Written Answers Nos. 274-294
274. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the projects and proposed measures in the flood risk management plans for County Westmeath in tabular form; the cost of each project; the funding allocated to each project; the expected commencement date for construction; the expected completion date for each project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14178/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Flood Risk Management Plans published on 3rd May 2018 did not include any measures for new flood relief capital projects in Co. Westmeath. However a major flood relief scheme for Athlone was already underway at that time and continues to be progressed by Westmeath County Council with funding and direct labour provided by the Office of Public Works.
The following summarises in tabular form the position in relation to the Athlone project:
|
Project |
Project budget Estimate/Funding allocation |
Construction commencement date |
Expected Construction completion date |
|
Athlone Flood Alleviation Scheme |
€12 million |
Q4 2017 |
Q4 2020/Q1 2021 |
275. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status regarding proposed flood risk management plans (details supplied); the cost of each project in tabular form; the amount allocated for each project; the expected commencement date for construction; the expected completion date for construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14179/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is being compiled and will be addressed directly to the Deputy in due course.
276. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 155 of 26 February 2019, if the further study being commissioned by Kildare County Council has commenced; if not, when it will commence; when the study will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14185/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Hazelhatch area of Celbridge, County Kildare was assessed as part of the Eastern Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Study. The Flood Risk Management Plans identified the need for a further study of the area to help identify any feasible option to manage the existing flood risk.
This further study, being commissioned by Kildare County Council, is carrying out a detailed technical/hydro geological assessment. The Council expects that the tender competition will be completed by end of April 2019 with the completed report expected to be available towards the end of July, 2019 and will help inform the management of the flood risk in this area.
277. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a response will issue to a query (details supplied) raised with the school transport section of his Department and Bus Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12726/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool 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 child in question is eligible for school transport under the terms of my Department's School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs.
Bus Éireann has advised that the child in question is currently availing of a school transport service.
I have requested Bus Éireann to liaise directly with the family regarding the issues raised in relation to this service.
278. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the records from the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse, the Residential Institutions Redress Board and the Residential Institutions Review Committee were sealed; if this will have implications for the survivors in terms of redress; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13365/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe recently published Retention of Records Bill provides for the retention of the records of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse, the Residential Institutions Redress Board and the Residential Institutions Redress Review Committee.
The existing legislation for the three redress bodies contains strict confidentiality provisions, including the related provisions that the bulk of their records would be destroyed at the time of the dissolution of the bodies. The Retention of Records Bill is first of all designed to ensure that these records are not destroyed but are retained intact. For this approach to be sustainable, due consideration has to be given to the assurances of confidentiality, set down in legislation, to all those who gave testimony or engaged with the bodies in any way, balanced with the wider public interest of retaining the records for posterity and eventually opening them to public inspection. The provisions of the Bill in regard to a lengthy sealing period reflect the need to strike that balance.
The Redress Scheme operated by the Residential Institutions Redress Board which was in place for people who had suffered abuse in a number of scheduled institutions is no longer open to new applicants. The Residential Institutions Redress (Amendment) Act, 2011 removed the Board’s power to accept late applications received on or after the 17th September 2011.
279. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of autistic spectrum units that will be provided at schools (details supplied) in County Kildare when a campus opens in September 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12708/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe delivery of the two new schools to which the Deputy refers has been devolved to Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board. There will be a two-classroom Special Educational Needs Base in each of the schools.
280. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a contract has been awarded for the supply of temporary prefabricated accommodation for ten new start-up schools which are due to open in September 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12711/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that the Department's Project Manager has tendered for the supply of temporary accommodation for 10 new start-up schools for September 2019. The Letter of Acceptance has issued to the chosen accommodation providers.
281. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a manager has been secured for the ADAPT programme; if so, when they will contact a school (details supplied) in County Kildare to progress its building project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12712/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraA building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is included in my Department’s 6 year Construction Programme.
A project brief has been finalised and the project will be delivered via the ADAPT programme. The ADAPT programme is an innovative delivery programme first introduced by my Department in 2016. It uses a professional external Project Manager to coordinate and drive the respective design teams on each project.
In this regard, a tender competition is in train to establish a Project Manager framework which is expected to be in place shortly. Tenders have been returned and are currently being evaluated. Once established, this framework will be used to appoint a Project Manager for the ADAPT programme, following a further tender exercise specific to ADAPT.
Whilst the Department must adhere to the Public Procurement rules for the appointment of consultant Design Teams the Building Unit will expedite this process in so far as possible.
My Department wrote to the school on March 19th to provide an update on the status of this project.
282. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board has advertised for the recruitment of a principal for a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; if accommodation has been secured for the opening of the new school in September 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12714/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraEach Educational Training Board (ETB) receive a Teaching staffing allocation from my Department and it is the responsibility of each ETB to the recruit and manage staffing levels within this allocation.
Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board (KWETB) has informed officials from my Department that the closing date for receipt of applications for the role of Principal has passed with shortlisting and interviews to be held in the coming weeks.
Furthermore my Department has recently given approval in principle to KWETB to rent suitable accommodation for the Gael Coláiste to include 2 general classrooms, a special educational needs room, office and staff rooms as well pupil and staff toilets. It is now a matter for KWETB to make the necessary arrangements to secure suitable accommodation and liaise with my Department's Building Unit on these arrangements.
283. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a general purpose room will be granted for a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12728/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that there is no record of a current application, for capital funding, from the school in question.
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 in schools.
The immediate priority of my Department is providing 20,000 new and replacement school places each year, to ensure that every child has a school place. The focus in the medium will be on the provision of PE halls in post-primary schools.
284. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 88 of 7 March 2019, if a child (details supplied) is on a waiting list to be assessed for an exemption; the timeframe to be assessed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12736/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware my Department’s National Educational Psychological Service provides educational psychological support to all primary and post-primary schools. This involves direct support in the event of a critical incident, access to national and regional support and development work to build school capacity to support students, access to a NEPS psychologist for responses to queries arising, and access to individual pupil casework via a NEPS psychologist or through the Scheme for the Commissioning of Psychological Assessments (SCPA).
NEPS does not maintain waiting lists but, in common with many other psychological services and best international practice, NEPS has adopted a consultative model of service. The focus is on empowering teachers to intervene effectively with pupils whose needs range from mild to severe and transient to enduring. Psychologists use a problem solving and solution oriented consultative approach to maximise positive outcomes for these pupils. NEPS encourages schools to use a continuum based assessment and intervention process whereby each school takes responsibility for initial assessment, educational planning and remedial intervention for pupils with learning, emotional or behavioural difficulties. Teachers may consult their NEPS psychologist should they need to at this stage in the process. Only in the event of a failure to make reasonable progress, in spite of the school's best efforts in consultation with NEPS, will the psychologist become involved with an individual child for intensive intervention or assessment.
This system allows psychologists to give early attention to urgent cases and also to help many more children indirectly than could be seen individually. It also ensures that children are not referred unnecessarily for psychological intervention.
I would advise therefore that if the parents of the child, to whom the Deputy refers in his question, have concerns about the child’s educational development they should raise them, in the first instance, with the principal of the school involved with a view to him/her raising the matter with their local NEPS service or assigned psychologist for advice, or if appropriate, direct intervention.
I hope this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
285. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the participation rate here in lifelong learning in each of the years 2014 to 2018 and to date in 2019; the EU average rate for same based on latest data in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12754/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe latest comparable (EU 28 vs Ireland) data is the annual average for 2018. The data for 2018 is provisional and there is no data available for 2019 at this point.
In quarter 3 2017, the CSO introduced a new Labour Force Survey (LFS) which replaced the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS). This move involved a number of changes in how the survey is carried out, including, among others, the introduction of computer assisted telephone interviewing, a modernised questionnaire, updated population estimates from Census 2016, and revised sample allocation.
A break in series has occurred in the lifelong learning data following these modifications: as a result, it is not possible to accurately compare data for some variables before and after quarter 3 2017.
The following table shows the percentage rate for Ireland’s participation in adult lifelong learning for the years 2014 – 2018.
|
GEO/TIME |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
|
EU 28 |
10.8 |
10.7 |
10.8 |
10.9 |
11.1 |
|
Ireland |
7.0 |
6.5 |
6.5 |
9.0 |
12.8 |
Source: Eurostat (date extracted: 12.03.2019)
The target as the lifelong learning participation rate for 2025 is 18%.
286. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an autism spectrum unit will be provided at a school (details supplied); if not, the location in which female students completing primary school in ASD classes will continue their secondary education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12761/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Council for Special education (NCSE), an independent agency of my Department, is responsible for planning, coordinating and advising on education provision for children with special educational needs. This includes taking account of the flow of students from primary into post primary. The Council ensures that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all children who have been identified as needing special class placements.
The NCSE’s team of locally based Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) are available to assist and advise parents whose children have special needs and identify available placements. They also support and advise schools in this area. Parents who are experiencing difficulties in locating a special class placement, should contact their local SENO.
Individual school boards of management are responsible for the establishment of special classes. It is open to any school to make application to the NCSE to establish a class. In deciding where to establish a special class in an area, the NCSE take account of the current and projected demand and the available school accommodation both current and planned. In this regard, the SENO may approach individual schools to discuss the matter with a view to finding the optimal location in terms of convenience and sustainability.
