Tag Archives: schools

New Primary School announced for Dun Laoghaire under major school building projects list 2018

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Fine Gael TD for Dun Laoghaire said that Dun Laoghaire is to benefit from funding under a multi-million euro school building programme for a new primary school.

“Today the Government is unveiling a major school building programme, which involves funding for a 16 classroom Primary School.

“This school building programme sets out over 310 individual major school building projects, which will proceed to construction between 2016 and 2021. Meanwhile the Government is also announcing today that 13 new primary and second-level schools are to open in 2017 and 2018.

“I’m very aware of the pressing need to provide more school places in Dun Laoghaire, in order to continue to meet the accommodation requirements of our growing school going population

“This funding will facilitate the provision of more school places in Dun Laoghaire and this significant investment will also support direct and indirect jobs in Dun Laoghaire. This is all part of Fine Gael’s plan to keep the recovery going. Job creation means more revenue for the exchequer and therefore more money to invest in the services people depend on such as schools.

“I know how vital it is to parents across Dun Laoghaire that their children are not just guaranteed a school place, but are guaranteed that they can learn and grow in a comfortable environment, which is conducive to study. Fine Gael is committed to ensuring that this happens.”

2013 Back to School Clothing & Footwear Allowance (BSCFA) Scheme

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The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BTSCFA) helps you meet the cost of uniforms and footwear for children going to school.

You (the parent or guardian) must be getting certain social welfare payments or taking part in training, employment or adult education schemes and your child/ren must be aged between 4 and 22 on or before 30 September of the year you apply.

The BSCFA entitlements of some 115,000 families in respect of approx. 207,000 children have now been established with reference to their primary scheme entitlement, with no application form required.  Letters issued to the people concerned informing them of their entitlement.  These customers can collect their BSCFA payment this week (week commencing 16 July) on the same day as their normal weekly payment.

Customers who did not receive an automated payment are now required to complete an application form which will be processed from a centralised unit in the Department’s office in Letterkenny.  The Allowance is means tested so customers who are in receipt of benefit payments, on Community Employment or Back to Work schemes will be required to complete an application form.

The BSCFA section is processing claims which were received in July at present.  Payment in respect of these claims will issue on a daily basis as they are decided so the majority of customers who have an entitlement to the allowance will receive their payment in July.

Forms are available from Local Offices, via SMS (text “Form BTSCFA” followed by your name and address to 51909) and on www.welfare.ie.  A phone bank is operational to deal with queries on the scheme. The LOCALL number is 1890662244.

 

Mary Mitchell O’Connor TD

19th July 2013

 

 

Education Minister publishes report into the income available to fee charging schools

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The Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn T.D., today (Tuesday 5th March) published a report into the discretionary income available to the 55 fee charging schools in the country.

“Fee Charging Schools – Analysis of Fee Income” was compiled by the Department based on data provided during 2012 by the schools concerned.

In December 2011, as part of the Budget, Minister Quinn announced that an analysis of fee income in the 55 fee charging schools would be carried out. This was in order to inform future policy decisions about the nature and extent of exchequer funding provided to fee charging schools.

The report published today is an analysis of the funding position of the 55 schools which charge fees; it is not an audit. It shows the funds available to these schools through charging fees, which are not available to secondary schools in the Free Scheme.

Information was sought from the 55 schools and was accepted by the Department as submitted. It was not subject to audit or verification. Participation was voluntary for the schools concerned and it was a matter for each school to decide what information the school would share with the Department in relation to how it utilises fee income.

The information received is presented in the report in an aggregate way and individual schools have not been identified.

The report uses the term “discretionary income” to describe the funds available to the schools which charge fees. This figure has been calculated based on the fees charged in each school, less repayments on capital loans, uncollected fees and fee discounts. It also takes into account the exchequer funding (such as capitation rates) and teacher posts foregone as a result of the school being fee charging.

The average discretionary income per fee charging school is €1.48 million. This funding allows them to privately recruit additional subject teachers and extra ancillary staff or invest in capital improvements and extra curricular activities.

The report shows that there are a range of funds available within the fee paying sector from schools with significant discretionary income to those who have a much lower amount.

Such splits are in evidence across both the Protestant and other ethos fee charging schools.

– See more at: http://www.education.ie/en/Press-Events/Press-Releases/2013-Press-Releases/PR-%202013-%203-%205.html#sthash.SzCbA9b9.dpuf

Time to explore real childcare options that work

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With empty schools and halls all over the country we are failing to capitalise on a most valuable resource.

Fine Gael Dun Laoghaire Deputy, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, has today (Thursday) said that we must look at real, affordable and proven ways of providing childcare, in light of proposed changes to the lone parent payments. Deputy Mitchell O’Connor was speaking following comments made by the Social Protection Minister, Joan Burton, in the Dáil last night on the Social Welfare and Pensions Bill.

