Coughlan, MaryThursday, 3 June 2010 |
Dáil Éireann Debate
Page of 169
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Order of Business
It is proposed to take No. 10b, Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (Carbon Revenue Levy) Bill 2010, financial resolution; No. 10c, motion re sittings and business of the Dáil; No. 21, Adoption Bill 20...
A Cheann Comhairle——
A Cheann Comhairle, molaim an rún.
Question put: “That the proposal for dealing with No. 10b and No. 10c, without debate, be agreed to.”
Voted Yes
Question put.
Voted Yes
I, too, have rights in this House.
The position with the banking documents is that they will be considered by the Government on Tuesday and published thereafter. The committee will meet on Friday week to allow——
Members of the committee will have an opportunity to verse themselves in preparation for their discussions on Friday week.
Yes.
The Government has not seen the reports.
The Minister is working on that legislation, but I am not in a position to say when it will be available.
After the Order of Business.
There is no date for that legislation.
Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (Carbon Revenue Levy) Bill 2010: Financial Resolution
I move: That provision be made in the Act giving effect to this Resolution for the charging in accordance with the Act of a levy on such amount of the revenues received by certain electricity generato...
Business of Dáil: Motion
Question put: “That on No. 10c, motion re sittings and business of the Dáil, that amendments Nos. 1 to 7, inclusive, set down to the motion are hereby negatived and the motion is hereby agreed to.”
Voted Yes
Priority Questions - School Staffing
Was asked: the number of assistant principals and special duty teachers who have retired from primary teaching since the embargo on filling middle management posts was introduced in 2009; and if she will make ...
Retirements at primary level since the introduction of the moratorium in March 2009 were 309 principals, 260 deputy principals, 145 assistant principals and 223 teachers with special duties posts of r...
I advise the Deputy that I have been engaged in discussions, as have senior officials on my behalf, at senior level with the Department of Finance in examining a methodology by which we can provide su...
The Deputy is probably not aware that protracted discussions can take place with the Department of Finance in the context of any of these issues. We are engaged in dialogue and discussions on this ma...
We are engaged in discussions, which I accept have been protracted, but my view is that these discussions will be completed soon. What I want to obtain is a method by which we can address the concern...
I am not aware of any of those things happening.
Priority Questions - Colleges of Education
Was asked: if, in view of the fact that all five undergraduate primary teacher training colleges are owned and managed by the Catholic Church and the Church of Ireland and that such colleges are extensively fu...
The Deputy is correct in his assumption that the B.Ed courses provided by all five colleges of education currently include modules on religious education. This reflects the fact that primary schools ...
It is important to say this issue has not arisen.
It has not arisen in the context of discussions that happened between my Department and the colleges where the specific question was asked. I support the colleges in having an inclusive environment. ...
It is important to say that this has not arisen as a key issue for student teachers. We will be proactive. As I indicated, one of the colleges is proactive in this and we will move towards that. Ne...
There is another reality. More than 90% of schools in this country are run by denominations.
That is a fact of the situation. We had a very good debate in this House in which the majority of people, of both rural and urban ilk, were of the view that their local school of denominational educa...
Student teachers are very pragmatic in the hope of getting a job.
It is not hypocrisy. It is important to reiterate there is not a problem with that happening. In the interim we are proceeding with the methods I formulated.
Priority Questions - State Examinations
Was asked: the number of unemployed persons who have been given an opportunity to work by the State Examinations Commission in relation to the upcoming State examinations; and if she will make a statement on t...
The State Examinations Commission has operational responsibility for the operation of the certificate examinations. Each year the SEC employs additional staff to deal with the peak demands of the sys...
First, I correct the Deputy. The live register figures he reiterated are not a reflection of the number of unemployed people in this country. That has been a misnomer in the House for many years.
It is not.
As a former Minister for Social Welfare, I know the facts. There is a household survey that indicates the numbers unemployed. On the issue of the appointment of superintendents and staff the most imp...
——are supported and that we have the highest quality possible in support of their examinations. That is the most important thing to do and we will continue to do it within the State examinations. I i...
