Written Answers Nos. 101-120
102. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which he continues to assist both the manufacturing and service sectors in order to deflect the impact of costs increases, whether generated internally or externally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44572/23]
View answerThis government is committed to supporting companies who are experiencing cost increases.
My Department , through Enterprise Ireland (EI) is funding the the development and growth of Irish enterprises in world markets. EI works in partnership with Irish enterprises to help them start, grow, innovate and win export sales in global markets. In this way, they support sustainable economic growth, regional development and secure employment.
Enterprise Ireland is helping Irish businesses to manage the economic impact of the current energy crisis as a result of the war in Ukraine through the Ukraine Enterprise Crisis Scheme. The scheme is aimed at businesses experiencing significant difficulty as a result of increased energy costs and the impact on the business as a result of the war in Ukraine.
The Ukraine Enterprise Crisis Scheme offers two streams of support to manufacturing and Internationally Traded Services companies.
• Stream 1 is a liquidity measure that will help viable manufacturing and Internationally Traded Services companies experiencing trading difficulties to access funding up to €2m.
• Stream 2 is a state aid support for eligible energy intensive companies who are experiencing severe increases in energy costs in 2022 and 2023 compared with 2021.
Additionally, The Crisis Response Business Financial Planning Grant is a strategic intervention to assist companies to prepare a detailed financial plan and to assess the impact of currently emerging developments on their business.
The Crisis Response Business Financial Planning Grant offers up to €5,000 (100% of expenditure) for an engagement with an approved external consultant to:
• understanding the impact of the war in Ukraine, increases in input and energy costs, currency fluctuations and supply chain disruptions on working capital
• understanding any immediate liquidity issues (if any)
• creating a financial plan to secure external finance (if required)
• developing a framework to manage the finances of the business.
The offer seeks to encourage companies to be proactive in developing a detailed financial plan that identifies funding needs and potential sources of funding.
The Government recently launched a new scheme for businesses that were impacted by significant increases in the cost of Kerosene during 2022.
The Business Users Support Scheme for Kerosene (BUSSK) will compensate eligible businesses for 50% of the increased cost of Kerosene purchased for heating their business premises during the period from 1st March to 31st December 2022, compared to the average retail price for the same period in 2021. There will be a guaranteed minimum subsidy payment of €500.
Businesses that have a commercially rateable premises and purchased a minimum of 1,000 litres of Kerosene during the eligible period, can apply to the scheme. B&Bs that are approved under the Fáilte Ireland National Quality Assurance Framework are also eligible. Businesses that have already received payments from the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme can apply to BUSSK (up to the limits of BUSSK), and businesses with multiple premises can apply in respect of each premises.
Full eligibility criteria and details of how to apply to the scheme are available at the following address: www.bussk.ie.
The LEOs offer a suite of supports to assist businesses in improving their productivity and increasing their efficiency.
The LEO Lean for Business programme allows clients to avail of consultancy support from a Lean expert who will work with the company to introduce Lean principles, undertake a specific cost savings project and assist the company in benchmarking its performance, The programme helps:
• - Identify issues and potential improvement areas
• - Provide support to implement
• - Achieve savings and improvements in capability and capacity to deliver
The LEO Green for Business programme is open to all small businesses. Businesses will access two days of intensive mentoring including a sustainability audit and action plan, designed to help "green" their business. This programme offers free advice and technical support on resource efficiency, how to better understand their carbon footprint and how to implement an environmental management system to reduce costs and lower greenhouse gas emissions. This support is free of charge and represents the potential for increased efficiencies within companies that adopt these principles.
The new Energy Efficiency Grant , launched this year, supports capital investment by businesses to reduce carbon emissions based on energy efficiency projects. The scheme assists companies in reducing their carbon emissions and overall energy costs by accelerating the adoption of low carbon technologies or processes. The grant offers 50% of project costs, up to a maximum of €5,000.
The Local Enterprise Offices have also recently launched the ‘All in a Day’s Work’ national campaign to highlight the benefits to business of being more lean, digital and green; saving them time, money and energy.
IDA Ireland operates a range of schemes to support businesses, including in their RD&I programmes, technology upgrades, and decarbonisation activities.
