Written Answers Nos. 294-315
294. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the €2.5 million allocated to the ten additional national educational psychological services, NEPS, psychologists and new pilot scheme for in school speech and language therapists as outlined in budget 2018; the amount of the allocation that has been spent; the way in which the funds were spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24302/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI recently announced that a demonstration project to provide in-school and pre-school therapy services will be introduced for the 2018/19 school year.
The project will be managed and co-ordinated by the National Council for Special Education
The model has been developed by the Departments of Education, Children and Youth Affairs, Health, and the Health Service Executive, and is part of the Government’s overall aim to help every child to fulfil their full potential.
The purpose of the project is to test a model of tailored therapeutic supports that allows for early intervention in terms of providing speech and language and occupational therapy within ‘educational settings’. This innovative pilot will complement existing HSE funded provision of essential therapy services.
75 schools, including a representative sample of primary, post primary, and special schools will take part in the project. 75 pre-schools will also participate giving 150 settings.
The project is taking place in Community Healthcare Organisation 7 Region of South West Dublin, Kildare and West Wicklow and the schools selected will therefore be from this region.
As part of the programme, 19 speech and language therapists and 12 Occupational Therapists are being recruited by the HSE to work with the 150 schools and pre-schools. The NCSE will also recruit 2 National Co-ordinators to manage the project.
This recruitment process is ongoing and the bulk of expenditure under this project will occur once the posts are in place and salary costs for post holders arise.
€2.25m is being allocated to Phase One of the project in 2018, however, the actual expenditure on the in-school therapy services project in 2018 will not be known until financial reporting has been completed at the end of 2018.
I am also pleased to confirm that provision was made within the Budget 2018 for the employment of an additional 10 psychologist staff within my Department’s National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) with effect in the coming academic year.
The recruitment of these staff has already commenced utilising regional panels maintained by the Public Appointments Service (PAS). Arrangements are in hand with the PAS to shortly put in place a new recruitment competition to replenish these panels sufficient to complete this process and to service the ongoing recruitment needs of the NEPS into the future.
The full year cost of this 10 post expansion will be in the region of €0.7m. This will bring the overall complement of NEPS Psychologists to some 194 whole-time equivalents, the highest level since the Service’s inception, allowing for a broadening and deepening of the service provided to schools and underpinning my Department’s and this Government’s commitment to supporting an effective educational psychological service.
295. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the €1.5 million allocated to delivering equality of opportunity in schools, DEIS, as outlined in budget 2018; the amount of the allocated funding that has been spent; the way in which the funds were spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24303/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe additional funding provided in Budget 2018 is supporting the implementation of the various actions contained in DEIS Plan 2017 and the extension of supports to schools new to the DEIS programme. 902 schools now avail of supports under the DEIS programme and from 1st September 2017, 79 new schools were included in DEIS for the first time and a further 30 schools were upgraded from Band 2 to Band 1 status. The increased budgetary allocation is required to fund the various supports available as set out in DEIS Plan 2017, including, additional teaching resources and Home School Community Liaison Coordinators, additional funding to DEIS schools and a greater prioritisation of National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) service to DEIS schools.
The Budget 2018 allocation is also funding the roll out of the Incredible Years and Friends Programmes to DEIS schools as well as the School Excellence Fund – DEIS.
The overall suite of supports available to schools participating in the DEIS programme will improve educational outcomes for pupils at greatest risk of not reaching their full potential by virtue of their socio-economic circumstances. A list of the supports available to DEIS Schools is available on my Department’s website at the following link:
https://www.education.ie/en/Schools-Colleges/Services/DEIS-Delivering-Equality-of-Opportunity-in-Schools-/DEIS-Supporting-Information/Supports-to-DEIS-Schools.html.
296. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the €2 million allocated to creating 100 new posts for career guidance and strengthening school leadership as outlined in budget 2018; the amount of the allocation which has been spent; the number of posts that have been created and filled; the way in which the funds spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24304/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing Budget 2018, the equivalent of 100 additional guidance posts have been allocated to our second-level schools with effect from September 2018. The annual cost of restoring these 100 posts is in the region of €6m.
