Written Answers Nos. 151-165
151. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 183 of 6 February 2018, the status of plans for the development of a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19709/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am pleased to inform the Deputy that my Department has recently approved grant-aid at the school referred to for the provision of an ASD Unit and general classroom accommodation. The relevant ETB has been informed of the decision and an approval letter, outlining the terms and conditions of the grant, will issue shortly.
152. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a site (details supplied) will be considered as a new secondary school for south County Kildare. [19718/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to thank the Deputy for the details supplied in this instance. In the event a new school is required, the Department will examine all potential options, including those in state ownership.
153. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application by a school (details supplied) for additional space; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19741/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that the school in question submitted an application for significant capital funding to provide additional classroom accommodation and a general purpose room.
My Department advised the school that the current priority is the provision of additional mainstream classrooms where a new teaching post has been sanctioned and cannot be accommodated within the existing school building. The school in question did not qualify for an additional post and on that basis, the school's application was unsuccessful.
In relation to the school's application for a General Purpose Room, the Deputy will be aware that the government will increase the funding provided for the school sector's capital investment programme. Under the National Development Plan, this funding allows for a continued focus on the provision of new permanent school places to keep pace with demographic demand and also provides for an additional focus on the refurbishment of existing school buildings to include the building and modernisation of PE facilities in primary and post-primary schools.
154. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a school (details supplied) will be inaugurated; the process for the selection of a school patron and a permanent site for the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19762/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, I announced plans for the establishment of 42 new schools over the next four years (2019 to 2022), including a new 800 pupil post-primary school to be established in 2020 to serve the Blanchardstown_West_D15 & BlanchardstownVge_D15 school planning areas as a regional solution. This announcement follows nationwide demographic exercises carried out by my Department into the future need for primary and post-primary schools across the country and the 4-year horizon will enable increased lead-in times for planning and delivery of the necessary infrastructure.
Following on from the announcement, the locations for all of the schools will be determined as part of the site acquisition process.
A patronage process is run after it has been decided, based on demographic analysis, that a new school is required. This patronage process is open to all patron bodies and prospective patrons. Parental preferences for each patron, from parents of children who reside in the school planning areas concerned, together with the extent of diversity currently available in these areas, are key to decisions in relation to the outcome of this process.
The patronage process for new schools is overseen by an external independent advisory group, the New Schools Establishment Group (NSEG). Following their consideration of my Department’s assessment reports, the NSEG submits a report with recommendations to me for consideration and final decision. The assessment reports and the NSEG recommendations for all such patronage processes are made available on my Department's website.
An Online Patronage Process System (OPPS) is currently being developed by my Department to provide objective information to all parents which will allow them to make an informed choice about their preferred model of patronage for their child’s education. Parental preferences are currently collected based on direct engagement with patron bodies.
155. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the proposed new schools in west County Dublin in the new school building programme; the rationale underlining his plan in respect of demographic projections, future population growth and patronage mix; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19763/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, I recently announced plans for the establishment of 42 new schools over the next four years (2019 to 2022), including the following schools for the West County Dublin area:
- 8 classroom primary school to be established in 2020 to serve the Newcastle_Rathcoole school planning area
- 8 classroom primary school to be established in 2021 to serve the Clondalkin_D22 school planning area
- 1,000 pupil post-primary school to be established in 2020 to serve the Tallaght & Newcastle_Rathcoole school planning areas as a regional solution
- 800 pupil post-primary school to be established in 2020 to serve the Blanchardstown_West_D15 and BlanchardstownVge_D15 school planning areas as a regional solution
This announcement follows nationwide demographic exercises carried out by my Department into the future need for primary and post-primary schools across the country and the 4-year horizon will enable increased lead-in times for planning and delivery of the necessary infrastructure.
In addition to the new schools announced, there will be a need for further school accommodation in other areas in the future. Based on the current analysis, this need can be addressed through either planned capacity increases in existing schools or additional accommodation or extensions to existing schools.
I have highlighted that the requirement for new schools will be kept under on-going review and in particular would have regard for the increased rollout of housing provision as outlined in Project Ireland 2040.
A patronage process is run after it has been decided, based on demographic analysis, that a new school is required. This patronage process is open to all patron bodies and prospective patrons. Parental preferences for each patron, from parents of children who reside in the school planning areas concerned, together with the extent of diversity currently available in these areas, are key to decisions in relation to the outcome of this process.
The patronage process for new schools is overseen by an external independent advisory group, the New Schools Establishment Group (NSEG). Following their consideration of my Department’s assessment reports, the NSEG submits a report with recommendations to me for consideration and final decision. The assessment reports and the NSEG recommendations for all such patronage processes are made available on my Department's website.
An Online Patronage Process System (OPPS) is currently being developed by my Department to provide objective information to all parents which will allow them to make an informed choice about their preferred model of patronage for their child’s education. Parental preferences are currently collected based on direct engagement with patron bodies.
156. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of new schools at primary and second level to be established in respect of the Cabra and Phibsborough Dublin 7 school planning areas; the number of proposed school refurbishments; the number of proposed school amalgamations in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19764/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, I announced plans for the establishment of 42 new schools over the next four years (2019 to 2022). This announcement follows nationwide demographic exercises carried out by my Department into the future need for primary and post-primary schools across the country and the 4-year horizon will enable increased lead-in times for planning and delivery of the necessary infrastructure.
