Written Answers Nos. 500-519
500. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he will take to ensure that parents are not pressurised by schools into paying voluntary contributions; his plans to ensure that such contributions are actually voluntary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32958/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraVoluntary contributions by parents are permissible provided it is made absolutely clear to parents that there is no question of compulsion to pay and that, in making a contribution, they are doing so of their own volition.
The manner in which voluntary contributions are sought and collected is a matter for school management, however their collection should be such as not to create a situation where either parents or pupils could reasonably infer that the contributions take on a compulsory character.
Apart from those recognised fee-charging second level schools, recognised primary and post primary schools are precluded from charging school fees. No charge may be made, in respect of instruction in any subject of the school curriculum or for recreation or other activities where all pupils are expected to take part. A school may, however, seek payment to cover the cost of photocopying or other such learning materials where the amount sought by the school is consistent with the costs involved and the level of materials provided. It is also permissible for a school to seek payments in respect of extra-curricular activities provided such activities are not obligatory and individual pupils can choose whether or not to participate.
The Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018 was signed by the President on the 18th July 2018. The Act, when commenced, will prohibit the charging of fees or seeking payment or contributions as a condition of an application for admission or as a condition of the admission or continued enrolment of a student in the school. The Act will also require schools to include a declaration to this effect in their published admission policies.
I also believe that schools need to be accountable to parents and we need greater levels of communication, engagement and transparency in how schools serve their communities. Better information for parents, including information in relation to the collection and use of voluntary contributions, is an issue that I will be looking at in the context of my Department's work on a Parents' and Students' Charter.
501. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason there are no schools in the Dublin 15 area included in the recently announced project to bring specialised therapists into schools and pre-schools; if schools from the Dublin 15 area will be added to this project which has a stated aim of serving west Dublin (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32961/18]
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 demonstration project is being developed by a Working Group which includes representatives from the Departments of Education, Children and Youth Affairs, Health, and the Health Service Executive.
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.
The project is taking place in the Health Service Executive (HSE) Community Healthcare Organisation (CHO) 7 Region of South West Dublin, Kildare and West Wicklow.
This region has been selected to ensure that the pre-school and in-school therapy model can be tested in both urban and rural locations and with a suitable mix of various types of schools and pre-schools. The schools selected will therefore be from this region.
75 schools, including a representative sample of primary, post primary, and special schools will take part in the project.
This will include:
- Schools with significant levels of educational disadvantage.
- A mixture of urban, large, and small schools.
- Schools with high levels of support needs as identified under the new special education teaching allocation model.
- Mainstream schools which have special classes
- Special schools with significant levels of therapy support needs.
- Schools of various types including Irish medium schools.
Pre-school settings associated with primary schools participating in the project are being included in order to provide for therapy interventions to be made at the earliest possible time and to create linkages between pre-school and primary school provision.
The list of the participating schools and pre schools has now been published on my Departments website.
As the pilot project is taking place in the CHO 7 HSE region, only schools from this area could be selected for involvement in the project.
Whereas Dublin 15 is in West Dublin, it is not part of the South West Dublin area which forms part of the HSE CHO 7 region. This meant that, unfortunately, schools from the Dublin 15 region could be included at this time.
Decisions in relation to the extension of the service to other areas or Counties, or to extend the service nationally, will be taken following an evaluation of the existing informed pilot phase.
502. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a child (details supplied) whose application for assistive technology is still being processed by the National Council for Special Education, having been submitted in April 2018, will now not have a laptop in September 2018 when they start secondary school as a consequence of this lengthy delay. [32982/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Assistive Technology scheme, as set out in my Department’s Circular 0010/2013, funding is provided to schools towards the cost of computers and specialist equipment, which are required for educational purposes. Equipment is provided under this scheme for children with more complex disabilities who, in order to access the school curriculum, require essential specialist equipment which they do not already have, or which cannot be provided for them through the school’s existing IT provision.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) is responsible for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports. SENOs also make recommendations to my Department where assistive technology/specialised equipment is required. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in making recommendations for support.
In order to qualify for equipment under the assistive technology scheme, a student must have been diagnosed with a physical or communicative disability and must also have a recommendation in a professional assessment that the equipment is essential in order to allow the student to access the curriculum. It must also be clear that the existing I.T. equipment in the school is insufficient to meet the child's needs.