Measures announced by my Department as part of Budgets 2016, 2017 and 2018 mean that 500 of the 600 guidance posts that were withdrawn in Budget 2012, will be restored to schools from September 2018. Schools were advised in early February 2018 in their staffing schedule of their guidance allocation for the 2018/19 school year.
Circular 0040/2018, which is available on my Department’s website, outlines the number of days that teaching principals at Primary level may take as release time in a school year in order to assist them fulfilling their principal duties. Under these arrangements my Department pays for a substitute teacher to be employed by a school to facilitate administrative functions to be undertaken by the teaching principal.
Building on measures in previous budgets to enhance school leadership, Budget 2018 made €0.4 million available to fund additional release days for teaching principals in primary schools. This additional funding will see an increase in the number of release days available to teaching principals in the 2018/19 school year depending on the size of the school.
Also included in circular 40/2018 is an extension to the arrangements for schools with teaching principals to cluster their release days into full-time posts, with one teacher covering the release days of all the schools in the cluster. Up to 50 principal release cluster posts will be put in place for the 2018/19 school year. This measure will assist teaching principals to more effectively plan their release days for the benefit of the school.
297. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the €1 million allocated to the Irish language as outlined in budget 2018; the amount of the allocation that has been spent; the way in which the funds were spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24305/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraA budgetary allocation of €2.3m was provided for the implementation of the Policy on Gaeltacht Education in 2018. The estimated expenditure in 2018 on the Policy on Gaeltacht Education 2017-2022 is largely in line with projections.
The projected spend on the Policy in 2019 is dependent on the outcome of the formal 2019 Estimates process, which has not yet commenced in terms of engagement with spending Departments. The parameters for this engagement will be set out in the Summer Economic Statement and the Mid-Year Expenditure Review, to be published over the summer by the Departments of Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform.
298. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the €4.5 million allocated to foreign languages, STEM school policy and digital learning programmes for schools as outlined in budget 2018; the amount of the allocation that has been spent; the way in which the funds were spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24306/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraApproximately €1.5m of the €4.5 has been allocated to the Post Primary Languages Initiative (PPLI) to implement the actions assigned to it under Languages Connect, Irelands Foreign Language Strategy 2017 - 2026. In order to put in place the capacity to deliver on actions assigned to PPLI, due process has been followed and 4 additional staff are now being recruited to the PPLI, two of whom commenced work in May. The first PPLI action was an audit of foreign languages provision in post-primary schools and this was completed with minimal cost. An awareness raising campaign on the value of learning foreign languages, languages upskilling courses for teachers, the promotion of language exchanges abroad and an awards scheme for businesses with good practice in relation to foreign languages are among some of the projects currently being planned during 2018. With the need for appropriate resourcing, advance planning and adherence to best practice, funding is only now being drawn down. The only costs to date are one month's salary for two new members of staff and the creation of videos which will be part of the awareness raising campaign. In all about €35,000 has been spent to date from the €1.5m allocation for foreign languages.
€1.5m has been allocated for STEM. This has not yet been drawn down but will be spent in 2018 on the following:
- STEM clusters
- Promotion of STEM to include Awareness campaign
- Support for STEM to include PDST STEM team
Funds were also allocated to The School Excellence Fund (SEF) – Digital. The funding for the SEF – Digital has not as yet been allocated to the successful schools owing to the fact that the clustered schools are still working on finalising their budget submissions. It is expected that over the next few weeks all budgets will be submitted from the clusters. The submissions will then be reviewed and, when approval has been given by the working group, ICT policy unit will begin processing the payments to each cluster group. The majority of the cluster projects will be up and running at the start of the coming school year.
299. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the €1 million allocated to Creative Ireland as outlined in budget 2018; the amount of the allocation that has been spent; the way in which the funds were spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24307/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department was allocated €1 million for Creative Ireland in 2018. However, I have been able to secure an increase of €0.25 million, bringing the total allocation to €1.25 million.