The IDA also supports businesses through the Ukraine Enterprise Crisis Scheme. Stream 3 of the scheme responds to the impact of the Ukraine crisis on companies in the energy-intensive microelectronics manufacturing industry. Undertakings active in this sector will be eligible to receive up to €50 million to ensure liquidity and to preserve economic activity. The UECS supports eligible manufacturing and internationally traded services companies, who are currently viable but financially vulnerable as a result of the direct and indirect effects of the situation in Ukraine. To qualify for funding, companies must demonstrate the impact of increased energy costs on their business and develop an energy efficiency plan.
The Sustainable Recovery Scheme incentivises companies to accelerate or expand capital investment to reduce carbon intensity through investment in CO2 abatement technologies in order to improve cost competitiveness, reduce CO2 emissions, and reduce the payback period of key carbon reducing technologies at plant level. This scheme is aimed at larger investments to aid decarbonisation and digitalisation at higher rates and for more ambitious initiatives.
103. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which Ireland’s trade within the EU and with third countries continues to prosper; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44573/23]
View answer104. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which the market for Irish exports continues to develop in a sustainable fashion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44574/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 103 and 104 together.
Ireland’s markets for exports of goods and services continue to develop in a positive and sustainable manner despite challenges in the trading environment due to Brexit, the global pandemic and the war in Ukraine.
According to the latest Goods Exports and Imports release from the CSO, the value of goods exports from Ireland in 2022 rose to €208bn, the highest level on record. In 2022, the value of goods exports increased by more than €42bn (+26%) when compared to 2021. The largest increase was in exports of Medical and Pharmaceutical Products which increased by €17bn to €80bn (+28%) and in Organic Chemicals which increased by €11bn to €37bn (+42%).
Ireland’s total services exports increased from €254.8bn in 2020 to €293.6bn in 2021 (latest figures available). The increase in services exports was principally due to increased computer services exports (+€35.4bn).
Trade with the EU and third countries continues to show positive and sustainable growth. The US continues to be Ireland’s biggest single goods export market, accounting for €63bn or 30% of total goods exports in 2022, which is an increase of €10.5bn (+20%) on 2021. The EU accounted for €80.6bn (39%) of total goods exports in 2022, an increase of €18.9bn (+31%) on 2021.
Services exports to the EU were valued at €93.5bn in 2021, an increase of €17.2bn on 2020. Services exports to the US were worth €41.1bn in the same period, an increase of €7.9bn on 2020.
Trade in goods with the United Kingdom reached a record value of €51.5bn in 2022. Goods exports to the UK increased by 22% from 2021 to reach a value of €22.1bn, while goods imports from the UK increased by 51% compared to 2021, reaching a value of €29.4bn.
Trade in goods with Northern Ireland also reached a record value of €10.3bn in 2022. Goods exports to Northern Ireland increased by 31% from the previous year to reach a value of €4.9bn, and goods imports from Northern Ireland increased by 32% compared to 2021, to reach a value of €5.4bn.
Ireland’s services trade with the UK has also grown substantially, from a value of €25bn in 2011 to €64bn in 2021 (a 153% increase) and we now have a significant services trade surplus with the UK. In 2021, services exports from Ireland to the UK were worth over €40bn, making the UK Ireland’s second largest services export market in 2021 (accounting for 14% of total services exports that year).
In 2021, services imports from the UK were worth almost €24bn which makes the UK Ireland’s second largest source of services imports (after the US), accounting for 8% of services imports in 2021.
105. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the total number of jobs believed to have accrued from foreign direct investment in each of the past ten years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44575/23]
View answerThe total number of additional jobs created by IDA Ireland client companies from 2013 to 2022 inclusive is 136,848, bringing the total number of jobs in IDA client-companies to over 301,000 at the end of 2022. Furthermore, studies have shown that for every 10 direct jobs created by Foreign Direct Investment a further 8 are generated in the economy meaning that at end-2022, FDI was supporting over 542,000 jobs in the Irish economy.
Survey results are not yet available for the year 2023 but IDA figures show that growth remains strong. In the year to date, the IDA has announced a further 60 investments, involving over 6,500 additional jobs.
