O'Keeffe, BattThursday, 14 May 2009 |
Dáil Eireann Debate
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Order of Business.
Question put: “That the proposals for dealing with No. 16 be agreed to.”
Voted Yes 
Priority Questions - School Absenteeism.
Was asked: the number of school children who have missed more than 20 days of school in 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Priority Questions - Schools Patronage.
Was asked: if his Department has, following a meeting of the Joint Committee on Education and Science on 9 April 2009, been in contact with a person (details supplied), to discuss his proposals, made on a num...
Senior officials of my Department met with the patron in question in late 2007 to discuss statements he had made on the patronage of primary schools. At that meeting, the patron indicated that he had...
There may be a misunderstanding. As the Deputy is aware, I put in place a moratorium soon after taking office in respect of existing schools and the patronage of new schools.
Yes, to new schools. As part of the moratorium, we stated that where new schools were required, the technical group working at my Department would proceed because the school population is growing. I...
The Deputy will understand there is difference between primary and second level in terms of patronage. I have sought legal advice to establish exactly which powers are available to me under the Educa...
I am not certain of that yet; we hope the legal information will be with us within a short period. However, there is a serious difference in terms of the scale of development. It is very easy to bui...
Priority Questions - Legal Costs.
Was asked: the reason his Department chose to contest the legal costs in the case of a person (details supplied) that was recently concluded in the Supreme Court; and if he will make a statement setting out h...
This case was handled by the State Claims Agency on behalf of the State. There had to be a court hearing in respect of costs as the plaintiff sought costs against the State. It is normal for the Stat...
The State Claims Agency pursues cases on behalf of the Government and the Department.
This case was very different from many others and its sensitivity was not lost on me. The girl is from Cork and I was certainly very sensitive to the whole area. I indicated early on that I, as Mini...
I want to say one other thing to Deputy Hayes, because it is relevant. Approximately 140 similar cases are being taken against the State. The State Claims Agency has advised the legal persons repres...
Absolutely.
The Department of Education and Science gives out the responsibility to run schools and manage and hire teachers, and we pay their salaries. We do not micro manage the day-to-day running of schools. ...
We were made aware in one case and we came to an arrangement because we felt that, as the Department had been made aware but did not take decisive action, there was a responsibility. In this instance...
Priority Questions - Special Educational Needs.
Was asked: the 128 special classes in primary schools which are due to close in September 2009 he has visited; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I do not visit every school or class where the level of staffing or funding has been adversely affected by the application of various policies. Not only would it be physically impossible for me to vi...
First, it is incorrect to say I did not visit special classes. The fact of the matter is that I was in such classes. It is also incorrect to say I did not have discussions with——
Excuse me. I visited a special class..
I certainly visited a special class and discussed with teachers who are mainstreaming pupils with mild general learning disabilities the success or otherwise of that procedure. It was Department of E...
Yet, we see the hypocritical nature of his Private Members’ motion a week ago where the Deputy wanted me to restore all of the classes. Does he believe what he said three weeks ago in this House when...
There are three questions. First, I did not seek legal advice. The pupil-teacher ratio for mild general learning disability has been in place for ten years and is 11:1.
For the Deputy’s information, we accept a ratio of 9:1. Can the Deputy accept from me that when we considered these classes, eight of them had no mild general learning disability pupil.
I am very concerned that other children with moderate learning disability or who are autistic get the proper supports. Perhaps it strikes the Deputy that some of those children with special needs may...
That is a fact of life. I am concerned that those children would get the appropriate supports. The Deputy’s third question related to amalgamation.
Out of the 128 classes, there have been approximately 40 appeals. I put in place an appeals system because I thought it was appropriate that the schools in question got such an opportunity. Those 40...
Is it not extraordinary that Deputy Hayes wanted to put back all of the 128 classes although only 40 appealed?
I would hate to think what control mechanism would be in place if the Deputy was in charge of education. He and George Lee would have a real difficulty.