All funding from my Department will be allocated towards initiatives in the Creative Youth programme.
To date, my Department has spent €41,000 of the €1.25 million on Creative Schools. 150 primary and post-primary schools across the country will participate in the pilot of Creative Schools and work with artists, creative practitioners and educators to develop their own unique programme of arts and creative work, connecting them to the full range of local and regional cultural resources and opportunities.
In addition, all participating schools will also receive a further range of supports including a once-off grant and training for teachers in the school.
Applications for Creative Schools closed in May and participating schools will be announced shortly. Work will begin in schools in the selected schools in September 2018.
There are seventeen actions identified for 2018/19 under the Creative Youth Plan. These actions are either the expansion of existing pilot initiatives or new programmes being piloted and encompass some of the commitments in the Arts in Education Charter.
Many of these initiatives are due to begin later this year. This includes:
- A Creative Clusters scheme will be piloted under the school excellence fund.
Applications for Creative Clusters are open until 23 June. I encourage all primary and post-primary schools to apply to participate in this initiative. We are looking to include a wide range of schools, with a broad national spread.
- Teacher-Artist Partnership CPD
The primary school CPD initiative, ‘Teacher-Artist Partnership’ was delivered in twenty education centres during the summer as part of Creative Ireland in 2017. This was followed by artist residencies in schools between September and November. This initiative was supported by my Department, the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, and the Arts Council and is operating again in 2018.
- Arts in Junior Cycle
Arts in Junior Cycle embodies the principles and key skills which underpin the new Framework for Junior Cycle and provide teachers with practical, creative methodologies to use in their classroom. This initiative is guided by the principles expressed in the Arts in Education Charter and originated from an Arts Council and Junior Cycle Teachers (JCT) pilot partnership initiative in 2014.
- Local Creative Youth Partnerships will be established on a pilot basis.
Building on the model for Local Arts Education Partnerships contained in the Arts in Education Charter, Local Creative Youth Partnerships will be established to provide support and delivery mechanisms for optimisation of local creativity resources. As part of this, new and existing collaborative youth creativity initiatives across the country, will be able to apply for funding, based on provided guidelines, administered through the ETB network. Successful applicants will be determined by local committees which will consist of a range of representatives from Local Authorities, ETBs, and local arts and community representatives. The concept will be piloted in three ETB areas in 2018.
300. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the €37 million allocated to the national training fund for the higher education provision of relevance to employers as outlined in budget 2018; the amount of the allocation that has been spent from the national training fund; the way in which the funds were spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24308/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe purpose of the National Training Fund (NTF) Higher Education provision is to provide skills-related recurrent funding in support of higher-education programmes that are specifically oriented towards meeting labour market needs in identified skills areas.
The HEA provides core grant and “Free Fees” funding to the seven Universities, fourteen Institutes of Technology and three specialist colleges (National College Art and Design, Mary Immaculate College, ST Angela’s College). This funding contributes to education costs for students in these institutions. The NTF funding is allocated through the HEA funding allocation processes, and contributes towards both grant and ‘Free Fees’ costs for students participating on programmes in three identified skills-shortage areas, medical diagnostic and treatment technology; tourism and food including hotel restaurants and catering; and Languages.
In 2018, the approximate breakdown of the NTF recurrent funding and the student numbers being supported is as follows:
|
Name |
Amount |
Number |
|
Medical Devices: |
€ 7,000,000 |
(c.1,400 students) |
|
Tourism and Food: |
€14,000,000 |
(c.3,800 students) |
|
Languages: |
€16,000,000 |
(c.4,800 students) |
|
Total: |
€37,000,000 |
(c.10,000 students) |
The breakdown is informed by, and extracted from, the total student numbers returned by institutions to the HEA via the Student Records System (SRS).
