Méid an Téacs

Changes to admission policies for schools

Aibreán 11, 2013

Update by Linda Hynes, employment lawyer with Leman Solicitors and specialist in education law.

Following on from Minister Quinn’s 2011 discussion document on the overhaul of admissions policies for schools, the Minister for Education and Skills appears to be moving along with his proposed changes.

At the teacher conferences at Easter, Minister Quinn revealed his plans to put an end to policies that he sees as restrictive and hindering of enrolment in at least 20 per cent of schools at both primary and post primary level. In his speeches, Minister Quinn referred to the Education Act 1998 and to its purpose to provide for maximum accessibility to schools through inclusive admissions policies.

Current legislation
Section 9 of the Education Act 1998 sets out the statutory duty of a school, provides that one of the duties is to
‘….establish and maintain an admissions policy which provides for maximum accessibility to the school’.

The Education (Welfare) Act 2000 provides that if a school refuses an application by a student, the refusal can only be in accordance with its admissions policy.

Section 29 of the Education Act provides a mechanism whereby applicants who have been refused enrolment in a school can be appealed to Section 29 Appeal Committees. Much of the case law in the area of admissions has come from judicial review application against the decisions of the Section 29 Appeal Committees to the High Court by the school’s board of management.

Proposed legislation
It is likely that legislation will be required in order to implement the new proposals. Minister Quinn has advised that the draft heads of legislation will be brought to Government shortly for review. The bill will be called the Education (Admission to School) Bill 2013.

The Minister has also stated that he will be publishing draft regulations alongside the Bill which will be put in place once the Bill is enacted. These regulations should provide more ‘meat on the bones’ of the provisions contained in the Bill. The Department has advised that drafting of the Heads of Bill is underway and is at an early stage so it is unclear when the Bill will be published.

The Minister has stated that the aim of the proposed framework is to ensure that every child is treated fairly and that every child has a place at school. If the proposals are implemented, Irish school enrolment processes will move into a similar sphere to that used in the UK.

Proposals for changes to admission policies

Application Fees
Minister Quinn has been very clear that schools will no longer be able to charge parents for applications made to schools seeking to secure a place for their child. Historically, some fee paying schools have charged parents non-refundable application fees of up to €1,000 per application.
This proposal will have two potential effects – firstly, a reduction in the revenue generated by such schools and secondly, the non-refundable fee will no longer be a deterrent to some families who may be considering applying to these schools for places.
Application Process
Minister Quinn has also come down hard on practices whereby schools require parents and their children to attend school open days as part of the application procedure. Minister Quinn is also very critical of the inclusion of compulsory interviews for parents and children in application procedures. It is likely that the draft legislation will significantly curtail these practices.
Past Pupils
Following on from Minister Quinn’s announcement and the proposals outlined in the previous discussion paper, it is likely that the policy of giving preferential treatment to pupils based on their siblings or parents having attended the school will be done away with. This will be a complete change for some schools’ enrolment policies.
First Come First Served
The Minister has stated that although, on the face of it, first come first served policies seem fair, they do in fact cause indirect disadvantages for some families. The Minister gave the example of a family that has moved from one area of the country to another. Such families can be excluded from certain schools because they were not there first to apply.
Waiting List
The previous discussion paper indicated the possibility that waiting lists should only be open a year before enrolment. For the most highly sought after schools where demand exceeds supply, this could mean a virtual lottery to get into the school the year before enrolment. The Minister, in his announcements, has again stated that he intends to radically reduce waiting lists where they arise. It is suggested that the regulations will deal with this issue but the Minister has stated that there will be a transition period to assist schools in implementing the changes required. It is hoped that the draft bill and regulations will give more guidance on how this issue will be dealt with.
Advice for Schools
Schools will need to be mindful of any new regulatory framework arising out of the Minister’s announcement and should carefully review any Department circulars and statements on the proposals. Both the proposed bill and regulations will be published to allow for public discussion on the issue. Schools, management bodies and representative bodies should use this opportunity to make any views and suggested amendments known. Forward planning is the best way to smoothly introduce these changes.

The proposed framework may present a considerable challenge to some schools in deciding their admissions policy and particularly schools that are already considerably oversubscribed. Schools and their management bodies will need to undertake a review of their admissions policies and ensure that they are amended to accurately reflect the new framework once it is implemented. A failure to update and apply policies in line with the new provisions will leave schools open to legal challenge on any refusal to enroll a student contrary to the new framework. Parents will be extremely interested in the new framework and are likely to be very aware of the proposed changes particularly in areas that are already oversubscribed.

