Norma Foley
Ceist:263. Deputy Norma Foley asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the health professionals admission test, HPAT, results will be available. [6332/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraHealth Professions Admission Test
Ceisteanna (263)
Freagraí scríofa
The HPAT is independently administered by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) on behalf of the universities’ medical schools and the RCSI. The selection criteria and process for admission to medical schools is a matter for those institutions in line with their statutory autonomy in relation to academic affairs. Neither I nor my Department has a function in the administration of the HPAT, including the issuing of results.
National Council for Special Education
Ceisteanna (264)
Roderic O'Gorman
Ceist:264. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a report will be presented to the principal and board of management of a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6335/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The purpose of the site visit on the 12th August 2019 was to offer technical advice on the suitability of the school and site to incorporate SEN teaching in the immediate and long term, with the support of the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) and as a detailed inspection of all structures on the site was not carried out a written report was not prepared.
At the meeting the school authority was advised to submit an application for addition accommodation under my Department's Additional Accommodation Scheme and this application is currently being assessed to determine the school long-term accommodation needs. As soon as this assessment is completed the school authority will be informed and details of the new accommodation to be provided will be forwarded to the school authority for their consideration and approval.
State Examinations
Ceisteanna (265, 389)
Norma Foley
Ceist:265. Deputy Norma Foley asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the leaving certificate 2020 results will be available. [6340/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
Ceist:389. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education and Skills the timeline for students who are not content with their leaving certificate results sitting individual or multiple exams, receiving their results, receiving college places and entering college in the 2020-21 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6909/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 265 and 389 together.
The Leaving Certificate results based on calculated grades will be provided to candidates as close as possible to the normal results day.
Students unhappy with the calculated grade they receive will have access to an appeals process. Work is ongoing with the higher education sector to integrate the timing of the first stage of the appeals process with the start date for college entry.
Students who receive an upgraded CAO place following Stage 1 of the appeals process may be able to take up their place in the 2020/2021 academic year.
The timeframe for sitting the postponed Leaving Certificate 2020 examinations cannot be determined at this time pending public health advice that would identify a safe period of time to do so and the numbers of candidates in each subject has been identified. It is not expected that students who seek to rely on the results of the postponed examinations will be able to commence a third level place in the 2020/2021 academic year.
Third Level Admissions
Ceisteanna (266)
Norma Foley
Ceist:266. Deputy Norma Foley asked the Minister for Education and Skills the CAO revised deadline for the leaving certificate 2020. [6341/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Higher education institutions are autonomous with regard to management of their academic affairs including admissions procedures. The CAO process applications on behalf of the HEIs.
As such, neither I nor my Department have any role in relation to the operation of the CAO. A timetable of key dates can be found on the CAO website www.cao.ie and queries on these dates should be sent directly to the CAO.
In relation to the issuing of CAO offers this year, this will be dependent on the issuing of calculated grades. The plan is that calculated grades will be provided to candidates as close as possible to the normal results day, and therefore CAO results dates will also adhere as closely as possible to the normal timeframes. Applicants will be notified as soon as a revised schedule has been agreed.
Third Level Education
Ceisteanna (267)
Norma Foley
Ceist:267. Deputy Norma Foley asked the Minister for Education and Skills the date for the reopening of third level institutions. [6342/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Higher Education Institutions are autonomous institutions and are entitled to regulate their own academic affairs and administrative processes. Therefore the timelines for re-opening are a matter for each institution to decide.
The national co-ordination group for tertiary education is meeting on a regular basis to consider key issues impacting the tertiary sector, including arrangements for re-opening insitutions. These arrangements will be dependent on public health advice, and will be communicated to learners as soon as possible.
Question No. 268 answered with Question No. 159.
National Training Fund
Ceisteanna (269, 270)
Robert Troy
Ceist:269. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the expenditure under the national training fund between funding allocated to those in employment and funding for those unemployed on an annual basis in 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020; the percentage breakdown of the funding between training for those in employment and those unemployed; the number of participants under the programme annually according to this same breakdown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6347/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraRobert Troy
Ceist:270. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount collected from the national training levy in 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020; the use made of this funding by types of course or programme, apprenticeship, traineeship, further education, third level, research and so on; the purpose of the fund; the evolution of its use in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6348/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 269 and 270 together.
The National Training Fund (NTF) Act, 2000 provides for a levy on employers to be used to fund the development of and raising of skills amongst those in, or seeking, employment.
Funding from the National Training Fund (NTF) is allocated by my Department with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, in accordance with the provisions of the National Training Fund Act, 2000.
Following a consultation process, the Government, as part of Budget 2018, decided to raise the rate of the National Training Fund (NTF) levy by 0.1% in 2018 to 0.8% and by a further 0.1% in both 2019 and 2020. The increase to the levy was accompanied by a programme of reforms in how the NTF is managed, evaluated and reported on.