Schools make applications directly to the SENO, providing details of the student’s special educational needs or disability, including details of the approach taken by the school in making relevant interventions.
SENOs will review the application, and professional reports provided in support of same, in order to establish whether the criteria of the scheme have been met. They will then make a recommendation to my Department as to whether or not assistive technology is required; and based on this recommendation, my Department will decide on the level of grant, if any, to be provided.
Where a student is commencing post-primary school in September, an application for Assistive Technology for the 2018/19 school year will need to be submitted by the post-primary school in which they are enrolling. The basis for this is that while applications are made under the Assistive Technology scheme in respect of individual pupils, equipment provided will be the property of schools; and they make application for same, having considered that the equipment available to them under the school’s general IT provision is insufficient to meet the student’s needs.
Applications can only be considered therefore, where the student is enrolled in the school to which the equipment would be provided.
It is open to the school that the student concerned is enrolling in to make an application for support to the NCSE. All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.
503. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of departmental circulars issued in respect of primary schools, their staff or management in each of the years 2000 to 2017. [33044/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn accordance with the various functions and divisions of my Department, numerous departmental sections issue circulars which may relate, to some extent, to matters pertaining to staff or management in schools. For example, in 2017, over 80 circulars issued, a significant proportion of which would have had relevance to school management and staff.
A comprehensive database of Circulars since 2006 is accessible and searchable through the Department’s website www.education.ie.
If the Deputy wishes to provide further detail on any specific issue of interest, my Department will seek to be of assistance.
504. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a decision to refuse an application by a person (details supplied) will be overturned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33095/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) offers places at reduced points to school leavers with disabilities. Admissions under the DARE scheme is regulated by the institutions themselves and not by my Department. Each higher institution determines its own admission policy in relation to DARE, the number of places they reserve for DARE and the allocation of those places.
Any requests for more detailed information about DARE and this particular application should be directed to the Irish Universities Association (IUA) (www.iua.ie) who coordinate the DARE scheme for participating institutions.
505. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a school (details supplied) will be provided with a new purpose built school on the site allocated for the school on Dominick Street; the funds that have already been spent to date; the funds that are allocated for the development of the school; the facilities the school will be provided with; and when it will be available for the school community to use. [33148/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school building project for the school referred to by the Deputy will provide a 16-classroom school on the site. The original brief for the school was for 8 classrooms but was increased due to greater enrolments. The need to replace the Design Team arose from a fees uplift request for each member of the design team which greatly exceeded the 50% upper limit increase allowed under the EU Procurement Directive.
The appointment of a Replacement Design Team (all disciplines - Replacement Architect, Mechanical and Electrical Engineer, Civil and Structural Engineer and Quantity Surveyor) is completed.
The new Design Team was instructed to commence Stage 2A – Developed Sketch Scheme in March 2018 and is working on the submission for review by the Department’s professional and technical team. An updated topographical survey is required mapping the changes due to recent LUAS works adjoining the site.
Provided no issues arise and following approval of the Stage 2A submission by the Department, the Design Team can then be instructed to progress to Stage 2B – Detailed Design Stage, which includes the applications for Planning Permission, Fire Certificate, Disability Access Certificate and the preparation of Tender Documents.
The project is included on the Department's school building programme and the Department is committed to advancing the building project for the permanent school building as quickly as possible.
506. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a person that completed a level 7 degree in 2009 and paid the required fees themselves is eligible for funding under the free fees initiative to undertake a level 8 degree (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33192/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraCurrently under the terms of my Department’s Free Fees Initiative, where a student has already completed a course of third level study tuition fees are not paid in respect of a repeat period of study where the previous third level course attracted any exchequer funding (e.g. fees, maintenance, tax relief, subsidy towards course cost) even if the student did not avail of same. As the student has already successfully completed a Level 7 degree course they are therefore not eligible for free fees for the equivalent period of time spent on the first course of study.
If the student were progressing to a Level 8 course that was associated with the Level 7 course previously completed they may be deemed eligible for free fees for the additional years of the course, however the assessment of eligibility under the Free Fees Initiative in individual cases is a matter for each higher education institution to determine within the terms of the scheme.
Where students do not meet the eligibility criteria of the Free Fees Initiative they must pay the appropriate tuition fee as determined by the third level institution in accordance with their own criteria.