It is hoped that the new legislation will provide more streamlined processes on how schools and parents can deal with admissions issues outside of the process provided for in Section 29.

Linda Hynes and her team advise on all aspects of the employment relationship and on all education law matters.

www.educationmatters.ie

Turais Scoile na nGaelscoileanna, Bealtaine 2013

Aibreán 10, 2013

Thíos tá foirmeacha iarratas do thurais scoile na nGaelscoileanna in Ionad Náisiúnta Óige na hÉireann, Droim Rí, Co. na Mí.

Is turas í seo atá á reáchtáil ag Coláiste na bhFiann le trí bliana anuas go hiomlán trí mheán na Gaeilge. Tugann sé deis iontach do pháistí na nGaelscoileanna éagsúla bualadh lena chéile agus an Ghaeilge a úsáid taobh amuigh de gheataí na scoile.

I measc na n-imeachtaí a bhíonn ar siúl ar na turais scoile áirítear:

  • Ceardlanna Drámaíochta, Drumaíochta, Amhránaíochta & Damhsa
  • Tráth na gCeist
  • Múineadh Rincí & Céilí
  • Imeachtaí Spraíúla

Tabhair faoi deara go bhfuil dátaí faoi leith ar an bhfoirm atá dírithe ar dhaltaí na nGaelscoileanna:

  • Dé Céadaoin 22/05/2013 Rang a 3&4
  • Déardaoin 23/05/2013 Rang a 4&5
  • Dé hAoine 24/05/2013 Rang a 5&6

Má tá ceist ar bith agat nó ag múinteoirí na scoile faoi na turais seo, nó más mian libh folúntais ar dháta faoi leith a fhiosrú, ní gá ach teagmháil a dhéanamh liom ag traic@cnb.ie nó 01-8259342.

Foirm Turais Scoile na bhFiann PDF

Seimineár fostaíochta le Gaeilge i UCD

Aibreán 10, 2013

Ar mhian leat do chuid scileanna scríbhneoireachta agus eagarthóireachta a fhorbairt ar mhaithe le post a bhaint amach i réimse ar leith trí mheán na Gaeilge?
Más ag smaoineamh ar ghairm san iriseoireacht, san eagarthóireacht nó fiú sa dlítheangeolaíocht atá tú, déanfar cur i láthair praiticiúil ar na deiseanna éagsúla atá ar fáil duit ag seimineár eolais i gColáiste na hOllscoile Bhaile Átha Cliath.

Is mór an t-éileamh atá ar cháilíochtaí iar-chéime ó bunaíodh Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla in 2003, agus tá deiseanna fostaíochta spreagúla ar fáil in Éirinn agus thar lear, in institiúidí an Aontais Eorpaigh sa Bhruiséil go háirithe.

Cuireann Roinn na Gaeilge UCD máistreacht i scríobh agus cumarsáid sa Ghaeilge ar fáil a dhíríonn ar scileanna a fhorbairt ar mhaithe le post a bhaint amach sna réimsí seo. Bíonn ar chumas na mac léinn speisialtacht ar leith a roghnú, ar nós, na meáin, cóipeagarthóireacht, riarachán, aistriúchán, ateangaireacht agus dlí. Bíonn tréimhse taithí oibre 8 seachtaine i gceist leis an MA chomh maith, gné luachmhar den chúrsa is ea é seo a thugann blaiseadh praiticiúil den saol oibre do mhic léinn.

Beidh an seimineár ar siúl ag C108, Áras Newman, Coláiste na hOllscoile Bhaile Átha Cliath amárach, 11 Aibreán ag 17.00 agus is iad na cainteoirí a leanas a dhéanfaidh cur síos ar na réimsí éagsúla a chuireann an cúrsa ar fáil do mhic léinn:

Rónán Mac Murchaidh, Oifigeach Allamuigh, Aonad na Gaeilge, Ard-Stiúrthóireacht an Aistriúcháin, Ionadaíocht an Choimisiúin Eorpaigh in Éirinn

Dáithí Mac Cárthaigh BL, Comhordaitheoir Dlí agus Gaeilge, Óstaí an Rí

Bláithín Ní Chatháin, Comhlacht Teilifíse Nemeton

Dr. Ciarán Mac an Bhaird, Fiontar, DCU

Dr Caoimhín Mac Giolla Léith, Ceann na Nua-Ghaeilge, Scoil na Gaeilge, an Léinn Cheiltigh, Bhéaloideas Éireann, na Teangeolaíochta, COBÁC.

