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Tuesday, 29 Jan 2019

Written Answers Nos. 223-240

Education Grants

Ceisteanna (223)

Michael Moynihan

Ceist:

223. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the non-mainstream music education bursary scheme will be available in 2019; if so, when the scheme will be open to applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4099/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department funds a number of music education organisations, both directly and through a number of initiatives, including the Non-Mainstream Music Education Bursary scheme.

The Non-Mainstream Music Education Bursary is a DES-funded initiative to provide additional funding to non-mainstream educational initiatives. The purpose of the scheme is to provide support by way of a cash grant, to established, smaller-scale, non-mainstream music education/community music initiatives with limited or no access to other forms of public funding. Grants are not intended for use on capital expenditure such as structural/building costs but can be used for instruments. Award of the bursary is done based on published criteria. The scheme was first established in 2016 and continued in both 2017 and 2018.

An amount of €100,000 has been allocated for the Non-Mainstream Music Education Bursary in 2019. An announcement regarding the application process will be made soon.

Education Grants

Ceisteanna (224)

Michael Moynihan

Ceist:

224. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the funding allocated to the non-mainstream music education bursary scheme in 2018 was fully allocated; if funds were not utilised, if an application for same will be considered in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4100/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department funds a number of music education organisations, both directly and through a number of initiatives including the Non-Mainstream Music Education Bursary scheme.

The Non-Mainstream Music Education Bursary is a DES funded initiative to provide additional funding to non-mainstream educational initiatives. The purpose of the scheme is to provide support by way of a cash grant, to established, smaller-scale, non-mainstream music education/community music initiatives with limited or no access to other forms of public funding. Grants are not intended for use on capital expenditure such as structural/building costs, but can be used for instruments. Award of the bursary is done based on published criteria. The scheme was first established in 2016 and continued in both 2017 and 2018.

The list of awardees of the 2018 Bursary was announced 7 June, and the full €100,000 was allocated. One awardee, who had been awarded €1,250, did not draw down the award in 2018.

An amount of €100,000 has been allocated for the Non-Mainstream Music Education Bursary in 2019. An announcement regarding the application process will be made soon.

The full list of successful applicants for 2018 is:

€15,000

St Agnes Community Centre, CCMA Crumlin, Dublin.

€10,000

Whitefriar Street String Project, Aungier Street, D2.

€5,000

Mayo Concert Orchestra, Castlebar Concert Band, Mayo Youth Orchestra;

Kilkenny Uilleann Pipers, County Kilkenny.

€4,500

DIT Ballymun Music Programme, Ballymun, Dublin;

Inisboffin Island Development Company, County Galway.

€3,350

Ballymore Eustace Concert Band, Kildare;

Inishowen Childrens Autism iCARE, Buncranna, Donegal;

Blanchardstown Brass Band, Swords, County Dublin;

HFC Concert Band, Wexford;

Naomh Brid Music, Portlaoise, County Laois;

Barack Street Concert Band, Waterford;

Carndonnagh Brass Band, County Donegal.

€3,300

Colour My Strings initiative, Moyderwell, County Kerry.

€3,250

Kids Classicks, Dunboyne, County Meath.

€1,250

Gleann Glass Initiative, Roscrea, County Tipperary;

Partry Kids Choir, Claremorris, County Mayo;

Old School of Music, The Commons, County Tipperary CCE;

Tourmakeady CCE, County Mayo CCE;

Foilmore CCE, Cahersiveen, County Kerry;

Ballyboy CCE, Tullamore, County Offaly;

Caislean Nua CCE, Clonmel, County Tipperary;

Cavan Town CCE, County Cavan;

Tuisceart Loch Gorman CCE, Wexford;

Gorey Ballyraggert CCE, Gorey, County Wexford;

Ratheneska CCE, County Laois;

Spink Comhaltas, Abbeyleix, County Laois;

Powerstown Liosronagh, Clonmel, County Tipperary;

Cahir CCE, County Tipperary;

Laois Folk Orchestra CCE, County Laois;

Mountmellick CCE, County Laois;

Ceolteoirí Cluain Tarbh, Clontark, County Dublin;

Craobh Leamchan, Lucan, County Dublin;

Craobh Osraí, Marble City Branch, Kells County Kilkenny;

Rahan CCE, Tullamore, County Offaly.