An independent review of the National Training Fund was commissioned by the Department of Education and Skills as part of the package of reforms and this review was published by the Minister for Education and Skills on 17 August 2018. The report made 14 specific recommendations across 4 key areas:
- Reform of the future direction of the NTF.
- Utilising the NTF to support investment in Higher Education.
- Enhancing enterprise engagement and input to NTF priorities.
- Improvements in monitoring/evaluation of the NTF
An Implementation Plan to deliver these recommendations was published alongside the announcement of Budget 2019 along with details of a new NTF advisory group. This advisory group is a permanent resourced structure to optimise enterprise engagement on NTF priorities. The membership of the group consists of key stakeholders from the enterprise sector, Department officials, and bodies who have a strategic and oversight role in delivery of skills provision. The Group has met on three occasions in 2019 and have informed the priorities and direction of funding from the NTF for Budget 2020.
In recent years, there has been a need to change and rebalance the suite of funded programmes to reflect the changing labour market conditions and areas of skills needs. Programmes are now more focused on labour market skill needs across higher education, further education and training and other partners. The NTF Advisory Group has been considering the implications for the Fund in light of the transformed economic and labour market landscape arising from COVID-19 and have fed into the overall skills policy as part of the immediate response to the current crisis and also the future world of work.
Amount Collected from the NTF Levy 2018 – April 2020
The NTF levy is collected by the Revenue Commissioners as part of the PRSI collection system. The funds collected is included in the transfer of gross PRSI from the Revenue Commissioners to the Social Insurance Fund of the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (DEASP). Each year DEASP undertakes an apportionment exercise to analyse PRSI collection data and to apportion funds to the Social Insurance Fund; the Health Levy and the National Training Fund.
At the end of April 2020, the National Training Fund had received €261m in respect of NTF levy receipts. This would represent the contributions from employers in respect of the four months from December 2019 to March 2020. The following table shows the income generated by the levy from 2018 to 2020. In the 2020 Revised Estimates for the Public Service, the levy is profiled to collect €823m, although this estimate was made before the current COVID-19 crisis. NTF income is now likely to be significantly reduced given the economic impact of COVID-19. Early estimates project that the reduction in income will be over 20%.
|
NTF Levy |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
|
|
553,756 |
712,000 |
823,000 |
I also include tables which outline the additional information requested by the Deputy:
Table 1: NTF provision funding by types of course of programme
Table 2: Breakdown of participation by NTF programme
Table 3: The percentage breakdown of the funding between training for those in employment and those unemployed
Table 4: The number of participants under the programme annually by NTF Programme
Additional information on the programmes supported by the Fund can be found at the following link:
https://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Education-Reports/national-training-fund-expenditure-report-2019.pdf
Schools Building Projects Status
Ceisteanna (271)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:271. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Skills about the reports of delays in the delivery of a school (details supplied) due to Covid-19; when works will resume; the new completion date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6360/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The ‘Roadmap for the Reopening of Society and Business’ published by Government includes certain construction operations for inclusion in the first phase of economic activity which came into effect on May 18th 2020.
Subject to compliance with the ‘Return to Work Safely Protocol’, contractors may commence operations on site. The contractor must determine it is safe to commence working and be satisfied that it is in a position to meet the requirements of the Protocol and its contractual obligations.
Apart from the actual site shutdown of recent weeks, the impact on the construction programme of the project to which the deputy refers will only become more clear as the contractor recommences construction activity on site and adjusts to operating in the new environment.
Schools Building Projects Status
Ceisteanna (272)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:272. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a new school building for a school (details supplied); if the site for the new school building has been secured; if not, the stage it is at; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6362/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy is aware, a site has been identified to accommodate a permanent school building for the school to which she refers. My Department is working closely with officials from Monaghan County Council under the Memorandum of Understanding in relation to the acquisition of the site. As the site acquisition process is complex, it is not possible to give a definitive timeframe for the completion of the acquisition.
My officials will continue to progress the acquisition of this site so that the architectural planning process for the provision of a new permanent building for the school in question can commence.
Third Level Education
Ceisteanna (273)
Cathal Crowe
Ceist:273. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there are provisions in place for leaving certificate students that had been approved or would have expected approval for third-level scholarships for the upcoming term that now look likely to be postponing this step up in education. [6363/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
A student who may be awarded my Department's Third Level Bursary in the 2020/21 academic year may defer their bursary to the 2021/22 academic year.
Question No. 274 answered with Question No. 159.
