Bernard Durkan
Ceist:70. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the interest rates at which Ireland borrowed in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10211/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraEU-IMF Programme of Support
Ceisteanna (70)
Freagraí scríofa
To grant context to my response, I feel it appropriate to highlight that funding from the EU/IMF Programme replaced Ireland’s long-term bond issuance in 2011.
Therefore, while the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) maintained a continuous, albeit limited presence in short-term markets in 2011, the focus of this response is on the funding sourced under the EU/IMF Programme.
During 2011 drawdowns from the European Financial Stabilisation Mechanism (EFSM), the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the first tranche of the UK bilateral loan totalled just under €35 billion.
As outlined in the NTMA Results and Business Review 2011 which was published in January 2012, the average interest rate on this borrowing was 3.7% following hedging operations by the NTMA to protect against currency and interest rate risk.
Garda Stations
Ceisteanna (71)
Tom Neville
Ceist:71. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of a new Garda station (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10040/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the consultant architect has been appointed for this project. Tenders for a Mechanical and Electrical engineer and Civil and Structural Engineer have been received and are currently being assessed. I am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that they expect to have the process of appointing a Mechanical and Electrical engineer completed within the next few weeks, which will then be followed in due course by the appointment of the Civil and Structural Engineer.
Project Ireland 2040 Funding
Ceisteanna (72, 73)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:72. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the degree to which he expects the objectives of Project Ireland 2040 to be sufficiently funded and in line with projections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10201/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraBernard Durkan
Ceist:73. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he remains satisfied that the alleged cost overrun in respect of the national children’s hospital will not materially affect the delivery of other projects over the next three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10202/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 72 and 73 together.
The Government has already resolved to allocate funding in line with the objectives of Project Ireland 2040, and the National Development Plan 2018-2027 sets out the resource envelope to that end.
In my role as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform I am responsible for setting the overall capital allocations across Departments and for monitoring monthly expenditure at a Departmental level. Responsibility for delivery of individual projects within allocation rests with the relevant sponsoring Department or Agency.
I can confirm that the Government is making very significant investments under the NDP. Budget 2019 included a €1.4 billion (24%) increase in public capital expenditure this year. Public investment this year will reach 3.5% of national income (GNI*) compared to an EU average in recent years of 2.7% (GDP).
Office of Public Works Properties
Ceisteanna (74)
James Browne
Ceist:74. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the OPW has received a valuation for lands at a location from an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10039/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In accordance with DPER Circular 11/15 - Protocols for the Transfer and Sharing of State Property Assets - , a site valuation, as determined by the Valuation Office, is required to set the sale price for a property transaction between public bodies. In this particular case, the property in Kilmore Quay is owned by Wexford Co Co and they have referred the case to the Valuation Office. Under the agreed protocols the valuation is binding on both parties. A response is awaited from the Valuation Office and Wexford Co Co in this case.
Public Procurement Contracts Data
Ceisteanna (75)
Brendan Ryan
Ceist:75. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the processes in place in terms of procurement in relation to the sourcing and provision of office furniture throughout the Civil Service and Departments; the number of companies that provide this service; the rules in place for the providers of these services in terms of winning a contract with the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10055/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Office of Public Works has put a number of framework contracts in place for the supply of office furniture. The framework contracts were awarded following a public tender process under national and EU procurement rules, through the eTenders website and OJEC as required. The framework contracts have been awarded on basis of the most economically advantageous tender. The contracts are available for use by Civil Service departments and other public sector organisations and most furniture is procured through them. There are nine companies currently supplying furniture on these frameworks. As these are single supplier frameworks individual contracts are awarded on a draw-down basis. Non-standard items not covered by framework contracts such as shelving and some flooring are tendered as required.
Public sector organisations may procure furniture through other contracts, separate to the framework contracts put in place by the Office of Public Works.
Public Procurement Contracts Expenditure
Ceisteanna (76)
Brendan Ryan
Ceist:76. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the value of the contract or contracts for the provision of furniture to the Civil Service and Departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10063/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Office of Public Works has a number of framework contracts in place for the supply of office furniture for use by Civil Service departments and other public sector organisations. In 2018 a total of €8,842,472 was spent on the provision of furniture through these framework contracts. Organisations may purchase furniture through other means and a small amount of specialist furniture is procured through individual competitive tender processes by the Office of Public Works.