The main support available to students is the statutory based Student Grant Scheme. To qualify for grant support, a student has to meet various criteria such as means, residency, nationality and progression. The Student Grant Scheme 2018 and the Student Support Regulations 2018 can be accessed on my Department’s website via the following links:
http://www.education.ie/en/Learners/Information/Student-Grants/Student-Grant-Scheme.pdf.
http://www.education.ie/en/Learners/Information/Student-Grants/Student-Support-Regulations.pdf.
507. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of sub-contracting companies that have suffered losses consequent to the collapse of a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33255/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra508. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will engage with the sub-contractors working on the public private partnership that suffered losses as a result of non-payment by a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33256/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra509. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is satisfied that sub-contractors are appropriately protected under current schemes of the public private partnership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33257/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra510. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he will take to ensure payment for those sub-contractors working on public private partnership contracts that have suffered losses as a result of the collapse of a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33258/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 507 to 510, inclusive, together.
The Schools Bundle 5 Public Private Partnership (PPP) programme comprises five school buildings and one further education college across four sites in Bray, Wexford, Carlow and Kells. The Department of Education and Skills is acutely aware of the difficulties faced by a number of sub-contractors who had been engaged by the company referred to by the Deputy in respect of that programme.
We understand that the situation faced by these sub-contractors is very difficult given their contractual counterparty is now in liquidation. However, it must be emphasised that the Department of Education and Skills is not, and was not, party to any contract with these sub-contractors. Their contractual relationship was with the company referred to by the Deputy.
At the end of December 2017, the PPP company, InspiredSpaces, confirmed to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA), which procured the project on behalf of the State, that the company referred to by the Deputy had been paid in full in accordance with the contract to that point and that there were no issues arising.
Neither the Department nor the NDFA have information on the detailed contractual and payment arrangements between this company and its subcontractors. These matters were agreed exclusively between the private parties, as is the norm on any school building or public works contract. The company referred to by the Deputy is now the subject of statutory liquidation proceedings and therefore engagement with its creditors is the responsibility of the court appointed liquidator.
A replacement contractor has been appointed by the PPP company to facilitate the completion of three schools by the end of August and to undertake survey and preliminary work at the other three buildings in the Bundle 5 PPP programme. Former sub-contractors and suppliers of the company referred to by the Deputy are encouraged, where possible, to avail of the opportunity now presented to actively engage with the replacement contractor, in order to agree commercial terms for their re-engagement at the relevant school sites.
It is recognised that there have been wider problems in the construction industry with regard to non-payment of sub-contractors by main contractors for work undertaken. This behaviour is unacceptable. The Construction Contracts Act was enacted in 2013 to address poor payment practices in the industry and applies to construction contracts entered into after 25 July 2016. Sub-contractors are encouraged to use the provisions of the Act, wherever possible, to proactively enforce their entitlements.
511. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Skills when he plans to amend the Student Universal Support Ireland regulations to take into account families with serious medical conditions that affect outgoings in a significant way. [33281/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraStudent grant applications are means tested on gross income from all sources earned inside and outside the State within a specified reference period.
The means test arrangements of the Student Grant Scheme are applied nationally on the same basis to both employed and self-employed applicants. Gross income before the deduction of income tax or universal social charge, is assessed with certain specified social welfare and health service executive payments excluded.
Therefore, the assessment of income from the same starting point is deemed to be fair and reasonable because this approach eliminates any distortion which might arise from different spending decisions in different households.
512. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to introduce an exemption on overtime on Student Universal Support Ireland applications in the interests of fairness for applicants that have parents availing of overtime to counter third-level costs. [33282/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe assessment of means under my Department's Student Grant Scheme is based on gross income from all sources.
However, Article 22(5)(e) of the Student Grant Scheme 2018 provides that overtime payments may be excluded from the calculation of reckonable income for student grant purposes where it is established by the applicant to the satisfaction of the awarding authority that the overtime is non-recurring.
513. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Skills the consultations which were undertaken to reform contracts on school bus sizes to accommodate concessionary ticket holders for the 2018/2019 academic school year. [33293/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
Currently over 116,000 children, including over 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.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
Children are generally eligible for school transport if they satisfy the distance criteria and are attending their nearest school.
Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only which is subject to a number of conditions including the availability of spare seats on an existing service and payment of the annual charge.
Arising from commitments in the Programme for Government, a review of the Concessionary Charges and Rules element of the School Transport Scheme was undertaken.
