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Tuesday, 24 Apr 2018

Written Answers Nos. 207-225

School Accommodation

Ceisteanna (207)

John Lahart

Ceist:

207. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an appeal in respect of a school (details supplied) will be upheld; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17568/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy is aware, an application was made to my Department by the school referred to for the provision of additional classroom accommodation.

The application was processed and, having regard to the demographic information available for the school planning area within which the school in question is located, it was determined that there was sufficient capacity within the school planning area to meet the demand for primary school places. In that regard the application was not approved.

My Department received a request for a review of the application from the school and this is currently being considered. My Department will be in further contact with the school when the review has concluded.

School Staff

Ceisteanna (208)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

208. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to resource a school (details supplied) to enable it to obtain three extra teachers to alleviate issues with overcrowded classrooms. [17569/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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. Budget 2018 announced a one point improvement to the primary staffing schedule, which reduced the average pupil teacher ratio to 26:1. The improved staffing schedule has been implemented for the 2018/19 school year and is set out in Circular 0010/2018, available on the Department of Education website. 

In establishing their staffing for the 2018/19 school year, schools may appoint the number of teachers allowed for on the staffing schedule using the school enrolment of 30th September 2017.  Any teachers appointed from the staffing schedule must be engaged in teaching duties within the school. Schools are subject to the published redeployment arrangements in filling teaching vacancies.

Schools Building Projects

Ceisteanna (209)

Pat Casey

Ceist:

209. Deputy Pat Casey asked the Minister for Education and Skills the timeframe for the eight schools at project brief stage to progress to the next stage on the school buildings programme in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17570/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy is aware, my Department's Capital Programme (2016-2021) continues to address the challenges posed by the significant bulge in pupil enrolments going through our schools. The Capital Programme details the school projects that are being progressed through the architectural planning process, including those schools in County Wicklow.

In the context of progressing the school projects referred to, my Department is working on the project briefs and will be liaising with the school authorities with the aim of advancing the projects concerned into the architectural planning process.

My Department's website will continue to be updated with the current status of these building projects www.education.ie - Building Works - Major Projects.

Schools Refurbishment

Ceisteanna (210)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

210. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has received a proposal from a school (details supplied) for an upgrade of the school buildings; and the position regarding the proposal. [17587/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of an application for refurbishment works from the school in question. My Department is aware of the specific needs of the school and is committed to working with the school to address these needs. In that regard, my Department expects to be in further contact with the school authority shortly.

School Closures

Ceisteanna (211)

Seán Haughey

Ceist:

211. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the closure of a school (details supplied) has been sanctioned; the reason for this decision; his views on whether this will have a detrimental effect on existing students and Traveller education generally; if the decision will be reversed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17595/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Education provision on an inclusive basis is a fundamental principle of our education and training system. Ensuring every child is supported and given the opportunity to reach their full potential is a key priority for this Government and my Department is committed to improving educational outcomes for members of the Traveller and Roma communities. 

The details supplied by the Deputy relate to a school with Special School designation dating from a period when separate education provision for members of the Traveller community was the norm.  The phasing out of segregated education provision for Traveller children began in 2006 in accordance with Government policy which was developed in consultation with Traveller representative groups and education partners. St. Thomas’s is the only remaining education centre in the country catering for post-primary age Traveller students on a segregated basis.  

My Department has been engaging with the Patron of St. Thomas’s for many years to progress the transfer of its student cohort to the mainstream school system in line with this agreed national policy.  (As with all schools under private patronage, the decision in relation to school closure, amalgamation etc. ultimately rests with the Patron).  

In order to ensure a smooth and effective transition of provision for students, my officials are engaging with the school Patron and the Educational Welfare Service of Tusla in relation to future education provision for the current student cohort in St. Thomas’s. Tusla’s Educational Welfare Service is available to work with parents to source school places for the current enrolment, including 2 students at Leaving Certificate level who would be due to sit exams in 2019. Now that students at the centre are progressing to Leaving Certificate it is particularly important  important that these students would have access to the full curriculum and associated supports in order to maximize their opportunities to progress to further and higher education and employment.

Current overall policy on Traveller education is being progressed within the framework of National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021. The Strategy has a particular emphasis on improving Traveller engagement with education and my Department is working with relevant Government Departments and agencies and Traveller representative Groups to progress Strategy actions aimed at improving education outcomes for all Travellers, including the current student cohort of St Thomas’s School.

Schools Property

Ceisteanna (212)

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

212. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an application to sell a property (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17599/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The property referred to by the Deputy is not in my ownership. In common with other buildings of its kind, there is a charging lease in place on the property, in this case dated 1948 for 99 years to protect the state's investment in the property.

In circumstances where a property has ceased to be used as a school, and a request is received from the property owner to release the State's interest secured under a charging lease, such requests are considered in the context of the specific circumstances which pertain to the individual property.

I can confirm that my Department has  received a request from the property owners to release my interest in this property. Officials from my Department are currently considering the request received and will be in contact with the relevant property owners as soon as possible.

