Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Tuesday, 18 Dec 2018

Written Answers Nos. 233-252

Schools Building Projects Status

Ceisteanna (233)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

233. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a school (details supplied) in County Donegal can expect construction to commence for an extra classroom in view of the fact that the school has satisfied the requirements and criteria with respect to the allocation of an additional class teacher; when the facility will open; if formal notice of the project has been provided to the board of management of the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53153/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that my Department has recently approved a grant to the school in question for the provision of an additional mainstream classroom. The school have been advised of the decision.

Oiliúint Múinteoirí

Ceisteanna (234)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

234. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna an bhfuil sé i gceist aige an deontas a d’íoctaí le hábhair múinteoirí chun tréimhse a chaitheamh sa Ghaeltacht mar chuid dá gcúrsa a thabhairt ar ais [53170/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Glacadh leis an gcinneadh stop a chur leis na deontais do shocrúcháin Ghaeltachta le linn na géirchéime eacnamaíochta nuair a tharla, ar an drochuair, go raibh cinntí an-deacair le déanamh chun gnóthaí airgeadais an náisiúin a chobhsú. Tugadh tosaíocht d’acmhainní bunlíne na seirbhísí oideachais a chosaint chomh fada agus a d’fhéadfaí a leithéid a dhéanamh.

Ba chóir don Teachta a thuiscint, chun cuidiú le costais na socrúcháin Ghaeltachta, gur féidir le mic léinn a bhfuil deontas mac léinn á fháil acu lena n-áirítear deontas táille 100%, nó a bheadh incháilithe do dheontas iomlán don táille murach Scéim na dTáillí Saor in Aisce, iarratas a dhéanamh ar mhaoiniú do chostais taistil agus cothabhála faoin ngné a bhaineann le turas allamuigh den deontas táille, faoi réir ag gnáth théarmaí agus coinníollacha scéim deontais na mac léinn.

Lasmuigh de sin, i gcúinnsí a bhaineann le riachtanas géarghá ar leith, is féidir le mic léinn iarratas tacaíochta a dhéanamh faoin gCiste Cúnaimh do Mhic Léinn. Tá fáil ar eolas faoin gciste seo tríd an Oifigeach Rochtana san institiúid tríú leibhéal ar a bhfuiltear ag freastal.

Teacher Recruitment

Ceisteanna (235)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Ceist:

235. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason in cases in which a permanent teacher in a primary school retires mid-school year the permanent position cannot be advertised and resolved at the time (details supplied). [53172/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The redeployment arrangement is the method used to fill vacancies in the primary school system.

Permanent teaching vacancies at primary level are filled, in the first instance, by permanent/CID holding teachers that are surplus in their own schools. Following this process, permanent vacancies are filled by eligible teachers on Supplementary Panels. Once the redeployment panels have cleared, primary schools with permanent vacancies may proceed to open competition to fill these vacancies. Temporary posts are filled by open competition which appropriately qualified teachers are eligible to apply for.

These arrangements set out that the latest date for filling a permanent post on a permanent basis is the first working day of November each year. Thereafter, a permanent post may only be filled on a fixed term basis unless the appointee is a permanent/CID holding teacher from the Main Panel. Such posts filled on a fixed-term basis must be made available to teachers on the Main Panel in the following year.

The redeployment of surplus permanent/CID holding teachers is key to the ability of the Department to manage within its payroll budget.

Arrangements for the 2018/19 school year are available on the Department website in Circular 0010/2018. Staffing arrangements for the 2019/20 school year will be published early next year.

Question No. 236 answered with Question No. 184.

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Ceisteanna (237)

Seamus Healy

Ceist:

237. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application by a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary for urgent funding to build additional ASD classrooms to facilitate children on the autism spectrum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53222/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I can confirm that the school referred to by the Deputy submitted an application for additional accommodation to my Department in recent days.

The application will be considered and a decision conveyed to the school authority as soon as the assessment process has been completed.

