Written Answers Nos. 175-193
175. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Caiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe cén fáth nár foilsíodh an Creat Pleanála Náisiúnta agus an Plean Forbartha Náisiúnta, 2040, go comhuaineach sa Ghaeilge chomh maith leis an mBéarla mar atá dualgas ar an Roinn a dhéanamh faoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla, 2003; cad iad na bearta atá déanta aige go pearsanta leis an scéal seo a chur ina cheart agus chun a chinntiú nach dtarlóidh a leithéid arís [22407/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAr dtús caithfidh mé a mhíniú gur doiciméad buiséid go príomha é an Plean Forbartha Náisiúnta 2018-2027, atá cuireadh lé chéile mar thacaíocht do na bprionsabail polasaithe atá leagaithe amach go mion insan Plean Forbartha Náisiúnta. Bhí an PFN forbartha laistigh den amscála dhocht, rud a chiallaigh nach raibh an téacs sheasmhach oiriúneach aontaithe ag an Rialtas go dtí an maidin a sheoladh an tionscnaimh Tionscadal Éire 2040. Is é an cúis nach bhfuil leagan Gaeilge ar fáil i láthair na huaire go simplí de bharr na dúshláin oibríochtúla dosháraithe.
Is féidir liom cinntiú go bhfuil na socruithe i bhfeidhim chun leagan Gaeilge a chuir ar fáil chomh luaith is gur féidir linn, maidir le reachtaíocht a chuir leis na nósanna imeachta soláthair poiblí ina bhfuil tiarscintí iomaíocha ag teastáil.
176. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Caiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe an nglacann sé leis nach bhfuil dóthain státseirbhíseach ina Roinn chun déileáil le fiosrúcháin agus comhfhreagras sa Ghaeilge mar a tuairiscíodh in alt in Tuairisc, an nuachtán Gaeilge ar líne, an 14 Bealtaine; cad iad na bearta a dhéanfaidh sé chun a chinntiú go gcuirfear an scéal seo ina cheart; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [22408/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMar fheagairt ar cheist an Teachta Dála, ní glacaim leis nach bhfuil a dhóthain Státseirbhísigh i mo Roinn nach féidir leo déileáil le fiosrúcháin agus comhfhreagras trí Ghaeilge. Faoin bPlean Gnímh agus an Chairt do Chustaiméirí tá mo Roinn tiomanta chun iarracht a dhéanamh plé le haon custaiméir ar mian leo a ngnó a dhéanamh trí Ghaeilge.
Mar gheall ar nádúr d’fheidhmeanna agus a chuid oibre, níl leibhéil ard nó teagmháil dhíreach nó scéimeanna agus seirbhisí á chur ar fáil go díreach do bhaill aonair den phobal i gcoitinne. Tá seirbhisí á chur ar fáíl ag mo Roinn go phríomh trí Bhéarla, le sheirbhisí teoranta a chur ar fáil go dátheangach.
Cé nach n-aithnítear aon phoist a bhfuil riachtanas Ghaeilge ag baint leis, tá liosta don lucht oibre atá Gaeilge líofa acu agus is féidir leo cabhrú le seirbhisí a sholáthar nuair atá sé ag teastáíl. Ó am go ham, bíonn raidhse mhór nó cáipéisí móra a bhfhuil gá le haistritheoirí seachtracha a sholáthair.
Faightear na haistritheoirí seachtracha a thugann aird de na nósanna imeachta soláthair a bhfuil tairscintí iomaíochta riachtanach.
177. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the OPW has designated a specific section of the Phoenix Park for a concert (details supplied); the size of the area allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22513/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Office of Public Works designated a site known as ‘Whitefields’ for the concert in question. The area in the Phoenix Park adequately and safely facilitated the large crowds attending together with the required catering, temporary toilet and other facilities. The logistical operation in mounting the concerts was an unqualified success.
178. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Office of Public Works, OPW, has designated a specific section of the Phoenix Park for an event (details supplied); the size of the area allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22514/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Commissioners of Public Works have designated the area around the “15 Acres” including the Papal Cross for the Papal Mass.
The whole of the Park will be in use to ensure people’s safety for arrival and entry to the site; for site circulation of crowds and for leaving the site and dispersal.
179. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the process for approving a Government-supported as opposed to commercial event in the Phoenix Park which incurs a cost on the public purse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22515/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraApproval for the use of the Phoenix Park depends on the circumstances of each case including the nature and scale of the event. In the case of the Papal visit for example, Pope Francis will visit Ireland in August for the World Meeting of Families, which will conclude with a public Mass in the Phoenix Park, where large numbers are expected to attend.
The Church wrote formally to the Office of Public Works seeking the use of the Phoenix Park and the State has committed to facilitating the event in particular where the security, safety and wellbeing of those attending is concerned.
As with any other large public event in the Park this event has to comply with the Local Government Planning legislation that governs such outdoor events.
180. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of civil servants who applied to transfer from Dublin zone 46 to another county in Munster, Leinster, Connaught or Ulster, respectively, according to grade in each Department under the service-wide mobility scheme launched on 13 November 2017; the number of civil servants who requested a transfer to Dublin zone 46 by grade based in each province and county outside Dublin, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22517/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs outlined in my previous response to the Deputy, the location choices in the Civil Mobility scheme, which comes under the remit of my department, and is administered through HR Shared Services, National Shared Service Office are not divided by county or province but by zone.
Applicants may express a preference for mobility for a maximum of 3 zones from a list of 46 zones with a choice of any or all organisations in each zone. They can apply for mobility within their current zone as well as other zones. A number of the zones also have an option to include or exclude a choice of satellite towns.
Phase 1A of the scheme is for the general Civil Service grades of Clerical Officer (CO) and Executive Officer (EO) for mobility between and within all zones; excluding mobility transfers within Zone 46 (Dublin). Phase 1B for the general Civil Service grades of CO and EO for mobility within the zone of Dublin will launch at a later date.
There has been a high level of interest in the scheme since its launch with over 3,500 (20%) of the 17,000 participating staff members applying for Mobility making an average of 7 application choices:
|
|
Total |
CO/EO % |
Dublin |
Regional |
|
Participating staff members |
17,000 |
61:39 |
c. 7,000 (42% of total) |
c. 10,000 (58% of total) |
|
Applicants |
3,522 (20% of participating staff) |
63:37 |
Applicants - Dublin: 824 (23% of total applicants) |
Applicants - Regional: 2,698 (77% of total applicants) |
To date, 824 (478 COs and 346 EOs) of the 7,000 participating staff members based in Zone 46 (Dublin), have applied for mobility to locations outside of Dublin. This equates to 5% of the participating grades (17,000); 23% of the total number applications received to date (3,522) and 11% of participating staff members based in Zone 46 (7,000).
In the same period, 119 (86 COs and 33 EOs) of the 10,000 participating staff members based in locations outside of Dublin have applied for mobility to Zone 46. This equates to 3% of the total number of applications received to date and 1% of participating staff members based in locations outside of Dublin.
Further information on the Mobility scheme is available to view at http://hr.per.gov.ie/civil-service-mobility/.
181. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if there is a new mechanism for the way in which the Government will engage with organisations (details supplied); and if there will be particular areas of concern that will form part of this dialogue. [22295/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, on 5 October 2016, the Taoiseach chaired the inaugural meeting of the Labour Employer Economic Forum (LEEF), which brought together representatives of employers and trade unions with Government Ministers to discuss economic, employment and labour market issues. The aim of the LEEF is to provide a space to discuss areas of shared interest affecting the economy, employment and the labour market on a thematic basis. These areas include competitiveness, sustainable job creation, labour market standards and equality and gender issues in the workplace. Other issues discussed were the economic and fiscal outlooks and risks such as Brexit.
At the most recent LEEF meeting, on 22 February 2018, it was agreed that Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform would meet with employer and union representatives to develop proposals on options for deepening structured dialogue with employers and unions on issues of mutual interest through the LEEF. This process, as agreed, will build upon the current structures and will involve the establishment of a number of sub-groups under the aegis of the LEEF. This will facilitate engagement between relevant Ministers/Departments, Employers and Unions on a more regular basis, and where Ministers will be asked to ensure that they take account of the need to consult with the LEEF representatives when appropriate in their respective policy areas.
Particular areas of concern for the sub-groups will be based on a list of priority areas agreed by LEEF members, and it is proposed in the first instance that these would be (i) pensions, (ii) employment legislation/regulation, (iii) housing and (iv) childcare. The list will be updated by agreement at the LEEF over time to reflect changing priorities and avoid redundant or unnecessary permanent structures. These issues are all highly relevant to the labour market and can be considered priority issues for all parties.
182. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an occupational therapy appointment will be scheduled for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22201/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) are provided to assist recognised schools to cater for pupils with disabilities, who have additional and significant care needs, in an educational context and where the nature of these care needs have been outlined in medical and other professional reports as being so significant that a pupil will require additional adult assistance in order to be able to attend school and to participate in education.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for allocating a quantum of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support for each school annually taking into account the assessed care needs of children qualifying for SNA support enrolled in the school.
The NCSE allocates SNA support to schools in accordance with the criteria set out in Department Circular 0030/2014, which is available on the Department's website at www.education.ie, in order that students who have care needs can access SNA support as and when it is needed. My Department’s policy is to ensure that every child who is assessed as needing SNA support will receive access to such support. SNA support is also provided in mainstream classes where appropriate.
In considering applications for SNA supports for individual pupils, the SENOs take account of the pupils' needs and consider the resources available to the school to identify whether additionality is needed or whether the school might reasonably be expected to meet the needs of the pupils from its current level of resources. SNAs are not allocated to individual children but to schools as a school based resource.
It is not the case that SNA support cannot be provided for a pupil who transitions from a special class placement to a mainstream class placement. SNA support may be provided in either setting, taking in account of the assessed care needs that the pupil has in that setting.
All schools have the contact details of their local SENO and parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available at http://ncse.ie/seno-contact-list.
The SENO will also be able to outline for the parent the criteria applicable to special education transport arrangements.
Finally, I must advise the provision of speech and language and occupational therapy support services is a matter for the Health Service Executive. The Deputy's specific question in relation to the provision of speech therapy and occupational therapy support should therefore be addressed directly to the Department of Health.
183. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 132 of 1 May 2018, if his Department sanctioned a fee increase aimed solely at adult and mature music students. [21991/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe decision to increase fees in such cases as that referred to by the Deputy is an operational matter for which the City of Dublin Education and Training Board (CDETB) has responsibility. In view of this I have forwarded your query to the CDETB for direct reply to you.
In 2014, my Department established the ‘Committee for Non-Mainstream Department of Education and Skills funded Music Education’. The Committee was established to, inter alia, oversee the work of organisations in receipt of funding from my Department in relation to non-mainstream music education.
In its engagement with organisations, including CDETB, the Committee has suggested that the emphasis of Department-funded tuition should be on young individuals up to eighteen years, and also suggested that the Centre should focus on group-based tuition in order to allow more students overall to benefit from the service.
184. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to increase the capitation grant from €170 a year for each primary pupil to the previous level of €200 in line with commitments made in the programme for a partnership Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21993/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for a Partnership Government committed to investing an extra €500m in education by 2021 through various measures including annual increases in primary and secondary capitation rates. Through budget 2017 and Budget 2018, we are now investing €1 billion more in education.
Budget 2018 marked the second year of major reinvestment in the education sector, as we continue to implement the Action Plan for Education, which has the central aim to make the Irish Education and Training service the best in Europe within a decade. In 2018, the budget for the Department of Education increased by €554 million to over €10 billion.
I recognise the need to improve capitation funding for schools having regard to the reductions that were necessary over recent years. Restoring capitation funding as resources permit is one of the actions included in the Action Plan for Education.
The process is underway for restoring grant funding that is used by schools to fund the salaries of ancillary staff. The ancillary grant was increased by €6 in 2016, €5 in 2017 and €5 in 2018, in order to enable primary schools to implement the arbitration salary increase for grant funded school secretaries and caretakers and to also implement the restoration of salary for cleaners arising from the unwinding of FEMPI legislation.
185. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason students attending a two-year higher national diploma, HND, in social care in a college (details supplied) with an expectation that they would be able to progress into the third year of an appropriate course in a third level institution were told at the end of this term that they would now only be able to progress into a second year course at the institution; if this decision rests with CORU or the institution concerned; and if a return to the original arrangement is possible allowing the students to transfer across to third year in the institution. [21997/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis matter was resolved on 2 May between the two institutions referred to by the Deputy. The third level institution has and continues to maintain excellent relations with the college. Advanced entry to third year will continue to be offered in September 2018. However, advanced entry into any programme is subject to the applicant meeting minimum entry criteria and the availability of places on the target programme.