As requested by the Deputy, a time series for the last decade is provided in the attached table.
|
Year |
Number of IDA Client Operations |
Total Jobs |
New Jobs Created (Gross Gains) |
Job Losses |
Additional Jobs Created (Net Change) |
|
2013 |
1280 |
172699 |
14793 |
-6721 |
8072 |
|
2014 |
1320 |
180898 |
16888 |
-8689 |
8199 |
|
2015 |
1368 |
193688 |
21046 |
-8256 |
12790 |
|
2016 |
1456 |
207878 |
21391 |
-7201 |
14190 |
|
2017 |
1524 |
220101 |
23376 |
-11153 |
12223 |
|
2018 |
1595 |
236032 |
26082 |
-10151 |
15931 |
|
2019 |
1693 |
251129 |
25634 |
-10537 |
15097 |
|
2020 |
1713 |
260763 |
23376 |
-13742 |
9634 |
|
2021 |
1789 |
277456 |
34159 |
-17466 |
16693 |
|
2022 |
1796 |
301475 |
32426 |
-8407 |
24019 |
106. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which he continues to liaise with the tech industries in order to minimise any negative impact due to worldwide downturns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44578/23]
View answerThe tech sector plays a pivotal role to the Irish economy, with 320 IDA client companies in the sector employing over 64,000 people. I regularly engage with tech companies through my own office and through officials in my Department and our agencies.
IDA Ireland has strong engagement with its technology client base to actively support clients through new mandates, expansions, sustainability and digital transformation initiatives and to offer support when companies are downsizing.
Where IDA client companies are reducing headcount through redundancies, IDA Ireland works with those companies to understand if targeted training support could be an assistance in training and retaining impacted teams, thus mitigating losses, through the use of skills diagnostic tools and training support programmes.
There has been modest contraction for some tech clients over the past 12 months. In most cases, the level of job losses has been consistent with, or less than, the level layoffs implemented elsewhere in their global organisations. Where IDA Ireland’s multinational clients have announced global job reductions, the reduction has typically been less than 10% of total global workforces. A very small number have implemented more significant layoffs while many companies have stalled hiring outside of key roles. In all cases, Government looks to prioritise supporting the individual affected in the first instance, while also, of course, engaging with the individual enterprises.
IDA Ireland continues to see a flow of business and in the last year has announced several new investments in microelectronics and semiconductors, in cloud computing, and in data storage. It is important to note that technology company commitment to Ireland remains exceptionally strong and Ireland remains an attractive location of choice for companies. Key investments of scale recently announced include, for example, from ADI, Intel and AMD.
107. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which diversification throughout the manufacturing and services sectors has resulted in increased employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44579/23]
View answerAccording to the latest available national employment figures, from the Central Statistics Office’s Labour Force Survey, employment levels reached 2.63 million in Q2 2023 on a seasonally adjusted basis. We now have more people employed in our country than ever before, while the monthly unemployment rate for September 2023 stood at just 4.2%. The rate of employment growth in the aftermath of the pandemic has been remarkable. In the past year alone, employment has grown by 87,400 jobs – an increase of 3.4%. This is on top of an increase of 202,300 jobs (an increase of 8.6%) between Q2 2021 and Q2 2022.
This additional employment has been spread across several sectors, with employment increasing in 12 out of 14 sectors in the year to Q2 2023. The largest percentage annual increases in employment in the past year were recorded in the Public Administration and Defence (+11.2%), Human Health and Social Work (+5.6%) and Professional, Technical and Scientific Activities sectors (+5.3%).
These recent labour market dynamics reflect longer-term trends, with Ireland’s labour market experiencing significant sectoral reallocation over the past decade. This diversification of our enterprise base is a result of concerted government action in recent years. In 2019 Future Jobs Ireland set the ambition of diversifying our enterprise to ensure that the Irish economy is more resilient and adaptable. Key deliverables of the plan included strengthening the capacity of Local Enterprise Offices, to provide a comprehensive suite of supports for indigenous Irish businesses and increasing the take-up of supports among SMEs to improve competitiveness and enhance innovation.
Since the plan was launched in March 2019, there is evidence of a continuing structural change in agency-assisted companies towards Services sectors, particularly in the foreign-owned sector. According to the Annual Employment Survey 2022, full-time employment in all Industrial sector companies increased to 255,562 in 2022, up from 242,763 in 2021 (a rise of 12,499 or 5.1%), while Services employment increased to 229,716 in 2022, up from 210,786 in 2021 (a rise of 18,930 or 9.0%). In the Industrial sector, Irish-owned companies accounted for 49.9% of full-time employment in 2022, while in the Services sector, this share was 27.7%.
The White Paper on Enterprise, 2022-2030, published in December 2022, reaffirms Government commitments to strengthening the Irish-owned enterprise base while continuing to advance Ireland’s Foreign Direct Investment and trade value proposition. Amongst the targets included in the White Paper are a 50% increase in the number of large Irish exporting companies by 2030; 2,000 additional Irish-owned exporters by 2030; and over two-thirds of Enterprise Ireland assisted new jobs between 2022 and 2024 to be created outside of Dublin.
