Patrick O'Donovan
Ceist:90. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding school transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42613/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool Transport Administration
Ceisteanna (90)
Freagraí scríofa
School transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
In the 2017/18 school year over 117,000 children, including over 12,000 children with special educational needs, were 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.
School Transport services under the 'Closed School Rule' had their origin in the amalgamation of primary schools in the late 1960s.
It was the practice in the case of such amalgamations to provide transport to the amalgamated schools and it is likely that this was conveyed as part of the overall process. Given that there were in excess of 800 schools covered by such amalgamations, and given the time removed since the date of many of these amalgamations, it is not feasible to source individual school records.
A number of changes to the School Transport Scheme were introduced in Budget 2011, which derived from recommendations in the Value for Money Review of the Scheme. These changes encompassed a number of elements and included the cessation of the 'Closed/Central School Rule' at primary level.
School Staff
Ceisteanna (91)
John Lahart
Ceist:91. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a school (details supplied) is having to send the children home early due to staff shortages; the action he is taking to ensure the issue is resolved as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42618/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In the last two years 5,000 additional teachers have been hired. It is the case that many teachers who would have been available to carry out substitute work are now gaining permanent and long term contracts.
In order to ease the situation, in the last school year the limits that teachers on career break can work as substitutes were suspended. Schools were also 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, earlier this year the Teacher Supply Steering Group was established. The Steering Group is chaired by the Secretary General of my Department. 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.
The Steering Group is supported by a number of working groups which are looking in more detail at the issues under these broad headings.
At this point the Steering Group and the working groups reporting to it have met on a number of occasions and I hope to be in a position to announce further measures to support teacher supply over the coming period.
Schools Building Projects Status
Ceisteanna (92)
Joan Burton
Ceist:92. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the KWETB has received the pre-qualification report from the design team for a new building for a school (details supplied); if the report has been approved; when tenders will be invited for the construction project from the shortlist of contractors; the length of time the tender process will take; when it is likely a tenderer will be awarded the construction contract; the estimated construction timetable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42623/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy is aware, this project has been devolved for delivery to the local Education and Training Board (ETB).
The project is currently at Stage 2b of the architectural planning process. The pre-qualification report is expected from the Design Team shortly. It will be examined by my Department as soon as possible thereafter and approval to move to tender stage can be expected to follow.
It is not possible at this stage of the process to say with certainty when the construction contract will be awarded and the project allowed to commence on site.
Third Level Admissions Entry Requirements
Ceisteanna (93)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:93. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae 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. [42625/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Universities and Institutes of Technology in Ireland are statutorily independent institutions. Admission is a matter for each individual institution and my Department does not have the authority to intervene in the admissions process.
I understand that the practice in a number of Higher Education Institutions in relation to candidates with successful Leaving Certificate appeals is to consider each on a case-by-case basis, with consideration given to the availability of a place on a relevant course in the current academic year and also the best interests of the student. Where a student becomes eligible for a particular course arising from a successful appeal, and a place is not available in the current year or it is considered not in the student's best interest to join the course during the current year, the student is entitled to a deferred place for the following academic year.
The Deputy will be aware of the decision from a recent High Court Judicial Review which related to Leaving Certificate examination results, the appeals process, and the offer of places in higher education. Department officials are engaging with representatives of higher education institutions and the State Examinations Commission to identify and address the necessary steps arising from the judgement.
School Staff
Ceisteanna (94, 101)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:94. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a third teacher will be provided for a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42635/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraBrendan Griffin
Ceist:101. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an appeal by a school (details supplied) will be successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42736/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 94 and 101 together.
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 also includes an appeals mechanism for schools to submit an appeal under certain criteria to an independent Appeals Board.
The staffing schedule operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all similar types of schools equally irrespective of location.
The school referred to by the Deputy had an enrolment of 47 on 30 September 2017. This allows for a mainstream allocation of Principal and 1 classroom teacher for the current school year.