Pension Provisions
Ceisteanna (77)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:77. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a decision has been made on the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10101/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I have been advised that my Department issued its decision agreeing to the appeal submitted in this case on 7 December 2017, and that the Department of Justice and Equality communicated this by letter on 11 December 2017. If the individual in question did not receive the letter, he would be advised to contact the Pensions Administration Section, Department of Justice and Equality, Deerpark Road, Killarney, Co. Kerry (email: gardapensions@justice.ie).
Public Sector Staff Retirements
Ceisteanna (78)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:78. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the conclusions from a report that took into consideration a small cohort of workers (details supplied) working beyond 65 years of age in relation to the Public Service Superannuation (Age of Retirement) Act 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10179/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Public Service Superannuation (Age of Retirement) Act 2018, which was enacted on the 26 December 2018, provides for an increase to age 70 in the compulsory retirement age of most public servants recruited before 1 April 2004. Under the Act, any relevant public servant who had not already retired on age grounds before 26 December 2018 now has a new compulsory retirement age of 70.
Enactment of the legislation has no effect on public servants who had already retired on reaching their compulsory retirement age prior to 26 December 2018. Public servants who reached the compulsory retirement age of 65 before the new legislation was enacted were required to retire in accordance with the statutory compulsory retirement age in effect at the time.
As the Deputy will be aware, limited interim arrangements were introduced to enable pre-2004 public servants who were required to retire at age 65 to be rehired for one year, until they reached the age of eligibility for the State Pension (Contributory) (66). Those retirees who availed of the interim arrangements did so in the knowledge that the new contract was for one year only, until they reached the age of 66. The terms of their fixed term contracts will continue to apply and they will cease working at age 66 as previously provided.
Section 3A(6) of the Act provides that I, as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform shall, within three months of the passing of the Act, prepare and lay before the Oireachtas a report on the public servants who were forced to retire between 6 December 2017 and the commencement of the Act, due to reaching the age of 65 years, and on potential remedies to assist this cohort of worker.
Work on the report is under way in accordance with the terms of Section 3A(6). Under that provision, publication of the report is required within three months of the passing of the Act on 26 December and I intend to comply with that timeline.
School Transport
Ceisteanna (79, 87)
Margaret Murphy O'Mahony
Ceist:79. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Skills if funds will be allocated to schools to facilitate the transport of children with special needs who are wheelchair dependent to external activities such as swimming (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10123/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMargaret Murphy O'Mahony
Ceist:87. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Skills if funds can be allocated to facilitate the transport of children with special needs who are wheelchair dependent to external activities such as swimming (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10080/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 79 and 87 together.
School transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. There are currently over 117,500 children, including over 13,000 children with special educational needs, transported in over 5,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually.
The purpose of the school transport scheme for children with special educational needs is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children with special educational needs arising from a diagnosed disability. Children are eligible for school transport under this scheme if they are attending the nearest recognised mainstream school, special class/special school or a unit, that is or can be resourced, to meet their special educational needs.
Provision of transport for extra-curricular activities is a matter for the school at local level.
Oideachas Gaeilge
Ceisteanna (80)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:80. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna cad iad na socruithe atá déanta aige lena chinntiú go mbeidh soláthar cuí scoileanna ar fáil dóibh siúd ar mian leo oideachas lán-Ghaeilge a bheith ar fáil dá gcuid páistí; an bhfuil sé i gceist aige beartas a cheapadh don oideachas lán-Ghaeilge a chuimseoidh córais le freastal cuí a dhéanamh ar na beartais Stáit maidir le cur chun cinn na Gaeilge agus an oideachais lán-Ghaeilge; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [10143/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Mar chuid den straitéis 20 bliain don Ghaeilge 2010-2030, geallann mo Roinn an méid seo a leanas a dhéanamh:
1. “Cruthófar deiseanna do leathnú ar an oideachas trí mheán na Gaeilge lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht i gcomhthéacs na 42 scoil nua a bhunófar, agus bunú Gaelscoileanna, Gaelcholáistí agus Aonaid LánGhaeilge mar chuid den phróiseas pátrúnachta nua san áireamh. Leanfar leis an gcomhoibriú le páirtithe leasmhara maidir le polasaí ina leith seo a fhorbairt ag an iarbhunleibhéal.