I saw the Deputy’s press release and I would be seriously concerned if we did not set out standards at which people are appointed as superintendents.
Yes. There must be a certain standard.
I am disappointed, Deputy. Everybody in the House is cognisant of the examinations and we want to ensure the people who have relevant experience and who have the capacity and ability to supervise our...
The State Examination Commission is independent of me and my Department.
It is not nonsense. It is important to reiterate that where possible, unemployed substitute teachers will be appointed. There are those in employment currently who will be appointed as the State Exa...
I am not telling the House anything. I have said what I had to say and I am not indicating one way or the other.
We are cognisant of the need to support people who are unemployed but equally cognisant of the absolute necessity to ensure the calibre of people to be appointed as superintendents. The criteria set ...
Priority Questions - School Transport
Was asked: her views on the possible increase in school transport costs to families and extending this to primary school children; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Priority Questions - School Absenteeism
Was asked: the number of students in primary and post-primary education who miss more than 20 school days per year; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Other Questions - Teaching Qualifications
Was asked: if she has read the report produced by Engineers Ireland called the Task Force on Education of Maths and Science at Second Level; if she will consider implementing all of its proposals; and if she w...
I welcome the report of the task force and the positive support it gives to the developments under Project Maths. I am committed to boosting attainment levels in maths and encouraging more students t...
Regarding the numbers, the report showed 20%. The figures——
Yes. These figures originated from the Royal Irish Academy and were repeated by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs. However, the Teaching Council indicates the figure as being 65% based on the ...
The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation also supports Engineers Ireland. I met its representatives on a number of occasions when I was in that Department and I asked them to do a number of...
There are pure people who take chemistry. Biology is more often taken——
I smiled at the Deputy’s remark that Hibernia College was not on the Teaching Council. I have been in discussions with Hibernia College in respect of the delivery of a number of programmes on re-skil...
Was asked: when she intends to publish the Qualifications (Education and Training) Bill to merge the National Qualification Authority of Ireland, Further Education and Training Awards Council and Higher Educat...
The Government approved the general scheme of the qualifications and quality assurance (education and training) Bill, which provides for the establishment of an amalgamated qualifications and quality ...
No, that is a separate issue.
Other Questions - FÁS Training Programmes
Was asked: the intervention made by FÁS to enable unemployed apprentices to finish their apprenticeship and thereby either travel with their recognised qualifications or attempt to set up businesses here; and ...
A wide range of measures has been initiated through FÁS to support over 4,600 redundant apprentices to make progress with their apprenticeships in 2010. These measures are in addition to measures whi...
On the final question, we are in the process of contacting those people to see if we can, on the basis of the experience they have thus far, allow the certificate to be given to them. There is an app...
I will try to see what is the situation with those apprentices. We are trying to work with the reality, which is that a number of people are finding it quite difficult to complete apprenticeships. W...
Other Questions - International Students
Was asked: her policy to position Ireland as a destination country for international education; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The Government decided in July 2009 to put in place a new framework for the promotion, regulation and co-ordination of international education services. In line with the Government’s decision I am com...
On the statistics, it is important to state how many people are here; a total of 26,000 international students studied in Irish higher education institutions, HEIs, in the academic year from 2009 to 2...
Other issues include the lack of pastoral care and I will introduce a code of practice on that. On cannot expect people coming here to make decisions, particularly if they are not from our culture, a...
If I remember correctly, Enterprise Ireland has a specific section to look after the internationalisation of education and last year, I signed a statutory instrument to allow it to participate in educ...
I will ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation to get them. On the issue of the representative from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, I cannot remember his name but he ...
There has been significant progress and my people and the ETNI people would be very anxious that we would move this very quickly. There is an appreciation, from the perspective of the Department of J...
On the issue of bogus colleges, it is important to say — I did not have the information to hand when I spoke to the Deputy previously — that a number of colleges have been removed from the register. ...
Yes.
