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Thursday, 5 Mar 2020

Written Answers Nos. 283-302

School Accommodation Provision

Ceisteanna (283)

Jennifer Whitmore

Ceist:

283. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Skills if funding will be ensured for the provision of temporary prefab accommodation at a school (details supplied) for September 2020; the steps required by the school or Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board, KWETB, in order to realise the funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3365/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy may be aware, a major building project to provide an extension to the school in question is included in my Department's building programme to be delivered as part of the National Development Plan (NDP) Construction Programme. 

In this regard, the procurement of the Design Team to deliver the project has commenced. 

I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department approved grant to KWETB in 2019 for the provision of interim accommodation and the ETB has advised that the accommodation was installed in January 2020.

Schools Building Projects Status

Ceisteanna (284)

Jennifer Whitmore

Ceist:

284. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a new school building (details supplied) will be completed; when the school will be moved into the building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3366/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The school building project to which the Deputy refers  is due to be handed over in Q2 2020 with the building ready for occupation for the school year 2020/2021.

Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme

Ceisteanna (285)

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

285. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans in cases in which a school participating in Scéim Aitheantas do Scoileanna Gaeltachta has a majority of the teaching staff who are not competent to deliver their respective subjects through the medium of Irish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3386/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme (Scéim Aitheantas Scoileanna Gaeltachta), which was launched in April 2017, provided schools in Gaeltacht language-planning areas with the option to join the Scheme, on the basis of implementing specific language-based criteria and on condition that they were participating in the language-planning processes provided for under the Gaeltacht Act, 2012.

The requirements for joining the Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme were set out in Circulars 0033/2017 (primary schools) and 0034/2017 (post-primary schools) and in subsequent circulars issued to schools annually on the Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme. Schools expressing an interest in participating in the Scheme were required, through their self-evaluation processes, to develop an action plan for improvement relative to their school context to outline how the school would progress towards compliance with the language-based criteria to strengthen Irish-medium educational provision in the Gaeltacht. In advance of completing the Expression of Interest Form for participation in the Scheme, the board of management was required to liaise with its school community and the local language-planning committee to inform its decision to join the Scheme.

A package of additional supports continues to be provided to support all schools participating in the Scheme. These supports include: additional professional development for teachers provided by Higher Education Institutions and An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG), Inspectorate advisory visits, additional Irish-language teaching support hours, guides on immersion education, and annual grants for Irish-medium resources.

The recruitment and appointment of teachers to fill teaching posts is a matter for the individual school board of management/Education and Training Board (ETB), subject to procedures agreed under Section 24(3) of the Education Act 1998 (as amended by the Education (Amendment) Act 2012).

In accordance with Department Circulars 0044/2019 and 31/2011, schools are required to employ appropriately qualified and registered teachers. Schools should ensure that personnel appointed to teach have qualifications appropriate to the sector and are suitable to the post for which they are employed. This includes an appropriate level of proficiency in the Irish language in order to carry out teaching duties effectively.

The principal of the school, with the support of the board, is responsible for promoting the professional development of teachers in line with the changing priority needs of the school. Schools can access a range of continuing professional development opportunities provided by national support services, higher-education institutes and/or local education centres. It is also a matter for each individual teacher employed in a school to engage with such professional development supports to ensure that all pupils have access to high quality Irish-medium education, in accordance with the overarching aim of the Policy on Gaeltacht Education 2017-2022.

In instances where the majority of the teaching staff are not competent to deliver their respective subjects through the medium of Irish, the onus is on the school to put in place a professional development plan to support and upskill teachers in the Irish language and in immersion education methodologies.

Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme

Ceisteanna (286)

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

286. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a teacher in a school who has been teaching through the medium of English prior to the school entering into Scéim Aitheantas do Scoileanna Gaeltachta can be instructed to teach through the medium of Irish, notwithstanding the confirmed lack of competency in the language of the teacher; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3387/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The recruitment and appointment of teachers to fill teaching posts is a matter for the individual school board of management or Education and Training Board (ETB), subject to procedures agreed under Section 24(3) of the Education Act 1998 (as amended by the Education (Amendment) Act 2012).

In accordance with Department Circulars 0044/2019 and 31/2011, schools are required to employ appropriately qualified and registered teachers. Schools should ensure that personnel appointed to teach have qualifications appropriate to the sector and are suitable to the post for which they are employed. This includes an appropriate level of proficiency in the Irish language in order to carry out teaching duties effectively.

The Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme (Scéim Aitheantas Scoileanna Gaeltachta), which was launched in April 2017, provided schools in Gaeltacht language-planning areas with the option to join the Scheme, on the basis of implementing specific language-based criteria and on condition that they were participating in the language-planning processes provided for under the Gaeltacht Act, 2012. A package of additional supports continue to be provided to support all participating schools. These supports include: additional professional development for teachers provided by Higher Education Institutions and An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG), Inspectorate advisory visits, additional Irish-language teaching support hours, guides on immersion education, and annual grants for Irish-medium resources.

The principal is responsible for the management of the school, including guidance and direction of the teachers and other staff of the schools and is accountable to the board for that management. The principal of the school, with the support of the board, is also responsible for promoting the professional development of teachers in line with the changing priority needs of the school. Schools can access a range of continuing professional development opportunities provided by national support services, higher education institutions and/or local education centres. It is also a matter for each individual teacher employed in a school to engage with such professional development supports to ensure that all pupils have access to high quality Irish-medium education in accordance with the overarching aim of the Policy on Gaeltacht Education 2017-2022.

Emergency Works Scheme Applications

Ceisteanna (287)

Brian Stanley

Ceist:

287. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a school (details supplied) will be assessed for inclusion in a school capital budget programme in view of its serious structural problems. [3388/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I am  pleased to inform the Deputy that an Emergency Works Grant has been approved to address structural issues to the senior block of the school in question.  As this is a devolved scheme it is a matter for the school to progress this project.

It is open to the school to apply for funding under future Summer Works Schemes for any appropriate additional works.

Schools Building Projects Status

Ceisteanna (288)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

288. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a new building for the relocation of a school (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3391/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

A project to provide a new four classroom building for the school to which the Deputy refers has been approved under my Department's Additional Accommodation Scheme 2018.

A Stage 1 meeting was held with this school on 28th November 2019.  Following this meeting the school was requested to submit a revised Stage 1 report and drawings to the Department.  These have now been received and are being assessed. The Department will be in contact with the school directly once this assessment has been completed.  

Apprenticeship Data

Ceisteanna (289, 290, 291, 293)

Thomas Byrne

Ceist:

289. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of new apprenticeships established in 2019 and to date in 2020. [3392/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Thomas Byrne

Ceist:

290. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of persons taking part in apprenticeships; the number and type of apprenticeship courses in which no female apprentice is taking part; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3393/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Thomas Byrne

Ceist:

291. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of female and male apprentices in training by each employment sector and sub-sector as of 31 January 2020, for craft based and consortia led apprenticeships in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3394/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Thomas Byrne

Ceist:

293. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of persons with a disability that took part in an apprenticeship in 2019. [3396/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Details in respect of the current apprentice population, including a breakdown of male/female participation is set out in the attached tabular statement.

11 new apprenticeships were established in 2019. To date in 2020, a two year Sales apprenticeship has been established at QQI level 6. This brings the total number of programmes available to 55.

The Review of Pathways to Participation in Apprenticeship highlighted a number of areas for action which would increase the numbers of apprentices from under-represented groups.  This included setting a target of 600 female apprentices by end 2019. As of the end of 2019 there were 665 women apprentices nationally compared to 341 women apprentices in 2018, 145 in 2017 and only 60 in 2016.

486 apprentices self-identified as having a disability during the apprenticeship registration process in 2019.   

Work in the area of access to apprenticeships for under-represented groups is ongoing. The existing Action Plan to Expand Apprenticeship and Traineeship in Ireland is due to expire this year and it's successor plan will take forward the findings and remaining recommendations of the Pathways to Apprenticeship Review and set out actions and targets on how participation by under-represented groups in apprenticeship programmes can be increased.

Live Apprentice population at end of January 2020 - All Trades

Male

Female

Total

Auctioneering and Property Services

69

70

139

Auctioneering and Property Services

69

70

139

BioPharmaChem

16

23

39

Laboratory Analyst

10

11

21

Laboratory Technician

6

12

18

Construction

4250

18

4268

Brick and Stonelaying

199

0

199

Cabinet Making

2

0

2

Carpentry and Joinery

1678

7

1685

Geo Driller

10

0

10

Painting and Decorating

113

5

118

Plastering

91

0

91

Plumbing

1893

5

1898

Stonecutting and Stonemasonry

17

0

17

Wood Manufacturing and Finishing

247

1

248

Electrical

7523

77

7600

Aircraft Mechanics

207

15

222

Electrical

6265

49

6314

Electrical Instrumentation

408

7

415

Electronic Security Systems

146

2

148

Industrial Electrical Engineer

75

1

76

Instrumentation

49

2

51

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning

373

1

374

Engineering

2320

32

2352

Engineering Services Management

10

0

10

Farriery

20

0

20

Industrial Insulation

50

0

50

M.A.M.F.