The situation surrounding Social Care Practice is complex due to an evolving regulatory environment. This includes significant change with respect to the design and management of education programmes in the area of social care practice. This is necessary if such programmes are to achieve recognition from CORU, the statutory regulatory agency concerned, for listing under the Approved Qualifications Bye-Law. This recognition will be essential if programme graduates are to be eligible to apply for entry onto the Social Care Workers Register as professional practitioners, which is a key objective for any such programme. Social care practice programmes are in the process of being redesigned to meet the new CORU criteria, a process expected to be complete in the autumn.
Students are required to achieve certain learning proficiencies at each stage of their programme. This includes a requirement for a minimum of 800 hours of practice placement divided over 2 or more blocks demonstrating that the proficiencies have been met and supervised by a qualified Social Care Worker Registered with CORU. Programmes as currently constructed, cannot accommodate this large volume of hours within a single academic year. Because of this, a student completing a 2 year programme with one provider and seeking advanced level entry to year 3 of a higher level programme with another provider, must be able to demonstrate that they have successfully completed substantial placement hours that comply with the standards established by CORU. Their initial programme of study will also need to be consistent with CORU criteria. These criteria will come into effect from September 2019.
As this new landscape develops, the third level institution will continue to work with the college to devise appropriate pathways for their HND students to progress onto higher-level programmes.
186. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Thomas Byrne den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna cé mhéad den 19 dteiripeoir urlabhra agus teanga agus den 12 theiripeoir saothair atá le fostú sa scéim phíolótach a fógraíodh an 14 Bealtaine a mbeidh sé riachtanach go mbeidh siad in ann feidhmiú trí mheán na Gaeilge; agus an bhféadfadh an tAire a chur in iúl cé mhéad scoil agus réamhscoil a fheidhmíonn trí mheán na Gaeilge atá san áireamh sa 150 scoil agus réamhscoil roghnaithe le bheith mar chuid den scéim; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [22045/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraD’fhógair mé le gairid go dtabharfar isteach tionscadal léirithe chun seirbhísí teiripe réamhscolaíochta a sholáthar don scoilbhliain 2018/19.
An Chomhairle Náisiúnta um Oideachas Speisialta a dhéanfaidh bainistiú agus comhordú ar an tionscadal.
Is iad na Ranna Oideachais, Gnóthaí Leanaí agus Óige, Sláinte agus Feidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte a d’fhorbair an tsamhail, agus tá sé mar chuid d’aidhm fhoriomlán an rialtais cuidiú le gach leanbh barrchumas a bhaint amach.
Is é cuspóir an tionscadail seo ná tástáil a dhéanamh ar thacaí teiripeacha saincheaptha trínar féidir idirghabháil luath a dhéanamh maidir le teiripe cainte, teanga agus teiripe shaothair a sholáthar laistigh de ‘chomthéacsanna oideachais’. Comhlánóidh an clár píolóltach nuálaíoch seo soláthar reatha maoinithe FSS ar sheirbhísí riachtanacha teiripe.
Glacfaidh 75 scoil, lena n-áirítear sampla ionadaíoch de bhunscoileanna, d’iarbhunscoileanna agus de scoileanna riachtanais speisialta páirt sa tionscadal. Glacfaidh 75 réamhscoil páirt fosta.
Tá an tionscadal ag tarlú in Eagraíocht Shláinte an Phobail Réigiún 7 de Bhaile Átha Cliath Thuaidh Theas, Cill Dara agus Iarthar Chill Mhantáin agus is as na ceantair seo dá réir a bheidh na scoileanna.
As an 75 scoil a bhfuiltear ag tabhairt cuiridh dóibh a bheith páirteach is Gaelscoil atá i dtrí cinn acu, agus déantar an teagasc trí mheán na Gaeilge agus an Bhéarla i scoil eile.
Mar chuid den chlár, earcóidh an FSS 19 teiripeoir urlabhra agus teanga agus 12 Teiripeoir Saothair chun a bheith ag obair sa 150 scoil agus réamhscoil. Earcóidh an NCSE 2 Comhordaitheoir Náisiúnta chun an tionscadal a bhainistiú.
Glacfar inniúlacht teiripeoirí seirbhísí a sholáthar i nGaeilge agus i mBéarla sa phróiseas earcaíochta agus teiripeoirí a chur chuig Gaelscoileanna.
Sa tionscadal seo tógfar le chéile teiripeoirí agus gairmithe oideachais a bhíodh ag feidhmiú go minic go dtí seo ar leithligh.