Autism Support Services

Ceisteanna (238)

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

238. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of autism spectrum disorder, ASD, units in secondary schools in Clondalkin for the school year commencing September 2019; if the existing units and available places within them meet the demand for the number of young persons diagnosed with autism in the area; and his plans to provide new ASD units in secondary schools in the area in the future. [53231/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible for the establishment of special class and special school placements in various geographical areas where there is an identified need, in consultation with the relevant education partners and the Health Service Executive (HSE).

The NCSE is aware of emerging need from year to year in Dublin, and where special class or special school provision is required, it is planned and established to meet that need.

I have arranged for the Deputy's question on emerging need in the South Dublin area to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.

My Department is aware that the establishment of special provision in some schools and communities can be challenging.

The Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018 will assist in addressing this issue in areas where the NCSE is of the opinion that there is insufficient education provision for children with special educational needs.

Section 8 of the Act, which commenced on the 3rd of December 2018, provides the Minister with a power, after a process of consultation with the NCSE, the board of management and the patron of the school, to compel a school to make additional provision for the education of children with special educational needs.

Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Ceisteanna (239)

Aindrias Moynihan

Ceist:

239. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to increase the Student Universal Support Ireland, SUSI, grant income limits; and if the income threshold for students working part time to pay for accommodation costs will be increased. [53245/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Under the terms of the student grant scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students who meet the prescribed conditions of funding including those which relate to nationality, residency, approved course, previous academic attainment and means.

The Student Grant Scheme provides for higher income thresholds for larger families. Further increases in the income thresholds are provided for where additional family members are attending further and higher education at the same time.

The income threshold for the special rate of grant is €23,500. The student must also meet other qualifying criteria for the special rate of grant. The highest income threshold, for a family of less than 4 dependent children, is €54,240. This will qualify a student for 50% of the student contribution.

The income thresholds for the Student Grant Scheme are announced annually as part of the Budget process. No changes to the thresholds were announced in Budget 2019.

Students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. This Fund assists students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Information on the fund is available through the Access Officer in the third level institution attended. This fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis.

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Ceisteanna (240)

Gino Kenny

Ceist:

240. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the lack of special needs units in schools in the Lucan area; his plans to address this shortage in view of the number of families with children with special needs in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53289/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible for the establishment of special class and special school placements in various geographical areas where there is an identified need, in consultation with the relevant education partners and the Health Service Executive (HSE).

The NCSE is aware of emerging need from year to year in Dublin, and where special class or special school provision is required, it is planned and established to meet that need.

I have arranged for the Deputy's question on emerging need in the Lucan area to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.

My Department is aware that the establishment of special provision in some schools and communities can be challenging.

The Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018 will assist in addressing this issue in areas where the NCSE is of the opinion that there is insufficient education provision for children with special educational needs.

Section 8 of the Act, which commenced on the 3rd of December 2018, provides the Minister with a power, after a process of consultation with the NCSE, the board of management and the patron of the school, to compel a school to make additional provision for the education of children with special educational needs.

Schools Building Projects Applications

Ceisteanna (241)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

241. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills when approval for phase 2 works at a school (details supplied) will be granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53306/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy may be aware my Department approved a devolved grant for works at the school referred to. Subsequently an increased scope of works was submitted by the school. Additional information was requested, and received, in that regard. The additional information is currently under consideration and my Department will be in contact with the school once that process is complete.

Emergency Works Scheme Applications

Ceisteanna (242)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

242. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will report on the structural issues at a school (details supplied); when the application for emergency works will be granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53307/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department is not currently in receipt of an Emergency Works Application to address structural issues at the school to which the Deputy refers.

However, an application for funding under the Emergency Works Scheme to carry out extensive repair and replacement works to the schools heating system was submitted to my Department.

As the scope of the works associated with this application were outside the terms of the scheme, the application was refused. The mechanism for applying for funding for works of this nature is my Department’s Summer Works Scheme and as such it is open to the school authority to apply for these works under a future Summer Works Scheme.

School Curriculum

Ceisteanna (243)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

243. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 245 of 13 November 2018, his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53308/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As stated in our response to PQ Ref: 47113/18 of 13 November 2018, the rules of entry to the established Leaving Certificate examination do not provide for the earlier sitting of any subject. If the Deputy would like the State Examinations Commission (SEC) to investigate any perceived anomalies in the application of the rules of entry the SEC will need to be provided with the specific details so that they can look into the matter further.