654

8

662

Manufacturing Engineer (Level 7)

72

5

77

Manufacturing Technology (Level 6)

84

11

95

Metal Fabrication

818

1

819

OEM Engineer

11

0

11

Pipefitting

163

1

164

Polymer Processing Technology

44

2

46

Sheet Metalworking

158

1

159

Toolmaking

236

3

239

Financial Services

295

281

576

Accounting Technician

108

156

264

Insurance Practitioner

141

103

244

International Financial Services Associate

21

11

32

International Financial Services Specialist

25

11

36

Hair

2

10

12

Hairdressing

2

10

12

Hospitality and Food

204

40

244

Butcher

42

2

44

Chef de Partie

51

15

66

Commis Chef

108

22

130

Sous Chef

3

1

4

ICT

212

50

262

Cybersecurity

16

5

21

Network Engineer Associate

57

7

64

Software Developer Associate

81

34

115

Telecommunications and Data Network Technician

58

4

62

Logistics

50

27

77

Lean Sigma Manager

10

8

18

Logistics Associate

40

18

58

Supply Chain Manager

1

1

Media

5

2

7

CGI Technical Artist

5

2

7

Motor

2362

19

2381

Agricultural Mechanics

144

0

144

Construction Plant Fitting

239

0

239

Heavy Vehicle Mechanics

530

3

533

Motor Mechanics

1294

14

1308

Vehicle Body Repairs

155

2

157

Printing & Paper

2

0

2

Print Media

2

0

2

Sales

40

40

80

Retail Supervision

40

40

80

Total

17350

689

18039

Apprenticeships with no female participation are highlighted above.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (292)

Thomas Byrne

Ceist:

292. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the response within his Department to cases of Covid-19 in schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3395/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department has disseminated information, guidance and letters from the Chief Medical Officer of the Dept. of Health to all schools via post, Esinet and through our online systems. Aegis bodies and education partners have also been sent these materials

When a case is confirmed, the HSE conducts contact tracing, to identify people with whom the patient may have been in close contact. Public health doctors would then make direct contact with the family of the patient, the relevant school authority and staff, pupils and their parents. All parents of the pupils attending the school and all staff employed there would also be contacted by the Director of Public Health in the HSE.

My Department has been working closely with colleagues in the Department of Health to support communications to the school community and to education settings throughout the country.

A number of different coordinating groups have been established at official level to support planning and communications on COVID-19 and this Department is represented on these groups. 

Public health doctors are available to liaise with schools and advise on precautions if staff and/or students have any concerns.

Question No. 293 answered with Question No. 289.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (294)

Thomas Byrne

Ceist:

294. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position with regard to guidance to schools undertaking school trips to areas in which there has been confirmed cases of Covid-19; if clear guidance will be issued to schools on whether such trips should take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3397/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Travel advice for all Irish citizens is provided through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the most recent correct information will be available from there. Any schools that intend to travel to areas in which there have been confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the near future should ring the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade dedicated phone line on +353 (0)1 613 1733.  

The Department of Education and Skills is issuing information updates to schools, preschools and third level institutions on Covid-19  as they are received from the Department of Health,  HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre and Dept. of Foreign Affairs and Trade . 

Public health doctors are available to liaise with schools and advise on precautions if staff and/or students have any concerns.

School Accommodation Provision

Ceisteanna (295)

Marian Harkin

Ceist:

295. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application for major capital works by a school (details supplied) in County Leitrim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3463/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I can confirm to the Deputy that the school in question is the result of an amalgamation approved by the Department in conjunction with the school Patron, in September 2013. The amalgamation was granted on the condition that the school would operate from existing school sites.

The school authority has been advised that it is open to them to apply under the Department's Additional School Accommodation Scheme (ASA).  The scheme permits schools to apply for capital funding, for the provision of additional accommodation, where a deficit has been identified or where an additional post has been appointed.  The purpose of the ASA scheme is to ensure that essential classroom accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year and where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation.

Institutes of Technology Staff

Ceisteanna (296)

Michael Moynihan

Ceist:

296. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if Sligo Institute of Technology is party to, and as such bound, by the terms of an agreement (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3473/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The agreement referred to is between THEA and Fórsa.  The Department has no involvement in this matter.

Cross-Border Educational Provision

Ceisteanna (297)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

297. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department has been approached regarding the possibility of a new cross-Border university linking a college (details supplied) with IT Letterkenny; if so, his views on same; the progress made to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3475/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I can inform the Deputy that no such approach has been made to the Department, nor is there the legislative basis for any such arrangement.

Letterkenny Institute of Technology is part of the Connacht Ulster Alliance (CUA) TU development consortium together with Galway Mayo IT and IT Sligo, which is working on plans to submit an application seeking an order for establishment as a technological university under the Technological Universities Act 2018.  It is understood that an application is aimed to be submitted by CUA in Quarter 4 of 2020.