Beidh siad in ann a bheith ag obair le chéile chun a gcuid eolais ghairmiúil agus saineolas a phleanáil, a chomhroinnt agus a chomhoibriú ionas gur féidir tacaíocht níos éifeachtúla a thabhairt do líon níos airde daltaí i dtimpeallachtaí scoile, mar ar minic a bhíonn gá ollmhór ann.
187. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the Erasmus+ master degree loans scheme backed by the European Union is being considered by his Department; if the loan product has been discussed with the financial institutions here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22048/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Master Loan Guarantees scheme was introduced by the European Commission as part of the new Erasmus+ programme in 2014. The initiative was promoted by the Commission and in particular to the banking sector in all member states including Ireland by the European Investment Bank who issued the call and managed the selection. The HEA also communicated the initiative to the Irish Bankers Federation.
I understand that only six banks in Europe have been approved under the scheme, and there were no Irish applicants.
188. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there is agreement to sell land to Meath County Council in Ashbourne, County Meath; and if the lands are required for educational purposes. [22092/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMeath County Council has been engaging with my Department in relation to the proposed acquisition of a portion of lands in my ownership in Ashbourne, County Meath, which are surplus to my Department's requirements, and this process is being advanced.
Meath County Council has indicated to my Department that, subject to the relevant funding approvals being obtained, it wishes to proceed with the purchase of the portion of the lands in question for the purposes of housing and a public park.
My Department is retaining the remainder of the lands with a view to being in a position to provide school accommodation if required, on the basis that it does not currently hold
any other proposed educational lands in the area.
In relation to the question as to whether an education need arises, as the Deputy is aware, I recently announced plans for the establishment of 42 new schools nationwide 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.
In addition to the new schools announced, there will be a need for further school accommodation in other areas in the future which, based on the current analysis, can be addressed through either planned capacity increases in existing schools or additional accommodation or extensions to existing schools. It is important to note that approximately 40% of extra school places are delivered by extending 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 roll-out of housing provision as outlined in Project Ireland 2040.
In line with the ongoing review of school planning areas generally, I can confirm that my Department is currently reviewing the position in relation to primary provision for the Ashbourne school planning area.
189. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 121 of 1 May 2018, the reason no funds have been drawn down to date; and when all funds will be drawn down and available. [22102/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra190. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 121 of 1 May 2018, the specific schemes or areas that will be financed by the funding available through the youth employment initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22103/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 189 and 190 together.
The YEI is integrated into ESF programming and is being delivered in Ireland as a dedicated priority axis within the ESF Programme for Education, Inclusion and Learning (PEIL) 2014-2020. All ESF activities, including YEI activities, are fully funded up-front by the Exchequer with the EU (ESF/YEI) funding being claimed in arrears.
The ESF authorities must be designated in accordance with the EU regulations prior to making the first payment application. This designation is based on the opinion of the Independent Audit Body (IAB) which must be satisfied across a range of criteria that systems are in place to allow the ESF authorities to perform their required functions. These systems requirements include the provision of a computerised accounting and information system for EU funds to meet the 2014-2020 functionality requirements. The final phase of the IT system went live at the end of March 2018. The ESF authorities are engaging with the IAB and it is expected that designation will be completed in the coming weeks.
Preparations are underway for the submission of a first payment application to the Commission in Q3 2018. The European Commission has advised that the potential decommitment at end 2018 is €127.7m, if not claimed in payment applications in the meantime. The ESF authorities will ensure that sufficient payment applications are submitted to fully draw down the EU funding allocations.
While no payment application has been made in respect of the YEI, in accordance with the ESF Regulations initial pre-financing of 3.5% and annual pre-financing for 2016 and 2017, of the EU support for the YEI priority axis, including the ESF matching financing, amounting to some €8.3m has been received to date. Separately, additional initial YEI pre-financing of €19.8m was also received in line with EU Regulation 799 of 2015 but was subsequently reimbursed as Ireland did not submit an interim payment application by May 2016 for at least 50% of the amount advanced. The reimbursement of this amount has not resulted in any loss of EU monies to the Exchequer.
The ESF Managing Authority and the Operational Programme Monitoring Committee (PMC) maintain an ongoing overview of the funding allocations under the PEIL and re-allocate the available funding as required, in accordance with the EU Regulatory provisions.