“As a former school principal, I have extensive experience identifying ways of providing childcare that is both reliable and affordable. In my former school, we addressed this issue by employing qualified carers to provide after school care at reasonable rates.

“Parents were charged a small fee per hour for their children to be taken care of after school and within the school setting. A reduced rate was charged to disadvantaged pupils or those who demonstrated a difficulty in paying.

“The money raised from this initiative was used to pay back a loan that the school had taken out for renovations, independent of the Department of Education. The money that was raised enabled the school to easily cover the loan repayments, while providing a valuable service to parents and their children. If an initiative such as this was to be adopted in schools throughout the country, considering that the loan element would be removed, minimal charges could be imposed to cover the cost of employing the supervisors.

“We have empty school halls and gymnasiums the length and breadth of the country that could be used to provide after school care by professionals. These premises are available at very little cost and failing to use them, when there is obviously a need, is failing to tap into a hugely valuable resource. The taxpayer has funded these schools so it makes that they are used to the benefit of local communities.

“Our social welfare system needs to be overhauled and refocused in favour of those who are most in need of payment. In my experience, this system of childcare provision works very well for parents, children and, indeed, the school. I believe that all workable options must be explored to ensure that the social welfare system continues to provide for our people and that our children are cared for in the most suitable and affordable setting. ”

Four new school building projects announced for Dun Laoghaire

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€1.5 billion on 275 school projects nationally, creating 18,000 jobs.

Fine Gael Deputy for Dun Laoghaire, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, has welcomed confirmation that four schools in Dun Laoghaire will be extended, as part of a major new school building programme announced by the Government. A total of 275 projects will be completed between 2012 and 2016, creating 18,000 jobs nationally.

“I am delighted that four schools in Dun Laoghaire will benefit from extensions to their premises as part of this major school building programme. Despite our difficult economic circumstances, the Government is determined to prioritise school building projects to cater for the projected increase in pupil numbers over the coming years.

“Four schools in the constituency will benefit from this investment for new and improved school facilities. They are the Senior College, Dún Laoghaire, Clonkeen College in Blackrock, Newpark Comprehensive in Blackrock and Scoil Lorcain in Monkstown. These projects will not only have a huge impact on the pupils, teachers and local communities in these schools, it will also give a significant boost in terms of job creation. At least 15,000 direct jobs and 3,000 indirect jobs will be created nationally during the construction phase over the next five years.

“A total of €1.5 billion will be invested by the Government between now and the end of 2016 to provide these new and improved school buildings. This will include 106 new schools and 65 extensions at primary level, 43 new schools and 49 extensions at second level, and 8 new special schools and 4 extensions at special schools.

“The Government is acting now in order to prepare for the huge increase in pupil numbers expected over the next few years. It’s anticipated that there will be an increase of 45,000 children going to primary school, and 25,000 at second level between now and 2017.

“On top of the school projects announced today, a further 60 schools are already under construction and are due to be completed this year. It ’s also expected that some additional school projects may be announced during the term of the five year capital plan, to cater for increased demand in some areas.

“Education is being prioritised by this Government. Within extremely limited spending options we are taking the steps to ensure that our children are educated in safe, modern facilities. In recent weeks, funding of €35 million was also announced to put an end to the wasteful policy of housing our pupils in prefabs which was pursued by the Fianna Fáil Government for so many years.”

Religion has a fundamental place in our school

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Faith-based option must be protected.

Fine Gael Dun Laoghaire Deputy, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, has today (Wednesday) said that religion has a place in our education system and that parents should continue to have the option of sending their children to faith-based schools.

“Contrary to some arguments that are being put forward at the moment, I fundamentally disagree that religion has no place in our schools in a modern democracy.

“Education is about much more than just imparting knowledge or preparing students for exams or future employment. Our schools have a central role to play in the moral, social and spiritual development of our children.

“A narrow focus on academic skills, with little more on offer, speaks to our children in the coldest and most basic way. Schools should teach our children to have a sense of community and a sense of belonging; religious education provides just that.

“The ethos of Catholic, Church of Ireland, Jewish or Muslim based faiths, far from having a negative impact, are holistic and ensure the harmonious development of the whole person. The pastoral care given by teachers adds to that.

“A Council for Research and Development report entitled ‘Factors Determining School Choice’, found that 70% of parents considered the daily prayer and the celebration of religious festivals and events as important factors when considering where to send children to school. Most parents also believed that a plurality of faiths and practices in the classroom enhanced their child’s education.

“It is my firm belief that religious education, regardless of faith, should continue to be provided in our schools. Any notion that Boards of Management in Catholic or Church of Ireland schools are undemocratic should be dismissed out of hand, as patrons only appoint two nominees on the board of eight members. The remaining vacancies are recruited at parish level and appointees do not receive out of pocket expenses, unlike VEC Committee board members, showing a deep sense of commitment to the running of our schools.

“Religion has a fundamental role to play in the education of our children. Any notion that this role should be diminished would, in my view, be to the detriment of our students and their future education.