Autism Support Services

Ceisteanna (244)

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

244. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the special circumstances will be reconsidered regarding a request by a school (details supplied) for a start-up grant for an autism unit; if correspondence from the school principal will be examined in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53320/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The school referred to by the Deputy has already received the grant funding in question. The relevant start-up grant is provided at the time of the establishment of a new ASD class in a school for the purpose of setting up that class. It is a once-off grant in that context and has been provided to the school in respect of all the ASD classes sanctioned for it. Therefore, the Department is not in a position to provide a further grant.

Site Acquisitions

Ceisteanna (245)

John Curran

Ceist:

245. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made to date on the site acquisition process that will identify the location of the new 1,000 pupil post-primary schools to be established in 2020 to serve the Tallaght, Newcastle and Rathcoole areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53344/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy is aware, the Minister recently announced the opening of 42 new schools over the next 4 years. This announcement followed nationwide demographic exercises carried out by the Department into the current and future need for primary and post-primary school places across the country.

Following on from the announcement, the locations for all of the schools, including the new post primary announced to serve Citywest/Saggart, will be determined as part of the site acquisition process which is currently underway. Due to commercial sensitivities with site acquisitions in general, I am unable to elaborate further at this time, however, decisions will shortly be made in relation to appropriate sites for the schools announced and will be confirmed at a later date.

National Energy Efficiency Action Plan

Ceisteanna (246)

John Curran

Ceist:

246. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the national energy efficiency upgrade pilot programme for schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53345/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In the National Development Plan (2018-2027) €2.5bn is identified for the refurbishment and construction of schools. Part of this is intended for a deep energy retrofit of schools built prior to 2008.

My Department and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland are currently involved in an energy efficiency retrofit pilot scheme for schools. The longer-term outcome of this scheme will be to create an accurate and scalable model for energy efficient retrofits of schools across the country.

This pilot commenced in 2017 when ten schools received energy retrofits. In 2018, six schools received retrofits. For 2019 we are hoping to expand this programme.

Energy Conservation Measures delivered to date include fabric (roofs, walls, glazing and doors), heating (boilers, controls, Building Management systems), and electrical (LED lighting and solar PV).

Special Educational Needs Staff Contracts

Ceisteanna (247)

Kathleen Funchion

Ceist:

247. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the terms and conditions of SNAs in primary and secondary education; the working hours set in a year for both cohorts; the way in which requirements for secondary education level SNAs to work summer months operate; if his attention has been drawn to the discrepancy a school may have towards the working hours of an SNA particularly in secondary level education; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that SNAs in secondary schools work approximately 100 hours per year more than SNAs in primary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53358/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The position on working hours for SNAs is that there are no nationally set working hours for full-time SNAs. In this regard, the contractual position in respect of the working hours of SNAs is as outlined in their contracts of employment which were agreed with the school management authorities and the relevant Trade Unions representing SNAs (FÓRSA and SIPTU) prior to their introduction in 2005. The working week for SNAs is defined in paragraph 2.5 of their contract as follows: "You will be required to work normal classroom hours including class break periods and in addition to attend before and after school in order to help with the preparation and tidying up of classrooms, reception and dispersal of children etc. The hours of work will normally be from [xxxx] to [xxxx] daily during term time."

This standard contract has been designed to be flexible to cater for the different spectrum of working hours across all the various schools including primary, post-primary and special schools. No set hours were agreed but instead, full-time SNAs are expected to work for the normal school hours in the school that they are working in, and in addition to be available for a period of time before and after school in order to help with reception and dispersal of children and preparation and tidying up of classrooms etc. These times are set locally by the school management and will vary from school to school depending on the requirements of the school.

In addition, all SNAs were required to be available for a number of days at the start and finish of each school term not exceeding 12 in total. Under the Croke Park Agreement it was agreed to introduce greater flexibility to the use of these 12 days. These 12 days now equate to 72 hours (pro-rata for part-time SNAs) to be used by schools as an additional bank of hours to be utilised and delivered outside of normal school opening hours and/or the normal school year.

