Written Answers Nos. 193-217
193. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the frustration of school secretaries at the delay in actions that would have their pay and conditions put on a par with all other public servants; and if he will work towards a speedy resolution that avoids potential industrial action at schools. [37177/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI recognise the very important work done by these staff, and the other support staff in the running of our schools. I have spoken to a number of school secretaries about their employment conditions and understand the issues they have raised.
Earlier this year I relaxed the moratorium for those C&C and ETB schools with enrolments of 700 and more which allow them to employ additional school secretaries up to a maximum of two per school. There are 91 schools in the C&C and ETB Sector who meet this criteria, based on the information currently available to this Department. This is an initial step and has taken immediate effect.
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 The schemes were withdrawn completely in 2008. These schemes have been superseded by the more extensive capitation grant schemes.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 has from 1 January 2019, been paid €13 per hour which is a 50% increase in that individual’s hourly pay.
Officials from my Department attended a meeting of the Joint Committee on Education and Skills on the 9th of April to discuss the status of non-teaching staff.
In May this year officials from my Department had discussions with FÓRSA trade union representatives as part of a planned meeting. FÓRSA took the opportunity to formally table a pay claim.
This was tabled as a follow-on claim from the current pay agreement for this cohort of staff which lasts until December 2019. The Department issued surveys on the 10th of July to establish the full current cost of the trade union’s claim. This is standard practice.
FÓRSA's claim will be fully considered once the current costings have been determined on completion of these surveys. In these circumstances any industrial action by FÓRSA members is considered premature, not least because the period of the current arbitration agreement has not expired. My officials are fully open to having further dialogue with FÓRSA once the survey work has been undertaken.
194. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to establish new schools in Citywest, Dublin 24, in view of the increase in population and projected growth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37179/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System, using data from a range of sources, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise. With this information, my Department carries out nationwide demographic exercises to determine where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.
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, my Department engages with each of the local authorities to obtain 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.
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 announced plans in April 2018 for the establishment of 42 new schools over the next four years (2019 to 2022) including:
- a new 1,000 pupil post-primary school to be established in 2020 to serve the Tallaght & Newcastle_Rathcoole (Citywest/Saggart) school planning areas as a regional solution; and
- a new 8 classroom primary school to be established in 2020 to serve the Newcastle_Rathcoole (Saggart) school planning areas.
This announcement follows nationwide, demographic exercises carried out by my Department into the future need for primary and post-primary schools across the country. A patronage process is run after it has been decided, based on demographic analysis, that a new school is required. This patronage process is open to all patron bodies and prospective patrons.
Parental preferences for each patron, from parents of children who reside in the school planning areas concerned, together with the extent of diversity currently available in these areas, are key to decisions in relation to the outcome of this process.
The Online Patronage Process System (OPPS) has been developed by my Department to provide objective information to parents and guardians which will allow them to make an informed choice in expressing a preference for their preferred model of patronage for their child’s education.
The patronage process for the new post-primary schools to be established in 2020 is now open for parental preferences and will close on October 4th. Updates in relation to the patronage process for the new primary schools to be established in 2020 will be announced on the OPPS website (https://patronage.education.gov.ie/) and my Department’s website (www.education.ie).
The patronage process for new schools is overseen by an external independent advisory group, the New Schools Establishment Group (NSEG). Following their consideration of my Department’s assessment reports, the NSEG will submit a report with recommendations to me for consideration and final decision. The assessment reports and the NSEG recommendations for all such patronage processes are made available on my Department's website.
195. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education and Skills when an application will be processed for home tuition hours for a child (details supplied). [37183/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application under the home tuition grant scheme for the child referred to by the Deputy was received by my Department on the 5th September 2019 and a decision letter issued to the parent/guardian on the 13th September 2019.
While the Home Tuition application form outlines that it may take the Department up to 15 working days to process home tuition applications, the Department is prioritising the processing of Home Tuition applications with a view to processing completed applications within 7 working days.
196. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on suggested policies to reduce child poverty in budget 2020 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37195/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides a book grant to all recognised primary and post primary schools within the Free Education Scheme in order to provide assistance for books including Book Rental Schemes. Under this scheme, the Department provided funding of €16.9 million in 2019 to all of these schools.