For 2018, a drawdown profile has been agreed as follows, with €13m having been allocated and paid to Higher Education Institutions as at end May 2018.
|
Month |
Amount |
|
March: |
€13,000,000 |
|
June: |
€13,000,000 |
|
October: |
€11,000,000 |
|
Total: |
€37,000,000 |
301. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the €38 million allocated to apprenticeships and traineeships as outlined in budget 2018; the amount of the allocation that has been spent; the number of apprenticeship and traineeship positions that have been created and filled; the way in which the funds were spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24309/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra302. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the €19 million allocated to the national training fund for the funding of apprenticeships and skills as outlined in budget 2018; the amount of the allocation that has been spent from the National Training Fund; the way in which the funds were spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24310/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 301 and 302 together. Budget 2018 saw an additional €38m allocated to apprenticeship and traineeship which represents an increase of over 30% on the 2017 allocation. This increased allocation will support 6,200 apprenticeship registrations and up to 3,900 traineeship enrolments during the year. There was also €19 million of apprenticeship expenditure resourced from the Exchequer in 2017 that was transferred to the National Training Fund in 2018.
There were 438 traineeship enrolments for quarter one 2018. Information on expenditure to date in 2018 on traineeships has not yet been collated by SOLAS from the 16 Education and Training Boards.
The information requested by the deputy on apprenticeship registrations and total expenditure on craft and consortia led apprenticeships to date in 2018 is set out in the following table.
|
REGISTRATIONS |
2018 |
|
31st May YTD |
|
|
Craft Apprenticeships |
1,914 |
|
Consortia Apprenticeships |
54 |
|
Total Expenditure to date |
€46,799,364 |
303. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the €3 million allocated to Springboard as outlined in budget 2018; the amount of the allocation that has been spent; the way in which the funds were spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24311/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFunding for Springboard+ is allocated from the National Training Fund. In 2018 an additional €3m was allocated to Springboard+ which will provide for over 1,600 additional places during 2018.
Under Springboard+ 2018, which was launched this week, over 8,000 places on 245 courses will be available in public and private educational institutions throughout Ireland. Courses approved for funding in 2018 will be in the following skills areas: ICT, Engineering, Manufacturing, Construction, Hospitality, Business, Administration and Law. Limited courses will also be available in Entrepreneurship, Animation, Medical Devices Decontamination and certain other manufacturing related services courses.
Springboard+ courses are at Level 6 (Certificate) to Level 9 (Masters) on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) and are delivered in public and private education facilities around the country. Courses selected for funding are in areas of identified enterprise skills needs and were selected, following a competitive call for proposals, by an independent evaluation panel using published criteria that included value for money, flexible delivery, engagement with industry and skills relevance. All courses provide job-readiness training and most offer the opportunity for work placement, project-based learning or industry site visits where appropriate.
I am sure that the Deputy will be pleased to note that the eligibility criteria for Springboard+ 2018 has been extended and will include the following:
- Free higher education courses for unemployed people, those previously self-employed and those returning to work.
- Free NQF Level 6 higher education courses for those in employment.
- For employed participants on courses NFQ level 7 – 9, 90% of the course fee will be funded by the Government, with participants required to contribute just 10% of the fee.
Further information on Springboard+ 2018 including entry requirements and eligibility criteria are available on the dedicated information and applications website: www.springboardcourses.ie.
304. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the €3.5 million allocated to Skillnet as outlined in budget 2018; the amount of the allocation that has been spent; the way in which the funds were spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24312/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraSkillnet Ireland is funded by my Department through the National Training Fund (NTF) to act as an enterprise-led support body dedicated to the promotion and facilitation of enterprise training and workforce development as key elements in sustaining national competitiveness. Its primary role is to increase participation in enterprise training by companies to upskill the workforce and provide greater access for workers to skills development.
Skillnet Ireland operates a joint funding model where training is funded by combining contributions from employers with Skillnet grants.
Skillnet Ireland has been allocated €21.7m in 2018, an additional €3.5 Million in NTF funding over 2017. This increase was allocated in response to a sharp increase in demand from employers for training via Skillnet Ireland.
