Written Answers Nos. 402-425
402. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount saved by his Department in the past five years by not spending on substitute teachers in primary education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46683/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSubstitute teachers are employed by the managerial authorities of schools to replace teachers absent on different types of approved leave such as sick leave and maternity leave.
The claims for the payment of substitute teachers are submitted by the individual managerial authorities of schools to my Department using the On Line Claim System. The substitute teachers are paid on a fortnightly basis. All substitute claims approved by the designated approver at school level are paid by my Department.
In 2016 my Department paid €114.5 million to substitute teachers employed in primary schools.
I announced measures recently to increase the pool of teachers available to schools, in particular to fill short term vacancies. With regard to these measures, my Department informed all teachers retiring in 2017 that in order to remain eligible for employment in a state funded teaching post for a period of more than five consecutive days or to supervise the State examinations, a teacher must maintain his/her registration with the Teaching Council.
My Department has also increased to 90 days the limit on the number of days a primary teacher who is on career break can be employed in a school year. The matter of the employment of B Ed and PME students in limited circumstances on a short-term basis is still under consideration in my Department.
403. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the problems in a school (details supplied) in respect of the allocation of resources applied to this school; the reason for the allocation of resource hours to this DEIS band 1school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46684/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe criteria used for the allocation of teaching posts is published annually on the Department website. The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September.
The staffing schedule operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all similar types of schools equally irrespective of location.
The staffing schedule also includes an appeals mechanism for schools to submit an appeal under certain criteria to an independent Appeals Board. Details of the criteria for appeal are contained in the staffing schedule, Circular 0017/2017.
Scoil Cheathrair Alainn submitted an application to the April meeting of the Appeals Board under two separate criterion, English as an additional language teaching posts (Temporary EAL Posts) and School losing 3 or more posts. The Appeals Board determined that the school was entitled to 1 Temporary EAL post and that these appeals did not warrant the allocation of any further additional posts for the 2017/18 school year. The school has been notified accordingly.
The Primary Staffing Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.
DES Circular 0013/2017 for primary schools and 0014/2017 for post-primary schools were published on 7th March 2017.
These Circulars set out the details of the new model for allocating special education teachers to schools.
The revised allocation process replaces the generalised allocation process at primary and post-primary school level for learning support and high incidence special educational needs, and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) allocation process which provided additional resource teaching supports to schools, to support pupils assessed as having Low Incidence disabilities.
The new Special Education Teaching allocation provides a single unified allocation for special educational support teaching needs to each school, based on each school’s educational profile.
Under the new allocation model, schools have been provided with a total allocation for special education needs support based on their school profile.
Included within this is an allocation for:
- A school educational profile component; which includes:
-An allocation for pupils with complex needs
-The learning support needs in schools as evidenced by attainment levels in standardised test results
-The social context of the school including disadvantage and gender
- Baseline component provided to every mainstream school to support inclusion, prevention of learning difficulties and early intervention.
The provision of a profiled allocation is designed to give a fairer allocation for each school which recognises that all schools need an allocation for special needs support, but which provides a graduated allocation which takes into account the actual level of need in each school.
The special education teaching allocation provided for this school for 2017/18 was 213.85 hours.
The profiling model had indicated a profiled special educational need for this school, relative to that of other schools, of 190 teaching hours.
However, as no school received an allocation, on the introduction of the new model, which was less than the allocation they received in the previous school year, the school maintained an allocation of 213.85 hours, while it was indicated that within this allocation there was a retained element of 23.85 hrs.
There has therefore been no reduction to the special education teaching allocation for this school for the 2017/18 school year.
This allocation equates to over 8.5 full-time additional Special Education Teachers, which is a very significant allocation for a school of this size, and which recognises that there are significant learning needs in the school.
It is acknowledged and accepted that schools will have some additional pupils with special educational needs enrolling to their school subsequent to the profiles having been developed.
However, for the most part these will be balanced by the fact that some students who had additional teaching needs in the previous year will have left the school. The baseline is also designed to ensure that schools have some capacity to provide additional support to pupils.
404. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application by a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46688/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe major building project referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning - Stage 2(b), which includes the applications for Planning Permission, Fire Certificate and Disability Access Certificate and the preparation of Tender Documents. Planning permission has been secured with Fire Certificate and Disability Access Certificate applications in progress.
Once the Stage 2b (Detailed Design) submission is completed and submitted to the Department for review, my Department will revert to the school with regard to the further progression of the project at that time.
405. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason, despite being offered second chance status and limited student contribution funding by SUSI, that a university is not in a position to recognise a person's (details supplied) qualification for SUSI grant aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46695/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUniversities are autonomous bodies as set out in the Universities Act 1997 and are responsible for their own day to day affairs, including the allocation of all of its income (both public and private) and in relation to its own financial affairs.
The Governing Bodies and the management staff of the institutions are responsible for operational matters, therefore, the collection and administration of the student contribution and tuition fees, where a student is not eligible for funding under my Department's free fees initiative, is a matter for individual third level institutions.
If an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a student grant, or that the rate of grant awarded is not the correct one, she/he may appeal, in the first instance, to SUSI. Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down in writing by SUSI and remains of the view that the scheme has not been interpreted correctly in his/her case, an on-line appeal outlining the position may be submitted by the applicant via www.studentgrantappeals.ie outlining the position to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board within the required timeframe.
Students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. This Fund assists students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Information on the fund is available through the Access Officer in the third level institution attended. This fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis.
406. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way in which he plans to promote positive mental health and suicide prevention at third level educational institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46707/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department allocates recurrent funding to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) for direct disbursement to HEA designated higher education institutions. The HEA allocates this funding as a block grant to the institutions. As autonomous bodies, the internal disbursement of this funding, including the funding of student services, is a matter for the individual institution.
Student services and associated activities are an integral part of the whole student experience at third level. Student services support each individual student achieve his/her intellectual, cultural and social potential while supporting and complementing the formal academic programme. Student services can fall under a number of headings, particularly ‘Welfare and Guidance’ which includes counselling services, health promotion, careers service, multi-faith, racial and ethnic cultural support.
My Department also provides a range of services for students in HEA funded higher education institutions, including supports provided by Access Offices. In particular these offices co-ordinate pastoral and academic supports for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Among the supports administered by the access offices, in conjunction with student services, is the Student Assistance Fund and the Fund for Students with Disabilities.
The Student Assistance Fund
The Student Assistance Fund is managed by the HEA on behalf of my Department. This Fund is allocated annually to the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to support students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds, whose participation in higher education would otherwise be at risk as a direct result of financial difficulties. The fund assists students with ongoing needs for financial support and students with other circumstances giving rise to short or longer-term financial difficulties, including family responsibilities, bereavement, family difficulties, accidents or health problems. In all cases, institutions are responsible for targeting the available resources at those students most in need.
Fund for Students with Disabilities
The purpose of the Fund is to support higher and further education institutions in ensuring students with disabilities have the necessary assistance to enable them to fully participate in their chosen course of study. €10.5 million in support for students was allocated through the FSD in 2016-17. This Fund aims to ensure that students can participate fully in their academic programmes and are not disadvantaged by reason of a disability. The number of students in further and higher education supported by the Fund was some 12,000 students in 2016. There were 1,036 beneficiaries of the Fund in 2016-17 with a mental health condition.
Mental Health Matters - AHEAD
AHEAD, the Association for Higher Education Access and Disability, is supported through an annual grant from the HEA towards the cost of the activities of the organisation. AHEAD is an independent non-profit organisation working to promote full access to and participation in further and higher education for students with disabilities and to enhance their employment prospects on graduation. In 2016, AHEAD in partnership with the National Learning Network (NLN), published a report called ‘Mental Health Matters’, a study into the experiences of students with mental health difficulties. The study found that the majority of HEIs have services supporting students with mental health difficulties and some institutions have dedicated services for students. The report made some key recommendations such as the promotion of mental health awareness to students on their induction, the provision of mental health awareness at institutional level for staff and institutions adopting a whole of campus strategic response to meet the needs of students experiencing mental health difficulties. Implementation of the recommendations is being progressed by AHEAD and its partners. Building on this report, on 7 December AHEAD is hosting a seminar ‘Staying AHEAD of the Stress’. This event will include discussion of models of practice that have been developed in higher education to support students with Mental Health Difficulties, for example the Student Central service in Maynooth University and the Unilink service in TCD.