Dr. Regina Uí Chollatáin, Stiúrthóir, MA: Scríobh agus Cumarsáid, Lárionad de Bhaldraithe, SICSIFL, UCD

Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com

Craobh cheoil sa chathair

Aibreán 10, 2013

Beidh craobhchomórtas Siansa Gael Linn ar siúl sa Cheoláras Náisiúnta, Baile Átha Cliath, Dé Domhnaigh agus an tUachtarán, Mícheál D. Ó hUiginn, i láthair.

Beidh ocht ngrúpa de cheoltóirí traidisiúnta ag dul in iomaíocht do thrófaí Gael Linn agus seic ¤2,500. Tháinig na ceoltóirí slán ó dhá réamhbhabhta le bheith sa chraobh. Tugadh deis cheardlainne le ceoltóirí proifisiúnta do bhaill na ngrúpaí – ar 12-19 bliain d’aois a bhformhór – le cruthaitheacht agus nuálaíocht stíle a spreagadh. Ba iad an boscadóir ceoil ó Chiarraí, Breanndán Ó Beaglaoich ó Beginish agus Boys of the Lough agus an fidléir ó Dhún na nGall, Ciarán Ó Maonaigh, a bhunaigh an grúpa Fidil, a thaispeáin an bealach dóibh.

Beidh Breanndán agus Ciarán ar ais sa chraobhchomórtas mar mholtóirí in éindí le réalta cheoil eile, Mary Bergin. Bunaíodh Siansa Gael Linn sa bhliain 2001 le ceol agus amhránaíocht thraidisiúnta i nGaeilge a chur chun cinn. Tá grúpaí as Gaillimh, Doire, Port Láirge, Luimneach, Baile Átha Cliath agus Sligeach páirteach sa chraobh i mbliana.

www.irishtimes.com

Stocaireacht de dhíth le stádas COGG a chosaint

Aibreán 10, 2013

Teastaíonn ón Roinn Oideachais go ndéanfaí COGG a comhtháthú leis an CNCM agus iad a lonnú ina n-oifigí, rud a chiallódh nach mbeidh foireann COGG in ann a gcuid oibre a dhéanamh trí mheán na Gaeilge mar a ndearnadar i gcónaí. Tá buairt ann go gcaillfidh an eagraíocht neamhspleáchas agus go mbeidh sí mar fho-rannóg den CNCM (An Chomhairle Náisiúnta Curaclaim & Measúnaithe), go háirithe nuair a bheidh ré bhord reatha na heagraíochta thart i 2014. Chiallódh seo go mbeadh níos lú ionchur ón earnáil gaelscolaíochta agus Gaeltachta maidir leis na nithe a bheadh de dhíth orthu. Le cinntiú nach dtarlaíonn seo, tá tábhacht ar leith ann go leanfaí ag maoiniú na heagraíochta go díreach agus go mbeidh COGG go hiomlán i gceannas ar a buiséad féin mar a bhaineann sé lena clár oibre.

Mar chuid de stocaireacht náisiúnta faoi cur chun cinn na Straitéise 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge, tá Gaelscoileanna Teo. ag comhoibriú le 63 eagraíocht eile le cosaint a dhéanamh ar stádas COGG. Bheadh muid go mór faoi choimín dá bhféadfá na hachainí thíos a chur faoi bhráid na teachtaí dála áitiúla atá sa scoilcheantar ar mhaithe le todhchaí COGG:

1.    Go mbeidh buiséad COGG imfháilithe i gcónaí (sé sin nár cheart go mbeadh aon chumhacht ag an CNCM ar bhuiséad COGG)

2.    Go ndéanfaí neamhspleáchas Bord COGG a choimeád agus go bhfuil gá ag aontú scríofa a bheith ann ón Stáit ina leith (ní chóir go mbeadh bord COGG faoi smacht ag bord CNCM)

3.    Gur féidir le hoifig COGG a bheith mar shatailít den CNCM ach nach féidir foireann COGG a lonnú in oifigí an CNCM.

Íoslódáil an PDF anseo

Is féidir níos mó eolais a fháil faoi COGG ag www.cogg.ie

An Taispeántas ‘Pictiúr’ ar camchuairt

Aibreán 9, 2013

‘Pictiúr’ is teideal do thaispeántas nua ar scoth na léaráidí i leabhair Ghaeilge agus Bhéarla atá ar cuairt ar institiúidí Eorpacha le linn Uachtaránacht na hÉireann ar an Aontas Eorpach.

