Written Answers Nos. 257-276
257. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of WTE staff, by job title, working in the IDA office based in Dubai and Sydney, as of 6 December 2023; and if he will provide the same figures as of 31 January 2022, in tabular form. [55900/23]
View answerThe number of WTE staff, by job title, working in the IDA office based in Dubai and Sydney, as of 6 December 2023; and the same figures as of 31 January 2022, are detailed in the table below:
|
Location |
Job Title |
WTE on 31 Jan 2022 |
|
Dubai |
N/A |
0 |
|
Sydney |
Sales & Marketing Executive |
2 |
258. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of WTE staff, by job title, working in the Enterprise Ireland office based in San Francisco and Vietnam, as of 6 December 2023; and if he will provide the same figures as of 31 January 2022, in tabular form. [55901/23]
View answerThe number of WTE staff, by job title, working in the Enterprise Ireland offices based in San Francisco and Vietnam as of 31 January 2022 and 6 December 2023 are set out in tabular form below:
As of 6th December 2023
|
Office |
Job Title |
WTE |
|
San Francisco |
Overseas Manager |
1 |
|
Senior Market Adviser |
3 |
|
|
International Graduate |
2 |
|
|
TOTAL |
6 |
As of 31st January 2022
|
Office |
Job Title |
WTE |
|
San Francisco |
Overseas Manager |
1 |
|
International Graduate |
2 |
|
|
TOTAL |
3 |
As of 6th December 2023
|
Office |
Job Title |
WTE |
|
Vietnam* |
Market Adviser |
1 Vacancy |
As of 31st January 2022
|
Office |
Job Title |
WTE |
|
Vietnam |
Overseas Manager |
1 |
|
Market Adviser |
1 |
|
|
TOTAL |
2 |
*The Vietnam market is managed from Enterprise Ireland’s Singapore office. The recruitment process is ongoing in relation to the vacant Market Adviser role.
259. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the total funding provided to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission each year since 2006; the number of people employed by the CCPC since 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55920/23]
View answerThe Competition and Consumer Protection Commission CCPC was established on 31 October 2014 after the National Consumer Agency and the Competition Authority were amalgamated. The Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2014 provided for the establishment of the CCPC. Please see below CCPC’s total funding and the number of people employed by the CCPC since 2014:
|
Year |
Total Funding |
Whole-time Equivalent at Year End |
|
2023 |
€ 23,477,000 |
185.2 |
|
2022 |
€ 18,158,060 |
137.7 |
|
2021 |
€ 14,043,108 |
129 |
|
2020 |
€ 12,699,765 |
119 |
|
2019 |
€ 11,844,178 |
104 |
|
2018 |
€ 11,457,201 |
102 |
|
2017 |
€ 9,765,196 |
90 |
|
2016 |
€ 9,180,998 |
88 |
|
2015 |
€ 9,123,643 |
84 |
|
2014 |
€ 1,724,643 |
84.5 |
260. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Fiontar, Trádála agus Fostaíochta cén céatadán de bhuiséad fógraíochta a Roinne do 2023 atá caite go dtí seo i mbliana ar fhógraíocht a dhéanamh sna meáin Ghaeilge agus an bhféadfadh sé a dheimhniú go mbainfear amach roimh dheireadh na bliana an céatadán 5% a leagtar síos in Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [55993/23]
View answerI mbliana go dtí seo, chaith mo Roinn 9% dá bhuiséad fógraíochta 2023 sna meáin Ghaeilge.
Le haghaidh cúspóir Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú) 2021, Alt 10A áfach, sainmhínítear fógraíocht mar: (a) cumarsáid tráchtála d’aon chineál a bhfuil d’aidhm léi, nó a bhfuil d’éifeacht léi, go díreach nó go neamhdhíreach, táirge nó seirbhís de chuid an chomhlachta phoiblí lena mbaineann a chur chun cinn, agus (b) cumarsáid d’aon chineál leis an bpobal, i leith na nithe seo a leanas— (i) foireann a earcú, (ii) tionscnaimh reachtaíochta nó bheartais, (iii) talamh nó sócmhainní a cheannach nó a dhíol, (iv) seirbhísí a sholáthar, nó (v) comhchomhairliúchán poiblí.
Iarrfar ar chomhlachtaí poiblí tuairisceán comhlíonta leictreonach a chomhlánú i leith an dualgais seo ag tráth nach déanaí ná an 10 Márta 2024 maidir le fógraíocht 2023.
261. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Fiontar, Trádála agus Fostaíochta cén céatadán de bhuiséad fógraíochta 2023 na gcomhlachtaí poiblí a thagann faoi scáth a Roinne atá caite go dtí seo i mbliana ar fhógraíocht a dhéanamh sna meáin Ghaeilge agus an bhféadfadh sé a dheimhniú go mbainfidh na comhlachtaí sin amach roimh dheireadh na bliana an céatadán 5% a leagtar sios in Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [56013/23]
View answerIs é ábhar oibríochta é, an ghníomhaíocht fograíochta de chuid comhlachtaí poiblí a thagann faoi sainchúram mo Roinne, agus níl aon fheidhm dhíreach agam sna hábhair seo.
262. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Fiontar, Trádála agus Fostaíochta cén céatadán de bhuiséad fógraíochta a Roinne do 2023 atá caite go dtí seo i mbliana ar fhógraíocht a dhéanamh i nGaeilge agus an bhféadfadh sé a dheimhniú go mbainfear amach roimh dheireadh na bliana an céatadán 20% a leagtar síos in Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [56031/23]
View answerI mbliana go dtí seo, chaith mo Roinn 21% dá bhuiséad fógraíochta 2023 ar fhógraíochta trí Ghaeilge.