Other Questions - Grangegorman Development Agency.
Was asked: when his Department will allow the Grangegorman development, bringing together the Dublin Institute of Technology onto one campus, to proceed in order that a planning application under the SDZ proc...
Strangely, it is not. It is a separate entity so the Deputy is on his own.
The Grangegorman Development Agency was established in May 2006. Since its establishment the agency has worked on the preparation of a strategic plan and budget for the proposed development of the Gr...
Yes, I will do that in the coming days.
Obviously, the rationalisation of the various entities of DIT is desirable. The Deputy might be interested to know that the most recent proposal outlines the overall cost to deliver all of the elemen...
The first tranche is to cost €610 million, which will be part funded from the sale of the DIT properties and from the HSE capital budget. A total of €195 million is being sought from the Department i...
We got the revised plan and estimates in March 2009 and they are with the Department at present. As the Deputy knows, a report will be made to Government arising from that. The Taoiseach will also v...
It is fair to say we are considering all sources of funding. If the new infrastructural fund comes into being, we would look at that as being an area which could be used appropriately in regard to fu...
I will certainly visit the site to see the overall strategic plan and to be as informed as I can be in order to ensure whatever recommendations I make to Cabinet are based on full background informati...
I do not want to be tied to a time limit. I will visit the site within the next couple of weeks and will then discuss the strategic plan with my officials and the costs involved. It is a good time t...
Other Questions - Third Level Funding.
Was asked: if he will publish the findings of his report on third level funding in order to allow for an informed debate on the issue of third level fees.
Was asked: if he proposes to introduce third level fees or to increase the registration and other charges for those attending third level.
Was asked: the status of the proposed reintroduction of third level fees.
Was asked: if the proposed third level fees will affect those students who are due to start their third level education in September 2009.
Was asked: the reason for the delay in announcing his plans for the reintroduction of third level fees.
Was asked: when he will make an announcement on the reintroduction of third level fees; his favoured view on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 7, 14, 19, 28, 32 and 34 together. As the Deputies will be aware, I am currently finalising a review of policy options relating to the introduction of a form of studen...
On the matter of delaying the publication of the report until after the local elections, I have indicated clearly that it would be more appropriate and political for me to make the announcement before...
It is to the advantage of the Opposition that I am not making the report available. With regard to Deputy Ó Snodaigh’s question on bringing the report to the House, I have been charged by the Cabinet ...
On the question of those who enter third level in 2009, I said the opposite. I said there would be no change for anybody going into third level in 2009. The reason for that was they had applied to t...
Written Answers - State Examinations.
Was asked: if he had been planning to introduce a junior certificate version of the leaving certificate vocational programme or leaving certificate applied syllabus; if this programme had been due to launch in ...
I had no plans to introduce a junior certificate version of either the leaving certificate vocational or applied programmes. The Leaving Certificate Applied, introduced in 1995, is a self-contained L...
Written Answers - Teachers’ Remuneration.
Was asked: his views on the revelation, at a meeting of the Joint Committee on Education and Science on 23 April 2009, that fee paying schools would charge fees of approximately €20,000 to €30,000 if the €100 m...
I understand that the statement to which the Deputy refers was made at the Joint Committee by Sr. Eileen Randles from the Loreto Education Trust. As the record of that discussion shows Sr. Eileen wa...
Written Answers - Third Level Places.
Was asked: the way he expects the additional 3,500 third level places to come into effect in autumn 2009 in view of the fact that the Central Application Office’s deadline for applications passed on 1 February ...
Written Answers - Schools Building Projects.
Was asked: the position regarding his proposal to build a new secondary school in Kingscourt, County Cavan; the progress made towards same regarding drawings and planning and so on; the year he will guarantee t...
Written Answers - School Patrons.
Was asked: if he has received the legal opinion which his Department sought in relation to the application by Educate Together to have its existing status as patron of primary schools extended into post primary...
My Department is currently considering a number of broad policy issues relating to the recognition process for second level schools. To facilitate full consideration of all of the issues involved, ...
