Written Answers Nos. 185-206
185. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether it is appropriate for DCU to advertise for an assistant professor of advanced practice nursing in view of the fact that the job advertisement stated only female applicants can be considered for this role. [6804/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is currently being collated and will be forwarded in due course.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
186. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the summer works scheme will be reopened for applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6813/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Summer Works Scheme (SWS) is being applied on a multi-annual basis. The Deputy will also be aware that nearly 50% of schools have applied for inclusion under the scheme which reflects a very high demand.
Almost €80 million has been approved to date under the Summer Works Scheme, in respect of over 640 school projects in categories 1 - 6. Details of the successful school applicants are published on my Department's website www.education.ie.
The 2018 budgetary provision will allow my Department to meet the carry over costs of summer works projects already approved. The assessment of applications in the remaining categories 7-10 as well as proceeding with any future summer works scheme will be considered in the context of the availability of funding within the overall capital allocation.
187. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the level of funding available to part-time third level students in academic years (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6870/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe main support to students attending higher education is the Student Grant Scheme. Under the Student Grant Scheme, eligible candidates may receive funding, provided they are attending an approved course at an approved institution and meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those which relate to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment (progression) and means.
Under the scheme, students must be attending approved full-time courses. Part-time courses are not eligible for support.
No specific funding was made available to part-time third level students in the academic years to which the Deputy refers. However, the Deputy will be aware of the recent announcement regarding the new 1916 Bursary Fund. This Fund will support 600 students over the course of the next three years. These Bursaries differ from existing bursaries in a number of respects, in that they are targeted at non-traditional entry and can support undergraduate study on either a full-time or part-time basis. This new fund is on top of the additional €1m which was allocated to the Student Assistance Fund in 2017, for the support of part-time students who are lone parents or members of the other access target groups.
188. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of restoring guidance counsellors to one per 500 pupils ex-quota at post-primary schools. [6871/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra193. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the guidance counsellor to pupil ratio ex-quota; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6951/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 188 and 193 together.
Measures announced by my Department as part of Budget 2016, 2017 and 2018 mean that 500 of the 600 guidance posts that was withdrawn in Budget 2012 will be restored to schools from September 2018.
All of these 500 posts are allocated separately and transparently and outside of the quota on the normal schedule of posts.
The provision of 1 guidance counsellor per 500 students would require 250 posts in addition to the 500 posts which have been restored in the past three Budgets at an estimated cost of €15m per annum.
The Teacher Allocations section of my Department recently issued circular 7/2018 which outlines the allocation of teaching posts (including the calculation of guidance provision) to second-level schools for the 2018/19 school year. The circular is available on the Department website.
189. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application by a school (details supplied) for a link corridor for connectivity between various buildings in the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6875/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that my Department has received an application for significant capital funding for additional accommodation, including link corridor, from the school referred to by the Deputy.
The application is currently being assessed and a decision will be conveyed to the school authority as soon as the assessment process is completed.
190. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools that have been issued with a letter from his Department directing them to cap their enrolment to half stream; the denominational breakdown of these schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6879/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra208. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason his Department is retrospectively seeking to impose a growth restriction on recently opened Educate Together schools in Tramore, New Ross, Castlebar, Trim and Tuam against the lawful preference of a significant number of families in these areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7096/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra209. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason his Department is instructing Educate Together schools to turn away large numbers of families in Tramore, New Ross, Castlebar, Trim and Tuam (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7097/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra210. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason his Department is restricting the long-term viability of developing schools in Tramore, New Ross, Castlebar, Trim and Tuam when his Department's 2012-13 forum of patronage and pluralism report recommended that accommodation options for a full stream of provision should be considered for each area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7098/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra213. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a cap has been placed on enrolment to a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7177/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 190, 208 to 210, inclusive, and 213 together.
As the Deputies may be aware, the report of the Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector recommended that demand for patronage diversity should be met in areas of stable population by divesting patronage of existing schools where there is evidence of parental demand for change.
In this context, in 2012/13, my Department undertook surveys of parental preferences in 43 areas of stable population to establish the level of demand for a wider choice in the patronage of primary schools. These areas were all stable in terms of population growth, so no new school places were required, however sufficient demand for more choice emerged in 28 areas, including in Tramore, New Ross, Trim, Tuam and Castlebar.