The HEA also plans to work with the HSE to develop national guidance for higher education institutions in relation to suicide risk and critical incident response, thereby helping to address any gaps which may exist in the prevention of suicide in higher education.
407. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to address the delay affecting IT Carlow’s acquisition of a site in County Wexford for development of a new purpose built campus. [46709/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is supportive of the proposed acquisition by Carlow IT of a particular site in Wexford for the development of a new purpose-built campus. Funding has been allocated to enable IT Carlow to acquire this site.
We are aware that the ongoing engagement between Carlow IoT and the vendor on the progression of the sale of the site has taken longer than expected. However, given the commercial sensitivities associated with land acquisitions, we are not in a position to comment any further at this time.
408. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the significant statutory drop in income for those transferring from Youthreach to VTOS teaching posts with no regard for experience; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46713/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe criteria for the award of incremental credit to recognised post-primary teachers is set out by my Department in Circulars 29/2007 and 0029/2010. The criteria is agreed under the auspices of the Teachers Conciliation Council (TCC) which is comprised of representatives of teachers, school management, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the Department of Education & Skills and chaired by an official of the Workplace Relations Commission.
I understand that the person referred to by the Deputy was a Youthreach Co-ordinator and is now taking up an appointment in a recognised teaching post. In accordance with the criteria and on appointment to a recognised teaching post, incremental credit may be awarded in respect of period(s) of non-teaching service if, among other things, the experience gained is considered to be directly relevant to the requirements of the post to which the teacher has been appointed.
Where a decision is made to limit or refuse to award incremental credit, a recognised teacher may appeal to an appeals committee comprised of representatives of teacher unions, school management, the Department of Education and Skills and chaired by an Independent Chairperson.
409. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of appeals upheld in respect of special needs assistants in each of the past five years, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46744/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra410. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of appeals not upheld in respect of special needs assistants in each of the past five years, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46745/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 409 and 410 together.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE), which is an independent statutory agency, is responsible, through its network of Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports, including SNA support. The NCSE allocates such support to schools in accordance with the criteria set out in my Department’s Circular 0030/2014, which is available on my Department's website at www.education.ie.
The NCSE advised all schools of their allocations for SNA support. Details of SNA allocations which have been made to schools for the 2017/18 school year are available on the NCSE website at www.ncse.ie .
The NCSE Appeals Process may be invoked in the following instances:
- a parent or a school where it is considered that a child was not granted access to SNA support on the grounds that Department policy was not met in accordance with Circular 0030/2014.
- a school may also appeal a decision, where the school considers that the NCSE, in applying Department policy, has not allocated the appropriate level of SNA supports to the school to meet the special educational and/or care needs of the child(ren) concerned.
Appeals are processed by the NCSE and all correspondence and queries in relation to same should be addressed to the NCSE. Information in relation to the number of appeals upheld and/or not upheld are a matter for the NCSE. Accordingly I have forwarded the Deputy's query to the NCSE for direct reply.
411. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the request by persons (details supplied) for school transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46776/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
During the 2016/17 school year almost 116,000 children, including some 12,000 children with special educational needs, were transported in over 4,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually.
Given the concerns regarding the welfare of children with special educational needs, it is not always practical to make these services available to children who are capable of travelling on standard mainstream school transport services, as to do so might diminish the level of care and safety that the Department and Bus Éireann wish to provide for these vulnerable children.
My Department is awaiting further information from Bus Éireann in relation to the request referred to and will contact the parent directly when the matter has been considered.
412. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review the case of a person (details supplied) under the school transport scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46813/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
During the 2016/17 school year almost 116,000 children, including some 12,000 children with special educational needs, were transported in over 4,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually.
Under the terms of my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for school transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest school as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
The child referred to by the Deputy is eligible for school transport however the family was late in making their payment. As the service was operating to capacity at the time of payment no additional tickets can be issued.
Children for whom late payments are received cannot be guaranteed a seat on a school transport service.
The terms of the Post Primary School Transport Scheme are applied equitably on a national basis.
413. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review the case of a person (details supplied) under the school transport scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46814/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
During the 2016/17 school year almost 116,000 children, including some 12,000 children with special educational needs, were transported in over 4,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually.
Under the terms of my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for school transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest school as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
The child referred to by the Deputy is eligible for school transport however the family was late in making their payment. As the service was operating to capacity at the time of payment no additional tickets can be issued.
Children for whom late payments are received cannot be guaranteed a seat on a school transport service.
The terms of the Post Primary School Transport Scheme are applied equitably on a national basis.
414. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Education and Skills if SUSI grants will be paid to all full-time students attending private colleges; if SUSI grants will be paid to the students and not to the colleges; if all full time QQI degree students will be allowed access the HEA student hardship fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46836/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder my Department's student grant scheme, eligible candidates may receive funding provided they are attending an approved course at an approved institution, as defined in the scheme. The definition of an approved institution is set out in Section 7 of the Student Support Act 2011 and Regulation 3 of the Student Support Regulations 2017.
The Student Assistance Fund (aka the student hardship fund) is managed by the Higher Education Authority on behalf of my Department. The Fund is allocated annually to the universities, the institutes of technology, the colleges of education and a number of other higher education institutions.
The Deputy may be aware of the publication of a “Report on the eligibility of maintenance grants to students (Wake-up SUSI)” by the Joint Committee on Education and Skills, in September. A copy of the report was received by my Department in October. Its contents are currently being considered by my officials in the context of overall budgetary constraints and the large number of competing demands on available funding.
The issue of the future funding of student supports has been raised in the wider context of the Cassell’s Report which has proposed a series of options for a sustainable funding model for third level. The report is being considered by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills in order to build political consensus on the most appropriate future funding model. I understand that the Committee is finalising its deliberations and is due to report to the Minister for Education and Skills in the near future.
415. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if persons engaging with Caranua will be required to present a public services card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46840/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraPersons engaging with Caranua are not required to present a public services card and there are no plans for its introduction by Caranua.
416. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to change the school bus route servicing a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46844/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
During the 2016/17 school year almost 116,000 children, including some 12,000 children with special educational needs, were transported in over 4,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually.
Under the terms of the Primary School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 3.2 kms from and are attending their nearest national school as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only. Concessionary transport is subject to a number of terms and conditions including the availability of spare seats on an existing service and payment of the annual charge.
Under the terms of the School Transport Scheme routes will not be extended or altered to cater for children who are not eligible for school transport and are travelling on a concessionary basis.
Bus Éireann has advised that as the eligible children on this bus have a service within guidelines there are no plans to change the bus route.
The terms of the School Transport Scheme are applied equitably on a national basis.
417. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department and Bus Éireann are accepting submissions for the detailed route analysis identifying the locations in which there will be substantive changes to the school transport route network; when it is envisaged the review will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46851/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
During the 2016/17 school year almost 116,000 children, including some 12,000 children with special educational needs, were transported in over 4,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually.
The review in question will be based on factual information focussing on eligible children currently using the service and there will be no requirement for submissions. it is expected that this review will be completed by Q1 2018.
418. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills if operators of the school transport scheme are obligated to accept and admit ticket holders for carriage on later scheduled services on the same route for which they hold a valid ticket in order to facilitate students who participate in after-school extra curricular activities and must seek transportation from school on a later scheduled service in instances in which such a service exists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46854/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
During the 2016/17 school year almost 116,000 children, including some 12,000 children with special educational needs, were transported in over 4,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
Children are eligible for school transport where they satisfy the distance criterion and are attending their nearest national school or post primary education centre, having regard to ethos and language.
