Written Answers Nos. 247-262
247. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the progress for the delivery of a new school building for a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30650/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the building project for the school to which he refers is included on my Department's capital programme.
Officials in my Department are working closely with officials in the relevant local authority in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding in relation to the identification and acquisition of a suitable site to facilitate the school building project. A potential site option has been identified and is being progressed.
Once the site has been secured, a project to provide permanent accommodation for the school will be progressed into the architectural planning process.
248. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding progress on a permanent school building project for a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30651/18]
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.
The Design Team is currently completing the Stage 2b submission. Upon receipt and review of this report my Department will revert to the Board of Management with regard to the further progression of the project at that time.
249. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a new secondary school for the Malahide and Portmarnock areas of County Dublin will be enrolling in September 2018; if so, the location of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30652/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe project for the start-up accommodation for Malahide/Portmarnock Educate Together Secondary School has been devolved to the patron body, Educate Together for delivery.
My Department understands that the patron body has identified a suitable interim location in Drinan for the school and the patron body are currently in negotiations with the owners for a lease of this interim location, it is envisaged this lease will be finalised in the coming days.
My Department is advised by the Patron body that enrolments have been confirmed for 2018/19 and that enrolments are open for 2019/20.
250. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the provision of a new secondary school for the Swords area of County Dublin as announced in November 2015; if he has identified locations for the proposed school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30653/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, the proposed location for the new post-primary school to which he refers is in Mooretown, Swords.
This school building project is on my Department's Rapid Design & Build Programme and the project is currently at architectural planning stage.
251. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the provision of a new secondary school for the Malahide and Portmarnock areas of County Dublin as announced in November 2015; if he has identified locations for these proposed schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30654/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, a project to deliver permanent accommodation for the new post primary school to serve Malahide/Portmarnock, as announced in November 2015, is included on my Department's capital programme.
Officials in my Department are continuing to liaise with officials in Fingal County Council under the Memorandum of Understanding for the acquisition of school sites in order to secure a suitable site to facilitate this project. A suitable site has been identified and engagement in this regard is ongoing with a view to securing a site as expeditiously as possible.
My Department continues to keep Educate Together, as patron of the school, appraised of developments in the site acquisition process.
252. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the provision of a permanent site for a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30655/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the project to provide permanent accommodation for the school in question is included on my Department's Capital Programme.
Officials in my Department continue to liaise with officials in the relevant local authority in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding in relation to the identification and acquisition of a suitable site for this school. A preferred site option to accommodate the school in question has been identified and engagement with the relevant landowner in this respect is ongoing.
My Department will keep the school patron appraised of progress in this regard.
253. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the provision of a new site for a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30656/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe lands at the school referred to by the Deputy were purchased by the St Laurence O'Toole Diocesan Trust, on behalf of the Board of Management for the school.
An initial site adjacent to the school, was procured from Fingal County Council and transferred ownership on 1st June 2017.
The second site was purchased from a private vendor and ownership transferred on 18th October 2017.
My Department received copies of the deeds of transfer in November 2017.
254. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding progress on a new school building project for a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30657/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that a building project for the school to which he refers was included in my Department's 6 Year Capital Programme.
The delivery of the building project necessitates the acquisition of a suitable site and my Department is liaising with the Patron of the school in the matter.
255. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the next phase of the school building for a school (details supplied) will commence; the status of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30658/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am pleased to inform the Deputy that construction of the school referred to by him commenced on the 3rd January 2018.
Subject to no issues arising it is envisaged that construction will take approximately 18 months.
256. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the provision of a new site for a school (details supplied) as announced in November 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30659/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, a project to provide permanent accommodation for the school in question is included on my Department's Capital Programme.
Officials in my Department continue to liaise with officials in the relevant local authority in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding in relation to the acquisition of a suitable site for this school. Discussions with relevant parties regarding the potential acquisition of a preferred site option are currently in progress with a view to advancing matters as expeditiously as possible.
257. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the works to provide a new school building for a school (details supplied) in addition to the associated refurbishment works will commence as a matter of urgent priority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30666/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, a project for the school in question is included in my Department's 6 Year Construction Programme.
I understand that the technical assessment process in respect of the project (to include the extension, refurbishment and prefab replacement) has been completed and the Project Brief is now being finalised.
In that context, my Department will be in further contact with the school shortly in relation to the next steps to be taken to initiate the architectural planning process for the project concerned.
258. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a school (details supplied) will be granted an extra teacher it is now entitled to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30673/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe criteria used for the allocation of teaching posts is published annually on the Department website. The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September. The staffing schedule operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all similar types of schools equally irrespective of location.
The staffing schedule also includes an appeals mechanism for schools to submit an appeal under certain criteria to an independent Appeals Board.
I understand that the school referred to by the Deputy is projecting an increase of 5 pupils on their current enrolment for the 2018/19 school year. The next meeting of the Primary Staffing Appeals Board will be held in October. If the school is successful in its appeal, it may appoint a teacher in October.
259. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will address a matter regarding the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30697/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo answer the Deputy, the majority of primary and voluntary secondary schools in the Free Education Scheme receive capitation grant assistance to provide for secretarial, caretaking and cleaning services. Capitation related grants are issued to the majority of primary and post-primary schools to employ such staff. Within the capitation grant schemes, it is a matter for each individual school to decide how best to apply the grant funding to suit its particular needs.
Where a school uses the capitation grant funding to employ a secretary, such staff are employees of individual schools. In employing an individual, it is up to the school to determine what terms and conditions the individual is employed under. My Department has no plans to develop an alternative scheme for schools to employ secretaries separate to the current system of capitation grant assistance.
Notwithstanding that, in 2015 my Department agreed to engage with the union side in relation to the pay of school secretaries (and caretakers) who are employed using grant funding and to enter an arbitration process. The Arbitrator recommended a cumulative pay increase of 10% between 2016 and 2019 for school secretaries (and caretakers) comprehended by the terms of the arbitration process and that a minimum hourly pay rate of €13 for such staff be phased in over the period 2016 to 2019. Grant funding used by schools to fund the salaries of ancillary staff is also being improved on a phased basis between 2016 and 2019 following the arbitration process. These increases are in order to enable schools implement the arbitration outcome for grant funded secretaries (and caretakers).
In December 2017, my Department published circular letter 0078/2017 for primary schools and circular letter 0079/2017 for voluntary secondary schools, setting out the application of the third phase increases of the Arbitrator’s recommendations. The circulars are available at:
Circular 0078/2017: https://www.education.ie/en/Circulars-and-Forms/Active-Circulars/cl0078_2017.pdf
Circular 0079/2017: http://www.education.ie/en/Circulars-and-Forms/Active-Circulars/cl0079_2017.pdf
The increases recommended by the Arbitrator are binding and must be applied by all schools who employ staff to whom the Arbitrator's recommendation applies.
260. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount remaining in the Caranua fund; his views on whether the closure of the fund to applicants from 1 August 2018 is appropriate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30699/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 29th May of this year, I published the Review of Eligibility of Persons to access the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund (“Caranua”). The Review shows clearly that the monies available to Caranua will be fully spent for the group of former residents whom the fund was originally targeted. It is clear also that the fund is not going to be undersubscribed and should therefore continue to be used for the benefit of those former residents.
Following the publication of the Review Caranua announced that it would cease to accept applications with effect from 1 August next. Caranua is a statutory body which is independent in its decisions on the management and disbursement of the funding which was provided by the religious congregations. Caranua has publicised this cessation date and I would encourage anyone who has yet to submit an application to do so before 1 August. I have asked Caranua to continue to accept applications in cases of hardship or in exceptional circumstances, after the date on which general applications will cease to be accepted. I have also called on Caranua to make every possible effort to engage with survivors and their representatives.
Caranua have already placed advertisements in a number of national and foreign newspapers highlighting the cessation date, have engaged with survivor support groups, as well as other organisations that may work with people who may be eligible to apply for support funding.
Statistics on Caranua's expenditure are available from their website at www.caranua.ie.
261. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the arrangements being made for September 2018 with respect to schools (details supplied) in view of the delay in delivering the new buildings; the process and the expected delivery date for the schools; the steps he will take to include milestone dates towards the delivery of the schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30727/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is liaising with the Patron to identify the accommodation needs of the schools to which the Deputy refers pending the delivery of their new school buildings. I met with the Principals of the schools recently and I was glad to be able to give them assurances that their needs in this regard will be met.
Since the liquidation of the contractor for the permanent buildings, the Patron and its design team and Department officials have been working closely to ensure that a new contractor is appointed as quickly as possible to complete both schools. A notice has been published on the eTenders website, with a closing date of 23rd July 2018, seeking expressions of interest from contractors wishing to be considered for the completion of the project. Identification of all outstanding works necessary to complete both schools is also on-going.
The current works programme indicates a re-tendering of the project in November 2018 with a view to having a contractor back on site by the end of March 2019 and an expected completion date of June 2020.
262. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to restore the funding levels paid to schools under the capitation grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30739/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI 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 and I remain committed to achieving this. However, I must be prudent in the context of ongoing budgetary pressures and prioritise where it is not possible to do everything that I would like to do in the education sector in any one year. In the last two budgets, I made provision for 6,000 extra teachers and 3,000 extra SNAs and over 3,000 new middle management posts. These resources were allocated to improve the learning experience right across the sector, with a particular focus on children with special needs.
The Deputy will be aware that 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. Through budget 2017 and Budget 2018, we are now investing €1 billion more in education.
Improvements have been made for the restoration of 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.
The level of funding provided to all schools and the drivers of costs at school level are kept under review by my Department.