When the NCSE sanction a special class in a school, the school can apply to my Department for capital funding to reconfigure existing spaces within the school building to accommodate the class and/or to construct additional accommodation. There are standard arrangements in place for the funding, design and delivery of these projects.
As the matter raised by the Deputy refers to a particular school, I have arranged for the Deputy's question to be forwarded to the National Council for Special Education for direct reply.
287. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the proposed amalgamation of schools (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to the opposition by the relevant communities to this move; if plans to do so will be reversed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12779/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware the decision making authority for any amalgamation is the Patron/Trustees of the schools, and this is subject to the approval of my Department.
Any proposed amalgamation involves extensive negotiations at local level and must be well planned and managed in a manner that accommodates the interests of students, parents, teachers, local communities and contributes to an inclusive education system.
My Department is aware of a proposal from the Patron body and has sought further information in relation to the proposed amalgamation. On receipt of this information further consideration will be given to the proposal.
288. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 214 of 5 February 2019, if tenders have been invited from the shortlist of contractors; the closing date for receipt of tenders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12715/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe process of Pre-Qualification of contractors for the project in question is under way. For this particular project, pre-qualification of reserved specialists for the mechanical and electrical works is also required. The Pre-qualification process culminates in the compilation of shortlists of suitable candidates for each respective discipline.
A draft report was submitted to my Department for review on January 11th 2019. On January 17th the Department reverted to the Design Team with a number of items to be actioned with regard to finalising the process. The updated report was submitted to my Department on March 6th 2019 and is currently under review.
When the Pre-Qualification process is completed the project will then be progressed to tender stage which normally takes between 7 and 8 months to complete.
289. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 203 and 219 of 19 February 2019 (details supplied), if it can be established that this new school will not meet the needs of the area in view of the significant increase in current and future residential development and household formation in the area both in the Citywest end and Newcastle and Rathcoole of the school planning area; his plans to include in the capital plan an additional eight-classroom primary school specifically to meet current and future demand in the Rathcoole and Newcastle area; and if so, the process by which the school principals, parents and local representatives can engage with his Department to progress such a proposition. [12802/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFor school planning purposes, my Department divides the country into 314 geographic areas known as school planning areas which facilitates the orderly planning of school provision and accommodation needs. In identifying the requirement for additional school places, the Department uses a Geographical Information System (GIS) to identify where the pressure for school places will arise. The GIS uses data from the Central Statistics Office, Ordnance Survey Ireland and the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, in addition to the Department's own databases. As the Deputy has indicated, major new residential developments in a school planning area have the potential to alter demand in an area. In that regard, as part of the demographic exercises, the Department engages with each of the local authorities to obtain the up-to-date data on significant new residential developments in each area. This is necessary to ensure that schools infrastructure planning is keeping pace with demographic changes as there is a constantly evolving picture with planned new residential development, including additional residential developments arising from the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF).
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 will be aware, the Government recently announced plans for the establishment of 42 new schools over the next four years (2019 to 2022), including a new primary and post-primary school to be established in the Newcastle-Rathcoole school planning area as follows:
- a new 8 classroom primary school to be established in 2020 to serve the Newcastle-Rathcoole/Saggart school planning area; and
- a new 1,000 pupil post-primary school to be established in 2020 to serve the Tallaght and Newcastle-Rathcoole school planning areas as a regional solution.
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.
It is intended to deliver the two new schools as part of my Department's Design and Build programme in purpose-built accommodation on a shared site at Fortunestown Lane which is in the ownership of Dublin and Dun Laoghaire ETB.
The Capital Programme 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. My Department has approved 3 temporary classrooms for Scoil Chronain NS Rathcoole to cater for immediate needs and these rooms are initially being provided for in Rathcoole Community Centre pending the arrival of 3 temporary classrooms at the school.
My Department is currently in the process of acquiring additional land owned by South Dublin County Council adjoining the site of this school and the additional land offers the potential to enhance current facilities and support future development. There is ongoing engagement with officials from South Dublin County Council on this matter.
The requirement for new schools will be kept under on-going review and in particular would have regard to the impact of the increased roll out of housing provision as outlined in Project Ireland 2040. My Department will also continue to monitor areas where the accommodation of existing schools may need to be expanded in order to meet the needs of the local population.
290. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application for funding by a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12805/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am pleased to inform the Deputy that funding has been approved to proceed to the planning stage for the provision of two mainstream classrooms at the school to which she refers. My Department has also recently approved the provision of an additional resource room at the school.
The project has been devolved for delivery to the school authority so it is now a matter for the Board of Management to advance the project.
291. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills when there will be an autism spectrum disorder unit for post-primary schools in Nenagh, County Tipperary. [12806/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIndividual school boards of management are responsible for the establishment of special classes. It is open to any school to make application to the National Council for Special education (NCSE), to establish a class.
The NCSE, an independent agency of my Department, is responsible for planning, coordinating and advising on education provision for children with special educational needs. This includes taking account of the flow of students from primary into post primary. The Council ensures that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all children who have been identified as needing special class placements.
The NCSE’s team of locally based Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) are available to assist and advise parents whose children have special needs and identify available placements. They also support and advise schools in this area. Parents who are experiencing difficulties in locating a special class placement, should contact their local SENO.
The NCSE has informed my Department that they are satisfied that there are sufficient post primary ASD special class placements in the area referred to by the Deputy to meet identified need for the forthcoming school year.
In deciding where to establish a special class in an area, the NCSE take account of the current and projected demand and the available school accommodation both current and planned. In this regard, the SENO may approach individual schools to discuss the matter with a view to finding the optimal location in terms of convenience and sustainability. This work is currently underway in the area concerned for the 2020/21 school year.
When the NCSE sanction a special class in a school, the school can apply to my Department for capital funding to reconfigure existing spaces within the school building to accommodate the class and/or to construct additional accommodation.
160 new special classes have been opened for the 2018/19 school year, which means there are now 1,459 special classes in place, compared to 548 in 2011.
292. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Education and Skills the grants and sources of funding available to schools to apply for funding for musical instruments; and the criteria of each scheme. [12811/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department funds the provision of a range of equipment to post-primary schools offering music as a subject. The details of the equipment provided are available on my Department’s website at https://www.education.ie/en/Schools-Colleges/Services/Furniture-Equipment/. Existing schools wishing to offer music as a new subject may apply for grant aid for this equipment to the Devolved Projects Section of my Department’s Planning and Building Unit in Tullamore. The equipment is automatically provided for newly constructed schools where music is part of the curriculum. Schools may enhance this equipment with their capitation grant if they so wish.
Additionally, my Department provides funding to non-mainstream educational initiatives via the Non-Mainstream Music Education Bursary scheme.
The Non-Mainstream Music Education Bursary is a DES funded initiative to provide additional funding. 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 announcement will be made shortly regarding the scheme in 2019.
My Department also provides funding to Music Generation which operates in twenty areas of the country currently. Music Generation was formed by a partnership between U2, Music Network, the International Funds for Ireland and the education sector has enabled a series of Music Education Partnerships (MEPs) to be established around the country on a phased basis to provide vocal and instrumental music tuition for young people.
On 7 December 2017, at the launch of the Creative Youth programme, An Taoiseach announced that Phase 3 of Music Generation would proceed in the coming years, funded entirely with exchequer funding. This final phase will see Music Generation reach all areas of the country.
Music Generation currently reaches over 41,000 children and young people annually. This number will increase annually as more MEPs are established and roll out.
293. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the extension of a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12818/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe major school building project referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning – Stage 2b (Detailed Design) which includes the application for Statutory Approvals and the preparation of Tender Documents. All statutory approvals have been secured.
A Brief Change requested by the school was approved by my Department in January 2019 and the Design Team is currently completing the Stage (b) report for submission to the Department for review and approval. Upon review my Department will be in contact with the school regarding the further progression of the project.
294. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a child (details supplied) in County Cork will be allocated a suitable place in an ASD unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12897/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Council for Special education (NCSE), an independent agency of my Department, is responsible for planning, coordinating and advising on education provision for children with special educational needs. This includes taking account of the flow of students from primary into post primary. The Council ensures that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all children who have been identified as needing special class placements.
The NCSE has informed my Department that they are satisfied that there are sufficient post primary ASD special class placements in Cork to meet current identified need for the forthcoming school year.
The NCSE’s team of locally based Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) are available to assist and advise parents whose children have special needs and identify available placements. They also support and advise schools in this area. Parents who are experiencing difficulties in locating a special class placement, should contact their local SENO.
Individual school boards of management are responsible for the establishment of special classes. It is open to any school to make application to the NCSE to establish a class. In deciding where to establish a special class in an area, the NCSE take account of the current and projected demand and the available school accommodation both current and planned. In this regard, the SENO may approach individual schools to discuss the matter with a view to finding the optimal location in terms of convenience and sustainability.
When the NCSE sanction a special class in a school, the school can apply to my Department for capital funding to reconfigure existing spaces within the school building to accommodate the class and/or to construct additional accommodation.
160 new special classes have been opened for the 2018/19 school year, which means there are now 1,459 special classes in place, compared to 548 in 2011.
As the matter raised by the Deputy refers to a placement for a particular child, I have arranged for the Deputy's question to be forwarded to the National Council for Special Education for direct reply.