This service is delivered using a mix of Bus Éireann, both school transport and road passenger vehicles, private contractor vehicles including private operator scheduled services, and Dublin Bus, Irish Rail, DART and LUAS where practical.
In accordance with the terms of my Department's School Transport Scheme school transport services operate during the 'Standard School Year' and facilitate a child's attendance during normal school opening and closing times.
A school transport ticket is not a general commuter ticket that is valid on all regular public transport services at all times and it is not offered as such. Given the numbers being transported nationally, it would not be possible without incurring additional expenditure to offer the flexibility to all eligible pupils to travel on the regular public transport services, other than in accordance with the terms of the Scheme.
419. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a school (details supplied) can be reassessed for a capital investment programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46888/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that a project for the school referred to is not included in my Department’s 6 year Construction Programme.
Due to the competing demands on my Department’s capital budget it is not possible to provide an indicative timeframe for the progression of a building project for the school referred to by the Deputy at this time.
420. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will address a matter (details supplied). [46895/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of the concerns raised by the Education Support Centre referred to by the Deputy. Section 37 of the Education Act 1998 provides the statutory basis for Education Support Centres and outlines the policy framework underpinning their recognition and functions, funding, staffing and governance. The Act empowers me as Minister to make regulations relating to the operation of centres including the appointment and remuneration of staff which includes the post of director.
The regulations I recently promulgated under Section 37(6) of the Education Act underpins my Department's policy for the secondment of teachers to Education Support Centres. These regulations comply with relevant legal and policy requirements. Accordingly, there are no plans to change the approach.
By way of background, my Department arranges for the secondment of teachers from their teaching posts for the purpose of developing and providing CPD for teachers and for the appointment as Directors of Education Support Centres (ESC's). Secondments are a temporary arrangement renewable on a year to year basis. While on secondment, teachers retain their school post, the terms and conditions that apply to teachers and receive their salary and a secondment allowance which are met in full by my Department.
In 2010, as part of the rationalisation of the Departments support services announced in the Budget by the then Minister for Finance Mr. Brian Lenihan T.D., a new policy of secondment was negotiated with the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform (DPER). The policy sanctioned a new limit on secondment numbers and established an upper limit of 5 years on the length of a secondment, following which the Directors return to their posts either as a teacher or an inspector.
There are many benefits from the revised policy for teachers, their boards of management and the system as a whole. Because an upper limit of 5 years now applies to secondments, there is:
- confidence that the teachers involved in the delivery of CPD have recent experience of the curriculum and of the school environment
- certainty about secondment parameters which assist individual teachers and their boards of management in planning/
There are more opportunities for teachers to take on career enhancing roles in the support services and the Centres. Teachers returning to their school after a period of secondment have the potential to enrich their school environment and they become eligible to take on subsequent secondment opportunities after a period back in their school.
Regular turnover of seconded teachers is now an established practice with teachers returning to enrich their schools so the investment in their skills is not lost. Since 2010, 10 Education Centres have successfully recruited new Directors and the work of the Centres has not been negatively affected.
421. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the supports that are available to students with learning disabilities who have special educational needs while attending third level institutions and institutes of higher learning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46898/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe principal support provided by my Department in financial terms is the students grant scheme, which makes available means-tested financial assistance to students in further and higher education. The student grant is administered on behalf of my Department by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI).
Students experiencing difficulties in completing their application forms, due to issues relating to a disability, can contact SUSI for assistance as follows:
Phone: 076-1087874, E-mail: support@susi.ie, Twitter: @susihelpdesk, Facebook: Facebook.com/susisupport.
My Department allocates significant resources to ensure that students can participate fully in their academic courses and are not disadvantaged by reason of a disability.
The Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) allocates funding to approved colleges of further and higher education for the delivery of key services, reasonable accommodations and supports for learners with disabilities on full-time approved courses. The institutions are responsible for the management and allocation of the Fund at local level throughout the year and students who wish to apply for funding should contact the Disability Officer in the relevant institution.
