An dráma An Triail ar chamchuairt
November 14, 2012
Just 40pc vote on handover of schools
November 14, 2012
THE first surveys on the possible handover of Catholic primary schools to other patron bodies have resulted in a low turnout by parents.
At most, 40pc of parents have had their say – and the actual number could be much lower.
An expert group will now analyse the results and will give recommendations to the Department of Education on whether there is a demand for change. The department is also considering whether they need to make any changes before similar surveys are conducted in 39 other areas.
Parents in five areas were asked to vote in recent weeks on whether they would like a greater choice of patron for their local schools. The move is designed to reflect the growing diversity in Irish society and to give parents an opportunity to reduce the dominance of the Catholic Church in primary education.
The church, which controls about 90pc of primary schools, agrees that greater choice is required and is willing to hand over schools in line with parental preferences.
In the first instance, parents were asked to say whether they favoured any change, and, if, so, to give their preference of an alternative patron body from a list provided. The list included all-Irish and multi-denominational schools
The surveys were conducted in Arklow, Co Wicklow; Trim, Co Meath; Whitehall, Dublin; Castlebar, Co Mayo, and Tramore, Co Waterford, and were open to parents of preschool and primary-aged children.
www.independent.ie
Weak response to pilot survey on parents’ preferred patrons of schools
November 14, 2012
Parents have been slow to engage with a Department of Education survey on their preferred choice of patron for primary schools.
Figures released by the Department of Education indicate that less than 40 per cent of parents took part in an online survey in five pilot areas. The actual results of the surveys will not be known until next week.
These surveys are the first step in a process in which the Catholic Church could be divested of control of schools in 44 areas. Despite the low turnout, the department insists there was “an encouraging level of interest from parents”. It says the pilot surveys will allow it to identify the level of parental demand for a wider diversity of school choice in the selected areas. The remaining 39 areas – where there is a stable population and demand for diversity of school types – are to be surveyed next year.
The survey was confined to parents living in the area, parents of pre-school children and of children in primary school. A code of conduct – worked out in consultation with the patron bodies – limited excessive spending by any one side. This limited the capacity of patrons to alert parents to the survey through public relations.
Number of responses
Five pilot areas
Arklow: 384 responses, representing 706 of the 1,965 pupils in primary schools in the area.
Castlebar: 465 responses, representing 932 of the 2,261 pupils in the area.
Tramore: 276 responses , representing 563 of the 1,644 pupils in the area.
Trim: 300 responses, representing 588 of the 1,540 pupils in the area.
Whitehall: 546 responses, representing 987 of the 2,449 pupils in the area.
www.irishtimes.com
Beirt as Corcaigh le bua an dlí agus na díospóireachta
November 14, 2012
Harkin hails EU loan for new Letterkenny school
November 13, 2012
Independent MEP Marian Harkin today welcomed the European Investment Bank loan for the construction of the new Gaelcholáiste Ailigh in Letterkenny, describing it as a “marvellous example of European added value”.
The school will be built as part of a Public Private Partnership, using Irish state funds as well as the loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB). Coláiste Ailigh will accommodate 350 pupils (mixed girls and boys) with general teaching spaces, specialist classrooms and workshops, as well as a sports hall and playing courts.
Harkin noted that “in a time of great fiscal difficulty, it is encouraging thatIrelandcan avail of these targeted EIB loans for worthwhile infrastructure projects such as this school. Maintaining investment in education is one of the single most important steps we as a nation can take to restoring our economy to full, vibrant health, and the EIB is providing much-needed EU ‘added value’ at the right time”.
She added that “as well as the value to Donegal’s education system, this project will provide employment for architects, engineers, contracts managers and quantity surveyors, and the contractor BAM will maintain the schools under a 25 year service contract”.
www.donegaldemocrat.ie
Homework club to support school’s language policy
November 13, 2012
FOLLOWING the announcement last week that the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht had sanctioned a grant of €5,000 for a homework club in Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne, details of the scheme have been released this week.
A spokesperson for Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne, who manage the scheme which has been running in PCD for the past number of years with Government funding, said it was set up to support the school’s Irish Language policy.