Skillnet Ireland has undertaken to train 54,600 learners nationally in 2018, an increase of 11,600 (27%) when compared with the organisation's trainee target for 2017. Skillnet Ireland will deliver 344,745 training days in 2018, an increase of 46,745 days when compared with the 2017 target. In 2018, Skillnet Ireland has also established 5 new learning networks in sectors which are experiencing significant workforce development demand, including hospitality, recruitment, advanced electronics and manufacturing. Skillnet Ireland now funds 67 networks.
The additional funding has also facilitated an increase in Skillnet Ireland's investment in its Future Skills Programme, whereby its learning networks develop new programmes that address emerging skills needs in areas such as artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing and global business services, MedTech, agriculture and retail amongst others.
By the end of May 2018, Skillnet Ireland has received €10m of their 2018 allocation.
305. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the €1 million allocated to new expenditure on regional upskilling and reskilling as outlined in budget 2018; the amount of the allocation that has been spent; the way in which the funds were spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24313/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe €1m allocated to new expenditure on regional upskilling and reskilling as outlined in the Estimates for 2018 is being made available for Regional Skills Fora to support innovative new responses to skills requirements in the regions.
As the Deputy may be aware the Regional Skills Fora are playing a crucial role in ensuring that planning for meeting key skills needs is informed and guided by information, evidence and assessments adopting a regional perspective.
This is in keeping with the regional development and growth objectives highlighted in the National Development Plan and the National Planning Framework that comprise Ireland Project 2040. The greater adoption of a regionally based approach to analysing and responding to skills needs is a critical element of the Government's strategy.
In specific terms, the Fund will support, for example, the ‘Skills for Growth Project’ which gives individual enterprises a new skills audit tool to articulate their skills needs alongside one to one assistance from Regional Skills Fora Managers to support them to link directly with the education and training system to develop responses to those needs.
It will also be applied to relevant skills related collaborative projects involving regional enterprise, alongside education and training providers. Just last week I launched such an initiative, the EXPLORE initiative.
The key objective of the initiative is to create a potential new solution to help address the issue of Ireland’s low level of participation in lifelong learning amongst the Irish workforce, targeting particularly persons over 35 years of age in manufacturing employment. It seeks to;
- Address the lack digital skills in this cohort
- Provide a novel approach to overcome barriers to participation in life-long learning
- address the key issue of skills obsolescence which is a significant concern for employers
- showcase the benefits of collaboration between local Education and Training providers and industry
The focus on this cohort is based on the evidence both internationally, nationally and regionally and in light of the recent National Skills Council decision to prioritise Lifelong learning for 2018.
The Regional Skills Fora have a key role in leveraging their existing network to identify and create solutions that deliver work-relevant skills for this target group and it is planned to offer the programme to 400 individuals before the end of 2018.
306. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the €20 million allocated to the school building programme as outlined in budget 2018; the amount of the allocation that has been spent; the way in which the funds were spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24314/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Mid-Term Review of the Capital Plan 2016-2021 identified an additional €332m for the school sector over the period 2018 to 2021 of which €20m was included for the sector in Budget 2018. The overall 2018 capital allocation for the school sector including the €20m amounts to just under €540m, together with a capital allocation of €30m in respect of the Digital Strategy for Schools.
The €540m will be expended in 2018 primarily on the delivery of large scale projects and the Additional Accommodation Scheme. Typically, expenditure of up to 80% of the capital allocation available to schools annually is in respect of the large scale projects and the Additional Accommodation Scheme. The balance available in 2018 will be expended on site acquisitions, emergency works, furniture and equipment provision, and other programmes.
Capital expenditure to date in 2018 on the school building programme amounts to over €185m. In addition, the €30m to support implementation of the Digital Strategy for Schools issued earlier this year.
307. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the €8 million allocated to equipment and fit-out costs associated with the expansion of apprenticeship programmes as outlined in budget 2018; the amount of the allocation that has been spent; the way in which the funds were spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24315/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 11 June 2018 together with my colleagues, the Minister of State for Higher Education and the Minister of State for Training, Skills, Innovation and Research and Development, we announced capital funding of €8 million in total across 10 Institutes of Technology. The funding will enable the Institutes of Technology purchase equipment and carry out enabling works for the delivery of new modernised syllabi in 13 existing apprenticeship trades from 2018. Details of the funding are set out in the table below.
This Government is committed to more than doubling the number of new apprentices registered to 9,000 by 2020 and expanding further into new skills areas. Budget 2018 allocated €122m for apprenticeship training, an increase of almost 24% on the previous year. This will allow the Government to deliver 10 more apprenticeship programmes and over 6,000 new apprenticeship registrations in 2018.
308. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of NEPs recruited since May 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24326/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can inform the Deputy that my Department’s National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) provides educational psychological support to all primary and post-primary schools involving direct access to a NEPS psychologist for responses to queries arising, access to support and development work to build school capacity to support students, direct support in the event of a critical incident and access to individual pupil casework input via a NEPS psychologist or through the Scheme for the Commissioning of Psychological Assessments. (SCPA).
In 2016 the sanctioned number of psychologists allowed to NEPS was 173 whole-time equivalent posts (w.t.e.). The provisions of Budget 2017 increased NEPS Psychologist numbers by 11 posts to 184 w.t.e.
As of 1st May 2016 the complement of NEPS psychologists stood at 164.1 w.t.e with some 9 posts vacant. In Autumn of 2016 a recruitment competition was put in place by my Department in conjunction with the Public Appointments Service (PAS) to replenish regional recruitment panels to serve the ongoing needs of NEPS in this regard. Currently NEPS staffing numbers stand at 181.5 w.t.e with three vacancies existing which are currently being pursued with PAS.
I can inform the Deputy that since 1st May 2016 some 29 new recruits have been engaged in NEPS realising a net increase of some 16.5 w.t.e posts when ongoing staffing losses (resignations retirements) are taken into account.
The Deputy may be aware that provision was made within Budget 2018 for the employment of an additional 10 psychologist staff within NEPS with effect in the coming academic year. The recruitment of these staff has already commenced utilising the regional panels referred to above. Arrangements are in hand with the Public Appointments Service to shortly put in place a new recruitment competition to refresh these panels sufficient to this complete this process and to service the ongoing recruitment needs of the NEPS into the future.
This will bring the overall complement of NEPS Psychologists to some 194 whole-time equivalents, the highest level since the Service’s inception allowing for a broadening and deepening of the service provided to schools and underpinning my Department’s and this Government’s commitment to supporting an effective educational psychological service for our schools.
309. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary and secondary school teachers who have completed SafeTALK and ASIST, applied suicide intervention skills training, courses respectively since May 2016; the provisions in place to support teachers to partake in these courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24327/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn accordance with our commitment under Connecting for Life: Ireland’s National Strategy to Reduce Suicide 2015-2020, my Department, in conjunction with the National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP) has introduced a training model for the delivery of SafeTALK suicide prevention training through the Education Centre network. Following discussions with the NOSP on the suitability of the training programmes available, it was considered important to make provision for SafeTALK as a first step. This training model is being provided initially in selected Education Centres, followed by a review to plan further engagement.
This training commenced in the 2017/18 school year in 6 Education Centres. To date 8 primary, 100 post primary and 6 special needs teachers have attended these courses.
It is planned to extend this provision in the 2018/19 school year and NOSP, the Education Centre Network and my Department are working together to offer these courses in a further 6 Education Centres in autumn 2018. Following the completion of this phase and a review of delivery, we will work with NOSP to develop a plan for 2019-2020.
Stakeholders from the education sector can also avail of the suite of training in suicide awareness and prevention provided by NOSP outside of the Education Centre model, as appropriate. For example, between January and December 2017, the National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP) received 9,777 completed participant training forms from individuals who had taken part in either a self-harm or suicide prevention training programme. An analysis of participant training forms by sector of employment indicated that 12.10% are within the Education sector.
310. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of his plans for the establishment of an Educate Together school in Westport; the steps which have been taken to date to establish the school; and the proposed date for the school to open. [24332/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, I have announced new plans aimed at accelerating the provision of multi-denominational and non-denominational schools across the country, in line with the choices of parents, families and school communities and the Programme for Government commitment to reach 400 such schools by 2030.
I would point out that the previous model of patronage divestment yielded only a very limited number of schools for transfer to multi-denominational patrons (10 since 2013). I believe that the new schools reconfiguration for diversity process has the potential to significantly increase patron diversity in our school system.
While these new structures are being introduced, my Department will continue to work with the main stakeholders to progress delivery of diversity in areas already identified, including Westport. In this regard, my Department has been working closely with Educate Together to progress the establishment of a new multi-denominational school in Westport.
311. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Skills the level of the remote area grant; the occasion on which it was last increased; his plans to increase it for the 2018/2019 school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24341/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
Currently over 116,000 children, including almost 12,000 children with special educational needs, are being transported in over 4,500 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually at a total cost of almost €190 million in 2017.
In general, children are eligible for school transport if they meet the distance criteria and are attending their nearest school.
Children who are eligible for school transport but for whom no transport service is available may, following an application for transport within the prescribed time limits, receive a Remote Area Grant towards the cost of private transport arrangements. The grant is calculated on the distance that children reside from their school and the number of days attended. The rate of grant varies from about €200 to €900 per annum and has not changed in recent years.
This grant is also payable for eligible children who may have to travel 3.2 kilometres or more to or from a designated pick up/set down point.
This grant is payable annually at a fixed daily rate, to each eligible family, regardless of the number of children from the same family, travelling to a particular school.
The Remote Area Grant is not intended to cover the actual cost of providing transport and in this regard, there are no plans to review the current rates applicable.
312. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps and actions he is taking to address the ongoing difficulty for schools to obtain substitute teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24383/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, additional investment has allowed the successful recruitment of over 5,000 additional teachers in the last two years. Since 2012/2013, there are 8,900 more teachers in our schools. No other part of the public service has seen growth on this scale, which is testament to the Government’s commitment to, and the importance of education in, fulfilling our national ambitions.
The numbers of graduates from initial teacher education (ITE) programmes have also remained stable. Over 8,000 primary and 7,600 second level teachers have graduated in the last five years and in 2018 it is estimated that approximately 3,300 primary and post primary teachers will graduate.
I am aware of reports that some schools are experiencing difficulties in finding substitute teachers. In order to ease the situation, I suspended the limits that teachers on career break can work as substitutes. Schools have also been reminded that, in considering career break applications, the needs of pupils should take precedence and they must take account of the availability of appropriate qualified replacement teachers.
As the Deputy is aware, I convened the first meeting of the Teacher Supply Steering Group, which is chaired by the Secretary General of my Department, on 26th March 2018. The Group met again in May and is due to meet again at the end of this month.
The Steering Group is considering the issues that impact on teacher supply, including: initial teacher education policy, provision, funding and support; data/research requirements; policies and arrangements for schools and teachers that impact on teacher mobility/supply; and promotion of the teaching profession. The Steering Group will oversee a programme of actions according to strict timelines and clear deliverables. In undertaking its task, the Group is cognisant of the requirement that all persons wishing to teach in recognised schools must meet the professional registration standards and criteria set by the Teaching Council, which is the professional regulatory body for the teaching profession.
313. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Education and Skills if funding is available for schools or other organisations to provide safer social media alternatives to children and young persons. [24385/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is keenly aware of the challenges faced by educators, parents, and children, in relation to online safety and provides a suite of supports in that regard. The use of social media by schools is a matter for the board of management of each individual school.
Through the prescription of school curriculum, the Department supports overall student learning and in particular, the development by students of the skills and competencies necessary to negotiate living in the 21st century including being safe using online technologies. For example, the Social Personal & Health Education programme which is a compulsory subject for all primary and post primary students up to Junior Cycle, addresses student well-being including online safety.