School Accommodation

Ceisteanna (225)

Eamon Scanlon

Ceist:

225. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Education and Skills the grants available and the criteria to qualify for such grants to primary schools for the development of classrooms, multi-purpose rooms and indoor sports and recreation facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4101/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Department's Capital Programme continues to address the challenges posed by the significant bulge in pupil enrolments going through our schools. This has seen a significant expansion in the rate of provision of new school places. The Capital Programme details the school projects that are being progressed through the architectural planning process.

The Capital Programme also provides for devolved funding for additional classrooms, if required, for schools where an immediate enrolment need has been identified or where an additional teacher has been appointed. In this regard, it is open to schools to submit an application to my Department for additional classroom accommodation should the school’s existing accommodation not be capable of hosting additional classes. An application form is available on my Department's website.

The recent launch of Project Ireland 2040 included an announcement of a major package of investment in education for the next decade with the school building budget increasing by 70%. The National Development Plan 2018-2027 signals a gradual ramping-up in capital expenditure in the schools sector over the coming years. It is intended that this will address the twin priorities of catering for demographic need while also allowing for a greater focus on refurbishment and upgrading of existing school stock to include the building and modernisation of PE facilities in post-primary schools.

In addition, in terms of other Government bodies, it is open to any school to explore any funding options that may be available under the Sports Capital Programme administered by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.

Special Educational Needs Staff Contracts

Ceisteanna (226)

John McGuinness

Ceist:

226. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 85 of 17 January 2019 and Circular 0058/2006 from his Department, if clarification will be provided regarding the area in which SNA employment contracts state that their employment is with a specific school and names the school; if redundancy payments will issue as a result of such contracts to SNAs when their employment at the school ceases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4112/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

There are supplementary panel arrangements in place to facilitate SNAs made redundant by one employer in filling SNA vacancies that may become available in another school or ETB. These arrangements were agreed between management and staff-side representative bodies and are subject to annual reviews by these parties. The current SNA supplementary assignment panel arrangements for the 2018-19 school year are contained in Circular 34/2018, which can be accessed through the following link: http://www.education.ie/en/Circulars-and-Forms/Active-Circulars/cl0034_2018.pdf.

Every eligible SNA remains on the panel for two years with a view to getting further employment. If SNAs are not successful over that period of time in obtaining a further SNA position, then they will be eligible for a redundancy payment in line with the terms set out in the SNA redundancy scheme (Circular 58/06). An SNA may choose to take the redundancy immediately or remain on the panel for up to two years. The SNA is entitled to trigger the redundancy payment any time during the two years.

Circular 34/2018 notes that where an SNA is employed by a recognised Primary, Secondary or Community and Comprehensive School, then the SNA should be formally notified of the redundancy by the employer and relevant paperwork completed by the school management and the SNA, and forwarded onto the Department's Redundancy Unit. However, the circular also notes that in circumstances where an SNA is employed by an ETB, the provisions which currently exist to re-assign within the ETB should be completed prior to the issuing of any redundancy notification. Redundancy payments are managed directly by the ETBs.

School Staff

Ceisteanna (227)

John Brassil

Ceist:

227. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a third teacher will be allocated to a school (details supplied) for the September 2019 school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4149/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The 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 a staffing appeal under certain criteria to an independent Appeals Board.

Staffing arrangements for the 2019-20 school year are currently being finalised and will be published on my Department's website next month. At that stage, schools will be able to establish their staffing for the coming school year and submit a staffing appeal to the Primary Staffing Appeals Board.

School Accommodation Provision

Ceisteanna (228)

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

228. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the provision of additional accommodation for a school (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4187/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department has been in contact with the school in question relating to the application for additional accommodation. The school has agreed to submit additional technical information in support of the application and this is awaited. The application can be considered further when this information has been received.

DEIS Eligibility

Ceisteanna (229)

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

229. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the DEIS scheme will be expanded to additional schools in County Donegal on foot of a recent report which found a significant gap between DEIS and non-DEIS schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4188/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department has introduced an objective, statistics-based model for assessing which schools merit inclusion in the DEIS Programme, so that all stakeholders can have confidence that we are targeting extra resources at those schools with the highest levels of concentrated disadvantage.