Third Level Admissions
Ceisteanna (275, 406)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:275. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to assist students on post-leaving certificate courses that have exams coming up to get into third level education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6371/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Gary Gannon
Ceist:406. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills the measures being put forward to protect post-leaving certificate students similar to the leaving certificate in view of the fact that students have had their learning significantly interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic; and if it will be recommended to higher level institutions that places be dedicated to students coming from post-leaving certificate routes in view of the expected reduction in the number of international students. [7005/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 275 and 406 together.
Education and Training Boards (ETBs) have an agreed position on determining and implementing reasonable alternative methods of assessment for their learners, while ensuring that learning outcomes can continue to be assessed and approved by academic governance. Each ETB has developed more detailed contingency plans at provider level, submitted to Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), and published on each ETB’s website. These alternative methods are currently being applied across ETB provision, including post-leaving certificate courses.
ETBs have participated fully in structures established with the higher and further education sectors to manage the response to Covid-19. All agencies, awarding bodies and other relevant stakeholders continue to work closely to ensure that ETB learners currently undertaking, or due to undertake, assessments, or completing 2020 academic calendar courses for the purpose of progression to higher education will be facilitated to do so.
Apprenticeship Programmes
Ceisteanna (276)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:276. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to assist apprentices that have had exams cancelled and need to pass those exams to graduate to the next phase of their training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6372/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
SOLAS is actively engaged with the education and training providers to put in place alternative learning and assessment solutions for apprentices which safeguard learner safety in the current climate as well as maintaining the quality and integrity of the apprenticeship programme.
It is intended that the majority of craft apprentices who were close to completing an off-the-job phase of training in March 2020 will be offered an opportunity to complete outstanding theory assessments before the end of June. An initial communication on this matter issued to relevant craft apprentices and employers on the 15th May, 2020 with a follow-up text on the 18th May. Further information will issue in the near future.
SOLAS provides ongoing updates for apprentices and employers in relation to the impact of Covid-19 on apprenticeship programmes. These may be found at www.apprenticeship.ie and also on Twitter @apprenticesirl.
School Staff
Ceisteanna (277)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:277. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of permitting schools with enrolments of 520 to 700 to fill secretary vacancies providing they have fewer than two posts and schools with enrolments of 650 to 750 to do so providing that they have fewer than three posts. [6380/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department provides funding for Secretary posts in the Community, Comprehensive and Education and Training Board Sectors.
A recruitment moratorium was introduced in the Public Service in 2009 which applied to these posts.
At that time alleviation measures were put in place which permitted schools to fill Clerical Officer vacancies so as to maintain staffing levels at a maximum of 1 Clerical Officer per school.
I acknowledged the administrative burden on schools particularly for larger schools and introduced further alleviation measures in 2019 for those with enrolments of 700 and more to allow them employ an additional Clerical Officer up to a maximum of 2.
Funding has been provided as part of Budget 2020 to continue these alleviation measures for the 2020/21 school year.
This funding provides for the further relaxation of the moratorium in the case of Clerical Officers and will permit schools with enrolments of 500 - 625 to fill Clerical Officer vacancies provided they have less than 1.5 and those with enrolments of 626 – 699 to fill Clerical Officer vacancies provided they have less than 2.
In addition to the above improvements the estimated full year cost of permitting ETB, Community & Comprehensive schools with an enrolment of 520-700 to fill Secretary vacancies provided they have less than 2 would be €0.9m and for those with an enrolment of 650 to 750 to fill Secretary vacancies provided they have less than 3 would be €0.96m.
School Services Staff
Ceisteanna (278)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:278. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of permitting schools with enrolments of 725 or more to fill caretaker vacancies providing they have fewer than three caretakers. [6381/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department provides funding for Clerical Officer & Caretaker posts in the Community, Comprehensive and Education and Training Board Sectors.
A recruitment moratorium was introduced in the Public Service in 2009 which applied to these posts.
At that time alleviation measures were put in place which permitted schools to fill Clerical Officer & Caretaker vacancies so as to maintain staffing levels at a maximum of 1 Clerical Officer and 1 Caretaker per school.
I acknowledged the administrative burden on schools particularly for larger schools and introduced further alleviation measures in 2019 for those with enrolments of 700 and more to allow them employ an additional Clerical Officer up to a maximum of 2.
Funding has been provided as part of Budget 2020 which provides for the extension of the alleviation measures introduced in 2019 for Clerical Officers to Caretakers by enabling schools in the C&C and ETB Sectors with enrolments of 700 or more, to fill Caretaker vacancies provided they have less than 2 Caretakers.
In addition to the above the estimated full year cost of permitting ETB, Community & Comprehensive schools with enrolments of 725 or more to fill caretaker vacancies providing they have fewer than three caretakers would be €3m.
Questions Nos. 279 to 282, inclusive, answered with Question No. 201.