In Aibreán 2018, fógraíodh go mbunófar 42 scoil nua i gcaitheamh ceithre bliana (2019 go 2022). Fógraíodh amhlaidh tar éis suirbhé déimeagrafach a rinne mo Roinn ar fud na tíre ar an ngá atá ann agus a bheidh ann le bunscoileanna agus iar-bhunscoileanna ar fud na tíre. Fógraíodh 26 bhunscoil nua agus 16 iar-bhunscoil nua.
Tá próiseas nua pátrúnachta ar líne curtha ar fáil ag mo Roinn trínar féidir eolas oibiachtúil a fháil agus trínar féidir le tuismitheoirí a sainroghanna maidir le pátrúnacht agus teanga theagaisc, is é sin Gaeilge nó Béarla, a chur in iúl i dtaobh gach ceann de na scoileanna nua seo. Cuirfear sainroghanna tuismitheoirí, mar aon le hábhair eile ar nós méid na héagsúlachta sa soláthar i gceantar ar leith (soláthar Gaeilge ina measc), san áireamh agus cinntí a ndéanamh ar phátrúnacht agus teanga na scoileanna.
Tar éis críoch a chur leis an bpróiseas pátrúnachta i gcás na 12 scoil nua a bhunófar i Meán Fómhair 2019, d’fhógair mé na pátrúin roghnaithe an tseachtain seo caite.
Is é an Foras Pátrúnachta a bheidh ina phátrún ar thrí cinn de na 13 bhunscoil a bhunófar in 2019, agus Gaelscoileanna a bheidh sna trí scoil sin.
Thug an Grúpa um Bunú Scoileanna Nua ar aird ina dtuarascáil chugam mar chuid den phróiseas seo go bhfuil an Roinn ag dul chun cinn i gcónaí maidir le haird a thabhairt ar shainroghanna do scoileanna Gaeilge. Tá achoimre tugtha ag an Roinn don Ghrúpa ar an tslí ina bhféadfaí deiseanna breise a chur ar fáil chun an soláthar Gaeilge a leathnú, lena n-áirítear trí chaidreamh réamhghníomhach i dtaobh an éilimh a chothú le pátrúin Ghaeilge atá anois ann, agus an cumas atá ann chun scoileanna Gaeilge atá anois ann a leathnú agus/nó an gá atá le scoileanna nua.
Anuas ar na scoileanna nua Gaeilge a bhunófar i Meán Fómhair 2019, bunófar Gaelcholáiste Mhaigh Nuad i Meán Fómhair 2019 mar phobalcholáiste, faoi phátrúnacht Bhord Oideachais agus Oiliúna Chill Dara agus Chill Mhantáin. Mar sin déanfar Gaelcholáiste neamhspleách den Aonad Gaeilge i bPobalcholáiste Mhaigh Nuad.
Bhí an Roinn i dteagmháil le Gaeloideachas agus le páirtithe leasmhara eile maidir le forbairt na nAonad, den uair dheiridh ag cruinniú ar an 13 Nollaig 2018, nuair a bhí rannóga éagsúla den Roinn i láthair mar aon le hionadaithe ó Ghaeloideachas agus ón gComhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta.
2. “Déanfar measúnú ar an éileamh ar sholáthar méadaithe do scoileanna a fheidhmíonn trí mheán na Gaeilge mar chuid den Phróiseas um Athchumrú Scoileanna d’Ilchineálacht lena náireofar suirbhéanna ar thuismitheoirí leanaí réamhscoile maidir leis an soláthar bunleibhéil ina gceantar le féachaint ar sholáthar níos ilchineálaí a chur ar fáil de réir roghanna na dteaghlach agus na bpobal sna scoileanna.”
Fógraíodh próiseas dar teideal An Próiseas um Athchumrú Scoileanna ar mhaithe leis an Éagsúlacht mar chabhair chun luas a chur le soláthar scoileanna il-sainchreidmheacha agus neamh-shainchreidmheacha i leith sprioc an Rialtais de 400 de na scoileanna sin a bheith ann faoi 2030. Is é aidhm na bpleananna nua scoileanna il-sainchreidmheacha agus neamh-shainchreidmheacha a chur ar fáil trí phátrúnacht a aistriú ó scoileanna atá anois ann. Cuid den phróiseas seo is ea an deis a thabhairt do scoileanna Béarla athrú go scoileanna Gaeilge, más é sin rogha shainráite tuismitheoirí agus an phobail áitiúil scoile. Tá Cuid 1 den chéim aitheantais i 16 cheantar tosaigh ag druidim chun deiridh. Iarrtar ar thuismitheoirí páistí réamhscoile cad é a sainrogha i dtaca le hoideachas il-sainchreidmheach/ neamh-shainchreidmheach agus anuas ar sin, iarrtar orthu cad í a sainrogha theanga theagaisc.