I am the person who will be working——
——with the internationalisation of education and the other sections of the public service which are not under my responsibility will be under my responsibility when it comes to this issue.
Other Questions - Higher Education Grants
Was asked: the steps that are being taken to ensure that applicants for third level maintenance grant for the academic year 2010/2011 will not face delays in view of the record number of applicants for third l...
I am very conscious of the difficulties created for grant awarding authorities and for individual students following the unprecedented surge in student grant applications in 2009. Therefore, I am ple...
A few grants have not been paid but many of those cases are due to the fact that inadequate information was provided. There is only so much that the people working at the coalface can do.
All of us as practising politicians dread August because it is the time when we all have to fill in the forms ourselves because people are wary of them. We have done a number of things.
The Deputy might have seen the form. It is very simple.
It is very easy to respond to.
I hope that will be of benefit in making sure that people have all of the requisite information that is required. I am not aware of anyone who has stepped out of college because of the difficulties. ...
There is an answer to it in a later question. We have exceptions. We had this problem a couple of years ago, as the Deputy is probably aware where we had students from the European Union, mar dhea, ...
Other Questions - Third Level Education
Was asked: if she instructed the Higher Education and Training Awards Council to enter into discussions with Ballyfermot College of Further Education, Dublin 10, with a view to validating its courses with an o...
Written Answers - School Curriculum
Was asked: if she will reconsider offering Mandarin as a leaving certificate subject; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I am aware of the comments of my colleague, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, in relation to Chinese in the Leaving Certificate. I am also aware of the importance of Chinese language learning in pro...
Written Answers - Schools Patronage
Was asked: if, in view of the recent statements on diversification of patronage in primary schools in Dáil Éireann, she has reflected on the comments made therein; her views on the need to hold a wider debate o...
I consider that the debate that we participated in this House two weeks ago was, as I said in my closing remarks, informed, informative, balanced and sincere. The real message I have garnered from ...
Written Answers - Higher Education Grants
Was asked: if she will review the process of proving independent residency for independent mature students applications, in view of the fact that many applying for funding have been living in rented accommodati...
For student grants purposes, students are categorised according to their circumstances either as students dependent on parents or a legal guardian, or as independent mature students. An independent ...
Written Answers - Proposed Legislation
Was asked: when she expects to publish the Education (Patronage) Bill 2010 in order that the community national school model can be given a statutory basis upon which to operate; and if she will make a statemen...
As outlined in the Government Legislative Programme, the Education (Patronage) Bill 2010 is to be published during the current session. The Community National School primary school model involves ind...
Written Answers - Teacher Education
Was asked: the reasons it has been decided to move the Froebel College of Education from Blackrock, County Dublin to NUI Maynooth, County Kildare in September 2013; the location at which the new purpose-built F...
Froebel College of Education in Blackrock, Co. Dublin was established by the Dominican Sisters in 1943. Currently Froebel College of Education is funded by my Department for its initial primary tea...
Written Answers - Schools Building Projects
Was asked: when permission will be given to a school (details supplied) in County Monaghan to allow them to go ahead with restructuring and extension for the sake of health and safety; and if she will make a st...
The school referred to by the Deputy has a building project at an advanced stage of architectural planning to extend and refurbish the existing school. The project has a priority band rating of 2.1...
Written Answers - School Transport
Was asked: if there will be any increase in the school bus fee; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers - FÁS Training Programmes
Was asked: further to Parliamentary Question No. 61 of 9 March 2010, the number of apprentices who were made redundant in 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010 respectively; the number who are receiving off or on the ...
Was asked: further to Parliamentary Question No. 61 of 9 March 2010 the number of redundant apprentices who have been registered for four years, have completed phases 1-7 of their apprenticeships but not the re...
I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 29 together. The number of apprentices made redundant in 2008 was 2,481, the number in 2009 was 3,791 and to date in 2010 the number is 892. In total there ar...
Written Answers - Telecommunications Services
Was asked: the number of primary and secondary schools that do not have a functioning broadband connection.