The review was published in December 2016 and made recommendations on both the charges and the rules element of concessionary school transport.
With regard to the charges for concessionary school transport the recommended course of action was to continue with the current position whereby charges remain in place for those in receipt of concessionary places. I agreed with this recommendation on the basis that those applying for concessionary transport are making a conscious decision to do so, understand that they are not eligible for school transport and understand the implications of this choice at the time of application.
The report also recommended that the number of concessionary places should be reduced in line with the rules introduced in 2012 on a phased basis. Previous plans to advance this option were put on hold, pending the completion of the review.
However upon consideration of the review and following discussions with the Cross Party Working Group which I established to feed into the review, I decided that there should be no planned programme of downsizing in the coming year except in line with normal operational decisions within the current scheme.
The terms of the School Transport Scheme are applied equitably on a national basis.
514. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Skills when he expects parents of children availing of the concessionary tickets under the school transport scheme will be informed of their success or failure to secure a seat for the forthcoming academic year. [33294/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
Currently over 116,000 children, including over 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.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
Children are generally eligible for school transport if they satisfy the distance criteria and are attending their nearest school.
Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only which is subject to a number of conditions which are detailed in the scheme.
Seats for concessionary applicants are allocated after all eligible children have been accommodated on school transport services. This exercise normally takes place after the closing date for receipt of payments which is 27th July 2018. Where seats are limited a random selection process is used.
The terms of the School Transport Scheme are applied equitably on a national basis.
515. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the percentage of primary schools partaking in the book rental scheme. [33324/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra516. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the percentage of post-primary schools partaking in the book rental scheme. [33325/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra517. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary schools participating in the book rental scheme by county in tabular form. [33328/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra518. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of post-primary schools participating in the book rental scheme by county in tabular form. [33329/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 515 to 518, inclusive, together.
My Department provides funding to schools to support the operation of school book rental schemes.
The most recent figures available indicate that 95% of primary schools and 68% of post-primary schools operate a book rental scheme. The attached document gives the breakdown of the number of primary and post-primary schools per county that provide a School Book Rental Scheme based on the most recent figures available.
Number of Primary and Post-primary schools participating in book rental scheme
|
Primary Schools |
Post Primary Schools |
||
|
County |
No of Schools with Book Rental |
County |
No of Schools with Book Rental |
|
Carlow |
44 |
Carlow |
10 |
|
Cavan |
72 |
Cavan |
9 |
|
Clare |
108 |
Clare |
12 |
|
Cork |
341 |
Cork |
58 |
|
Donegal |
166 |
Donegal |
21 |
|
Dublin |
441 |
Dublin |
78 |
|
Galway |
224 |
Galway |
33 |
|
Kerry |
127 |
Kerry |
23 |
|
Kildare |
99 |
Kildare |
12 |
|
Kilkenny |
74 |
Kilkenny |
8 |
|
Laois |
63 |
Laois |
6 |
|
Leitrim |
38 |
Leitrim |
7 |
|
Limerick |
135 |
Limerick |
12 |
|
Longford |
37 |
Longford |
7 |
|
Louth |
73 |
Louth |
13 |
|
Mayo |
161 |
Mayo |
19 |
|
Meath |
108 |
Meath |
17 |
|
Monaghan |
60 |
Monaghan |
11 |
|
Offaly |
65 |
Offaly |
10 |
|
Roscommon |
86 |
Roscommon |
5 |
|
Sligo |
66 |
Sligo |
9 |
|
Tipperary |
150 |
Tipperary |
24 |
|
Waterford |
74 |
Waterford |
7 |
|
Westmeath |
73 |
Westmeath |
10 |
|
Wexford |
102 |
Wexford |
15 |
|
Wicklow |
82 |
Wicklow |
14 |
519. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to provide a new school building for a school (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the present school building is not adequate for the needs of the school or future enrolment requirement of the school; the timeframe for the delivery of a new school building for the school in view of the need there is at the school at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33349/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that the school in question submitted an application for major capital funding to my Department to construct a new school building on a green field site.
Given the need to meet demographic growth, the delivery of new schools, together with extension projects identified by my Department’s 6 year construction programme to meet future demand, will remain the focus of my Department’s budget for the coming years.
As the school in question is not included on my Department’s 6 year construction programme or situated in an area of significant demographic growth, my Department is not in a position to consider providing a new school building for the school at this time.