Is é cuspóir foriomlán Bheartas mo Roinne ar Oideachas Gaeltachta 2017-2022 an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn mar phríomhtheanga na bpobal Gaeltachta trí oideachas Gaeilge ar ardchaighdeán a chur ar fáil i scoileanna na Gaeltachta. Is léir a thiomanta atá mo Roinn i leith an cuspóir seo a shroicheadh ón dul chun cinn suntasach atá déanta chun an beartas a chur i ngníomh ón uair a foilsíodh é i nDeireadh Fómhair 2016 agus ón mbuiséad de €5 mhilliún, nó geall leis, a cuireadh ar fáil chun leanúint d’fheidhmiú an bheartais i 2019, méid atá a dhá oiread níos mó ná an t-airgead a cuireadh ar fáil in 2018. Ar an dul chun cinn a rinneadh go dtí seo tá tús a chur le Scéim Aitheantais do Scoileanna Gaeltachta, trína dtugtar acmhainní breise do scoileanna rannpháirteacha Gaeltachta chun tacú leo chun oideachas Gaeilge ar ardchaighdeán a chur ar fáil agus tionscnaimh a fheidhmiú trína méadófar líon na múinteoirí nua agus na múinteoirí atá ann cheana féin a bhfuil ar a gcumas oideachas Gaeilge ar ardchaighdeán a chur ar fáil, lena n-áirítear dhá cheann de chláir nua oideachais múinteoirí trí mheán na Gaeilge a chur ar fáil i gColáiste Mhuire gan Smál agus in Institiúid Oideachais Marino. Mar aitheantas ar na dúshláin uathúla atá le sárú ag scoileanna oileáin agus a thábhachtaí atá siad i bpobail oileáin, tá pacáiste tacaíochtaí ar leith curtha ar fáil ag mo Roinn d’iar-bhunscoileanna oileáin. Áirítear ar an bpacáiste tacaíochtaí seo, atá á chur ar fáil mar chuid d’fheidhmiú an Bheartais ar Oideachas Gaeltachta anuas ar na tacaíochtaí a chuirtear ar fáil tríd an Scéim Aitheantais do Scoileanna Gaeltachta, méadú ar an leithdháileadh múinteoirí, buiséad breise de €15,000 sa bhliain do gach scoil agus Coláiste Naomh Eoin, a bhí ina Aonad Gaeilge roimhe seo, a ainmniú mar iar-bhunscoil neamhspleách.
Oideachas Gaeilge
Ceisteanna (81)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:81. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna an bhfuil sé i gceist aige maoiniú breise nó foireann bhreise a chur ar fáil don togra Mar a Déarfá! atá á sholáthar ag breacadh de chuid Bhord Oideachais agus Oiliúna na Gaillimhe agus Ros Comáin agus á mhaoiniú faoi láthair ag COGG, de bharr na tairbhe ollmhóire atá le baint as an gclár seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [10144/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Tá an Roinn Oideachais agus Scileanna (ROS), trí thionscnaimh éagsúla, ag cur an Ghaeilge chun cinn sa chóras oideachais agus ag tacú le oideachas trí mheán na Gaeilge. Tá an ROS ag cur le roinnt gníomhartha i Straitéis 20 Bliain an Rialtais don Ghaeilge a léiríonn tiomantas na Roinne don Ghaeilge. Tugadh isteach curaclaim nua don Ghaeilge ag an mbunleibhéal, le curaclam ar leith do scoileanna lán-Ghaeilge. Cuireann sé seo béim ar chur chuige cumarsáideach maidir le cumas agus inniúlacht na scoláirí sa teanga a chur chun cinn thar réimse inniúlachtaí ó fhoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge go cainteoirí dúchais.
Ina theannta sin, faoin bPolasaí ar Oideachas Gaeltachta 2017-2022, cuireadh pacáiste áiseanna saincheaptha ar fáil chun tacú le scoileanna Gaeltachta.Tugann an polasaí seo dúshlán do scoileanna i gceantair Ghaeltachta oideachas Gaeilge d’ard-chaighdeán a chur ar fáil dá ndaltaí agus tá dul chun cinn maith déanta air sin ó chéadchuireadh i bhfeidhm é.