The PDST (Technology in Education) is a dedicated team established and funded by the Department to advise and support schools in the area of digital technologies, including issues of internet safety.
Information and resources are also available for parents, teachers and children through the Webwise Internet Safety Initiative, funded by this Department and the EU Safer Internet Project. The Programme provides access to information on the latest technologies and the changing use of social media. Webwise.ie website promotes the autonomous, effective and safer use of the internet by young people through a sustained information and awareness strategy targeting school leaders, teachers, parents and children themselves with consistent and relevant messages.
Schools are also advised on the development and implementation of an Acceptable Usage Policy (governing the use of the internet in schools); the promotion of awareness regarding safety online; and the implementation of a content filtering/monitoring system which my Department provides to schools through the Schools Broadband Access Programme.
One of the key objectives of the Digital Strategy for Schools 2015-2020 is to promote responsible and ethical use of the internet and related technologies and to continue to undertake awareness-raising actions and programmes that promote responsible and ethical use of the internet. My Department recently published a circular requesting schools to consult with parents and students and teachers to develop and inform policies for the use of smart phones and tablet devices in schools.
The Digital Strategy for Schools also commits to €210m in funding for multi-annual ICT Infrastructure Grants to schools over the period of the Strategy. The second tranche of this funding (€30m), in respect of the 2017/2018 school year, has issued to schools.
Online safety of children is a matter relevant to many Government Departments, as well as parents and the wider society. This requires a whole of Government approach and my Department is collaborating with these Departments on the development of an Action Plan on Internet Safety led by the Department of An Taoiseach. Ongoing engagement is also maintained the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment which has a lead role in coordinating Government policy for internet safety, and also with the Department of Justice and Equality through their Office for Internet Safety.
314. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 313 of 7 November 2017, the status of his plans to establish an Educate Together school in Leixlip; his further plans to establish more Educate Together schools in north and south County Kildare, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24399/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, I have announced new plans aimed at accelerating the provision of multi-denominational and non-denominational schools across the country, in line with the choices of parents, families and school communities and the Programme for Government commitment to reach 400 such schools by 2030.
I would point out that the previous model of patronage divestment yielded only a very limited number of schools for transfer to multi-denominational patrons (10 since 2013). I believe that the new schools reconfiguration for diversity process has the potential to significantly increase patron diversity in our school system.
While these new structures are being introduced, my Department will continue to work with the main stakeholders to progress delivery of diversity in areas already identified, including Leixlip.
As the Deputy will be aware, I recently announced plans for the establishment of 42 new schools over the next four years (2019 to 2022), including:
- a new 8-classroom primary school to be established in 2019 to serve the Leixlip school planning area.
- a new 8-classroom primary school to be established in 2019 to serve the Maynooth school planning area.
- a new 8-classrooms primary school to be established in 2021 to serve the Naas school planning area.
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.
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 and language of instruction, 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.
315. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of restoring higher education grant thresholds to pre-budget 2011 rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24425/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is not possible to definitively estimate the “cost of restoring higher education grant thresholds to pre-budget 2011 rates”.
To put it in context, in 2010/11 there were 71,532 students who benefitted from grant support at a cost of €355m, whereas in 2016/17 there were 78,904 students in receipt of grant support at a cost of €377m.
In the intervening years, we have centralised the student grant scheme (replacing four separate schemes and sixty six awarding authorities with one scheme administered by a centralised awarding authority), had a complete turnover of students, income levels have changed and numerous changes have been made to the annual schemes which affect eligibility criteria. Furthermore, increasing the income thresholds will attract additional students who currently don’t apply to SUSI. As such, there is no way of accurately predicting the number of additional students who might apply if the income thresholds were increased nor does SUSI hold any income data on these students, which might enable some estimate of the likely cost.
What I can say is that the average cost of a grant in 2016/17 was €4,700. Therefore, each additional qualifying student will, on average cost €4,700.