School book rental schemes have an important role to play in reducing the cost of school books for parents and in order to support the establishment of book rental schemes my Department provided €15.7 million seed capital in 2014, 2015 and 2016 to primary schools. Circa. 96% of primary schools and 68% of post-primary schools operate a book rental scheme.
It is a matter for the Board of Management of each individual school to decide on its own policy in relation to the use of book grant funding in the school but they are expected to adopt a cost-conscious approach to the selection of books for use in their classes. The current arrangement relies on the local knowledge of the school in order to ensure a fair allocation of funds to those most in need.
The arrangements in relation to the book grant scheme are set out in Circular 0046/2013 which is published on the Department's website at www.education.ie/en/Circulars-and-Forms/Active-Circulars/cl0046_2013.pdf.
In looking at the competing demands for the next Budget, I must have regard to the level of resources which will be available to my Department, in the context of the continuing need for the Government to prudently manage the economy and the public finances and have regard to risks, including those associated with Brexit.
The remaining issues should be referred to my colleagues in the Departments of Employment and Social Protection, Health, Children & Youth Affairs, Culture Heritage and the Gaeltacht, as appropriate.
197. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to ensure there are sufficient school places at both primary and secondary level in Ratoath, County Meath. [37202/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System, using data from a range of sources, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise. With this information, my Department carries out nationwide demographic exercises to determine where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.
Major new residential developments in a school planning area have the potential to alter demand in that area. In that regard, as part of the demographic exercises, my Department engages with each of the local authorities to obtain up-to-date data on significant new residential development 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.
Where data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may, depending on the circumstances, be provided through either one, or a combination of, the following:
- Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,
- Extending the capacity of a school or schools,
- Provision of a new school or schools.
As the Deputy may be aware, in April 2018, the Government announced plans for the establishment of 42 new schools over the next four years (2019 to 2022). This announcement follows nationwide demographic exercises carried out by my Department into the future need for primary and post-primary schools across the country.
While the announcement did not include a school in the Ratoath school planning area, the requirement for new schools will be kept under on-going review and in particular will have regard for the increased rollout of housing provision as outlined in Project Ireland 2040.
198. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a school (details supplied) in County Mayo has been notified that a temporary classroom will not be sanctioned and that the school requires the additional accommodation; the status of an application for a permanent additional classroom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37204/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am pleased to advise the Deputy that my Department has recently approved funding for the provision of permanent additional accommodation at the school in question. In assessing the application my Department considered that existing accommodation could be utilised, as an interim measure, pending delivery of the permanent accommodation.
199. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Education and Skills if vending machines will be installed to supply students in both primary and post-primary schools and colleges with free sanitary products; if his attention has been drawn to the increasing numbers of students who are struggling with period poverty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37206/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Strategy Committee for the National Strategy for Women and Girls has recently established a sub-committee on period poverty. My Department is participating on the sub-committee, which is chaired by the Department of Health. The sub-committee will examine available evidence to establish the prevalence of period poverty in Ireland, the populations at risk of experiencing such poverty and the identification of measures to address period poverty. The sub-committee, which held its first meeting earlier this month, will, in due course, report back to the main Strategy Committee for the National Strategy for Women and Girls.
The installation of vending machines in a school is a matter for a school’s Board of Management and school leadership to consider. I understand that sanitary products are currently available in a number of schools.
200. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a decision has been made on the appeal by a school (details supplied) in County Kerry on the reduction of SNA hours for the 2019/2020 school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37217/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
SNA allocations to all schools can change from year to year as children with care needs leave the school, as new children with care needs enrol in a school and as children develop more independent living skills and their care needs diminish over time.
The NCSE Appeals Process may be invoked by a parent or a school where it is considered that a child was not granted access to SNA support because the requirements outlined in Circular 0030/2014 were not complied with. Schools may also appeal a decision, where the school considers that the NCSE, in applying Department policy, has not allocated the appropriate level of SNA support to the school to meet the special educational and/or care needs of the children concerned.
Where a school has received its allocation of SNA support for 2019/20, but wishes new enrolments or assessments to be considered, which were not taken into account when the initial allocation was made, they may continue to make applications to the NCSE.
The closing date for receipt of appeals in regard to SNA allocations is Friday 27 September 2019.
As this question relates to a particular school, I have referred the question to the NCSE for their direct reply.
201. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will address a matter regarding a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37223/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials in my Department have made enquiries with Kerry Education and Training Board (KETB) in relation to this matter.
I understand from KETB that due to the very high demand and learner requirements for this course, an application screening and interview process is required in the selection procedure. There are only 14 places available in each instance of the course and there is no automatic guaranteed place available for any applicant prior to the selection process outlined above. The candidate was unsuccessful on this occasion and has requested feedback from the Training Centre.
202. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of 42 new schools announced in April 2018; the cost incurred to date; the estimated cost of buildings which have not been delivered to date for these schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37266/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table:
|
Item |
Cost incurred to date (€) |
|
42 new schools announced in April 2018* |
€2,934,100 |
*costs relate to 17 of the 42 schools announced in April 2018, which opened in Sept 2019
Before any project goes to tender a pre-tender cost estimate is established. However pre-tender cost estimates are not published as it is not in the interests of the overall school building programme to publish such information. These costs can vary depending on site conditions, planning conditions , tender outcomes etc.
203. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount spent in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019 on consultants for school building projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37267/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table:
|
Year |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 (to date) |
|
Amount spent on Design Team Fees such as Architects, Engineers etc. for school building projects (€)* |
18,185,413 |
22,456,989 |
21,836,136 |
13,322,114 |
While the delivery of major capital projects on the school building programme uses external design teams (Architects, Engineers etc.) appointed by tender to deliver specific projects these are not termed “consultants” in terms of the Deputy’s question. Accountancy firms are not used on major school building projects at all. Design team fees are tendered on a percentage basis and then locked in to a fixed sum when design has been developed at Stage 2A of design process.
In relation to devolved grant schemes i.e. Additional Accommodation Scheme, Summer Works Scheme, consultants fees are included as part of the grant and are not broken out separately. Therefore these fees are not included in the above table.
204. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the average cost of delivery of a permanent school place in each of the years 2011 to 2018 and to date in 2019, at primary and secondary level, respectively and in DEIS schools in tabular form (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37268/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraA response will issue directly to the deputy in relation to this question.
205. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the value of payments made to consultants working on schools built under the rapid build programme which were subsequently found to have structural issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37269/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is currently being compiled by my Department and will be forwarded to the Deputy.
206. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of remedial works for schools constructed by a company (details supplied) at which structural issues were identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37270/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that the Department commenced a programme of structural assessments in over 40 schools built by the company in late October last year. At that time, a part of 1 school building was closed, immediate precautionary measures were put in place in 22 schools, with the remaining 17 schools not requiring immediate precautionary measures pending further detailed investigations. Detailed investigations in the 22 schools with precautionary measures in place took place between January and May 2019. The first phase of the School Remediation Programme for these schools took place during the 2019 summer holiday period with permanent remediation work carried out enabling the removal of precautionary measures in full in 14 schools and preparatory work well advanced to commence structural remediation work in the remaining 8 schools.
Planned detailed investigations in the remaining 17 schools also took place over the Summer months. The engineering advice following those detailed investigations was that some temporary engineering solutions and other precautionary measures should be completed in some parts of some of these buildings until permanent remediation works were designed, programmed and delivered. These works were completed in advance of these schools re-opening for the new school year.
The programme to complete the remediation of all the impacted schools is continuing, with the intention to maximise the summer holiday periods in 2020 and 2021 to carry out permanent works.
My Department continues to liaise with the Chief State Solicitor’s Office and the Attorney General’s Office on the on-going legal process related to the schools built by the contractor involved. Proceedings have issued in a number of schools to date. The next date Court date is expected to be in October 2019. For legal reasons, my Department is not in a position, at this time, to provide the costs for the remediation work.
207. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of construction inflation in 2018 for major projects under construction by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37271/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Public Works Contract requires projects to be tendered on a fixed price basis for a period of up to 31 months. It would be rare for a school building project to have a construction period in excess of 31 months; therefore, construction inflation does not generally impact on projects under construction. Tendering contractors must carry the risk for construction inflation during the construction period and this has the effect of curbing inflation as contractors are incentivised to purchase materials at the best price available.
208. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether value for money is being achieved within the school building programme; the actions taken to monitor value for money within the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37272/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder Project Ireland 2040, my Department continues to make progress to increase the infrastructural capacity in the schools sector nationally, in order to meet demographic and other demands. The current status of projects being delievered is listed on a county by county basis on my Department’s website at www.education.ie and updated on a monthly basis to reflect their progress through the various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender and construction.
My Department is satisfied that value for money is being achieved and carefully manages and controls costs on all projects in order to ensure best possible outcomes for the investment being made under the capital programme.
The detailed procedures for cost control of individual projects include:
- Using a variety of delivery methods for delivering school building projects
- Detailed procedures in place for appraisal, design, tender and construction of large-scale school building projects.
- Detailed design team procedures that involve 6 stages in the design and construction process with Departmental approval required for progression to next stage
- Design Team fees tendered on percentage basis and then locked in to a fixed sum when design has been developed at Stage 2A of design process
- Planning permission and design completed before tender process commences which gives clarity to tenderers on scope of project
- Contracts tendered on a fixed price basis which gives certainty in relation to managing the impact of construction inflation
- Procedures in place for provision of monthly progress/cost reports during construction and arrangements for dealing with any requests for change orders to existing contracts.
Construction inflation during the recovery of the industry after the downturn has had an impact on value for money. Since 2014 construction inflation has averaged just over 6% per annum and this together with changes in the Building Regulations in 2017 in relation to energy conservation have seen the Department’s published Basic Building Cost Limits rise from €1,050/m2 in 2014 to €1,490/m2 in 2018/19.
209. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the permanent school places built under the major projects heading in each of the years 2011 to 2018 and to date in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37273/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table. The number of permanent school places built in any given year can depend on the size and nature of the particular projects in construction at that time e.g. a new school at post-primary level can involve the delivery of up to 1,000 school places whereas a new primary school would typically be less than half that number of school places. The information in respect of 2019 is currently being colated and will be forwarded to the Deputy in due course.
|
Year |
Number of Permanent School Places |
|
2018 |
16,709 |
|
2017 |
18,793 |
|
2016 |
20,036 |
|
2015 |
16,364 |
|
2014 |
18,222 |
|
2013 |
13,767 |
|
2012 |
16,412 |
|
2011 |
18,665 |
|
2010 |
8,886 |
210. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to locations in which veganism is being promoted in second and third-level institutions in spite of the Healthy Ireland framework being Government policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37274/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is active in the area of promotion of health and wellbeing in schools. The issue of promoting healthy eating is addressed in schools through subjects such as Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE), and Home Economics as well as in Physical Education. The aim is to equip students with such skills and knowledge to enable them to make appropriate choices for healthy lifestyles. This informed approach will help to reduce the incidence of obesity in our young people.
Schools are strongly encouraged to have a formal healthy eating policy that has been developed in consultation with students and parents.
Guidelines are available to schools on developing a healthy eating policy in Post-Primary Schools, which have been developed by the Department of Health and HSE. The healthy eating policy should outline how the school supports healthy eating practices through the promotion of healthy lunches and healthy snacks and other means.
My Department has issued circulars to all primary and post primary schools on the Promotion of Healthy Lifestyles.
In relation to higher education institutions, these are autonomous institutions and the management of their affairs are matters for the individual institutions concerned. I understand that the Department of Health, under its Healthy Ireland Initiative, is developing a Healthy Campus Framework in consultation with these institutions. This Framework adopts a holistic understanding of health, takes a whole campus approach and aspires to create a learning environment and organisational culture that enhances the health and wellbeing of its community.
I hope you find this information useful.
211. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 540 of 23 July 2019, if the letter of intent has issued; if a letter of acceptance has issued; when construction will commence on site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37293/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the delivery of the project for Naas Community College has been devolved to Kildare and Wicklow Education & Training Board (KWETB).
The project is still at tender stage and the Letter of Intent has not issued yet. It is expected that the project will commence construction towards the end of this year so that it will be completed before September 2021.
212. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 541 of 23 July 2019, if the tender report has been approved; if the letter of intent has issued; if a letter of acceptance has issued; when construction will commence on site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37294/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the delivery of the Maynooth Campus project has been devolved to Kildare and Wicklow Education & Training Board (KWETB).
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the tender report for this project has been approved by my Department. The Letter of Acceptance has issued and construction commenced yesterday. It is expected that the project will be completed before September 2020.