The key data sources used in the DEIS identification process are the DES Primary Online Database, POD, and Post-Primary Online, PPOD, Databases, and CSO data from the National Census of Population as represented in the Pobal Haase Pratschke Deprivation Index, HP Index. The HP Index combines three underlying dimensions of affluence/disadvantage, identified as Demographic Profile, Social Class Composition and Labour Market Situation, to achieve a balanced measure of relative affluence and deprivation, which evenly applies across the urban-rural continuum. Variables used in the compilation of the HP Index include those related to demographic growth, dependency ratios, single parent rates, education levels, overcrowding, social class, occupation and unemployment rates. This data is combined with pupil data, anonymised and aggregated to small area, to provide information on the relative level of concentrated disadvantage present in the pupil cohort of individual schools. This data is applied uniformly to all schools in the country in a fair and objective way, to identify the relative level of concentrated disadvantage present in each school.

The calculation of the level of disadvantage in each school is based on the socio-economic background of its pupil cohort using centrally held data as previously outlined and is not based on the location of the school but on the geographical CSO Small Areas where the pupil cohort resides.

A detailed document explaining the methodology used in the Identification process under DEIS plan 2017 is available on my Department’s website at:https://www.education.ie/en/Schools-Colleges/Services/DEIS-Delivering-Equality-of-Opportunity-in-Schools-/DEIS-Identification-Process.pdf.

DEIS Plan 2017 states that the improved data on the socio-demographic of schools resulting from the new identification model will have an impact not only on the assessment of schools for inclusion in the programme but also on the scaling of resources to allow for more graduated levels of support. This is turn allows for the ultimate objective of allocating resources to best meet the identified need of individual schools.

In order to achieve this, the current identification model needs to be as accurate as possible, and this requires the use of Eircode to ensure correct inputting of addresses. Further analysis is also required to examine other variables known to be strong predictors of educational disadvantage in the context of resource allocation.

Therefore, in order to ensure the quality of the address data and conduct further analysis, it is not intended to extend the DEIS programme to any further schools until this work is complete.

Third Level Funding

Ceisteanna (230)

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

230. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education and Skills his position on the future funding of third-level education; if student loans will be ruled out as a means of raising funding for the sector; the details of the recent application to the European Commission to carry out a detailed economic analysis of third-level education funding here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4189/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In order to build a political consensus regarding a future approach to funding the higher education sector, the then Minister for Education and Skills referred the expert group report on future funding of higher education to the Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills for their consideration. The Committee requested that my Department undertake an economic examination of the three policy options proposed by the expert group to assist the Committee in forming its view of the most appropriate option.

In Q4 2018, my Department applied to the European Commission Structural Reform Support Programme, SRSP, which provides tailor-made support to all EU countries for their institutional, administrative and growth-enhancing reforms to carry out the analysis of the three policy options identified by the Expert Group. Formal decision-making by the European Commission on projects that have been successful in obtaining support is expected by the end of February 2019.

Having this evaluation undertaken through the Commission’s Structural Reform Support Programme will provide the type of international expertise and analysis that would be very beneficial to a major evaluation of this nature.

If the proposal is approved by the European Commission, the detailed programme of work for a comprehensive economic evaluation of the funding options identified by the Expert Group would be expected to be completed in the course of 2019. The expected timeframe for undertaking the economic evaluation and the Government’s concerns regarding Irish students incurring on graduation high levels of debt for tuition fees corresponding to those currently experienced by students in the UK and the US, therefore, rule out the introduction of a student loan system during the lifetime of this Government.

My Department is working to continue re-investment in Higher Education, building on the progress made in Budgets 2017 and 2018. Overall higher education spending has increased by 17% compared to 2016 to a projected €1.76 billion in 2019. This represents an increase to the sector of €257 million during the period.

Budget 2019 continued the Government’s prioritisation of reinvestment in higher education. Through the budget, I secured €57 million in additional current funding for the higher education sector. This is in addition to separate funding that has been provided for pay deals and pensions, amounting to an additional €41 million in 2019.

Budget 2019 also announced a new Human Capital Initiative that will involve investment of €300 million in higher education over the five-year period from 2020 to 2024, with €60 million being made available in each of those years.