Furthermore, the contract for Special Needs Assistants in the post primary sector (link below) specifically requires that SNAs are required to work the month of June on examinations and other work appropriate to the grade including training. This was agreed with the Unions representing SNAs (FÓRSA and SIPTU) when the contract was devised in 2005. This condition of service places a clear onus and obligation on the SNA to attend at their place of work and be available for work during the month of June.

It is a matter for school management as their employer to determine the precise work that is to be completed by SNAs during the month of June. The utilisation of this period is not specifically for examinations or training purposes only, although these are two of the purposes for which the period of work can be utilised.

Link to the SNA Contract of Employment for the Post Primary sector: Department of Education and Skills Circular SNA 12/05 (Post-Primary) http://www.education.ie/en/Circulars-and-Forms/Active-Circulars/sna12_05.pdf

This contract of employment is augmented by all of the relevant Departmental Circulars governing Special Needs Assistants which detail the standardised terms and conditions of employment for SNAs. These Circulars are amended and new Circulars are issued by the Minister for Education and Skills from time to time.

Pension Provisions

Ceisteanna (248)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

248. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the pension entitlement record of a teacher (details supplied) will be updated; the reason for the delay in doing so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53394/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I wish to advise the Deputy that no request for a statement of pensionable service was submitted by the teacher to whom he refers; a statement of pensionable service was issued to her in 2016.

The teacher in question worked in both a substitute and temporary capacity during various periods commencing in March 2002 and ending in December 2007, when she secured a permanent teaching post.

The records held by my Department indicate that she had a break in service from June 28th 2006 to March 4th 2007, a period in excess of 26 weeks and as a result on recommencing employment she was deemed to be new entrant.

The term "new entrant" is defined in detail in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 Act. In broad general terms, a new entrant to employment in the public service is a person who first commences employment on or after 1 April 2004, or who returns to employment on or after that date following a break in public service employment of more than 26 weeks.

I have arranged for officials in my Department to contact the teacher concerned directly to discuss any queries she may have with regard to her pension entitlements.

Seirbhísí Iompair

Ceisteanna (249)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

249. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna an bhfuil sé sásta ticéid taistil scoile a cheadú do scoláirí ó scoil (sonraí tugtha) le dul ar bhus poiblí Bhus Éireann ar 5.50 p.m., le deis a thabhairt dóibh páirt a ghlacadh in imeachtaí iar-scoile ar nós club obair bhaile, club staidéir, ranganna breise don siollabas matamaitice, cleachtadh díospóireachtaí, peil, cispheil, rugbaí, lúthchleasaíocht agus cleachtadh aclaíochta; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [53399/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Oibriúchán suntasach atá sa chóras iompar scoile agus tá sé á bhainistiú ag Bus Éireann thar ceann na Roinne.

Sa scoilbhliain 2017/18 rinneadh os cionn 117,000 leanbh, lena n-áirítear os cionn 12,000 leanbh le riachtanais speisialta oideachais, a iompar in os cionn 4,500 feithicil go laethúil chuig bunscoileanna agus iar-bhunscoileanna ar fud na tíre, ina gclúdaítear os cionn 100 milliún ciliméadar go bliaintúil ar mhórchostas nach mór €190 milliún in 2017.

Is é cuspóir na Scéime um Iompras Scoile, i gcomhthéacs na hacmhainní atá ar fáil, ná tacú le taisteal leanaí, chuig agus ón scoil, a bhfuil cónaí orthu go hiargúlta ón áit ina bhfuil an scoil is gaire.

De ghnáth, bíonn leanaí incháilithe d’iompras scoile má shásaíonn siad na critéir a bhaineann le fad ón scoil agus má bhíonn siad ag taisteal chuig an scoil is gaire.

Tá Bus Éireann freagrach do phleanáil agus d’amchlárú na mbealaí don taisteal chun na scoile. Déanann Bus Éireann iarracht, laistigh de na hacmhainní atá ar fáil, a dheimhniú go mbíonn seirbhís iompras scoile ar leibhéal réasúnta ar fáil do gach leanbh incháilithe i gcomhthéacs na Scéime go náisiúnta.