Written Answers - School Placement.
Was asked: if, in respect of the two community national schools operating in north County Dublin, the question on the application form for admission regarding the religion of the child is a mandatory question o...
Written Answers - Disadvantaged Status.
Was asked: the steps he is taking to support disadvantaged children in the classroom; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers - Consultancy Contracts.
Was asked: if he will, in respect of the two community national schools operating in north County Dublin, give details of the academic who has been hired as a consultant by his Department to advise on the issue...
The Community National School model is proceeding on the basis of very clearly stated principles in respect of the availability of religious education during the school day, in conformity with the w...
Written Answers - State Agencies.
Was asked: the progress made on the merger of the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland, the Further Education and Training Awards Council and the Higher Education and Training Awards Council; the number...
The amalgamation of the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland (NQAI), the Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC) and the Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC) wa...
Written Answers - School Accommodation.
Was asked: the number of pupils at primary and second level accommodated in temporary overcrowded or prefabricated accommodation at present; the degree to which this number is expected to change in 2009 or futu...
Was asked: the number of children here being taught in prefabricated accommodation.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 20 together. The demand for additional accommodation in schools has risen significantly over the last number of years, with the appointment of 6,000 extra teach...
Written Answers - Special Educational Needs
Was asked: when the review of special classes and special schools being conducted by the National Council for Special Education began; when the report is due to be completed; the stakeholders consulted as part ...
The review of schools and special classes was commenced by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) in 2007 and involves wider consultation with schools and Education partners selected by the...
Written Answers - School Staffing.
Was asked: his views on the projected loss of 2.6 temporary and part-time teachers in secondary schools from September 2009.
I have consistently said that the 2009 Budget required difficult choices to be made across all areas of public expenditure. These decisions were made to control public expenditure and to ensure sust...
Written Answers - Third Level Institutions.
Was asked: if he has received the revised draft strategic plan and related budget from the Grangegorman Development Agency which will provide for the relocation of the Dublin Institute of Technology from more t...
The Grangegorman Development Agency submitted a draft Strategic Plan and Budget to my Department in October 2008 as provided in Section 12(h) of the Act. Copies of the plan and Budget were also forwa...
Written Answers - Pupil-Teacher Ratio.
Was asked: the extent to which the pupil-teacher ratio in the classroom will be affected by the budgetary cuts as proposed by his Department in 2009 and in subsequent years; and if he will make a statement on t...
I have consistently said that the 2009 Budget required difficult choices to be made across all areas of public expenditure. These decisions were made to control public expenditure and to ensure susta...
Written Answers - Further Education.
Was asked: if he will lift the cap on the number of places available in further education colleges; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers - Grant Payments.
Was asked: if he will reverse the abolition of grants which were paid to Protestant secondary schools out of recognition that they represent a minority community and should be afforded special consideration; hi...
I wish to reassure the Deputy that I, along with my colleagues in Government, recognise the importance of ensuring that students from a Protestant background can attend a school that reflects their ...
Written Answers - School Curriculum.
Was asked: his views on the report of the expert group on future skills needs regarding the level of achievement in maths among students here; if he will implement the recommendations of the report; and if he w...
The OECD PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) 2006 survey of 15 years olds across 57 countries showed that Ireland’s mean score in mathematics was not significantly different from t...
Written Answers - School Accommodation.
Was asked: the number of new post-primary schools that will be required from 2015 onwards when, according to the Central Statistics Office, the student post primary figures will begin to increase rapidly after ...
The Central Statistics Office is one of the key bodies that my Department liaises with in relation to demographic trends in order to establish future enrolments. The Forward Planning Section of my D...
Written Answers - Schools Refurbishment.
Was asked: his plans to deal with the backlog in applications for the summer works scheme as a result of its cancellation in 2008.
I was pleased to announce on 7th May last my Summer Works Scheme for this year. €80m has been allocated to the Scheme which will enable 967 schools, primary and post-primary, to carry out much need...