Is tosaíocht thábhachtach é feabhas leanúnach a dhéanamh ar na háiseanna do mhúineadh na Gaeilge. Tá rochtain ar bhonn leanúnach ag gach múinteoir bunscoile, lena n-áirítear iad siúd i scoileanna lán-Ghaeilge agus scoileanna Gaeltachta ar , faoi Fhorbairt Ghairmiúil Leanúnach (FGL) don Churaclam Teanga Bunscoile agus rinneadh na trí shnáithe de theanga, léitheoireacht agus scríbhneoireacht a chur chun feidhme suas go rang a dó go hiomlán ó Mheán Fómhair 2018. Cuireadh deiseanna breise FGL ar fáil do scoileanna Gaeltachta faoin bPolasaí ar Oideachas Gaeltachta 2017-2022.
Maoiníonn an Roinn pleananna na Comhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG), a dhéanann comhordú ar fhorbairt agus ar sholáthar téacsleabhar agus acmhainní chun tacú le foghlaim agus teagasc trí Ghaeilge. Leanann obair COGG sa réimse se oar bhonn leanúnach, maoiniú “Mar a Déarfá!” san áireamh. Is i gcomhthéacs an phróisis meastacháin a bhreithneofaí aon mhaoiniú sa bhreis a bheadh de dhíth ar COGG don chlár seo.
School Transport Administration
Ceisteanna (82)
Paul Kehoe
Ceist:82. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an extension to a school bus route (details supplied) is under consideration; if so, when an outcome is likely to be decided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10019/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
School transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
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.
There are currently over 117,500 children, including over 13,000 children with special educational needs, transported in over 5,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually.
Bus Éireann is responsible for the planning and timetabling of school transport routes. Bus Éireann has advised that they are carrying out a route risk assessment and calibrated measurement of the route referred to by the Deputy.
School Transport Provision
Ceisteanna (83)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:83. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a matter (details supplied) in relation to school transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10030/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
School transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
There are currently over 117,500 children, including over 13,000 children with special educational needs, transported in over 5,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually.
Bus Eireann has confirmed that an individual service was sanctioned to accommodate the pupil referred to by the Deputy, that the service commenced on 19 November 2018 and that the pupil is currently availing of the service.
Gaeltacht Policy
Ceisteanna (84)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:84. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a matter in relation to a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10032/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Since the establishment of An tAonad um Oideachas Gaeltachta within the Department of Education and Skills, significant progress has been made in relation to the implementation of the Policy on Gaeltacht Education 2017-2022, including the development and implementation of the Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme in primary and post-primary schools in the Gaeltacht. Prior to the launch of the Scheme, and since its commencement, regular consultation in relation to the operation of the Scheme has taken place with a wide range of relevant stakeholders, including the members of the Advisory Group for the Policy on Gaeltacht Education.
The overall objective of the Policy on Gaeltacht Education is to promote the use of Irish as the main language of Gaeltacht communities through the delivery of high quality education through the medium of Irish and by extending the use of Irish in school communities. The objective of the Scheme is to allow participating schools, following consultation with their local communities, to seek to achieve Gaeltacht School Recognition over a 5 year period on the basis of the implementation of specific language-based criteria, including the implementation of a total-immersion approach. Currently there are 105 primary schools and 28 post-primary schools participating in the Scheme. A report, summarising the views of schools about the implementation of the Scheme, as reported to inspectors during advisory visits to the schools, was published in December 2018. The report indicates that the experience of Gaeltacht schools implementing the Scheme has been largely positive.
The additional language support hours allocated to schools participating in the Scheme are based on the enrolment figures recorded in the previous year, which is in line with Department norms. In recognition of the difficulties which some small isolated Gaeltacht schools face in relation to the recruitment of part-time teachers, for the 2018/19 school year, schools participating in the Scheme were given the option to combine their additional language support hours with other primary schools in the locality to form clusters, which would allow for the creation of a temporary full-time teaching post shared by the primary schools in the particular cluster. For the 2019-20 school year, the further option of combining additional Irish-language support hours and/or special education teaching hours to form full-time temporary teaching posts which may be shared by primary schools in a particular cluster has been provided. The primary school concerned has been given these options.