In the majority of the 28 areas surveyed where sufficient demand emerged, the level of parental demand for a wider choice indicated a size of half a single stream school (comprising of 4 classrooms) being required to accommodate such a level of demand.
The establishment of Tramore Educate Together National School (ETNS), New Ross ETNS, Trim ETNS, Tuam ETNS and Castlebar ETNS as half stream schools (4 classrooms) has its origins in the “Report on the pilot surveys regarding parental preferences on primary school patronage” and the “Report on the surveys regarding parental preferences on primary school patronage” and is also cognisant of the available accommodation. This has been reflected in my Department’s engagement with the patron of the schools, Educate Together, and was reiterated in correspondence and communications with these schools.
A case has been submitted by Educate Together to my Department to further expand Tramore ETNS, New Ross ETNS, Trim ETNS, Tuam ETNS and Castlebar ETNS and this is currently under consideration.
My Department is currently carrying out nationwide demographic exercises at primary and post-primary level to identify areas of demographic growth and determine where additional school accommodation is needed in order to plan for school provision and this work is almost complete. In this context, the outcome of these nationwide demographic exercises will input into consideration of the case submitted by Educate Together.
191. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the recommendations of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Education and Skills will be implemented in order to allow those attending private colleges to receive SUSI grants; if so, when students of colleges (details supplied) can expect to receive grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6939/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe recommendations of the report have been considered in light of the wider Higher Education funding landscape including the Cassells Report and with regard to on-going priorities for funding in the Higher Education area. Many of the recommendations in the report will impact on the Higher Education budget and therefore the Department is not in a position to advance them at this time.
As committed to in the Programme for Government, the Cassells report has been referred to the Education Committee as part of the process for formulating a plan for the future of the sector. In order to inform its consideration of the review, the Committee have requested further information from my Department on each of the potential policy options. The recommendations from the Joint Committee will inform future decisions in this policy area. No decisions will be made pending the outcome of the Joint Committee's deliberations.
192. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an assessment has been carried out on the additional information supplied by a school (details supplied); if the application has been considered in full; when a decision is expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6940/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has approved temporary accommodation to the school concerned to facilitate additional classroom capacity. A letter to this effect has issued to the school authority.
194. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the details of the new pilot scheme for in-school speech and language therapists; the number of participating schools; the demographic in this regard; the number of therapists employed under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6970/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for a Partnership Government states that a new model of In-School Speech and Language Therapy will be established.
In October of this year, Budget 2018 provided an additional €2M to introduce a pilot/demonstration project for in-school Therapy services in 2018.
The demonstration project will develop and test a model for the delivery of in school speech and language and occupational therapy support, in a defined regional area, across a range of schools, in conjunction with the Health Service Executive (HSE) and supplementing existing HSE therapy services.
The pilot will focus on developing greater linkages between educational and therapy supports.
I will be announcing further details in relation to the project in the near future.
195. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he has taken to implement the policy advice of the National Council for Special Education regarding children with ASD; if all of the recommendations of the report will be implemented; the timeframe for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6971/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2016 the National Council for Special Education published updated policy advice on the Educational Provision for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. In developing this policy advice, the NCSE consulted widely with parents, professionals and other stakeholders and interested parties while also conducting research.
The NCSE policy advice on Supporting Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Schools (2016) found that Students are generally well supported in schools with appropriate curriculum; extensive teacher and SNA supports; improving range of educational placements supported by improved accommodation and equipment; improved teacher knowledge and understanding and a generally good standard of provision at primary and post primary levels.
The NCSE policy advice noted that ASD is a spectrum condition, so some students with ASD require little support in school and are relatively independent in their learning, while others require significant levels of support.
The NCSE Policy Advice also states that International Research findings suggest that most students with ASD should be considered for inclusion in mainstream education with their peers, where inclusion is well-planned and well-resourced.
The report includes 11 key Recommendations which focus on improvements which might be considered to the range of provisions which are currently available for children with Autism in schools.
The report is available on the NCSE website www.ncse.ie.
My Department has convened an Implementation Group with representatives of the NCSE, NEPS, the Inspectorate and external representatives to ensure that the Report’s recommendations are fully and appropriately considered and that a timetable for implementation is prepared. The work of the Implementation Group is ongoing.
196. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Education and Skills if musical organisations here are in receipt of funding to provide for instrumental music and learning; if so, the organisations concerned; the amount received in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7026/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department funds a number of music education organisations, both directly and through a number of initiatives, including Music Generation.
Music Generation was formed by a partnership between U2, Music Network, the International Funds for Ireland and the education sector has enabled a series of Music Education Partnerships (MEPs) to be established around the country on a phased basis to provide vocal and instrumental music tuition for young people. The intention was that the philanthropic contributions would fund 50% of the initiative in the early years of development with local Music Education Partners (VECs (now ETBs) and local authorities) providing the other 50%, and that programmes would be continued into the future with Exchequer funding when the philanthropic donations cease.
Philanthropic funding for Phase 1 of Music Generation was phased out and the Department of Education and Skills has taken over 50% funding of Music Generation between 2014 and 2016, with the balance provided by partners in the local MEPs. In 2016 all funding for established Phase 1 Music Education Partnerships came from the DES and the local partnerships, without philanthropic support.
Agreement was given for Phase 2 of Music Generation to proceed by the Department in 2016. Funded initially by philanthropic donations (U2 and The Ireland Funds) it involves the launch of up to 9 new Music Education Partnerships. These are initially being funded by philanthropic funding, including from U2, but will move, as for Phase 1, towards exchequer funding.
The application process for Phase 2 closed in May 2017 and in September 2017, Music Generation announced 9 new areas of Ireland that will receive philanthropic funding from U2 and the Ireland Funds to create increased access to non-mainstream music education for children and young people in their local areas.
On 7 December 2017, at the launch of the Creative Youth programme, An Taoiseach announced that Phase 3 of Music Generation would proceed in the coming years, funded entirely with exchequer funding.
Music Generation currently reaches over 41,000 children and young people annually. This number will increase with the establishment of Phase 2 MEPs, and again with nationwide roll-out.
|
Year |
€m |
|
2017 |
2.485 |
|
2016 |
2.545 |
|
2015 |
1.4 |
|
Phase 1 MEPs |
Phase 2 MEPs |
|
Louth |
Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown |
|
Mayo |
Leitrim |
|
Sligo |
Galway City |
|
Cork City |
Galway County |
|
Laois |
Roscommon |
|
Wicklow |
Wexford |
|
Carlow |
Waterford |
|
Limerick City |
Kilkenny |
|
Offaly/Westmeath |
Cavan/Monaghan |
|
Clare |
|
|
South Dublin |
|
* Co-Operation Hours
Co-operation hours are allocated for a number of different purposes, including for music education. These are additional teacher allocation hours which are to be used for special projects. Four ETBs get Co-Operation hours related to Music. For example, City of Dublin ETB get 15,000 hours for Ballyfermot Music Centre. Limerick and Clare get 21,181 hours for the Limerick School of Music. Cork receives a further 30,000 co-operation hours for the Music Scheme Cork. Co-operation hours provide high quality music tuition for over 38,000 students annually.
|
Year |
€m |
|
2017 |
6.08 |
|
2016 |
6.08 |
|
2015 |
6.08 |
|
ETB |
Name of Centre |
Hours approved 2014/15 |
Hours approved 2016/17 |
Hours approved 2017/18 |
|
City of Dublin |
Ballyfermot Music Centre |
15,000 |
15,000 |
15,000 |
|
Galway and Roscommon |
Music Scheme GTI |
1,000 |
1,000 |
1,000 |
|
Limerick and Clare |
School of Music |
21,181 |
21,181 |
21,181 |
|
|
Northside Learning Hub |
600 |
600 |
600 |
|
|
Music Centre Ennis |
1,000 |
1,000 |
1,000 |
|
Cork |
Music Scheme Cork |
30,000 |
30,000 |
30,000 |
|
|
|
68,781 |
68,781 |
68,781 |
* Non-Mainstream Music Education Bursary
The Non-Mainstream Music Education Bursary is a DES funded initiative to provide additional funding to non-mainstream educational initiatives. The purpose of the scheme is to provide support by way of a cash grant, to established, smaller-scale, non-mainstream music education/community music initiatives with limited or no access to other forms of public funding. Grants are not intended for use on capital expenditure such as structural/building costs, but can be used for instruments. Award of the bursary is done based on published criteria. The scheme was first established in 2016 and continued in 2017.
|
Year |
€m |
|
2017 |
0.1 |
|
2016 |
0.6 |
|
2015 |
- |
2017 Bursary Awards
€15,000 - Whitefriar Street String Project, Dublin 2.