Currently over 97% of all schools are availing of the broadband service. Of the remaining 3% there are 59 schools who have opted out of the scheme and the remaining schools are awaiting installation...
Written Answers - Special Educational Needs
Was asked: the extent to which the relevant section of her Department provides assistance, direction and advice to the parents of children with behavioural problems or special need who for whatever reason may h...
Was asked: if she will examine the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare.
I wish to confirm for the Deputy that the school’s Learning Support/Resource teacher is currently providing 2.5 hours resource teaching support per week to the pupil in question. In addition, the pu...
Written Answers - Departmental Reports
Was asked: if she will make a statement on the findings of the report commissioned by her Department on the FÁS science challenge programme.
In late 2008, as Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, a number of matters came to my attention with regard to the FÁS Science Challenge Initiative and I commissioned a review ...
Written Answers - Ministerial Responsibilities
Was asked: the progress made to date with regard to the transfer to other Departments of responsibility for some of the functions of FÁS; when it is expected that this process will be completed; if legislation ...
Was asked: if she shares the concerns of the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association that the recent departmental division of FÁS including the allocation of certain responsibilities to his Department wi...
I propose to take Questions Nos. 162 and 24 together. In his speech in the Dáil on 23 March the Taoiseach announced a number of Ministerial and Departmental changes designed to ensure closer alignmen...
Written Answers - Higher Education Grants
Was asked: if she will account for the some 3,436 grant applicants who still have not received their grant for the current academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The 3,436 grant applications referred to by the Deputy relates to the number of new applications awaiting decisions under the maintenance grant schemes administered by the Vocational Education Commi...
Written Answers - Schools Building Projects
Was asked: when a school (details supplied) in County Kerry will receive funding for needed renovations.
The school to which the Deputy refers has applied for large scale capital funding for a new school. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for lar...
Written Answers - FÁS Training Programmes
Was asked: the effort being made to ensure that persons are trained and skilled for the jobs available; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that in the meat industry qualified boners still have to be br...
The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) advises the Government on current and future skills needs and on other labour market issues that impact on Ireland’s enterprise and employment growth....
Written Answers - Pupil-Teacher Ratio
Was asked: the extent to which it is expected to meet in full the required complement of teachers at primary and second level in all areas throughout the country in line with requirements as set out by existing...
The criteria used for the allocation of teachers to schools is published annually on my Department’s website. In terms of the position at individual school level the key factor for determining the l...
Written Answers - Pension Provisions
Was asked: if she will accept the recommendation of the Labour Court regarding pensions for community employment scheme supervisors; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Further to the answer given to the Deputy on 18 May 2010, I can confirm that my Department is considering with FÁS the implications of the Labour Court recommendation.
Written Answers - School Transport
Was asked: her views on whether an increase in the school bus fee will adversely affect parents ability to pay to get their children to school; her further views on whether an increase to the school bus fee wil...
Written Answers - Community Employment Schemes
Was asked: the number of persons participating in community employment schemes; the numbers of same who are in receipt of other social welfare payments including the one-parent family payment, disability allowa...
Community Employment (CE) is an active labour market programme designed to provide eligible long term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons with an opportunity to engage in useful work w...
Written Answers - School Staffing
Was asked: the steps that she will take to reduce the number of school principals who intend to retire early.
Under the superannuation provision for teachers, any teacher including a principal may retire voluntarily on pension at any time throughout the school-year provided s/he has accrued the necessary pe...
Written Answers - School Curriculum
Was asked: the steps that are being taken to ensure that the relationships and sexuality education curriculum is rolled out in full to all leaving certificate students; and if she will make a statement on the m...
Social Personal and Health Education (SPHE) is a mandatory programme for junior cycle since September 2003. In addition, all schools are required to have an RSE programme at senior cycle. Schools ar...
Written Answers - School Staffing
Was asked: the steps that are being taken to address an issue whereby many secondary schools will reopen in September 2010 without year heads due to the ban on filling middle management positions; and if she wi...
When the moratorium was introduced the Government exempted Principal and Deputy Principal appointments in all primary and post-primary schools and these continue to be replaced in the normal manner....