In relation to general staffing levels, the current staffing schedule in primary schools operates at a general average of 1 teacher for every 26 pupils which is the most favourable position ever seen at primary level. Any additional improvement will be considered as part of the next annual budgetary process alongside the many other demands from the education sector.
The general staffing allocation arrangements for 2019/20 are now available on my Department’s website. As has been the norm for the past number of years, these staffing arrangements allow for more favourable retention rates in Gaeltacht schools than in other schools.
Teachers' Remuneration
Ceisteanna (85)
Clare Daly
Ceist:85. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 85 of 21 February 2019, if compensation will be paid to the substitute teachers affected (details supplied). [10033/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department and Revenue accorded the highest priority towards a correction of the tax issues for substitute teachers referred to by the Deputy. I am pleased to advise the Deputy that refunds are being issued to the substitute staff that were impacted by the issue in the first three payrolls of 2019. Refunds have now issued to 69 post primary payees, 533 primary payees and 177 non teaching staff payees. The refunds range in value from €0.24 to €1,281.71.
Approximately 600 additional refunds will be issued through the post primary payroll this week (28th February).
There are 120,000 teaching, non teaching staff and retired staff paid on a fortnightly basis on payrolls operated by my Department. The policy of my Department is that interest or compensation is not paid in the event that for some reason a staff member is underpaid his/her salary or pension.
The same policy applies in the event that for some reason a staff member was overpaid salary. Interest or compensation is not sought by my Department from the staff member.
School Accommodation Provision
Ceisteanna (86)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:86. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a matter in relation to a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10037/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that my Department approved a devolved grant to the school in question for additional accommodation. The accommodation approved includes a Mainstream Classroom, 2 x Special Education Teaching Rooms, Staff room and Office. This project is at an advanced stage of architectural planning.
The Deputy will be aware that under the National Development Plan (NDP), increased funding has been provided for the school sector capital investment programme. This funding allows for a continued focus on the provision of new permanent school places to keep pace with demographic demand and also provides for an additional focus on the refurbishment of existing school buildings to include the building and modernisation of PE facilities. The government will focus, in the medium term, on the provision of PE facilities in schools.
Question No. 87 answered with Question No. 79.
Junior Cycle Reform
Ceisteanna (88)
Jan O'Sullivan
Ceist:88. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will include other subjects such as geography in the context of the review being carried out on the decision to remove history as a core subject in the junior cycle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10081/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
One of the key aims of Junior Cycle Reform was to move from a large number of subjects with heavy curricula examined in a traditional memory based way. After a very detailed consultation process the NCCA recommended a new approach:
- limited compulsory subjects around basic literacy and numeracy
- 24 statements of learning
It is important to say that the 24 statements of learning include important elements which cultivate a historical perspective.
The new Junior Cycle Programme has also greatly enlivened subjects with a new emphasis on projects and self directed learning. This new approach is particularly evidence in history which will encourage take up of this lively and attractive subject.
The new approach gives students more choice and options which will be very valuable in their personal development. There will be 21 subjects and numerous short courses when all subjects are rolled out.
When it comes to compulsion it should be said that history and geogrpahy prior to the introduction of the Framework for Junior Cycle were only a core subjects in voluntary secondary schools (52% of schools). However, it is important to note that currently some 90% of students across all school types choose to study History at Junior Cycle with 92% choosing to study Geography.
Shortly after arriving in this Department, I requested the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) to undertake a review of the optional nature of history under the new Framework for Junior Cycle. It is expected that the review will be completed by the end of March 2019.
School Transport Eligibility
Ceisteanna (89)
Jack Chambers
Ceist:89. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the post-primary school transport service does not give consideration to one aspect (details supplied) when assessing if a child is eligible for the scheme; his views on whether it is fair not to consider this aspect in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10082/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
School transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
There are currently over 117,500 children, including over 13,000 children with special educational needs, transported in over 5,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually.
Under the terms of the Department's Post-Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for transport where they reside 4.8 kilometres or more from their nearest education centre, as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language. For the purposes of school transport provision, ethos relates to the religious ethos of minority religion schools, while language relates to the Irish or English language.
The child referred to by the Deputy is not attending their nearest post-primary education centre/school and is therefore not eligible for transport under the terms of the scheme.
The terms of the school transport scheme are applied equitably on a national basis.