Ba í Laureate na nÓg Niamh Sharkey a léirigh an taispeántas ina bhfuil léaráidí ó leabhair do pháistí le healaíontóirí móra ina measc P.J. Lynch, Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick, Olivia Golden agus Andrew Whitson.

An mhí seo, beidh an taispeántas le feiceáil i bParlaimint na hEorpa sa Bhruiséil sula dtabharfar aghaidh ar Institiúid Leuven. Beidh sé le feiceáil san ionad ealaíne Draíocht i mBaile Bhlainséir san fhómhar agus ag féile Babaró i gCathair na Gaillimhe roimh dó cuairt a thabhairt ar IMMA, Cill Mhaighneann ag deireadh na bliana.

Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com

Rún éigeandála faoin ngaeloideachas glactha ag Ard-Fheis Chonradh na Gaeilge 2013

Aibreán 9, 2013

Bhailigh Gaeilgeoirí ó cheann ceann na tíre le chéile in Óstán Chúirt na Canála ar an Iúr, Co. an Dúin ag an deireadh seachtaine le mórcheisteanna i saol na Gaeilge a phlé ag Ard-Fheis Chonradh na Gaeilge 2013.

Pléadh réimse leathan de théamaí le linn na gceardlann, na bhfóram agus na cainte ag na Ard Fheis.

‘120 Bliain Ag Fás Agus Céard Atá Os Ár gComhair’ a bhí mar théama ag triúr cainteoirí Niall Comer, Uachtarán Chomhaltas Uladh; Seán Ó Coinn, Leas-Phríomhfheidhmeannach Fhoras na Gaeilge agus Cormac Ó hEaghra, láithreoir aitheanta ar Raidió na Gaeltachta a tharraing aird ar shaincheisteanna ag baint le dúnadh Gaelscéal, éiginnteacht maidir le hOifig an Choimisinéara Teanga, cinntí an Rialtais i leith na Gaeilge agus saincheist maidir le fadhb chumarsáide idir lucht Straitéis 20 bliain don Ghaeilge agus pobal na Gaeilge.

Glacadh d’aon ghuth le dhá rún le linn na hArd-Fheise mar aon le rún éigeandála. Aithníonn an chéad rún a bhí ag Craobh Ghleann an Iolair go bhfuil sé riachtanach an pobal Gaeilge a aithint mar gheallsealbhóirí i gcur i bhfeidhm na Straitéise don Ghaeilge ó thuaidh ón tús agus na fadhbanna atá tar éis teacht chun cinn ó dheas a sheachaint.

Is é an dara rún, a bhí molta ag Donnacha Ó hAodha, ball den Choiste Gnó ná go bhfuil lagú déanta ar An Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010-30 ó dheas ó thosaigh an Comhrialtas nua, agus go bhfuil sé riachtanach go dtiocfaidh an pobal Gaeilge le chéile le teacht i dtír ar na fadhbanna atá cruthaithe ag an Rialtas reatha agus le cur chuige ceart a chur ar bun leis an Straitéis ina hiomláine a chur i gcrích.

Anuas air seo, tháinig rún éigeandála chun cinn, molta ag Pádraig Mac Fheargusa, ball den Choiste Gnó a deir: “Ag cur san áireamh tuairimí a foilsíodh sna meáin chumarsáide le déanaí maidir le dearcadh an Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna i dtaobh pholasaí iontrála scoileanna, éilíonn an Ard-Fheis ar an Rialtas gan cur isteach ar pholasaí iontrála na nGaelscoileanna agus na nGaelcholáistí ó thaobh chúlra Gaeilge na dtuismitheoirí / na ndaltaí de.”

Cuirfear na rúin seo faoi bhráid na n-airí cuí sa Roinn Cultúir, Ealaíon agus Fóillíochta chomh maith le Foras na Gaeilge, saineolaí aitheanta pleanála teanga agus heagraíochtaí pobail Gaeilge.

Atoghadh Donnchadh Ó hAodha ó Chraobh Chúil Aodha ina Uachtarán ar Chonradh na Gaeilge don tríú bliain as a chéile mar chuid de na himeachtaí ag an deireadh seachtaine.

Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com

Change in school enrolment policies

Aibreán 8, 2013

A chara, – I wish to express my profound shock, disbelief and outrage at one aspect of the proposed changes to school enrolment policies put forward by Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn (Home News, April 3rd).