A White Paper Implementation Plan was published in May 2023, outlining the concrete steps required to deliver on these ambitions. Manufacturing and services sector related actions within this Plan include establishing four new digital innovation hubs; developing a pipeline of digitalisation projects for Ireland’s manufacturing sector through Digital Manufacturing Ireland; launching a pilot of extended financial assistance to SMEs in the manufacturing and international traded sectors to become export-ready; and supporting 300 significant R&D projects between 2022 and 2024 to drive the competitiveness of Irish companies in international markets.
108. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the incentives currently available for small and start-up enterprises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44580/23]
View answerThe Local Enterprise Offices act as a ‘First Stop Shop’ for providing advice and guidance, financial assistance, and offer a ‘signposting’ service for all government supports available to business owners throughout the country. The Local Enterprise Offices offer an extensive suite of supports to businesses and entrepreneurs. These include direct financial grants as well as training and mentoring and Start Your Own Business courses.
The Local Enterprise Offices are committed to providing a supportive ecosystem for entrepreneurship and start-ups and provide a wide range of high-quality business and management development programmes that are tailored to offer entrepreneurs expert advice.
The Local Enterprise Offices also offer a suite of supports to assist businesses on their twin transitions of decarbonisation and digitalisation, through Green, Lean and Digital programmes. The Local Enterprise Offices have recently launched a new national campaign - 'All in a Days Work', which highlights the benefits of being more lean, digital and green - saving time, money and energy.
From the perspective of Enterprise Ireland, efforts to support small and start-up indigenous enterprises in encompass several key areas:
• Funding and Financial Support: Enterprise Ireland provides financial support to indigenous companies through a range of grants, investment programs, and funding initiatives.
• Business Development and Mentorship: Enterprise Ireland offers extensive business development programs, mentorship, and advisory services to assist indigenous companies in enhancing their competitiveness, driving growth, and creating jobs.
• Innovation and Research & Development (R&D): Enterprise Ireland places a strong emphasis on fostering innovation within the indigenous sector, providing funding and support for research and development activities.
• International Market Access: Enterprise Ireland assists indigenous companies in accessing international markets, promoting export growth, and expanding their global footprint.
• Collaboration and Networks: Enterprise Ireland facilitates collaboration between companies, research institutions, and industry networks to stimulate innovation, knowledge sharing, and business development.
• Enterprise Ireland also provides various supports to EI clients in terms of sustainability and digital transformation.
I am confident that whether it is a new start up or growing an existing business there are programmes that are suitable for anyone exploring self-employment as an option or for those who are currently operating a business and wish to learn more.
109. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which new markets for Irish exports overseas are being sourced on an ongoing basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44581/23]
View answerGlobal Ireland 2025 was launched in 2018 with the aim of doubling the scope and impact of Ireland’s global footprint in the period to 2025. This initiative has led to Enterprise Ireland expanding its office presence in overseas markets and to indigenous Irish industry growing its exports globally.
In parallel, the Trade & Investment Strategy for 2022 to 2026, Value for Ireland, Values for the World, sets out our principled and holistic approach to international trade policy and aims to expand Ireland's global trade links and enhance our competitiveness as a top location for business and talent.
Enterprise Ireland has expanded its global presence through the opening of eight new offices internationally in Munich, Lyon, Manchester, Copenhagen, Montreal, Seattle, Melbourne and Ho Chi Minh City. These offices are now embedded into the Enterprise Ireland overseas network; and will help to build new buyer relationships in markets where growth opportunities have been identified.
Enterprise Ireland also has a programme of trade missions, trade fairs and knowledge events that give clients the opportunity to connect with existing and new customers, access key decision makers, increase sales in international markets and exchange ideas.
Diversification has been a key focus of Enterprise Ireland’s work in recent years, and considerable progress is being made on the market and sectoral diversification of Irish-owned enterprises with exports of Irish companies increasing by 19% to a record €32.1 billion in 2022.
This is the highest ever level of growth for Enterprise Ireland-backed companies in export value. Growth occurred across all overseas regions and in individual industry sectors.