LYIT has a close working relationship with third level institutions in Derry. In 2018 and 2019 Letterkenny Institute of Technology received a total of €0.75 million in Exchequer funding under the Higher Education Authority calls for proposals for higher education landscape restructuring projects. The projects funded were aimed at strengthening collaborative cross-border strategic alliance building and co-operation between higher education and further education and training institutions such as  Letterkenny IT, Donegal ETB, North West Regional College and Ulster University, including in the wider context of strengthening the reach of any future TU if established in the region.

As stated in the “New Decade, New Approach” agreement in relation to the restoration of devolved government in Northern Ireland, the Government welcomes the development of plans for ambitious new higher education provision in Derry. This investment can support more access to third-level education for young people on a cross-border basis, enable further cooperation between third-level institutions in the North West including in research and innovation, and underpin broader economic development and opportunities in the region. The Government is willing in principle to contribute to capital investment to support expanded provision at Ulster University Magee Campus, alongside the commitment made as part of this agreement by the UK Government and looks forward to early discussion at the North  South Ministerial Council on taking forward this coordinated investment in order to deliver this vital project for the North West region.

Schools Building Projects Status

Ceisteanna (298)

Pauline Tully

Ceist:

298. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status and stage of a refurbishment and extension building application for a school (details supplied). [3481/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of an application, for capital funding, under the Additional School Accommodation scheme, from the school authority in question.  Once the application has been assessed, the school authority will be contacted directly with a decision in writing.

Schools Building Projects Status

Ceisteanna (299)

James Browne

Ceist:

299. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the planned timescale for the construction of a new school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3540/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Deputy will be aware that a building project for the school in question is included on the Department's Capital Programme to be delivered as part of the National Development Plan (NDP).

My Department has secured a site for the construction of a permanent building for the school and is currently finalising the project brief. My Department will continue to keep the school's patron updated in this regard.  It is not possible to provide an indicative timeframe for the construction of the new school at this time.

Schools Building Projects

Ceisteanna (300)

James Browne

Ceist:

300. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the proposals for an Educate Together secondary school in an area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3541/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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

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 the up-to-date information 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.

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.

In April 2018, the Government announced plans for the establishment of 42 new schools over the four year period 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 new post-primary school for the Wexford school planning area, the requirement for new schools will be kept under review and in particular will have regard for the increased rollout of housing provision as outlined in Project Ireland 2040.

Under Project Ireland 2040, my Department continues to make progress to increase the infrastructural capacity in the schools sector, in order to meet demographic and other demands.

The Capital Programme details the school projects that are being progressed under Project Ireland 2040. I wish to advise the Deputy that the current status of large-scale projects being delivered under Project Ireland 2040 may be viewed on my Department's website, www.education.ie and this information is updated regularly. In addition, a list of large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date may also be viewed on the website.   

The Capital Programme also provides for devolved funding for additional classrooms, if required, for schools where an immediate enrolment need has been identified or where an additional teacher has been appointed. Details of schools listed on this programme can be found on my Department's website www.education.ie and this information is also updated regularly.

Schools Building Projects Status

Ceisteanna (301)

Cathal Berry

Ceist:

301. Deputy Cathal Berry asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for the promised redevelopment of a secondary school (details supplied) in Portarlington, County Laois; the investment committed for same to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3542/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Major Building Project for the project referred to by the deputy is at Stage 1 of architectural planning, which entails preliminary design of site and location suitability and initial sketch scheme.

In 2019, a review of the demand for post primary provision in the area resulted in an increase in the schedule of accommodation to cater for up to 1300 pupils. The Department met with the school and the increase was accepted by the school.

Initially, it had been anticipated that this project would be delivered in the form of an extension and refurbishment. However, through ongoing engagement with the school, its Board of Management and Trustees (CEIST), the option of a New Build is currently being explored by school authorities and the Design Team.

The Design Team has been instructed to provide an initial sketch scheme for a 1300 pupil school, and submit to the Department for review. Professional fees have been agreed with the Design Team members for this additional task.

Following this review my Department will then be in contact with the Board of Management of the school with regard to the progression of the project.

This project is included in my Department’s Construction Programme which is being delivered under the National Development Plan.

Education Fees Waivers

Ceisteanna (302)

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

302. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the details under which a student may qualify for free fees having completed a level 8 course abroad for which the student did not receive support under the free fees initiative. [3557/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Under the terms of the Department's Free Fees Initiative, students who already hold a Level 8 qualification are not eligible for free fees.

Where students do not qualify for free fees, it is the institution who determines the level of fee payable by the student (either the EU level or the Non-EU) in line with its own criteria.

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