The letter referred to by the Deputy seeks the appointment of a third teacher to the school for the 2019/20 school year. The staffing arrangements for the 2019/20 school year have not yet been finalised but will be published in early 2019. At that point, schools who wish to appeal their staffing allocation may submit a staffing appeal to the Primary Staffing Appeals Board. Full details of the appeal process, along with the appeal application form, will be available on the Department website.
Schools Administration
Ceisteanna (95)
Thomas Byrne
Ceist:95. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if departmental approval is required if schools wish to have early childhood education or after-school services operating independently on the school premises. [42640/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy may be aware, my Department published Guidelines on the use of School Buildings outside of School Hours in October 2017. The purpose of these guidelines is to provide guidance to schools in relation to their current arrangements for the use of school buildings outside of school hours. The Guidelines outline the various scenarios and inform where consent of my Department is required.
The Guidleines are available on my Department's website at: www.education.ie/en/Publications/Policy-Reports/guidelines-on-the-use-of-school-buildings-outside-of-school-hours.pdf.
Ministerial Meetings
Ceisteanna (96)
Thomas Byrne
Ceist:96. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has had meetings, scheduled or unscheduled, formal or informal, since the general election with a person (details supplied). [42663/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I have had no meetings, either scheduled or unsheduled, with the person named in the Deputy's question.
Special Educational Needs Service Provision
Ceisteanna (97)
Fiona O'Loughlin
Ceist:97. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will report on the commitment made to the parents of six students with special needs who had completed their primary school education in a school (details supplied) in June 2018 and were promised an ASD unit for the start of the new term in September 2018 and are still waiting for even a temporary building seven weeks later; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42679/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department is providing an extension to St. Conleth’s, Vocational School in Newbridge which will include 552 m2 of accommodation for children with special needs. The project has been devolved for delivery to the Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board (KWETB). Unfortunately, it was not ready in time for the new school year due to a small number of snagging and defects issues. The handover of the project is currently delayed due to the need to resolve some drainage issues. KWETB is doing everything possible to address these issues as a matter of priority and to ensure that every student with special needs who is waiting to occupy the new building in St. Conleth’s Vocational School can do so as soon as possible.
In the meantime, the National Council for Special Education(NCSE) is continuing to work with the school and the parents to ensure that the appropriate supports are in place, including application for home tuition. Where there is no placement available for a child with Special Educational Needs, my Department will consider applications under the Home Tuition Grant Scheme, where a student can receive up to 20 hours home tuition per week as an interim measure until a placement becomes available.
Schools Building Projects Status
Ceisteanna (98)
Fiona O'Loughlin
Ceist:98. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the start date for the building of a replacement school for a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42680/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The major building project referred to by the Deputy is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning, Stage 2(b) – Detailed Design.
The outcome of the pre-qualification process for the main contract has been notified to contractors who expressed interest in tendering for this project. Feedback and issues arising from same is currently being dealt with by the Design Team. When this process has concluded the project will then be progressed to tender stage.
The project is currently profiled to commence construction in Q3 2019. However, the Department has advised the school that if the project is in a position to commence construction earlier in 2019, the Department can facilitate this.
Schools Site Acquisitions
Ceisteanna (99)
Fiona O'Loughlin
Ceist:99. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a lease has been signed for the site to accommodate a new build for a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42681/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
This PQ has already been asked and reply provided for answer on 16 October 2018 (ref PQ 41834/18) refers.
Technological Universities
Ceisteanna (100)
John Lahart
Ceist:100. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the Technological Universities Act 2018 will commence in practical terms; the implications for IT Tallaght; and if it will retain its Tallaght identity in its name. [42682/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Technological Universities Act 2018 completed all legislative stages in both houses of the Oireachtas on 8 March 2018 and was signed into law by the President on 19 March 2018. Relevant sections of the Act came into operation on foot of the Technological Universities Act 2018 (Commencement) Order 2018 (S.I. No. 124/2018 ) made on 24 April 2018.
On 17 July 2018, the Minister for Education and Skills announced that the first application made for technological university status under the 2018 Act by the consortium of Dublin Institute of Technology, Institute of Technology, Blanchardstown and Institute of Technology, Tallaght would be granted following his consideration of a report from an independent advisory panel and the views of the Higher Education Authority.