Written Answers - Special Educational Needs.
Was asked: if he considered the recommendations and conclusions of the 2005 report of his Department’s inspectorate, An Evaluation of Special Classes for Pupils with Specific Speech and Language Disorder, when ...
I wish to clarify for the Deputy that no special classes for pupils with Specific Speech and Language Disorder have closed as a result of the 2005 Evaluation of Special Classes for pupils with Speci...
Written Answers - School Accommodation.
Was asked: the name of all members and their respective organisations which are represented on both the technical group and the steering group of the commission in respect to the Commission on School Accommodat...
I have arranged for the information sought to be forwarded directly to the Deputy by my Department.
Written Answers - School Placement.
Was asked: if, in respect of the two community national schools operating in north County Dublin, questions regarding the country of origin of the child in addition to the parents’ name, nationality and occupat...
The new community national schools acknowledge and respect the diversity of values, beliefs, languages and traditions in Irish society and operate in a spirit of partnership between patron, teachers...
Written Answers - Further Education.
Was asked: if he is unable to offer first refusal to the further education sector, including the vocational education committees and the institutes of technology, on the 51,000 additional places announced in Fe...
Written Answers - Legislative Programme.
Was asked: when he expects the completion of the Student Support Bill 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The current position in relation to the Student Support Bill is that a number of amendments are currently being considered arising from a review of the Student Support Bill following the Second Stag...
Written Answers - Schools Building Projects.
Was asked: the position regarding the plans to build a new school at Rockcorry, County Monaghan, to replace the current school as promised in 2007; when this school building will commence; and if he will make a...
The school to which the Deputy refers submitted an application for a new school building under the Small Schools Scheme 2007. The application was unsuccessful at that time. The main emphasis of the...
Written Answers - Further Education.
Was asked: further to Parliamentary Question No. 230 of 29 April 2009, if the application process for post leaving certificate courses in the 2009-10 academic year has concluded; if so, the way the 1,500 places...
Written Answers - Departmental Funding.
Was asked: his views on whether schools will be required to apply more pressure on parents to partake in fund-raising activities as a result of budget cutbacks.
My Department provides funding to primary and post-primary schools by way of per capita grants, which affords schools considerable flexibility in the use of these resources to cater for the needs of...
Written Answers - Tribunals of Inquiry.
Was asked: the number of tribunals that are sitting; the date that each was established; the cost to the Exchequer of legal representation of each tribunal to date; the number of lawyers that are employed by th...
I wish to advise the Deputy that, in relation to my Department, the only such body currently sitting is the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse, which was formally established in May 2000, under th...
Written Answers - Schools Building Projects.
Was asked: the proposed schedule for the commencement and completion of construction of the new secondary school in Gorey, County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The new post primary school project for Gorey, County Wexford is included in the list of seven schools which I approved for inclusion in the 3rd Bundle of schools to be procured via Public Private P...
Written Answers - School Enrolments.
Was asked: if his attention has been drawn to the fact that his Department has granted an exemption since 2005 to a school (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
As an exceptional measure, my Department allowed particular pupils outside the catchment area of the post primary school to which the Deputy refers to enrol in the school over recent years because the...
Written Answers - Schools Building Projects.
Was asked: when a secondary school (details supplied) in County Offaly will be allowed proceed to phase two of its school building project; when he expects the start date for the proposed extension of the schoo...
Following a fire at the school to which the Deputy refers, the insurance proceeds were used by the management authority for the installation and rental of a significant amount of temporary accommodati...
Written Answers - Special Educational Needs.
Was asked: if he will visit a school (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through the local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for co-ordinating special needs education...
Written Answers - School Staffing.
Was asked: the number of permanent wholetime appointments sanctioned in each VEC nationwide over the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The number of permanent teaching posts available in VEC schemes at any one time is determined in accordance with the agreed criteria relating to the application of the pupil teacher ratio. It is a mat...