Teachers' Remuneration

Ceisteanna (231)

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

231. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of negotiations with primary school teachers on pay equality issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4190/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The public service agreements have allowed a programme of pay restoration for public servants to start. The starting salary for a new entrant teacher in 2012 was €30,702. As a result of the programme of pay restoration, the starting salary of a teacher is now €36,318, and from 1 October 2020 onwards will be €37,692. A teacher hired in September 2011 will see his or her salary increase from €45,200 in September 2018 to €53,062 in September 2020 under the PSSA agreement and the proposed 24 September agreement.

Section 11 of the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017 provides that, “the Minister [for Public Expenditure and Reform] shall, within three months of the passing of this Act, prepare and lay before the Oireachtas a report on the cost of and a plan in dealing with pay equalisation for new entrants to the public service".

The report laid before the Oireachtas on foot of this provision by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform assesses the cost of a further change, which would provide a two-scale point adjustment to new entrants recruited since 2011. The total cost of such an adjustment across the public sector is of the order of €200 million, of which Education accounts for €83 million. The report also acknowledges that, during the financial crisis, there were policy changes which affected remuneration in different occupations across the public sector (including education).

The matter of new entrant pay is a cross-sectoral issue, not just an issue for the education sector alone. The Government supports the gradual, negotiated repeal of the FEMPI legislation, having due regard to the priority to improve public services and in recognition of the essential role played by public servants.

On 24 September 2018, an agreement was reached between the Government and the public services committee of ICTU in respect of new entrant pay.

This agreement will benefit 16,000 teachers and nearly 5,000 SNAs within the education sector. The deal provides for a series of incremental jumps for new entrants.

These restorations for new entrants have been achieved through continued engagement and collective bargaining between the Government and the public service unions and shows the benefits that such engagement can bring.

School Services Staff

Ceisteanna (232)

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

232. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the issue of pay inequality with regard to school secretaries will be addressed; if he has met with representatives in an effort to resolve pay inequality issues across the education sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4191/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I recognise the very important work done by school secretaries, and indeed by other support staff, in the running of our schools and I am grateful to them for the contribution they make to our education system. I have spoken to a number of school secretaries about their employment conditions.

Schemes were initiated in 1978 and 1979 for the employment of Clerical Officers and Caretakers in schools. The schemes were withdrawn completely in 2008.

These schemes have been superseded by the more extensive capitation grant schemes. The current grant scheme was agreed in the context of the Programme for Economic and Social Progress, published in 1991.

The majority of primary and voluntary secondary schools now receive assistance to provide for secretarial, caretaking and cleaning services under these 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 grant funding for caretaking or secretarial purposes, any staff taken on to support those functions are employees of individual schools. Specific responsibility for the pay and conditions rests with the school.

On foot of a Chairman’s Note to the Lansdowne Road Agreement, my Department engaged with the Unions representing school secretaries and caretakers, including through an independent arbitration process in 2015. The Arbitrator recommended a cumulative pay increase of 10% between 2016 and 2019 for staff and that a minimum hourly pay rate of €13 be phased in over that period. This arbitration agreement covers the period up to 31 December 2019.

The arbitration agreement was designed to be of greatest benefit to lower-paid secretaries and caretakers. For example, a Secretary or Caretaker who was paid the then minimum wage of €8.65 per hour in 2015 prior to the arbitration will, from 1 January 2019, be paid €13 per hour, which is a 50% increase in that individual’s hourly pay.

Following the arbitration process, grant funding used by schools to fund the salaries of ancillary staff was improved in order to enable schools to implement the arbitration outcome.

My Department has shown a willingness to engage with staff representatives as evidenced by the Chairman's Note discussions. Officials of my Department meet regularly with Forsa and other unions on a range of issues.

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Ceisteanna (233)

Kevin O'Keeffe

Ceist:

233. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Skills if SNA cover will be arranged for a child (details supplied) from within the existing number of SNAs in the school. [4202/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The National Council for Special Education, NCSE, is responsible for allocating a quantum of Special Needs Assistant, SNA, support for each school annually taking into account the assessed care needs of children qualifying for SNA support enrolled in the school.

The NCSE allocates SNA support to schools in accordance with the criteria set out in Department Circular 0030/2014, which is available on my Department's website at: www.education.ie, in order that students who have care needs can access SNA support as and when it is needed.

In considering applications for SNA support for individual pupils, the NCSE take account of the pupils' needs and consider the resources available to the school to identify whether additionality is needed or whether the school might reasonably be expected to meet the needs of the pupils from its current level of resources.