As required by section 36 of the 2018 Act, a draft Ministerial order appointing the day on which the three applicant institutes shall stand dissolved and there shall stand established a technological university and the name by which the new technological university shall be known in the English and Irish languages, must be approved by a resolution passed by each House of the Oireachtas.
On 9 October 2018 Seanad Éireann,and on 16 October 2018 Dáil Éireann, passed a resolution approving the relevant draft order.
The Technological Universities Act 2018 (Section 36) (Appointed Day) Order 2018 specifies 1 January 2019 as the appointed day on which Dublin Institute of Technology, Institute of Technology, Blanchardstown and Institute of Technology, Tallaght shall stand dissolved and there shall stand established a technological university known as the Technological University Dublin in English and Ollscoil Teicneolaíochta Bhaile Átha Cliath in the Irish language.
Question No. 101 answered with Question No. 94.
Schools Refurbishment
Ceisteanna (102, 103)
Darragh O'Brien
Ceist:102. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the refurbishment and provision of an extension for a school (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42742/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraDarragh O'Brien
Ceist:103. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the commencement date for prefabricated replacement for a school (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42743/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 102 and 103 together.
As the Deputy is aware, a project for the school referred to is included in my Department's Capital Programme to primarily replace existing temporary accommodation with permanent accommodation.
The Project Brief is expected to be completed shortly, having regard to the complex technical assessment process involved in this case. In that regard, the Department will be in further contact with the school in relation to the next steps at the earliest opportunity.
Schools Building Projects Status
Ceisteanna (104)
Darragh O'Brien
Ceist:104. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of progress on the delivery of a new school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42744/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy is aware, a building project to provide permanent accommodation for the school in question is included in my Department’s 6 Year Construction Programme.
In this regard, the schedule of accommodation for the new school has been finalised and has recently issued to the school authorities for their observation.
Schools Building Projects Status
Ceisteanna (105)
Darragh O'Brien
Ceist:105. 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. [42745/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The major building project referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning, Stage 2(b) which includes the application for statutory approvals and the preparation of tender documents. All statutory approvals have been secured.
Following the appointment of a replacement consultant architect, the Design Team has reviewed the previous Stage 2(b) documentation and is upgrading the detail to NZEB standards. The Design Team is currently finalising the detailed design for preparation of the tender documents.
Upon receipt and review of the Stage 2(b) submission, my Department will revert to the Board of Management regarding the progression of the project.
Schools Establishment
Ceisteanna (106)
Darragh O'Brien
Ceist:106. 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. [42747/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
A site has been acquired for the permanent location for the new school referred to by the Deputy.
The building project is currently out to tender with a tender return date of 1st November 2018. When the tender process is complete the project will then proceed to construction.
The school has opened in September 2018 within existing school accommodation.
Schools Establishment
Ceisteanna (107)
Darragh O'Brien
Ceist:107. 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. [42748/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy may be aware, a project to provide permanent accommodation for Malahide Portmarnock Educate Together Secondary School is included on my Department's capital programme. A site acquisition is required to facilitate this project.
Department officials have been liaising with officials from Fingal County Council under the Memorandum of Understanding for the acquisition of school sites with a view to securing a suitable site for this school. With Council officials' assistance such a suitable site has been identified and my Department is working to progress its acquisition.
In tandem with this, the school building project has been advanced into the architectural planning process.
Department officials continue to keep the school patron, Educate Together, appraised of progress.
Schools Site Acquisitions
Ceisteanna (108)
Darragh O'Brien
Ceist:108. 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. [42749/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As 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 Fingal County Council under 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 agreement in principle for its proposed acquisition has been reached with the relevant landowner.
My Department will keep the school patron appraised of progress in this regard.
Schools Site Acquisitions
Ceisteanna (109)
Darragh O'Brien
Ceist:109. 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. [42750/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The lands at the site for the major building project, as referred to by the Deputy, were purchased by the St. Laurence O'Toole Diocesan Trust, on behalf of the Board of Management.
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.