilfully, such activities can provide the teacher with valuable opportunities to promote independent learning; and for learners they can facilitate completion of differentiated activities or tasks at a number of levels. When these kinds of activities are integrated well into classroom teaching and learning, they can provide rich learning opportunities especially when combined with focussed classroom talk and discussion. By contrast, the negative uses of workbooks have also been highlighted in inspection reports, and appropriate recommendations made, in that regard, to schools and teachers.
My Department is committed to working with the Irish Educational Publisher’s Association to ensure that progress can be made on developing workbooks that can be reused.
The Circular provides a period, between now and September 2018, for the phasing out of workbooks which cannot be reused.
My Department supports for the provision of school books are dealt with through the school book rental scheme. My Department provides funding of €16 million annually to schools to support the operation of school book rental schemes for students in all recognised Primary and Post-Primary schools within the Free Education Scheme. The arrangements in relation to this scheme are set out in Circular 0046/2013 which is published on my Department's website at:http://www.education.ie/en/Circulars-and-Forms/Active-Circulars/cl0046_2013.pdf.
A copy of that Report shall be made available to the Deputy.
179. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has considered alternative measures to reduce school book costs via businesses such as a company (details supplied) or other practical methods that would reduce costs for parents. [41482/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is a matter for the Board of Management of each individual school to decide on its own policy in relation to the use of textbooks in the school. Individual schools should adopt a cost-conscious approach to the selection of books in their classes.
In relation to textbook costs an agreement was reached with the Irish Educational Publisher’s Association which resulted in the agreement of a Code of Practice. The Code commits the publishers to limit the publication of new editions and to maintaining editions of books in print unchanged for at least six years. The publishers have also given assurances that they will sell textbooks to schools at discounts so that schools can purchase textbooks in bulk to stock book rental schemes.
School book rental schemes have an important role to play in reducing the cost of school books for parents. Circa 95% of primary schools and 65% of post-primary schools operate a book rental scheme.
My Department supports the operation of book rental schemes through the funding provided under its school books grant scheme. Under this scheme, my Department provides funding of €16 million annually to all recognised primary and post-primary schools in the free education scheme. In addition, €15.7 million seed capital was provided over three years to support the establishment of book rental schemes in primary schools.
One of the actions as part of the Action Plan for Education is to strengthen the focus on reducing school costs for parents by increasing the financial support for book rental schemes, in order to reduce/eliminate school book costs for parents as resources permit.
My Department has published a circular to school authorities and ETBs regarding measures to be adopted by schools to reduce the costs which include the provision of a book rental scheme. The circular can be accessed on my Department’s website at: https://www.education.ie/en/Circulars-and-Forms/Active-Circulars/cl0032_2017.pdf.
180. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the timeframe for the completion of a proposed new school (details supplied); the reason for the long delay; the amount of rent which continues to be paid each year for the privately rented premises on Parnell Square, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41498/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing a review of the brief for Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire, my Department has approved a significant increase to the brief, which will now provide a 16-classroom school on the site at Dominick Street. The original brief was for an eight-classroom school.
Due to this increase in the scope of works for the project, my Department will tender for a replacement Design Team to take the project forward to Stage 2B – Detailed Design Stage, which includes the applications for Planning Permission, Fire Certificate, Disability Access Certificate and the preparation of Tender Documents. The need to replace the design team arises from a fees uplift request for each member of the design team which greatly exceeded the 50% upper limit increase allowed under the EU Procurement Directive.
My Department provides grant aid of €328, 227.20 per annum to the school for annual rental of the temporary accommodation.
The Department is anxious to provide permanent accommodation for Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire and in this context it is committed to advancing the building project for the permanent school building as quickly as possible. However, until the new design team is appointed and it reports to the Department it will not be possible to provide a more indicative timeframe for the completion of the project.
181. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills if funding will be allocated to enable a school (details supplied) for children with a diagnosis of autism in Kilbarrack, Dublin 5, hire new cleaners and maintenance staff. [41504/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides funding to all recognised primary schools by way of per capita grants including to the school referred to by the Deputy.
The two main grants are the Capitation grant to cater for day-to-day running costs such as heating, lighting, cleaning, insurance, general up-keep etc and the Ancillary Services grant to cater for the cost of employing ancillary services staff.
Enhanced rates of the Capitation grant are paid in respect of pupils with special educational needs who attend special schools or special classes attached to mainstream schools. The Ancillary Services grant payment is based on pupil enrolments in mainstream schools. However, payments to Special Schools are based on the number of authorised full-time teaching staff approved by the Department so as to compensate for lower enrolment numbers.
Schools are permitted to regard the Capitation and Ancillary grants as a combined grant. Boards of Management have autonomy on how they use and prioritise this funding to meet their day-to-day running costs including for the provision of secretarial, caretaker and cleaning services.
The following are links to the most recent circulars published on my Department’s website in relation to capitation related grants:
https://www.education.ie/en/Circulars-and-Forms/Active-Circulars/cl0026_2017.pdf,
https://www.education.ie/en/Circulars-and-Forms/Active-Circulars/cl0028_2016.pdf.