Special Educational Needs

Ceisteanna (213)

Kevin O'Keeffe

Ceist:

213. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a child (details supplied) will be placed in school from September 2018; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that home tuition will not help the child progress; and if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that the child has been on a placement waiting list for three years. [17603/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department provides for a range of placement options and supports for schools, which have enrolled students with special educational needs, in order to ensure that wherever a child is enrolled, s/he will have access to an appropriate education. 

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) which is a separate independent statutory body, plans and co-ordinates the provision of education and support services to children with special educational needs, in consultation with the relevant education partners and the Health Service Executive (HSE).

The NCSE is aware of emerging need from year to year, and where special provision, including special class or special school provision, is required, it is planned and established to meet that need.

The NCSE has advised my Department that there is an emerging need for additional Special School placement options in the Cork area. My Department continues to work with the NCSE to ensure that there is appropriate planning in place to ensure that all children who require special school placements can access such placements. This process is ongoing.

The enrolment of a child in a school is a matter, in the first instance, for the parents of the child and the Board of Management of a school. My Department and the NCSE has no role in relation to processing applications for enrolment to schools.

Accordingly, the NCSE advises Parents, to seek to enrol their child, by applying in writing, to the school/s of their choice as early as possible.

Where Parents have been unsuccessful in enrolling their child in a special school placement for the 2018/19 school year, they should update their local Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO) to inform the planning process. Contact details are available at http://ncse.ie/seno-contact-list.

The NCSE has advised that they continue to work with schools, parents, NEPS, health professionals and other staff who are involved in the provision of services in the Cork area for children with special educational needs, to ensure that each child has a school placement appropriate to their needs for the 2018/19 school year.

Where there is no placement available for a child with Special Educational Needs, this Department will consider applications under the Home Tuition Grant Scheme, where a student can receive up to 20 hours home tuition per week as an interim measure until a placement becomes available.

As the matter raised by the Deputy refers to a particular child, I have arranged for the Deputy's question to be forwarded to the National Council for Special Education for their attention and direct reply.

Technological Universities

Ceisteanna (214)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

214. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the application from Waterford Institute of Technology and Carlow IT to become a technological university; the stage the process is at; the next stages in this regard; if there is a timeframe for designation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17640/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

It is a matter for the relevant Institutes of Technology in a consortium to lead on the progression of their plans to seek designation as a technological university. Currently, four such consortia are at different stages of development, dependent on their particular circumstances.

In this context, it is my understanding that the Technological University for the South East (TUSE) consortium of the Waterford Institute of Technology and the Institute of Technology Carlow is progressing its work with a view to submitting an application for TU designation by the end of 2018 and has stated this publicly.

I further understand that a project steering group has met on a number of occasions since December 2017 and that a dedicated TUSE website has been established. Specific activities currently being progressed include a review of human resources processes and the establishment of an inter-institutional TUSE data gathering and statistical analysis team and a proposed TUSE Regional Engagement Council.

The relevant legal timelines pertaining to the making of an application for technological university designation, its assessment and the decision making process are set out in Chapter 9 of Part 2 of the Technological Universities Act 2018 (No. 3 of 2018).

School Accommodation Provision

Ceisteanna (215)

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

215. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of plans for an extension to a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17669/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The school referred to by the Deputy has been approved 1 X 80m² mainstream classroom, including ensuite toilets and a user assisted toilet. As the project is devolved to the school authority under my Department’s Additional Accommodation Scheme it is now a matter for them to progress the delivery of the project.

Schools Building Projects Status

Ceisteanna (216, 222)

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

216. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Skills the schools in County Tipperary that have applications with his Department for refurbishments, extensions, construction of ASD units or another increase or development of classrooms; the status and expected completion date of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17685/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

222. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary and secondary schools in County Tipperary, respectively; the number of schools that as of 17 April 2018 are using prefabricated accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17691/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 216 and 222 together.

I wish to advise the Deputy that the information requested is currently being compiled by my Department and will be furnished to him shortly.

I wish to advise the Deputy that information on capital projects approved may be accessed on my Department's website www.education.ie.

The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.

School Enrolments Data

Ceisteanna (217)

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

217. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary and secondary students attending schools in County Tipperary on 30 September 2014 to 2017, inclusive in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17686/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The information requested by the Deputy is as follows.

The table shows the number of Primary and Second-level Pupils attending schools in Co. Tipperary.

Academic Year

County

Pupils in Mainstream Primary Schools

Pupils in Special Schools

Total of Primary Pupils

Pupils in Second-level Schools

Grand Total

2014/15

Tipperary 

18,406

343

18,749

13,111

31,860

2015/16

Tipperary 

18,566

365

18,931

13,143

32,074

2016/17

Tipperary

18,790

374

19,164

13,293

32,457

2017/18 (provisional)

Tipperary

18,670

371

19,041

13,503

32,544

Please note that 2017 figures are still provisional.

The number of pupils in Second-level schools excludes enrolments in Post-Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses and in CORE VTOS.

Teacher Data

Ceisteanna (218)

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

218. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of teachers employed by his Department, Tipperary ETB or other schools in receipt of State funding in County Tipperary on 1 January 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17687/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Teacher allocations for all schools are approved annually by the Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment.