€10,000 - Citywise Durken Education Centre, Jobstown, Tallaght, Dublin 24.
€10,000 - Crumlin Community Youth Band, Dublin 12.
€10,000 - Cavan-Monaghan LAEP – Counties Cavan and Monaghan.
€11,000 - Finglas Concert Band – Dublin 11.
€5,000 - Limerick City Rhythm & Swing - Limerick City, County Limerick.
€2,000 - Cork Youth Orchestra – County Cork.
€4,000 - Innisboffin Island – County Galway.
€2,500 - Artane Boys Band – Dublin 5.
€2,500 - Ballymore Eustace – County Kildare.
€2,500 - Bandon Concert Band – County Cork.
€2,500 - Blanchardstown Brass Band – Dublin 15.
€2,500 - Clara Town Band – County Offaly
€2,500 - Colour My Strings
€2,500 - HFC Concert Band
€2,500 - CCE Club Cheoil Ballyphelane – County Cork.
€ 1,000 each for
- CCE Camross Laois, County Laois.
- CCE Cluain Tarbh, Clontarf, Dublin 3.
- CCE Anne Devlin Comhaltas Branch, Aughrim, County Wicklow.
- CCE Bray, County Wicklow.
- CCE Gorey/Ballygarrett, Gorey, Carrig an Bannow, County Wexford.
- CCE Charleville, County Cork.
- CCE Portmarnock, County Dublin.
- CCE Chill Bheolain, Milford, County Cork.
- CCE Kilmovee, Ballaghderreen, County Mayo.
- CCE Danescastle Music Group, County Wexford.
- CCE Rahan, Tullamore, County Offaly.
- CCE Rathaneska, Stradbally, County Laois.
- CCE Spink, Abbeyleix, County Laois.
2016 Bursary Awards
€10,000 - St. Agnes Community Centre for Music and Arts
€10,000 - DIT Ballymun Music Programme
€2,500 - Galway Roscommon ETB Initiative
€2,500 - Kerry ETB Initiative
€2,500 - Musical Youth Foundation
€2,500 - Kiltra School of Music
€2,000 - Radhairc Ceilteach Baile Munna
€1,000 each for
- Colour my Strings
- Letterkenny & District Pipe Band
- Achill Pipe Band
- Steadfast Shoes Brass Band
- Mullaghboy Accordion Band
- Rahan Comhaltas
- Blanchardstown Brass Band
- HFC Concert Band
- Carndonagh Brass Band
- Supertones Choir
- St. Patrick’s Brass Band Galway
- Manor Kilbride Music School
- Clara Town Band
- Cullen Pipe Band
- Loch Garman Band
- Dungarvan Brass Band
- Clonakilty Brass Band
- Corduff Pipe Band
197. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the planning condition by An Bord Pleanála on a school (details supplied) to provide a shuttle bus for students attending the school; the implication of this planning precedent for the future design and location of new school campuses; the measures his Department will take to ameliorate the financial burden of such planning conditions on new schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7032/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe planning condition to which the Deputy refers has been appealed to An Bord Pleanála.
My Department submitted this appeal on 17 October 2017. A decision is awaited and is expected in the coming weeks.
Until An Bord Pleanála makes its decision in relation to the appeal, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further at this time.
198. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of national schools likely to close in each county in each of the years 2018 to 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7034/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is very aware of the importance of small schools to rural communities and particularly the most dispersed and remote communities. To provide such communities with security about the future of their schools, a commitment is contained in the Programme for a Partnership Government not to close any small school without the consent of parents.
I also wish to advise the Deputy that the decision making authority for a school closure belongs to the Patron of a school, and this is subject to the agreement of the Department.
Any proposal to close a school must involve consultation with all of the relevant stakeholders, parents, teachers, students and local communities and follow decisions taken at local level.
My Department has been advised by the Patron of a national school in Mayo that the school will close in June 2018 . The Patron of a national school in Dublin has advised my Department that a school will close in June 2019. The Patrons in question consider that the schools are no longer viable.
199. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the second level schools in the Dublin area which it is anticipated on the basis of CSO census data will experience a decline in enrolments in excess of 50% over the next ten years in tabular form; his plans to tackle the challenges posed to the existing provision of second level education by changing population dynamics in more established communities in the greater Dublin area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7035/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information is not available in the format requested by the Deputy. My Department uses data from the Census combined with information from the Primary and Post Primary Pupil Databases to develop projections of full time enrolment at primary and post-primary level.
The Department’s report, "Projections of Full-time Enrolment Primary and Second Level (2017 – 2035)", published in July 2017, provides the latest set of long-term projections of full-time enrolment in first- and second-level schools. At post-primary level nationally, enrolments are expected to continue to increase until the 2025/2026 academic year, at which point, enrolments at second level are expected to be in excess of 416,800 pupils for the first time in the history of the State.
It is important to note that the national demographic trends and projections of enrolments are not evenly spread and can include significant local and regional variations. Some areas will decline faster than the national trend and some will continue to need additional accommodation even after the national demand figure falls.
In order to account for such local variations and plan accordingly, the division of the country into 314 school planning areas is necessary to monitor this in greater detail. In this regard, my Department uses a Geographical Information System (GIS) to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise. The GIS uses data from a range of sources.
Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of the additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may, depending on the circumstances, be provided through either one, or a combination of, the following:
- Utilising existing unused capacity with a school or schools,
- Extending the capacity of a school or schools,
- Provision of a new school(s).
The nationwide demographic exercises involving all school planning areas at primary and post-primary level, which will determine where additional school accommodation will be needed in the future, is ongoing at the moment and work in this regard is almost complete.
200. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a school place for a person (details supplied) will be available in Ashbourne, County Meath. [7043/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to school admissions, parents can choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available the pupil should be admitted. However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available a selection process may be necessary.
This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.
Section 29 of the Education Act, 1998 provides for an appeal by a parent or guardian to the Secretary General of my Department, or in the case of an Educational Training Board (ETB) school to the ETB in the first instance, where a Board of Management of a school, or a person acting on behalf of the Board, refuses to enrol a student in a school, expels a student or suspends a student for 20 or more days in any school year. Further information on the Section 29 appeals process is available on the Department's website www.education.ie.
The Education Welfare Service of the Child and Family Agency (Tusla) is the statutory agency which can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The EWS can be contacted at 01-7718500.
In order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas. My Department uses a Geographical Information System (GIS) to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise. The GIS uses data from a range of sources, including the Central Statistics Office, Ordnance Survey Ireland, the Department of Social Protection and my Department's own databases. With this information, my Department carries out nationwide demographic exercises at primary and post primary level to determine where additional school accommodation is needed.
Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may, depending on the circumstances, be provided through either one, or a combination of, the following:
- Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,
- Extending the capacity of a school or schools,
- Provision of a new school or schools.
The nationwide demographic exercises involving all school planning areas, including the Ashbourne school planning area, at primary and post-primary level which will determine where additional school accommodation will be needed in the future are ongoing. It is anticipated that decisions based on the review will be announced in the coming weeks.
201. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way in which the tender process for the €200 million PPP investment in infrastructure in the higher education sector will be structured (details supplied); if there will be a separate tender for each of the 11 institutions which are to receive investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7044/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra216. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a tender (details supplied) will be tendered via the traditional funding route in an effort to support companies on the Border in view of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7205/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 201 and 216 together.
The projects forming part of the Higher Education PPP Programme are currently being appraised in accordance with the Public Spending Code. The current focus is on confirming the detailed Schedules of Accommodation for each project. This PPP programme was provided for in the Government’s Capital Plan for 2016-2021 and is expected to deliver some 8,000 student places across the Institute of Technology sector.
The PPP procurement process, whilst yet to be finalised, is anticipated to comprise two separate tender competitions to deliver the identified facilities across the 11 HEIs.
As part of the PPP procurement process there will be a series of regional “Meet the Buyer” events for local SMEs to meet with the PPP companies that have been short-listed to tender for the project. This process has been used extensively on previous PPP projects and both the participating SMEs and PPP companies have reported it hugely beneficial. Timelines and further details will be made available on the NDFA website at www.ndfa.ie in due course.
202. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary schools that do not have broadband due to lack of such services in their area; the number of primary schools that have 5Mbps or less; the reason primary school principals are left with no Internet or Internet breaking down as a consequence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7051/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThrough the Schools Broadband Access Programme the Department provides for the supply of internet connectivity for all recognised primary and post primary schools, and some 98% of schools are included in this scheme. All post-primary schools and some special schools are now included in the 100Mbps programme.
The policy of my Department is to offer the best quality connectivity to all schools in line with the technical solutions available in the market and financial constraints. Broadband capacity can vary due to geographical location and local infrastructure, and thus impact on the service that can be provided.
Under the current primary schools programme the Department continually reviews the availability of services and upgrades schools where the opportunity arises, in line with contractual and budgetary requirements. Some 250 Primary schools are currently on speeds of 5mbs or less, this represents just 7% of primary schools nationwide. Some 1,100 primary schools have been upgraded to download speeds of 30Mbps or greater (the baseline download speed required under the National Broadband Plan). This represents more than one third of all primary schools. This is a significant improvement over recent years, given that less than 100 primary schools were on those speeds in 2012. Further schools are likely to be upgraded to those speeds in 2018, through EIR's 300K Rural Deployment commitment.
The need to improve broadband connectivity to primary schools is recognised in the Digital Strategy for Schools 2015-2020, and as noted access to high speed broadband is one of the indicators identified in the Digital Strategy Action Plan. An interdepartmental working group has been established to determine how best to address broadband connectivity to primary schools in collaboration with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, in the context of the National Broadband Plan and the Intervention Strategy, and proposed industry provision.
203. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary schools in counties Roscommon and Galway that do not have broadband due to lack of such services in their areas; the primary schools in counties Roscommon and Galway that have 5Mbps or less; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7052/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThrough the Schools Broadband Access Programme the Department provides for the supply of internet connectivity for all recognised primary and post primary schools, and some 98% of schools are included in this scheme. All post-primary schools and some special schools are now included in the 100Mbps programme.
Significant improvement has been made in recent years, with the number of primary schools with access to broadband speeds of greater that 30mbs having increased from less than 100 in 2012 to over 1000 in 2017. In Galway/Roscommon, no school in 2012 had access to broadband speeds of 30mbs or greater, now some 44 schools in Galway/Roscommon have access to broadband speeds of 30mbs or greater.
The policy of my Department is to offer the best quality connectivity to all schools in line with the technical solutions available in the market and financial constraints. Broadband capacity can vary due to geographical location and local infrastructure, and thus impact on the service that can be provided.
In counties Galway and Roscommon the number of schools on 5mbs or less is some 23 schools, while virtually all primary schools in both counties are currently connected under the Schools Broadband Access programme, some schools may choose not to participate in this scheme – they may have a relationship with a local provider which they prefer to maintain.
The need to improve broadband connectivity to primary schools is recognised in the Digital Strategy for Schools 2015-2020, and access to high speed broadband is one of the indicators identified in the Digital Strategy Action Plan. An interdepartmental working group has been established to determine how best to address broadband connectivity to primary schools in collaboration with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, in the context of the National Broadband Plan and the Intervention Strategy, and proposed industry provision.
204. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason his Department refuses to fund the cost of alternative broadband suppliers to primary schools in areas in which the preferred supplier cannot provide proper broadband or the coverage is better from an alternative supplier; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7053/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the current primary broadband programme, my Department continually reviews the availability of services and upgrades schools where the opportunity arises, in line with contractual and budgetary requirements. As the Deputy will be aware the schools broadband programme operates subject to procurement regulations through a publicly procured Framework of Providers of Broadband Services. This Framework of Providers of Broadband for Primary schools was renewed in 2017, and it was open to all providers to apply to become members of that Framework.
At post-primary level, all schools are connected to the Department's 100Mbp/s programme, operated and managed by HEAnet.
The policy of this Department is to offer the best quality connectivity to all schools in line with the technical solutions available in the market and financial constraints. Broadband capacity can vary due to geographical location and local infrastructure, and thus impact on the service that can be provided. The primary broadband scheme is based on existing infrastructure, and the providers on the Primary Broadband Framework access this infrastructure to deliver the service to the schools.