Another support measure is the Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) scheme, which is operated through the CAO on behalf of Irish Universities Association (IUA). The DARE scheme is a third-level admissions scheme for students with a disability offering places on reduced points basis to school leavers with disabilities who are under 23.
422. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a school (details supplied) that has applied to become a community school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46947/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, this is a private fee-paying primary school established in 2016.
I wish to confirm that my Department has received correspondence from the school which is currently under consideration and a response will issue shortly.
423. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of site access negotiations for a school (details supplied) in Dublin 16; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46948/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra433. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of securing a site for a school (details supplied); the timeframe for the identification of the site and to deliver appropriate accommodation for the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47105/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra434. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a school (details supplied) is in temporary accommodation far outside its catchment area and a permanent site for the school has yet to be identified; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that parents of pupils applied en masse for the school transport scheme and despite far exceeding the criteria for the scheme had their application refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47106/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 422, 433 and 434 together.
The school to which the Deputies refer is currently located on the Notre Dame campus, Upper Churchtown Road, Dublin 14 pending completion of the permanent accommodation for the school at the St. Tiernan’s Community School site in Balally. This is within the Ballinteer/Stepaside catchment or school planning area.
As the Deputies may be aware, my Department recently completed the purchase of the Notre Dame campus. Outline planning permission for a new primary school at the site in Balally was submitted to the relevant local authority in December 2012 but was refused on the grounds of site access. This was appealed by my Department to An Bord Pleanála but subsequently withdrawn to facilitate submission to the local authority of an amended outline planning permission in 2013, which was also refused on similar grounds.
This decision was appealed by my Department to An Bord Pleanála but was refused. However, the Board considered that the matter of assessing alternative means of accessing these lands would benefit from a co-ordinated approach by my Department and the local authority in the interests of achieving a comprehensive and balanced solution to ongoing access issues on this educational campus.
This is a complex planning issue and my Department is in ongoing contact with the relevant parties, including meeting with the local authority and third-party landowners on a number of occasions, with a view to finding an acceptable solution to the access issue. All aspects are being progressed in close liaison with the local authority and it is imperative that all of this work is done to the satisfaction of the local authority in order to ensure that a further planning application is successful. My Department is fully committed to bringing this project to a satisfactory conclusion as soon as the planning issues have been resolved.
In relation to school transport, under the terms of the Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 3.2 kms from and are attending their nearest national school as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
A minimum number of 10 eligible children residing in a distinct locality, as determined by Bus Éireann, are required before consideration may be given to the establishment of school transport services.
Bus Éireann has advised that the criteria for establishing a service to the school in question have not been met.
The terms of the Primary School Transport Scheme are applied equitably on a national basis.
424. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a school (details supplied) in Dublin 16 did not qualify for a school bus in view of the fact that it was moved to a new site at a campus in Churchtown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46949/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
During the 2016/17 school year almost 116,000 children, including some 12,000 children with special educational needs, were transported in over 4,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually.
Under the terms of the Primary School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 3.2 kms from and are attending their nearest national school as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
A minimum number of 10 eligible children residing in a distinct locality, as determined by Bus Éireann, are required before consideration may be given to the establishment of school transport services.
Bus Éireann has advised that the criteria for establishing a service to the school in question have not been met.
The terms of the Primary School Transport Scheme are applied equitably on a national basis.
425. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason parents of students at a school (details supplied) in County Dublin have not been contacted regarding their application for a school bus; if the school is eligible for a bus; if not, the reason therefor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46950/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
During the 2016/17 school year almost 116,000 children, including some 12,000 children with special educational needs, were transported in over 4,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually.
Under the terms of the Primary School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 3.2 kms from and are attending their nearest national school as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
A minimum number of 10 eligible children residing in a distinct locality, as determined by Bus Éireann, are required before consideration may be given to the establishment or retention of school transport services.
I understand that the children in question are not eligible for school transport because they are not attending their nearest school.
The terms of the Primary School Transport Scheme are applied equitably and on a national basis.