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 number of teaching posts allocated to schools in Tipperary on 1 January 2018 is in the following table.

Type of School

Number of Whole Time Equivalent Posts

Primary

1,216

Secondary

634

C&C

62

ETB

413

Total

2,325

Institutes of Technology

Ceisteanna (219)

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

219. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Skills the courses on offer at Limerick Institute of Technology, Thurles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17688/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Higher education institutions, such as Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT), are autonomous bodies and their day to day operational affairs including issues such as the provision of courses are the responsibility of the management authority and governing body of the Institute.

Information on the range of course provided at the LIT’s Thurles campus is available from the Institution’s website: http://www.lit.ie.

Institutes of Technology

Ceisteanna (220)

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

220. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Skills the capital plans his Department has for Limerick Institute of Technology, Thurles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17689/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Limerick Institute of Technology has submitted a project proposal in respect of the campus at Thurles which will be considered in the context of available resources and priorities for the sector. 

The National Development Plan signals Exchequer investments of €2.2 billion in higher education infrastructure over the coming decade. This welcome increase in funding will present major new opportunities for the higher education sector. However, it should be noted that the significant ramp up in investment will take place over time and particularly in the second half of the NDP period. 

In that context, a capital investment prioritisation framework, together with updated appraisal approaches, will be developed over the coming months to inform funding decisions and to ensure that maximum impact and value for money can be achieved from Exchequer investments. 

All project proposals under consideration for capital funding will be subject to detailed appraisal in accordance with the Public Spending Code. 

Higher Education Authority

Ceisteanna (221)

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

221. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to develop Limerick Institute of Technology, Thurles, as a hub for the training of agribusiness professionals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17690/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The strategic direction for higher education in Ireland is set out in the National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030 and the Action Plan for Education, 2016-2019. Under these strategies, the Higher Education Authority (HEA), reviews the performance and progress of the Irish higher education system, with reference to a steering and performance based framework for the system governance of higher education in Ireland.

Higher educational institutions are independent bodies. The performance framework and associated dialogue process allows institutions to set out the individual contribution they will make to delivery of national system-level objectives, with reference to their mission, strengths and strategic plans and in ways that reflect the diversity of the institutional mission or profile.

As part of its goal setting and reporting process with the HEA, Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT) reported on its incorporation of the former Tipperary Rural and Business Development Institute in Thurles into an enlarged LIT with more than 7,000 full-time and part-time learners and approximately 550 staff members serving Limerick City and County, Tipperary and Clare. LIT research and development plans reported to the HEA include a Centre for Rural and Sustainable Development at Thurles which is focused on supporting communities, enterprises, and industry to develop and engage in sustainable practices and processes. The LIT Thurles Campus also provides a number of undergraduate programmes in rural and sustainable development, central to the training of agribusiness professionals.

Question No. 222 answered with Question No. 216.

Student Universal Support Ireland

Ceisteanna (223)

Martin Heydon

Ceist:

223. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Education and Skills the grant options or financial assistance available from his Department for a person (details supplied) working as a special needs assistant for the past ten years who wishes to study to become an educational psychologist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17696/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The main support available to assist students with the cost of higher education is the student grant scheme. SUSI’s online system for the 2018 Scheme is now open. Students attending college in the academic year 2018/19 are required to submit their grant application to Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) via www.susi.ie to have their eligibility for grant assistance assessed.

I understand that the individual in question already holds a level 8 degree. One of the criteria in the student grant scheme relates to 'progression'. This means that a student must be moving from year to year within a course, having successfully completed the previous year or be transferring from one course to another, where the award for the subsequent course is of a higher level than the previous course. The objective of this policy is to help as many students as possible to obtain one qualification at each level of study.

If the person to whom the Deputy refers is ineligible for a SUSI grant then there are some other options which could be pursued. 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. Details of this fund are available from the Access Office in the college attended. Also, tax relief at the standard rate of tax may be claimed in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education, including approved postgraduate courses in EU Member States and in non-EU countries. Further information on this tax relief is available from the Revenue Commissioners on www.revenue.ie.

Higher Education Authority

Ceisteanna (224, 225)

Tony McLoughlin

Ceist:

224. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of capital funding for a college (details supplied) in view of significantly increasing student numbers on home economics teacher education and nurse education programmes; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is now a need for larger capacity classrooms and laboratories to accommodate students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17707/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Tony McLoughlin

Ceist:

225. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills when funding for a link building project for a college (details supplied) will proceed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17708/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 224 and 225 together.

The number of students admitted to St Angela’s College, Sligo to follow the Home Economics initial teacher education (ITE) programme has increased from 85 to 101 for the 2017 student intake.  Funding of €343,107.45 was allocated in 2017 to provide for capital works specifically to support this increase.   

Further proposals for funding, including the project referred to by the Deputy, are currently under consideration by the Department in consultation with the Higher Education Authority (HEA). Officials from the HEA recently met with representatives from St. Angela's College to discuss these proposals and the capital requirements of the College in general. It is expected that an updated submission will shortly be forthcoming from the College.

Any proposal from a Higher Education Institution that is under consideration for capital funding will also be subject to detailed appraisal in accordance with the Public Spending Code.

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