Was asked: the number of permanent wholetime appointments sanctioned in the non-VEC secondary sector nationally over the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The information recorded on the database for secondary and community / comprehensive schools indicates that there were 14,870 appointments to permanent posts in the 2000/2001 school year in Secondary ...
Was asked: the teacher allocation relevant to the sectors (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the allocation to each individual VEC and non-VEC secondary school over the past ten years is not readily available within my Department and woul...
Written Answers - State Examinations.
Was asked: if he will intercede with the State Examinations Commission to ensure that a person (details supplied) in County Sligo is provided with a scribe for their junior certificate examinations in view of t...
The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations including organising the holding of examinations and determining procedu...
Written Answers - School Transport.
Was asked: if provisions will be made to transport a person (details supplied) in County Cork by taxi; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers - Departmental Funding.
Was asked: if there are potential funding sources within his Department for a proposed community project (details supplied) in County Cork.
In light of the recent economic downturn the Government has had to make a number of difficult and challenging decisions in Budget 2009, which have seen a number of spending cuts across the Education s...
Written Answers - Higher Education Grants.
Was asked: if he will reconsider offering a higher education grant to a person (details supplied) in County Meath in view of the fact that the original grounds for refusal, that the applicant had no evidence of...
In order to be assessed as an independent mature candidate, the candidate must provide the relevant assessing authority with adequate proof of independent residence from 1st October preceding their en...
Written Answers - Schools Building Projects.
Was asked: the position in relation to the need for a permanent school building in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The provision of a new building for the school to which the Deputy refers necessitates the acquisition of a site. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that County Dublin VEC has agreed to make a site ava...
Was asked: if he will give approval to a school (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The Deputy will be aware that on 12 February, 2009, I announced details of 25 high priority projects to commence architectural planning. The project for the school in question was included in this ann...
Was asked: when a design team will be formally appointed for a planned new primary school building (details supplied) in County Cork.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that a project for a new 16 classroom building for the school to which he refers, was included in the list of 25 major school building projects which I announced on t...
Written Answers - Special Educational Needs.
Was asked: if he will support a matter (details supplied).
As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENO) for allocating resource teachers...
Written Answers - Higher Education Grants.
Was asked: the basis on which a higher education grant has been refused in the name of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: when a higher education grant will be awarded in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 162 and 181 together. The decision on eligibility for a higher education grant is a matter for the relevant local authority as appropriate. If an individual applica...
Written Answers - Special Educational Needs.
Was asked: when he expects to meet in full the requirement in respect of special needs teachers and assistants in all schools here with particular reference to speech and language therapy requirements, remedial...
Was asked: the extent to which he proposes to meet in full remedial, resource, special needs teachers and classroom assistants in respect of the various schools here; and if he will make a statement on the matt...
I propose to take Questions Nos. 163 and 180 together. I wish to advise the Deputy that there is no difficulty with the allocation of additional resource teaching and/or special needs assistant posts ...
Written Answers - School Staffing.
Was asked: the number and location of schools here which are expected to lose teachers in the next two years arising from recent budgetary cutbacks; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I am committed to providing information in relation to the allocation of teachers to schools and as a new feature on my Department’s website. The process has begun with the provision earlier this year...
Written Answers - School Curriculum.
Was asked: if all grant commitments made to various second level schools here towards the encouragement of sciences in the junior and senior syllabus have been met to date; if not, the reason for same; and if h...
A revised syllabus in Junior Certificate Science was implemented on a phased basis starting in September 2003, supported by an investment of some €16m in resources and facilities for schools. The Nati...
Written Answers - Schools Building Projects.
Was asked: when he expects the schools building programme to reflect the needs of areas experiencing a rapid increase in population; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
As the Deputy will be aware the Programme for Government contains a commitment to establish a Developing Areas Unit (DAU) to liaise with local authorities, identify where new schools are needed and en...
Written Answers - Psychological Service.
