Written Answers Nos. 316-324
316. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason no contact has been made to date with the service officers in the State Examinations Commission regarding their employment in 2020. [9552/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations.
In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
319. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if all stakeholders, including students and teachers, will be given a place on the Covid-19 working group for the English language education sector in view of the fact it has been denied to some of these essential persons that should be represented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9588/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of the challenges that are being encountered in the English language education sector and the substantial impact that the Covid-19 outbreak has had on students, teachers and providers in this sector.
The working group for this sector has been established with a remit to address the issues arising from the Covid-19 pandemic with a priority and focus placed on those issues affecting students. The working group is comprised of key sectorial stakeholders including officials from my Department, Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, the Department of Justice and Equality, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Enterprise Ireland and the lead sectorial representative bodies of providers. Students are represented by learner advocates such as the Irish Council for International Students (ICOS) and the English Language Students Union (ELSU).
The coordination of the response of the wider education system to the Covid-19 outbreak is a substantial challenge. In this context, the Department has found that the current structure of the working group to be effective on delivering on its remit. To date, it has facilitated an appropriate level of engagement with stakeholders alongside the ability to focus on specific issues and ensure delivery as needed.
My Department recognises the important role that teachers play in this sector and the support they have and continue to provide for students at this time. Since the outbreak of Covid-19, officials from my Department have had engagement with teacher representatives where they have outlined their concerns.
While it will be kept under review, the membership of the Working Group will not be expanded at the present time to include any further participants. However, the Department and the members of the Working Group will continue engage with external parties, seek to exchange information where relevant and address queries where possible.
320. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 276 of 20 May 2020, his plans for apprentices who have to complete assessments which are of a practical nature; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9614/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFurther to Parliamentary Question No. 276 I would like to reiterate that the Department of Education and Skills, SOLAS and the education and training providers are actively working to put in place alternative learning and assessment solutions for apprentices including practical assessments while maintaining the quality and integrity of the apprenticeship programme.
Assessments for theory components of those craft apprenticeship programmes which were due to be completed in March of this year will be delivered in June and communications have issued to the relevant apprentices. Planning is well advanced to support the delivery of practical assessments within health and social distancing guidelines once public health considerations provide for the return to training for this cohort of learners. The issue of the timing of that return is under consideration at the current time, in the overall context of the reopening of the education sector.
Apprentices who have been prevented in engaging in their on-the-job or off-the-job training by the Covid-19 restrictions will not have their apprenticeship temporarily or otherwise suspended. The national restrictions will not affect apprentices’ record of time-served, where relevant.
SOLAS will continue to provide 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.
324. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount that has been spent on advertising in 2020 by his Department and its agencies on social media platforms (details supplied) in tabular form; and the name of each campaign advertised. [9836/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2020 the Department has utilised advertising on social media platforms in respect of the advertising campaign to promote the Calculated Grades portal for Leaving Certificate Students.
Details of the spending in this category by the Department, and by bodies under its aegis by individual campaign are provided in the following table.
|
Aegis Body |
Campaign |
Social Media Platform |
Amount |
|
An tSeirbhís Oideachais Leanúnaigh agus Scileanna (SOLAS) |
Further Education & Training - We are the makers |
|
€10,033 |
|
An tSeirbhís Oideachais Leanúnaigh agus Scileanna (SOLAS) |
Further Education & Training - We are the makers |
|
€2,835 |
|
An tSeirbhís Oideachais Leanúnaigh agus Scileanna (SOLAS) |
Further Education & Training - We are the makers |
|
€9,569 |
|
An tSeirbhís Oideachais Leanúnaigh agus Scileanna (SOLAS) |
Further Education & Training - We are the makers |
Snapchat |
€6,625 |
|
Léargas - The Exchange Bureau |
EPALE Coordinator job advertisement; Queerasmus 2020 (TCA) ; EPALE eTeaching Webinar; European Language Label 2020; Webinar Wednesdays; European Solidarity Corps Quality Label Campaign |
|
€393.01 |
|
Léargas - The Exchange Bureau |
EPALE campaign |
|
€1.46 |
|
National Centre for Guidance in Education (NCGE) |
Euro-Quest - Online programme for learner mobility - www.euro-quest.ie |
|
€246 |
|
National Council for Special Education (NCSE) |
Advertising of Head of Inclusive Education post |
|
€600 |
|
Skillnet Ireland CLG |
Skillnet Ireland Always on Campaign;MentorsWork |
|
€2,469.58 |
|
Skillnet Ireland CLG |
Skillnet Ireland Always on Campaign;MentorsWork |
|
€3,888.81 |
|
Skillnet Ireland CLG |
Skillnet Ireland Always on Campaign;MentorsWork |
|
€3,133.01 |
|
Skillnet Ireland CLG |
Skillnet Ireland Always on Campaign;MentorsWork |
|
€5,005.37 |
|
The Teaching Council |
Féilte Open Call |
|
€30 |
|
The Department of Education and Skills |
Leaving Certificate Calculated Grades campaign |
Facebook/Instagram |
€3,149.30 |
|
The Department of Education and Skills |
Leaving Certificate Calculated Grades campaign |
|
€3,852.04 |
|
The Department of Education and Skills |
Leaving Certificate Calculated Grades campaign |
Snapchat |
€1,422.04 |