Exports to the Eurozone increased by 28% in 2022 reaching €7.9billion, with the Eurozone now representing 25% of all exports by Enterprise Ireland backed companies. Expansion in trade with the Eurozone has taken place in tandem with strong Irish exports to the UK post-Brexit.
Exports to the UK increased by 13%, reaching €9.2 billion. The UK now accounts for 29% of all exports by Enterprise Ireland backed companies.
Exports to North America increased by 13%, reaching €5.5 billion. North America now accounts for 17% of all exports by Enterprise Ireland backed companies.
Increases in exports were recorded across all sectors with Food and Sustainability increasing by 23%, Technology and Services increasing by 18% and Industrial and Life Sciences increasing by 14%.
Given its exclusive competence in the area of trade policy, the European Union has developed an ambitious trade and investment agenda including negotiating and concluding a large network of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and economic partnerships around the world. Currently the European Union has the largest trade network in the world, with over 40 individual agreements covering our trade relations with over 70 countries in regions across the globe. That network of agreements is being continuously strengthened, with several new agreements currently being actively negotiated; India, Australia and Thailand or recently finalised, including with New Zealand and Chile. I consider it fundamental to our growth and prosperity that we continue to champion the positive impacts of increased market access for Irish goods and services, and the EU’s ambitious suite of FTAs is integral to that objective.
110. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will consider permitting people 65+ years-of-age to work 2-3 days within Government Departments in order to assist in solving staffing problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44596/23]
View answerThere is nothing in law to preclude employers employing or continuing to employ persons over the age of 65 on either a full or a part-time basis and no legislative or policy change is required to enable them to do so.
With regard to employment in Government Departments, the terms and conditions for members and staff of almost all public service bodies are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. In general, with limited exceptions for certain employees in fast-accrual pension schemes, civil and public servants may continue to work until the age of 70, and the facility to workshare is widely available.
111. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education if she will outline the current access to NEP's psychology services for a school (details supplied); if she will further outline in detail what steps are being taken to ensure the necessary services are re-instated without further delay. [44481/23]
View answerMy Department’s National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) provides educational psychological support to all primary and post-primary and special schools.
The NEPS service provides access for all schools to:
• Psychological support in the event of a Critical Incident
• A Casework Service for individual children where there is a need for intensive consultation and assessment via a NEPS psychologist or through the Scheme for the Commissioning of Psychological Assessments (SCPA).
• A school staff Support and Development Service, to build school capability to provide a comprehensive continuum of support in schools and
• Ongoing access to advice and support for schools.
Where a school does not have an assigned psychologist due to a vacancy as in the case referred to by the Deputy, a psychologist from the local NEPS team undertakes the role of advisory psychologist to respond to queries that the school may have. In relation to the school referred to, the school should contact their local NEPS office to discuss how best NEPS can support them.
112. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education when a school (details supplied) that completed a Stage 2B submission on 2 June 2023 to the building unit of her Department under the additional accommodation scheme will be permitted to proceed to tender for this project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44522/23]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the project referred to has been devolved for delivery to the school authority.
The brief for this project is to provide an extension to the existing school buildings, as defined in the schedules of accommodation, decanting if required, necessary to satisfactorily develop the post primary school on its existing site.
The Stage 2b report has been received and is currently under review in my Department. It is expected to be finalised in the coming weeks and the Department will revert to the school authority directly on the outcome of this review.
113. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education if she intends to change the requirement for school caretakers to sign on during school holidays. [44527/23]
View answerCaretakers are valued and vital members of the school system. The majority of primary and post-primary schools receive assistance to provide for caretaker services under grant schemes. Where a school employs a caretaker under these grant schemes to support those functions, those staff members are employees of the individual schools and as such the responsibility for the terms and conditions of employment rests with the school. Therefore, at present, the issue of pay during periods of school closure is a matter for the Board of Management/ School as their direct employer.
A new agreement for revised salary and annual leave entitlements for grant funded school secretaries has recently been implemented with school secretaries who have opted to accept the terms and conditions receiving payment via a centralised payroll administered by my Department for the first time on 14 September 2023.
The Department is committed to ensuring that school caretakers will be afforded the opportunity to also avail of a similar deal in the near future. At present there remains a deficit of data on the working patterns as well as the terms and conditions of work for caretakers. A significant project was required to gather comprehensive data in respect of school secretaries in order to implement payroll arrangements: work is ongoing to resolve complex individual cases and once this is completed, a separate, similar process in respect of caretakers with commence. We anticipate that this data gathering for caretakers will be progressed as soon as practicable.
114. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education if the school transport bus route that operates from Kilteevan to Dunmore can return to its original route passing to accommodate children (details supplied) that would benefit from this stop; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44529/23]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2022/2023 school year, over 149,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
In addition, school transport scheme services were provided for over 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
Already over 133,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the start of the 2022/2023 school year. The number of tickets issued so far has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.
Children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school, as determined by the Department and Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
Bus Éireann is responsible for the planning and timetabling of school transport routes on behalf of my Department. Safety of children travelling on the school transport services is of paramount importance to the Department and to Bus Éireann. Bus Éireann endeavours, within available resources, to ensure that each eligible child has a reasonable level of school transport service in the context of the scheme nationally.
Routes are planned so that, as far as possible, no eligible child will have more than 3.2 kilometres to travel to a pick-up point. Children are generally expected to make their own way, or to be brought to convenient pick-up points along the main route.
Bus Éireann has advised that the pupils referred to by the Deputy are not eligible for school transport as they are attending their 3rd nearest primary school. However, concessionary tickets were issued to this family on 01/07/2023 and the pupils are catered for within the guidelines as they reside 1.1km to the pickup point
Bus Eireann have further advised that the route referred has not been altered in a number of years and the pick-up point suggested by the Deputy has been reviewed and deemed not suitable for a thirty three seater vehicle.
115. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education for an update with regard to proposed works at a school (details supplied). [44542/23]
View answerThe school to which the Deputy refers, was approved funding under my Department’s Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme to carry out reconfiguration works for the provision of 1 SEN.
My Department is aware that the school have secured a contractor to carry out these works.
The project is devolved for delivery to the school authority and it is now a matter for the Board of Management to progress this project.
116. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education to provide an update with regard to the outstanding works that are necessary at a school (details supplied). [44543/23]
View answerThe project referred to by the Deputy is at Architectural Planning Stage3 – Tender Action and Award.
The Board of Management and its Design Team are currently completing the pre-qualification process and the Invitation to Tender will issue to the shortlist of contractors as soon as this process is complete.
117. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on the request by a school (details supplied) for a new school building [44553/23]
View answerI wish to confirm to the Deputy, that an application for major capital funding has been received from the school in question.
Applications from schools for major capital works must be considered in the context of the demographic challenge facing the education system in the coming years. The priority of the Department continues to be the provision of required additional school places to meet demographic requirements as well as for children with special educational needs.
My Department has been in contact with the school authorities and informed them that their application is being assessed under the Additional Schools Accommodation (ASA) scheme.
The purpose of the Additional Schools Accommodation (ASA) scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream and special education classroom accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year and where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation.
My Department is considering the optimum way forward for the school in question following a technical report on the school's accommodation and school site. Once a decision is reached the school will be contacted directly.
118. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education to provide an update with regard to a new school announced last year (details supplied). [44555/23]
View answerThe project for Tallaght Community School is included in my Department’s Construction Programme.
The brief for this project is to provide a new 1,000 pupil post primary school and accommodation, including 6 classrooms, for children with special educational needs.
The project will be delivered under my Department's ADAPT Programme which uses a professional external Project Manager to co-ordinate and drive the Design Team to achieve the best possible timeframe for the project through the stages of Architectural Planning, to Tender and Construction.
The Department will keep the school and its patron body informed of the progression of this project.
119. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education the number of primary and post-primary pupils respectively suspended in each of the past five years; the corresponding number for the number of students expelled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44560/23]
View answerIn line with the arrangements set out as part of formation of the current Government, since January 2021, Tusla Education Support Services (TESS) is under the remit of my Department.
TESS operates under the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000, a piece of legislation that emphasises the promotion of school attendance, participation and retention. TESS has three strands, namely the Statutory Educational Welfare Service (EWS) and the two school support services the Home School Community Liaison Scheme (HSCL) and the School Completion Programme (SCP). The three TESS strands work together collaboratively with schools, families and other relevant services to achieve the best educational outcomes for children and young people.
If a pupil/student is suspended for a period of not less than 6 consecutive school days then the school is obliged to report this to TESS. If a pupil/student is suspended for a shorter period(s) then it must be counted in the aggregate number of absences. If the pupil/student exceeds 20 days absence (including any suspensions) then this should be reported through the normal referral and reporting processes to the Educational Welfare Service of TESS.