While the announcement did not include a new school for the Cabra_Phibsboro_D7 school planning area, a new 8 classroom primary school and a new 1,000 pupil post-primary school were announced to open in 2019 and 2022 respectively in the adjacent Drumcondra_Marino_Dublin 1 school planning area. In addition, a new 16 classroom primary school (Broombridge Educate Together National School) was established in 2016 to serve the Cabra_Phibsboro_D7 school planning area. As part of the demographic exercises, it was established that there is significant existing capacity at post-primary level in this school planning area.
The current status of all building projects, including those referred to by the Minister may be viewed on my Department's website www.education.ie – Schools & Colleges - Building Works. My Department is not aware of any proposed amalgamations in the area referred to by the Deputy.
157. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of apprenticeship registrations in craft based apprenticeships; the number in new apprenticeships in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19769/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra158. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of new apprenticeship programmes operational in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018. [19770/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 157 and 158 together.
The information requested by the Deputy is set out on the tabular statement.
Apprenticeship registrations
|
- |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 (to end April) |
|
Craft apprenticeships |
|||
|
Registrations per annum |
3,742 |
4508 |
1,515 |
|
Consortia led apprenticeships |
|||
|
Registrations per annum |
79 |
335 |
50 |
|
Total |
3,821 |
4,843 |
1,565 |
Consortia led operational programmes
|
Year |
Cumulative operational programmes |
|
2016 |
2 |
|
2017 |
9 |
|
2018 (to date) |
11 |
159. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Education and Skills if stage 2B of a school (details supplied) has been completed; if the project has moved to the stage 3 tender process; and if the transfer and conveyance of the land is not impeding this project from proceeding. [19875/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe major building project referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning Stage 2b (Detailed Design), which includes the application for statutory approvals and the preparation of tender documents. All statutory approvals have been secured.
My Department recently completed the review of the Stage 2b submission for this project and comments have issued. Each member of the design team has been requested to submit written confirmations that they have completed a final review and are satisfied that the tender documentation is fully compliant with the Department's Technical Guidance Documents, Building Control (Amendment) regulations and new Public Works Contract (PWC) tender documentation requirements.
Upon receipt of the requested confirmations and providing no other issues arise it is currently projected that this project will then be authorised to complete pre-qualification of contractors. Pre-qualification normally takes between 8 and 12 weeks to complete.
Regarding the site, my Department is currently progressing the conveyancing process in consultation with the Chief State Solicitor’s Office.
At this point it is not anticipated that the completion of conveyancing will impact upon the timelines for the delivery of the building project.
160. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the schedule of accommodation will be announced in the case of a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19888/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, a building project for the school to which he refers is included in my Department's 6-Year Construction Programme. In the context of progressing the building project, my Department has undertaken a site visit to the school and schedules of accommodation are currently being prepared.
The building project will be devolved to Kildare Wicklow Education & Training Board (KWETB) for delivery and it is my Department's intention to engage with KWETB shortly in this regard.
161. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for the closure of a unit (details supplied). [19924/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has advised the NCSE to approve the continuation of the early intervention special class for children with a diagnosis of ASD, referred to by the Deputy. The approval from the NCSE will be for one additional year only i.e. 2018/2019 school year.
The continuation of the class is intended to allow for further consideration and assessment of the educational provision in this setting. To this end, the Inspectorate of my Department is currently undertaking this review.
Particular focus of my Inspectorate will be to examine the appropriateness of the operation of an early intervention ASD specific special class within this pre-school environment and to address concerns in relation to access to the opportunity for transition planning to primary placements.
162. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount the multi-sensory unit cost which was recently put into a unit (details supplied). [19925/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has no record of approving grant for the provision of a multi-sensory room at the facility referred to by the Deputy.
163. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a decision will be made in relation to an application for an additional classroom by a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19929/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of application from the school referred to for the provision of additional classroom accommodation. The application is currently under consideration and my Department will be in direct contact with the school authorities when the assessment process has concluded.
164. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills if third level students from Northern Ireland studying here will be exempt from paying non-EU student fees under the common travel area from 2019. [19940/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra165. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills if third level students from the Republic of Ireland that study in Northern Ireland will be exempt from paying non-EU student fees under the common travel area from 2019. [19941/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 164 and 165 together.
My Department has been working closely with a number of organisations, and in particular with the Higher Education Authority (HEA), in Brexit planning for the higher education sector.
The HEA has published a Brexit issues paper and has held meetings with the HEIs to discuss ongoing planning and issues with them as the process develops. My Department will continue to engage in this important aspect of planning and research work, and during 2018 will maintain our extensive engagement with stakeholders across the sector, which has been fundamental to the Department’s preparations for Brexit since late 2016.
Following the UK triggering Article 50 of the Treaty in March 2017 and the ongoing negotiations, my Department has confirmed that eligible UK students who enrol for eligible courses for the 2018/19 academic year in a third level college recognised for the purposes of free fees will be able to avail of the Department’s Free Fee Schemes.
Arrangements for an intake of such students for subsequent years will be kept under review in the context of the Brexit negotiations.
Irish students enrolling to study in other EU jurisdictions are subject to the fee structures and requirements for each individual host country.