Was asked: his proposals to meet psychological needs and assessments as identified by the various school authorities here; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I can inform the Deputy that all primary and post primary schools have access to psychological assessments either directly through my Department’s National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) or ...
Written Answers - Adult Education.
Was asked: his plans to address the issue of provision of facilities for adult literacy here; the budget for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers - School Accommodation.
Was asked: if health and safety regulations are achieved by all schools here with particular reference to accommodation requirements resulting in the occupation of landings, hallways, passageways or other accom...
The requirement for a Health and Safety Statement for the work place is governed by the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. This Act, which is regulated by the Health and Safety Authority, s...
Written Answers - Bullying in Schools.
Was asked: the number of incidents of school bullying made known to his Department in the past 12 months; the action taken arising therefrom; if this represents an increase, decrease or same in each of the prev...
Responsibility for tackling bullying falls to the level of the individual school as it is at local level that an effective anti-bullying climate must be established. Individual school management auth...
Written Answers - Pupil-Teacher Ratio.
Was asked: the action he will take to ensure ready and available access for children at primary and second level whose parents have recently moved to County Kildare having particular regard to classroom overcro...
The forward planning section of my Department is in the process of identifying areas where significant additional accommodation will be required at primary and post-primary level for future school yea...
Written Answers - School Staffing.
Was asked: the number of submissions he has received from various schools here seeking the provision of extra teaching staff in order to reduce class sizes in each of the past three years; the number of request...
I assume the Deputy is referring to appeals to the Primary Staffing Appeals Board, details of which I am enclosing for the Deputy’s information. It is open to any Board of Management to submit an app...
Written Answers - School Accommodation.
Was asked: if he will accelerate the school building programme with a view to ensuring the early provision of adequate accommodation and facilities in permanent buildings for all children attending primary and ...
In 2009, almost €614 million will be spent on school infrastructure. It represents a significant investment in the school building and modernisation programme. As the Deputy will appreciate, the cli...
Was asked: the extent to which he will prioritise the replacement of temporary or prefabricated school buildings in the course of 2009; the name, number and location of these schools which he will prioritise in...
Was asked: if he will address the ongoing issue of temporary classroom accommodation in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 174 and 178 together. It is the policy of my Department to provide a permanent accommodation solution in so far as possible to meet accommodation demands presenting in...
Written Answers - Special Educational Needs.
Was asked: his proposals to extend and improve facilities in mainstream education for children with autism; if he has evaluated precisely such needs at various schools here; the extent to which he has received ...
Was asked: the number and location of primary schools in County Kildare at which special facilities have been provided for children with autism; the number of children attending in each case; the extent to whic...
I propose to take Questions Nos. 175 and 176 together. The Deputy is aware of the Government’s commitment to ensuring that all children with special educational needs, including those with autism, can...
Written Answers - School Accommodation.
Was asked: the extent to which his attention has been drawn to classroom overcrowding at the present time; the action he proposes to take to address this issue in early date; and if he will make a statement on ...
The Forward Planning Section of my Department is in the process of identifying the areas where significant additional accommodation will be required at primary and post-primary level for future school...
Written Answers - Pupil-Teacher Ratio.
Was asked: his plans to bring pupil-teacher ratios into line with best practice in other EU jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The Deputy has introduced the issue of comparability of Irish pupil-teacher ratios with the position in schools internationally. Given the momentous challenges that most countries are facing to cope ...
Written Answers - Physical Education Facilities.
Was asked: if he will clarify the position in relation to a school (details supplied) in Dublin 5; the position in relation to the provision of a sports hall; the length of time the request is with his Departme...
The school to which the Deputy refers applied to my Department for large scale capital funding for the provision of a PE Hall in 1998. All applications for large scale capital funding are assessed ag...
Written Answers - School Staffing.
Was asked: if he will guarantee that the present complement of special needs assistants will be retained in schools in County Roscommon and County Leitrim; and if he will provide a breakdown of the number in ea...
As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers, for allocating resource teachers and S...
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