Written Answers - FÁS Training Programmes
Was asked: the number of persons in the constituency of Tipperary north waiting on FÁS training schemes; the waiting time for persons due to start these schemes; if the number of staff working in FÁS offices in...
I understand that there are 151 persons currently in line to take up training courses delivered through FÁS in North Tipperary. Training courses held in North Tipperary are delivered by contracted tr...
Written Answers - Equal Opportunities Employment
Was asked: the supports that are currently in place for graduates with disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Under the Government’s mainstreaming policy a range of schemes and grants are provided by FÁS to assist people with disabilities, including graduates, to promote their employment prospects in the open...
Was asked: the position regarding the work programme of the FÁS national advisory group on disability; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Responsibility for FÁS and all of its functions in regard to employment services, community programmes, skills and training programmes have recently been transferred to my Department under the transfe...
Written Answers - Redundancy Payments
Was asked: the reason persons (details supplied) in County Limerick were not awarded the additional three weeks redundancy entitlements following a Labour Court recommendation when 42 of their co-workers were a...
In November 2004 the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment announced a policy change to the Job Initiative Programme that provided for contracts to be renewed for participants who wished to r...
Written Answers - Residential Institutions Redress Scheme
Was asked: further to Parliamentary Questions Nos 106 and 107 of 27 April 2010, the subject matter of her meeting with the representatives of Catholic religious orders; and if she will make a statement on the m...
The Taoiseach and relevant Ministers, including myself, met with representatives of the religious Congregations that were party to the 2002 Indemnity Agreement, on 15th April. The context of the meet...
Written Answers - Labour Market Activation Fund
Was asked: when the labour market activation fund will make calls for proposals in view of the fact that it has been more than five months since the establishment of the fund was announced and the call for prop...
Following an open tender competition in which 370 tenders were received, I announced on Tuesday details of Activation Fund support for 26 different organisations across the private, not-for-profit and...
Written Answers - Bullying in Schools
Was asked: his plans to introduce legislation regarding bullying in schools following the death of a student (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I am aware of the case referred to by the Deputy. It has clearly been a very tragic and difficult period for the family in question. Section 23 of the Education Welfare Act 2000 requires all schools ...
Written Answers - School Accommodation
Was asked: the position regarding the provision of a primary school (details supplied) in County Tipperary; his views on a submission sent to him via e-mail outlining the reason there is a need for a school in ...
The Forward Planning Section of my Department is in the process of carrying out a detailed analysis of over 40 locations of highest population growth in order to identify the school accommodation requ...
Written Answers - Departmental Expenditure
Was asked: the amount he anticipates that he will spend on converting Department titles on websites, headed paper, application forms, information booklets, wall charts and so on as a result of the recent change...
My Department is mindful of the need to keep all costs in respect of the change in title of my Department to a minimum. Many of the changes required have already been effected and a table of costings...
Written Answers - Schools Building Projects
Was asked: the position regarding an application for building works in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary; when he expects a decision to be made; and if she will make a statement on the ...
I can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers made an application to my Department for large scale capital funding for an extension. The application has been assessed in accordance with th...
Was asked: the position regarding a capital project at a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary; when the project will move to the next stage; the reasons for the delay in progressing the project; and if...
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the project to which the Deputy refers was included in the announcement on 16 February of projects progressing to tender and construction. The project is at an ...
Was asked: the position regarding an application for a refurbishment and extension project in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary; the timeframe for completion of works; the works to be c...
Was asked: the position regarding a school building project (details supplied) in County Tipperary; the reason for the delay in processing this application; the reason the project has been put on hold; and if s...
I propose to take Questions Nos. 168 and 169 together. I can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers made an application to my Department for large scale capital funding for an extension. ...
Was asked: the position regarding a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary which has applied for major capital funding; the timeframe for completion of works; the works to be completed; and if she will m...
I can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers has made an application to my Department for large scale capital funding for an extension. The application has been assessed in accordance wit...