SNAs are not allocated to individual children but to schools as a school-based resource.

As this question relates to a particular child, I have referred the question to the NCSE for its direct reply. I do not have a role in making determinations in individual cases.

Summer Works Scheme Eligibility

Ceisteanna (234)

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

234. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Skills the funding available to surface the car park at a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4238/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The school to which the Deputy refers may apply for the works in question under any future Summer Works Scheme. In the meantime, the school authority can use its Capitation Grant to address ongoing repairs and maintenance.

If health and safety works are identified that require immediate attention, an Emergency Works application for these works only can be submitted to my Department. The Emergency Works circular and application form are available on my Department’s website.

Legislative Process

Ceisteanna (235)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

235. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the legislation, including heads of Bills, from his Department which has been sent to EU institutions before its publication for the period of the thirty-second Dáil; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4247/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department has not referred any Bills or Heads of Bills to European Institutions in the current Dail term.

Schools Building Projects Status

Ceisteanna (236)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

236. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to a submission by a group (details supplied) in County Kildare regarding the provision of an education campus; if a commitment will be reaffirmed to ensure that the resourcing and accommodation needs will be met for September 2019; if he will engage with the group with a view to setting up a meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4293/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy will be aware, the building project referred to has been devolved for delivery to Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board, KWETB.

A contractor is currently on site on the Maynooth Campus completing the external fabric of both school buildings. Separately, the process of appointing a replacement contractor to complete the works is well underway. A pre-qualification process in that respect has been completed.

Tender documents are expected to issue shortly, with a view to having a contractor on site in Quarter 2, 2019. It is fully expected that the buildings will be available for occupation prior to September 2020.

My Department received an application from the ETB, for interim accommodation, pending delivery of the new school buildings. Following a review of the application and a technical site visit to the area with the ETB, my Department considers that there is sufficient accommodation in existing KWETB buildings, in Maynooth, to cater for the schools interim needs pending the construction of the permanent accommodation. This position has been clarified to the ETB.

Summer Works Scheme

Ceisteanna (237)

John Curran

Ceist:

237. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Education and Skills when details of the summer works scheme will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4302/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The recent launch of Project Ireland 2040 included an announcement of a major package of investment in education for the next decade with the school building budget increasing by 70%. This investment will provide for the continued increase in demographics while also allowing for a greater focus on refurbishment and upgrading of existing school stock.

In this regard, I wish to advise the Deputy that I am committed to a new Summer Works Scheme, which will open for applications in the coming months for projects to be delivered from Summer 2020.

Schools Building Projects Status

Ceisteanna (238)

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

238. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an education campus development (details supplied) in County Cork; the position with planning permission for the project; the stage of the project; the timeline for its overall development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4304/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The school building project for the schools referred to by the Deputy will be delivered under the Department’s Design and Build programme. The project involves the delivery of a post-primary school and two primary schools on a greenfield site.

The project is currently at advanced architectural planning, which includes the preparation of the planning application. The Design and Build Project Management Team is now proceeding to finalise the planning application for submission to Cork County Council which is due to be lodged in February.

The project will need to secure the necessary statutory approvals before proceeding to tender and construction stages. Based on the current project programme, the anticipated handover of the schools is scheduled for late Quarter 4 of 2020.

Schools Building Projects Status

Ceisteanna (239)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

239. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of school building works for an area (details supplied) in County Cork. [4309/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The school building project for the school campus referred to by the Deputy will be delivered under the Department’s Design and Build programme.

The project is currently at advanced architectural planning, which includes the preparation of the planning application. The Design and Build Project Management Team is now proceeding to finalise the planning application for submission to Cork County Council which is due to be lodged in February.

The project will need to secure the necessary statutory approvals before proceeding to tender and construction stages. Based on the current project programme, the anticipated handover of the schools' accommodation is scheduled for late Quarter 4 of 2020.

School Accommodation

Ceisteanna (240)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

240. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the works necessary for the phase I and phase II additional accommodation and improvement works at a school (details supplied) have now been approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4323/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I can confirm that my Department has been in contact with the school in question relating to its application for additional accommodation. The school has been advised that it is my Department's intention to undertake a site visit to the school and that my Department will be in further contact with the school in this regard.

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