Where a Board of Management has agreed an expulsion, a Notification of Intention to Expel should be completed and sent to TESS.
In addition and in accordance with the provisions contained within the Act, all primary schools, special schools and post-primary schools must report annually to TESS on student non-attendance at an aggregated level. This data is collected at an aggregated level by TESS and generates two reports - the School Absence Report (SAR) and the Annual Attendance Report (AAR).
The SAR is submitted by each school as a pupil-level report and provides data on those students aged over six and under 16 years of age who have been absent for a cumulative of 20 or more days by the reason for their absence.
The AAR provides four key pieces of data; total of days lost by all students, total number of students absent for 20 or more days, total number of students suspended and the total number of students expelled at school level.
The most recent publication of the Annual Attendance Report and Student Absence Report covers three school years, 2019/20, 2020/21 and 2021/22 that were heavily impacted by the pandemic school closures and public health advice. The published series of Analysis of School Attendance Data reports, including the most recent publication, are available on Tusla’s website at Research and StatisticsTusla - Child and Family Agency
The verified published data in relation to suspensions and expulsions in primary and post-primary schools is represented in the table below.
|
Primary Schools |
2017-2018 |
2018-2019 |
2019-2020 |
2020-2021 |
2021-2022 |
|
Suspensions |
1456 |
1479 |
741 |
701 |
979 |
|
Expulsions |
30 |
28 |
10 |
8 |
7 |
|
Post Primary Schools |
2017-2018 |
2018-2019 |
2019-2020 |
2020-2021 |
2021-2022 |
|
Suspensions |
11,722 |
11,595 |
7263 |
5269 |
8658 |
|
Expulsions |
132 |
151 |
61 |
55 |
85 |
120. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education to publish the formal policy/procedure for assistance given by her Department to parents/guardians of children without a school place to assist them in getting an appropriate tutor for their child, given parents/guardians themselves report serious, unassisted effort is necessary in such regard, and that not every child requiring a tutor might have parents/guardians with the necessary capacity and tenacity; whether she is satisfied, in those circumstances, that every child’s educational access and needs are sufficiently catered for; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44582/23]
View answerMy Department published Circulars 0024/2023 and 0031/2023 on gov.ie - Home Tuition (www.gov.ie) detailing the Home Tuition provisions for children without a school place.
The purpose of my Department's Home Tuition Grant Scheme is to provide funding towards the provision of a compensatory educational service for children who, for a number of specific reasons, are unable to attend school. For children without a school place my Department administers Home Tuition schemes for:
Students with special educational needs seeking an educational placement in a recognised school
Students who are temporarily without a school place, is without an offer of a school place and is actively seeking a school placement in a recognised school
Home tuition is not an alternative to a school placement and is provided in very limited and specific circumstances. By its nature, it is intended to be a short term educational intervention. It is provided as an interim measure only for children for whom a placement in a recognised school is not available and should not be regarded as an optional alternative to a school placement. Home tutors are engaged by the parents/guardians of the child who is to receive the tuition.
My Department funds the cost of tuition provided where this complies fully with the terms of the approval for the scheme. It is a condition of grant funding that tutors engaged by parents are registered with and recognised by the Teaching Council of Ireland. All teachers currently registered with the Teaching Council of Ireland are vetted by the National Vetting Bureau. It is the responsibility of the parent/legal guardian to source a tutor at the earliest possible opportunity to allow for applications for registration/vetting to be made by the tutor to the Teaching Council, if necessary.
This Department does not keep lists of tutors available to carry out home tuition. It may be helpful to contact local schools in the first instance, or alternatively, the Department is aware that many parents use education provider websites to advertise for tutors.
Additionally, to help parents source a home tutor for this scheme in their local area, the Irish Primary Principals' Network (IPPN) has created a Home Tuition Noticeboard for Parents to help them source a suitable candidates. This noticeboard is available on www.educationposts.ie.
Educational Welfare Officer’s are available to assist parents in applying for home tuition.
Application forms for scheme a) above are available from the gov.ie websitegov.ie - Home Tuition (www.gov.ie).
The Home Tuition grant scheme is operated with the assistance of the Educational Welfare Services of the Tusla Child and Family Agency. Application forms for scheme b) grant scheme are available from the local Educational Welfare Officer (EWO)/or the appointed social worker. Contact details for the EWO’s in a specific area can be obtained from the following website at www.tusla.ie/get-in-touch/education-and-welfare/#EWO.