Written Answers - School Staffing
Was asked: the number of teachers currently employed within primary and post-primary schools in north Tipperary; if there will be an increase or decrease in teachers employed starting in September 2010; and if ...
My Department publishes extensive statistical information on its website in relation to schools. This includes information relating to teacher allocations at primary and post-primary level published ...
Written Answers - Special Educational Needs
Was asked: if she will reverse the decision to remove four special needs assistants posts at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 2; if she will consider the importance of these posts to the well-being of chil...
As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for allocating resource teache...
Written Answers - School Staffing
Was asked: if she is in receipt of an appeal for a staff level review in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Cork; if she is in a position to grant this request; and if she will make a statement on...
It is open to any Board of Management to submit an appeal under certain criteria to an independent Appeal Board. Details of the criteria for appeal are contained in the staffing schedule, Circular 00...
Written Answers - School Curriculum
Was asked: if she will consider recommending a publication (details supplied) to the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, for inclusion on the list of prescribed works for study at leaving certificat...
Advice on prescribed material for the Junior and Leaving Cert exams is submitted to my Department by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment. No texts are prescribed for study by student...
Written Answers - Schools Building Projects
Was asked: when it is likely that an application for large scale capital funding made 11 years ago will be awarded in the case of a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; if he or his Department consider ...
Was asked: the full extent of progress in each year since a large scale capital funding application was submitted to his Department in the case of a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; if he will grant...
Was asked: if a school (details supplied) in County Kildare will be granted funding under the large scale capital funding application in 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: if he and or his Department deem it acceptable that a school (details supplied) in County Kildare which applied for large scale capital funding more than nine years ago should still be waiting for sa...
Was asked: when a school (details supplied) in County Kildare will be granted funding under the application for large scale funding in view of ongoing increased demands on the school with regard to classroom ac...
Was asked: if she or her Department have received an application for funding for the provision of an extension at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; his plans to address same in 2010; and if she wil...
I propose to take Questions Nos. 175, 177, 183, 185, 188 and 191 together. I can confirm that the schools to which the Deputy refers have made applications to my Department for large scale funding. T...
Was asked: the degree, if any, to which she and her Department have advanced the various developmental stages in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Kildare over the past 12-month period on a month...
Was asked: if it is intended to grant funding under the large scale capital application to a school (details supplied) in County Kildare within the next six months; the likely anticipated timescale for same; an...
I propose to take Questions Nos. 176 and 182 together. A proposal has been submitted to the Department by the authority of the school to which the Deputy refers to meet its long term accommodation ne...
Was asked: the time that has elapsed to date since the application for permanent classroom facilities was deemed required at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; the number of school places currently ...
Architectural planning for the project to which the Deputy refers commenced in 2006. The brief is for a new 16 classroom school. My Department is currently awaiting receipt of the Supplementary Tend...
Written Answers - School Accommodation
Was asked: if she will provide the necessary temporary accommodation at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare to accommodate the extra 30 students anticipated for September 2010 enrolment which are in e...
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that my Department recently approved the provision of additional accommodation — 3 x 49m2 mainstream classrooms at this school. It is open to the school authorities...
Written Answers - Schools Building Projects
Was asked: the position regarding a school building project for a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the building project to which he refers has been on site since September 2009.
Was asked: the full extent of progress in each of the past 12 months to date of the advancement of the school building project in Kildare, County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The tender report for the proposed extension project at the school to which the Deputy refers has been recently received in my Department and is currently being assessed. When the tender report is a...
Was asked: when an application for large scale capital funding was submitted to his Department in the case of a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; his plans to progress same by September 2010; and if ...
The school to which the Deputy refers originally applied to my Department for large scale capital funding in 2004. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation cr...
Was asked: the likely timescale for granting of funding to a school (details supplied) in County Kildare in view of the increased demands on the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The school in question was allocated grant aid for the provision of 2 mainstream classrooms in 2009. The school management authority was advised that they had the option to purchase prefabs or build ...