The need to improve broadband connectivity to primary schools is recognised in the Digital Strategy for Schools 2015-2020. An interdepartmental working group has been established to determine how best to provide enhanced broadband connectivity to primary schools in collaboration with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment to the National Broadband Plan and the Intervention Strategy, and proposed industry provision.
205. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Thomas Byrne den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna cathain a chuirfear leathanbhanda snáthoptaice ar fáil do scoil (sonraí tugtha); agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [7065/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTríd an gClár Rochtana Leathanbhanda do Scoileanna, déanann an Roinn foráil do sholáthar nascacht idirlín i gcomhair gach bunscoil agus iar-bhunscoil aitheanta, agus tá 98% de na scoileanna san áireamh sa scéim sin. Tá gach iar-bhunscoil agus roinnt scoileanna speisialta san áireamh anois sa chlár 100Mbps.
Is é polasaí mo Roinne an caighdeán nascachta is fearr a thairiscint do gach scoil ag teacht leis na réitigh theicniúla atá ar fáil sa mhargadh chomh maith le srianta airgeadais. Is féidir le cumas leathanbhanda a bheith athraitheach ag brath ar an suíomh geografach agus ar an mbonneagar áitiúil, agus dá réir sin cur isteach ar an tseirbhís is féidir a sholáthar.
Faoin gclár reatha do bhunscoileanna, déanann an Roinn athbhreithniú, ar bhonn leanúnach, ar infhaighteacht seirbhísí agus déanann sí uasghrádú ar scoileanna nuair a bhíonn deis ann sin a dhéanamh, ag teacht le ceanglais chonarthacha agus bhuiséadacha. De réir íostarraingte ó Chreat na Soláthraithe Seirbhísí Leathanbhanda bronnadh luais íoslódála 30Mbps nó níos mó (an luas íoslódála bonnlíne a éilítear faoin bPlean Náisiúnta Leathanbhanda). Tá na scoileanna sin uasghrádaithe anois chuig an nascacht sin. Is ionann é sin agus breis is aon trian de na bunscoileanna go léir. Is dul chun cinn suntasach é sin i gcomparáid le blianta beaga anuas, ó tharla nach raibh ach níos lú ná 100 bunscoil a raibh na luais sin acu in 2012. Is é is dóichí go ndéanfar breis scoileanna a uasghrádú chuig na luais sin in 2018, trí ghealltanas um Sholáthar Tuaithe 300k EIR.
Aithnítear an gá atá le nascacht leathanbhanda chuig bunscoileanna a fheabhsú sa Straitéis Dhigiteach do Scoileanna 2015-2020, agus faoi mar a luadh tá rochtain ar leathanbhanda ardluais ar cheann de na táscairí a aithníodh i bPlean Gníomhaíochta na Straitéise Digití. Tá grúpa oibre idir-rannach bunaithe leis an mbealach is fearr chun aghaidh a thabhairt ar nascacht leathanbhanda chuig bunscoileanna a chinneadh in gcomhar leis an Roinn Cumarsáide, Gníomhaithe ar son na hAeráide agus Comhshaoil, i gcomhthéacs an Phlean Náisiúnta Leathanbhanda agus na Straitéise Idirghabhála, chomh maith leis an soláthar tionsclaíochta atá beartaithe.
I gcás na scoile a dtagraíonn an Teachta di, tá an scoil sin ar nasc gan sreang 8 Mbp/s faoi láthair. Cuireadh an scoil san áireamh i mionchomórtas a reáchtáil mo Roinn féin le déanaí agus tá sí bronnta ar sholáthraí leathanbhanda snáithín ardluais. Tá fógra tugtha don soláthraí agus nuair a ghlacfar le dul i gconradh, is é an chéad chéim eile sa phróiseas go ndéanfaidh an soláthraí seirbhíse an tsuiteáil. Rachaidh an soláthraí i dteagmháil leis an scoil go díreach chun socrú a dhéanamh maidir le suiteáil na seirbhíse snáithín.
206. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason his Department gave a letter to a company (details supplied) in connection with a planning application to An Bord Pleanála for a strategic housing development stating that the proposed development will not affect future projections by his Department in respect of the availability of school places; the figures available to his Department concerning population increase in this locality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7068/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI will arrange for a response to issue to the Deputy in this regard.