Cuirtear suíocháin ar fáil chuig agus ón scoil do leanaí a bhíonn ag taisteal faoin scéim um iompras scoile ar sheirbhísí tiomnaithe don taisteal scoile nó ar sheirbhísí poiblí ginearálta atá ar an sceideal. Cuireann a leithéid seo de shocrú ar chumas leanaí freastal ar ranganna le linn na ngnáthuaireanta scoile.

Ní hionann ticéad don taisteal scoile agus gnáth-thicéad comaitéara a bhíonn bailí ar gach seirbhís phoiblí rialta ag gach am agus ní ofráiltear dá réir a leithéid. I ngeall ar na huimhreacha atá á iompar go náisiúnta, ní fhéadfaí an tsolúbthacht a sholáthar do gach leanbh incháilithe chun taisteal ar na gnáthsheirbhísí poiblí rialta, seachas mar atá leagtha amach sna téarmaí atá luaite go sonrach ar a dticéad.

Schools Building Projects

Ceisteanna (250)

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

250. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the situation regarding the provision of a secondary school in Kinnegad, County Westmeath, will be examined, particularly in the context of a significantly increased population that prevails in Kinnegad and the environs and that was considered as part of the original M4 study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53425/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department's means of analysing demographic trends and data have changed considerably since the report to which the Deputy refers was completed in 2005.

In order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System, using data from a range of sources, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise. With this information, my Department carries out nationwide demographic exercises to determine where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.

Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may, depending on the circumstances, be provided through either one, or a combination of, the following:

- Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,

- Extending the capacity of a school or schools,

- Provision of a new school or schools.

As the Deputy may be aware, the Government announced plans for the establishment of 42 new schools over the next four years (2019 to 2022). This announcement follows nationwide demographic exercises carried out by my Department into the future need for primary and post-primary schools across the country and the 4-year horizon will enable increased lead-in times for planning and delivery of the necessary infrastructure.

In addition to the new schools announced, there will be a need for further school accommodation in other areas in the future. While the announcement did not include a new post-primary school in Kinnegad (which is located in the Killucan school planning area), the requirement for new schools will be kept under on-going review and in particular would have regard for the increased rollout of housing provision as outlined in Project Ireland 2040.

Schools Building Projects Status

Ceisteanna (251)

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

251. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he will take to ensure that issues relating to a school (details supplied) will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53427/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy is aware the delivery of the extension to the school to which he refers has been devolved to the school authority.

The project is currently at stage 1/2A and the stage report is with my Department for assessment prior to submission of a planning application. As the project has not yet been approved to progress to the planning stage, there are currently no planning conditions associated with the project. Funding for the additional works referred to by the Deputy, and other additional works, have not been approved by the Department. The school authority has been informed of this decision.

Legislative Measures

Ceisteanna (252)

John Brassil

Ceist:

252. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the drafting of the regulations and codes of practice required under the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015, excluding Part 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52707/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In June 2018, my Department recruited an external legal expert to assist in the preparation of draft regulations in relation to decision-making assistance agreements, co-decision-making agreements, certain matters relating to decision-making representatives, and enduring powers of attorney. These regulation-making powers are provided for in sections 10(4), 31, 45(3), 45(4), 46(3) and 79 of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015. Work on the draft regulations is ongoing.

The preparation of codes of practice under the Assisted Decision-making (Capacity) Act 2015 is a matter for the Director of the Decision Support Service. Section 103 of the 2015 Act provides that the Director may prepare and publish a code of practice, request another body to prepare a code of practice or approve a code of practice prepared by another body.

The National Disability Authority (NDA) is currently finalising its work on the suite of draft codes of practice in relation to non-healthcare matters. The NDA recently submitted a number of draft codes to the Director of the Decision Support Service for her consideration.

In September 2018 the Director formally requested the Health Executive Service to develop draft codes of practice for health and social care professionals under section 103(2)(i), 103(2)(ix) and 103(2)(xi). Work on these codes is on-going.

The preparation of the regulations and the codes of practice will facilitate the subsequent commencement of the substantive provisions of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act and the rolling out of the new decision-making support arrangements provided for in the Act.

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