Was asked: the precise development since the 9 November 2009 regarding the building project for the new national school at Kill, County Kildare; the degree of interaction with the various interests involved; th...
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the completion contractor for the project to which he refers commenced work on site in early April 2010. With regard to the degree of interaction with the variou...
Written Answers -
Was asked: the progress made to date regarding the building works at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The school in question received grant aid in 2007 to provide four resource rooms under my Department’s Permanent Accommodation Scheme. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that construction works on the...
Was asked: the position regarding the provision of permanent school buildings for students attending a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The school to which the Deputy refers has temporary recognition from my Department. Schools with temporary recognition are not entitled to capital funding. Accommodation remains the responsibility...
Was asked: the position regarding an application for an extension to a school (details supplied) in County Kildare in view of the fact that stage 2b was submitted by the school to her Department some time ago; ...
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the construction phase for this project commenced in January this year.
Was asked: the position regarding an application for major capital funding by a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
As the Deputy has been previously informed, the school to which he refers has not applied to my Department for large scale capital funding and it has indicated to my Department that it is not in nee...
Was asked: the progress in the past six months of a building project in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; the degree to which the project is on schedule; and if she will make a statement...
Tenders will be invited shortly for the new school referred to by the Deputy. Following completion of the tender stage, assuming no issues arise, the project will progress to construction. Once the ...
Written Answers - Special Educational Needs
Was asked: the number of resource or special needs teachers currently required at primary and or second level schools throughout the country, on a county basis as set out by the various school authorities; the ...
Was asked: the extent of additional educational facilities other than those previously announced likely to be provided by her Department over the next three years with particular reference to children affected ...
Was asked: the number of places available at primary and second level schools throughout the country, on a county basis, for children with autism, Asperger’s, ADD, ADHD or similar learning difficulties catered ...
I propose to take Questions Nos. 195, 211 and 217 together. The National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs), co-ordinates special needs ed...
Written Answers - School Enrolments
Was asked: if she has evaluated primary and second level school requirements in respect of the area of County Kildare near Enfield; if she intends to make any proposals arising from same; and if she will make a...
Was asked: if she evaluated primary and second level school requirements in respect of Sallins, County Kildare; if she intends to make any proposals arising from same; and if she will make a statement on the ma...
Was asked: if she has evaluated primary and second level school requirements in respect of Straffan, County Kildare; if she plans to make any proposals arising from same; and if she will make a statement on the...
Was asked: if she has evaluated primary and second level school requirements in respect of Kilcock, County Kildare; if she plans to make any proposals arising from same; and if she will make a statement on the ...
Was asked: if she has evaluated primary and second level school requirements in respect of Naas, County Kildare; if she plans to make any proposals arising from same; and if she will make a statement on the mat...
Was asked: if she has evaluated primary and second level school requirements in respect of Celbridge, County Kildare; if she plans to make any proposals arising from same; and if she will make a statement on th...
Was asked: if she has evaluated primary and second level school requirements in respect of Leixlip, County Kildare; if she plans to make any proposals arising from same; and if she will make a statement on the ...
Was asked: the extent to which she or her Department have evaluated the primary and second level school needs at Leixlip, County Kildare with particular reference to the need to provide extra facilities as requ...
I propose to take Questions Nos. 196 to 202, inclusive, and 208 together. The Forward Planning Section of my Department has carried out a study of the country to identify the areas where, due to demo...
Written Answers - Schools Building Projects
Was asked: the total intended expenditure on school or college buildings at primary, second or third level in 2010; the extent to which this compares on an annual basis with each of the past five years and to d...
The total intended capital expenditure at primary, post-primary and third level in 2010 is outlined in the following table. The table also provides the spend at all three levels from 2005-2009. Capit...
Written Answers - Psychological Service
Was asked: the number of outstanding requests for psychological assessment currently in hand at the various schools throughout the country on a county basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The Deputy will be aware 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 - School Accommodation
Was asked: the number of children at primary and second level on a county basis throughout the country currently accommodated in prefabricated structures; the locations at which this has prevailed for the longe...