This policy has no place in the 21st century; indeed it was outrageous in the 19th century when it was first introduced. I refer to the proposal to force some Irish-speaking children from Irish-speaking families to attend English-speaking schools. This will happen bec a use under the guidelines Irish language schools will not be permitted to give priority to children from Irish speaking families. Irish-speaking families are a threat ened minorit y in t hi s State, all have made a lifelong commitment to the survival of the language by speaking it every day, and their children, especially at secondary level often travel long distances to their nearest Irish language school.

Like many of today’s policies, it discriminates yet again, disproportionately against rural areas because Irish-speaking families such as ourselves who live in rural Ireland find ourselves outside the catchment areas or feeder schools for existing Irish language secondary schools which are few in number Apart from being oppressive, this policy is clearly absurd, and bizarre. As an Irish-speaking family it seems an act of wanton cruelty to provide such schools and then to deny entry to those of u s who mos t passionately want to make use of them. – Is mise, SÉAMUS Ó DRISCEOIL, Oileán Cléire Co Chorcaí.

www.irishtimes.com

€1.6m cost in translation

Aibreán 8, 2013

TAXPAYERS have been hit with a bill of at least €1.6million for translating exam papers, reports, leaflets and other papers into Irish.

State bodies must get all documents of “major public importance” translated ‘as gaeilge’ to comply with the Official Languages Act. But many of the Irish versions are NEVER read. A probe carried out by the Irish Sun found the bill for 63 departments, councils and other government agencies for 2012 comes to at least €1.6million. These costs apply to outside contracts only so do not include the time spent by officials and civil servants in translating documents internally as part of their job. The State Examinations Office, under the control of the Department of Education, had the highest bill of €900,000. This went on translating marking schemes and producing Irish exams.

Minister Ruairi Quinn’s department also splashed out €106,000 on gaeilge versions of leaflets, application forms and press releases. NAMA, the NTMA and the National Pension Reserve Fund paid out €23,462 for putting annual reports into Irish. An Post spent €7,179 for Irish versions of State Savings forms and brochures. Councils were big spenders too, as annual reports and development plans must be translated under the Act. Kerry County Council has 21 Irish officers who do most of its translation. But it still paid out €14,133 for an Irish version of the Dingle Area Local Area Plan. Limerick County Council spent €12,246, with much of this going on the gaeilge translation of the Cappamore Local Area Plan.

Meath had the biggest bill for a council, spending €47,210, with €33,309 to translate the county’s development plan. The Department of Social Protection carried out 372 projects, at a cost of €47,000, on reports, info booklets and its website. And the Department of Health spent €5,436 to translate the National Substance Misuse Strategy Steering Report into Irish. The Department of Children had a bill totalling €51,577. The National Transport Authority racked up spending of €?4,362 — including getting taxi-customer information cards put into Irish. The Central Bank splashed €67,000 for Irish translation. Others obliged to put documents into Irish included Teagasc, the Irish Aviation Authority, the Competition Authority, Crafts Council of Ireland and the National Milk Agency.

www.thesun.ie

Oidhreacht Theach Ard na bhFeá á comóradh

Aibreán 8, 2013

Rinneadh Oidhreacht Ard na bhFeá, tosaíocht chultúrtha de chuid Forbairt Feirste, a sheoladh go hoifigiúil an Chéadaoin seo caite i gColáiste Feirste in iarthar Bhéal Feirste. Tá Teach Ard na bhFeá ar cheann de na tithe is aosta i mBéal Feirste le stair na háite ag dul siar níos mó ná 260 bliain.

Bhí an tAire Stáit Donnchadh Mac Fhionnlaoich chomh maith leis an Aire Carál Ní Chuilín i láthair ag an ócáid. Rinne beirt ealaíontóirí, Mícheál Doherty ó iarthar Bhéal Feirste agus John Stewart ó oirthear Bhéal Feirste, dhá phíosa ealaíne go speisialta don ócáid ar tugadh ‘Súil an Dearcadóra’ air. Bronnadh píosa ealaíne ar an ngrúpa Gaeilge Turas chomh maith le Forbairt Feirste.

Lainseáladh sraith imeachtaí cultúrtha ag an ócáid agus anois an sprioc atá ann ná oidhreacht agus stair Teach na bhFeá a oscailt don phobal. Beidh Forbairt Feirste ag eagrú na n-imeachtaí trasphobail seo go dtí mí Meitheamh 2014.

Físeán ar www.meoneile.ie

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