Seven activities were originally selected for YEI funding namely, the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA); JobBridge; JobsPlus; Momentum; Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP); Tús; and Youthreach. Improvements in the rate of youth unemployment coupled with the discontinuance of the JobBridge and Momentum schemes, had consequences for the expenditure expected on YEI activities. Consequently, the PMC agreed to the inclusion of the Community Training Centres; the Defence Forces Employment Support Scheme (DFESS) and the planned Youth Employment Support Scheme (YESS) under the YEI. The PMC agreed to the removal of the Tús, JobBridge and SICAP from the YEI, having unsuccessfully explored the potential to use Simplified Cost Option models and/or in the light of audit trail difficulties. The current activity allocations under the YEI are:
|
Youth Employment Initiative (Priority 4) |
ESF €m |
YEI €m |
Exchequer€m |
Total€m |
|
BTWEA |
1.549 |
1.549 |
1.549 |
4.648 |
|
JobsPlus |
2.664 |
2.664 |
2.664 |
7.992 |
|
Youthreach |
33.719 |
33.719 |
33.719 |
101.156 |
|
Momentum |
4.600 |
4.600 |
4.600 |
13.800 |
|
Community Training Centres |
20.000 |
20.000 |
20.000 |
60.000 |
|
DFESS |
0.280 |
0.280 |
0.280 |
0.840 |
|
YESS |
5.333 |
5.333 |
5.333 |
16.000 |
|
Priority Totals |
68.145 |
68.145 |
68.145 |
204.436 |
191. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 161 of 28 March 2018, when the report of the technical review for schools (details supplied) will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22122/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra211. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will appoint an official from his Department to meet with the principal and chairman of the board of management of a school (details supplied) to discuss the outstanding issues regarding the school accommodation development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22325/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 191 and 211 together.
As the Deputy is aware, a building project for the schools in question is included in my Department's six year Construction Programme.
In the context of progressing the project, a technical site visit was undertaken by my Department. The outcome of this visit is being considered and my Department will be in further contact with the school authorities shortly.
192. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Skills the assistance that can be offered to a school (details supplied); if all available resources will be made available to the school in order to ensure it maintains its service provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22125/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials from my Department were in contact with the school authority in the immediate aftermath of the unfortunate incident that occurred at the school. A Departmental Technical Manager also carried out a site visit on that Saturday to provide advice and support.
The local Institute of Technology offered its premises and facilities to the school so that it can continue to provide its services up until the end of the school year and to enable the State examinations to take place. The school authority accepted this offer. My Department is very appreciative of this approach by the Institute of Technology.
The School Transport Section also put transport arrangements in place for pupils to underpin this development and these arrangements are operating successfully.
Members of my Department's Professional & Technical Team visited the school again on 17 May last to assist and advise the school on replacing the lost accommodation with a view to getting the school up and running again for next September.
The school authority is aware that my Department is prepared to provide any other assistance needed over the coming days and months.
193. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the completion of the ten schools and educational facilities that were linked to a company (details supplied). [22127/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Schools Bundle 5 PPP Project encompasses five school buildings and one further education college across four sites in Bray, Wexford, Carlow and Kells. Under the PPP arrangement, the PPP company, InspiredSpaces, had a construction works contract with Carillion Construction Ltd, which further sub-contracted to Sammon Contracting Ireland Ltd (SCIL).
When Carillion Construction Ltd went into liquidation, their works contract was terminated. DIF, one of the shareholders in the PPP company, tendered for a replacement contractor for the completion of the buildings. DIF was working towards the delivery of all school buildings by the coming school year. However, the appointment of an examiner to SCIL last month has added complexity to this process and it is not yet clear the extent to which this will impact on achievement of that timeline.
While our clear focus remains on getting the new schools delivered as quickly as possible, the Department has been engaging with the relevant school authorities in relation to contingency plans to mitigate against any issues arising from delays in the delivery of the new school buildings.
Works on the Maynooth post-primary campus are proceeding to schedule with a completion date of May 2019. Contracts were terminated on 8 of May for work on projects in St. Colman’s Community College, Middleton, and Coláiste an Chraoibhin, Fermoy, in Cork in the absence of agreement or a viable plan from the contractor to finish out the projects. The Design Teams for these two projects are now preparing schedules of work necessary to complete the projects as quickly as possible.
The contract for the finishing out works at Gaelscoil Bharra, where the Department of Education and Skills is the client, was also terminated on 8 of May and the Design Team is carrying out a similar exercise for this project as is being carried out for the Cork projects.
I have asked that a critical path for each school be prepared, with a view to completing each stage in the process as quickly as possible.