As I outlined to the Deputy on 6th May, 2010, in general, my Department approves the purchase or rental of prefabricated classrooms based on need at the time of application. My Department does not ho...
Written Answers - Schools Building Projects
Was asked: the primary and post primary schools in Naas, County Kildare which have sought or are seeking extensions, upgrading or provision of new or alternative facilities on existing or alternative sites in t...
Was asked: the extent of the primary and post-primary school requirements at Maynooth, County Kildare; the need for accommodation and or other facilities in accordance with the growing population; the extent to...
Was asked: the primary and post primary schools in Kilcock, County Kildare which have sought or are seeking extensions, upgrading or provision of new alternative facilities on existing or alternative sites in t...
Was asked: the number of schools in north Kildare at primary level currently recorded with accommodation insufficient to the needs based on enrolments; her plans to address this issue in the near future; and if...
Was asked: the primary and post-primary schools in Clane, County Kildare which have sought or are seeking extensions, upgrading or provision of new or alternative facilities on existing or alternative sites in ...
Was asked: the primary and post-primary schools in Celbridge, County Kildare which have sought or are seeking extensions, upgrading or provision of new or alternative facilities on existing or alternative sites...
I propose to take Questions Nos. 206, 207, 209, and 212 to 214, inclusive, together. Information in respect of the current school building programme, along with all assessed applications for major cap...
Written Answers - Higher Education Grants
Was asked: the degree to which higher education grants have been paid up to date or otherwise by vocational education committees or local authorities on a county basis throughout the country to date in respect ...
The following table details the latest information on the number of new applications awaiting decisions. The information has been supplied to my Department by the local authorities and the Vocational...
Written Answers - Bullying in Schools
Was asked: the extent, if any, of incidents of school bullying brought to her attention or of which she and/or her Department otherwise became aware at primary and second level, on a county basis, throughout th...
There is no requirement for local school authorities to report incidents or allegations of bullying to my Department, nor do I believe that this should be the case. Under the Education Act 1998, lega...
Written Answers - Schools Building Projects
Was asked: the extent to which she expects to meet requests as set out within the school building programme in the current year; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Full details of my Department’s Capital Programme are available on my Department’s website, www.education.ie. This includes details of: Projects on site or progressing to tender and construction in 2...
Written Answers - Special Educational Needs
Was asked: further to Parliamentary Question No. 231 of 13 May 2010 and previous parliamentary questions relating to a person (details supplied) in need of home tuition, if the offer of five hours per week can ...
The Deputy will be aware that the home tuition scheme provides funding to parents to provide education at home for children who, for a number of reasons such as chronic illness, are unable to attend s...
Written Answers - Literacy Levels
Was asked: further to Parliamentary Question No. 256 of 26 May 2010, and in view of the success of the demonstration library programme addressing literacy difficulties, if she will give a commitment to renew th...
My Department funds four maintenance grant schemes for third level and further education students which are administered by the Local Authorities and the Vocational Education Committees. The Higher E...
Written Answers - Higher Education Grants
Was asked: if she will advise and support a matter (details supplied).
My Department funds four maintenance grant schemes for third level and further education students which are administered by the Local Authorities and the Vocational Education Committees. The Higher...
Written Answers - Schools Building Projects
Was asked: if she will provide an update on the provision of new community school in Ballinamore, County Leitrim; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The new post primary school at Ballinamore, County Leitrim, is one of eight schools which were approved for inclusion in the 3rd Bundle of schools to be procured via Public Private Partnership. This ...
Written Answers - Higher Education Grants
Was asked: if she will clarify the position regarding a person (details supplied) in County Limerick and outline the financial assistance which will be available to them in respect of the 2010-11 academic year....
The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the relevant assessing authority, i.e. the applicant’s local authority or VEC. An applicant may appeal the deci...
Written Answers - School Transport
Was asked: if she will make contact with a school (details supplied) in Dublin 24 in respect of its concerns that the transport service for pupils from the Traveller community may be withdrawn; if she will give...
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