“Through this scheme, students can avail of extra help with their homework after school,” the spokesperson explained. Pupils who are learning or improving their Irish are especially catered for and teachers and professional people provide this service.”
www.kerryman.ie
Nuachtlitir Ráth Chairn
November 13, 2012
Cairde Teo – Fiontraíocht Shóisialta ag feidhmiú ar son na teanga
November 12, 2012
Minister Quinn & EIB President welcome start to construction of eight schools unlocking Public Private Partnership Model
November 12, 2012
The Minister for Education and Skills warmly welcomed the start of construction today (Monday 12th November) of eight schools which are being delivered under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model. These are the first public sector projects to be funded under the PPP model since June 2010.
These schools in counties Westmeath, Leitrim, Limerick, Galway, Donegal, Wexford and Waterford are the third bundle of schools to be built under the Department of Education and Skills school PPP programme. They are part of the five year school building programme already announced by Minister Ruairí Quinn T.D. earlier this year.
A loan of €50 million has been secured through the European Investment Bank (EIB) which has meant these new schools can now proceed to construction. The total value of the construction costs is estimated to be approximately €100 million.
The eight schools will provide accommodation for approximately 5,700 students. Six of the eight schools are second level schools; while the two remaining schools to be built in Doughiska, Co. Galway, are a primary and a secondary school which will share a single campus.
Minister Quinn said, “This is very good news for the communities in counties stretching from Donegal to Waterford who have been waiting for their school building projects to be given the green light.”
“I am particularly pleased that the EIB has again decided to support the Department’s schools capital investment programme with a loan of €50 million which will assist in funding this investment. It is a further signal of the bank’s renewed confidence in the Irish State and our recovery programme.”
President of the EIB,Werner Hoyer, said, “The landmark agreement to support construction of eight new schools marks the reopening of the PPP sector in Ireland. The European Investment Bank is committed to enabling education investment in Ireland. This project complements EIB support provided in July to build 550 new classrooms and backing to redevelop University College Dublin a year ago.”
The National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) is responsible for advising State Authorities on the best financing of priority public investment projects. These eight schools in PPP Bundle 3 were referred to the NDFA in July 2010 to assist in securing funding.
BAM PPP was appointed preferred tenderer in September 2011 and all planning issues were granted by May of this year. Now that funding has been secured, construction is expected to begin immediately. The project financing includes EIB, Bank of Ireland and the National Pensions Reserve Fund.
Theo Cullinane, BAM Chief Executive said, “We are pleased to be investing in the Irish market and to have been able to partner with the Department of Education and Skills, the NDFA and our senior lenders Bank of Ireland, the European Investment Bank and the National Pensions Reserve Fund to develop a financing solution for the project. The successful financing of this project augurs well for future PPP projects.”
Tom Hayes, Chief Executive of Bank of Ireland Corporate Banking, said, “This transaction highlights Bank of Ireland’s commitment to supporting local communities throughout the country. It will create more than 1,000 much needed jobs during construction and on completion will provide first class educational facilities for over 5,700 pupils and serve generations to come.”
Earlier this year, Minister Quinn unveiled a five year Schools Capital Programme worth €1.5 billion. This will see a total of 275 major school buildings projects commenced between now and 2016. The €50 million loan being provided by the EIB will assist in funding this investment. Since 2008 the European Investment Bank has provided nearly €350 million for investment in schools and universities in Ireland.
All schools are expected to be completed by 2014. Their completion will bring the total number of schools delivered under the PPP model in the State to 23.
The schools which will be built under PPP Bundle 3 are:
- Athlone Community College, Co. Westmeath
- Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim
- Doon, Co. Limerick
- Doughiska Post Primary, Co.Galway
- Merlin Woods Primary School (Doughiska), Co. Galway
- Creagh College, Gorey, Co. Wexford
- Coláiste Ailigh, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
- Tramore, Co. Waterford
education.ie
Diversity of Patronage – Survey of Parents – Deadline for completion of Survey is Midnight on Friday 9th November
November 9, 2012
Surveys available here: education.ie