Le haghaidh cúspóir Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú) 2021, Alt 10A áfach, sainmhínítear fógraíocht mar: (a) cumarsáid tráchtála d’aon chineál a bhfuil d’aidhm léi, nó a bhfuil d’éifeacht léi, go díreach nó go neamhdhíreach, táirge nó seirbhís de chuid an chomhlachta phoiblí lena mbaineann a chur chun cinn, agus (b) cumarsáid d’aon chineál leis an bpobal, i leith na nithe seo a leanas— (i) foireann a earcú, (ii) tionscnaimh reachtaíochta nó bheartais, (iii) talamh nó sócmhainní a cheannach nó a dhíol, (iv) seirbhísí a sholáthar, nó (v) comhchomhairliúchán poiblí.
Iarrfar ar chomhlachtaí poiblí tuairisceán comhlíonta leictreonach a chomhlánú i leith an dualgais seo ag tráth nach déanaí ná an 10 Márta 2024 maidir le fógraíocht 2023.
263. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Fiontar, Trádála agus Fostaíochta cén céatadán de bhuiséad fógraíochta 2023 na gcomhlachtaí poiblí a thagann faoi scáth a Roinne atá caite go dtí seo i mbliana ar fhógraíocht i nGaeilge agus an bhféadfadh sé a dheimhniú go mbainfidh na comhlachtaí sin amach roimh dheireadh na bliana seo an céatadán 20% a leagtar sios in Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [56049/23]
View answerIs é ábhar oibríochta é, an ghníomhaíocht fograíochta de chuid comhlachtaí poiblí a thagann faoi sainchúram mo Roinne, agus níl aon fheidhm dhíreach agam sna hábhair seo.
264. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the main policy achievements of his Department since 27 June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56106/23]
View answerThe main policy achievements by my Department since June 2020 and December 2022 are set out in our Statement of Strategy Report on Delivery, which is available on our the Department website. This report sets out details of the objectives realised under each of the department’s strategic goals.
See: enterprise.gov.ie/en/publications/dete-statement-of-strategy-report-on-delivery.html
In 2023 my Department has played an important role in delivering our priorities under the Programme for Government and in delivering cross-Government policy objectives as set out in documents such as the National Planning Framework and National Development Plan, the Climate Action Plan 2023, Harnessing Digital – the Digital Ireland Framework and to our international commitments including the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The Government’s White Paper on Enterprise 2022-2030 sets out the medium- and long-term ambitions for a vibrant, resilient, regionally balanced and sustainable economy made up of a diversified mix of leading global companies, internationally competitive Irish enterprises and thriving local businesses.
The recently published report on implementation of the White Paper shows we are making good progress across a range of initiatives. The employment situation is generally well-balanced regionally, and the enterprise agencies have seen year-on-year increases in IDA Ireland client expenditure, increases in the number of large Irish exporting companies and the number of High-Potential Start-Ups (HPSUs) supported by Enterprise Ireland, and Irish-owned enterprise productivity growth. Moreover, enterprise agency targets for regionally balanced development were either met or almost met in 2022, with 52% of all FDI investments located outside of Dublin (against a 50% target over multiple years) and 64% of new jobs created in Enterprise Ireland-assisted firms outside of Dublin (against a 2 out of every 3 jobs target).
The White Paper implementation report also shows:
• Carbon abatement has now been integrated into the Oversight and Performance Delivery Agreements of Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland;
• Work is underway on the development of a national strategy for offshore wind, with stakeholder groups established and a broad outline agreed;
• Efforts towards a more circular economy have progressed, including through the launch of the Food Waste Charter 2.0 under the EPA;
• Four new European Digital Innovation Hubs are now fully operational, to support the digitalisation of the economy;
• A High-level Trade Conference took place in Dublin during July 2023, promoting awareness of the opportunities of trade in what will be a series of annual Trade Horizons conferences;
• Enterprise agencies are facilitating green and digital transformation in the FDI and Irish exporting base, with IDA supporting nearly €40 million in decarbonisation investments and EI supporting 86 climate projects in the first half of the year, alongside ongoing efforts to enhance digital adoption across the enterprise base;
• Irish exports have expanded to exceed €30 billion in total value, with efforts to diversify ensuring that more than 70% of exports now go to markets elsewhere than the UK, well ahead of schedule against the end of 2024 target;
• A framework was launched on a pilot basis to enable LEOs to support companies with international ambition employing more than 10 and less than 50 full time employees, addressing an existing gap in the scaling pipeline;
• Dedicated funding has been launched to support locally traded enterprise to navigate their decarbonisation journeys, in addition to increased funding to aid decarbonisation and encourage digitalisation and innovation across the enterprise base, through new and existing schemes;
• Multiple new European Regional Development Fund initiatives were launched during Q1 2023 to increase innovation, commercialisation, and innovative spin-outs;
• Work is well underway on the development of a Coordinated National Approach to Clustering, due to launch in 2023; and
• Work continues on a whole-of-Government basis to enhance Ireland’s competitiveness framework conditions, including enhancements to green skills provisions, the creation of a working group to increase access to finance, and the delivery of a Roadmap for Increased Adoption of Modern Methods of Construction which will modernise construction and infrastructure provisions.
In addition to progressing a range of legislation in the areas of workplace relations, digital, trade and commerce, in 2023 my Department continued to prioritise engagement with the broad base business, employer and employee representative groups and stakeholders, through initiatives such as the LEEF, Enterprise Forum, the Retail Forum and the Company Law Review Group.
Full details of the 2023 policy achievements will be published in our Annual Report in 2024.
265. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the proposed industrial park for Ballina, County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56203/23]
View answerIDA Ireland’s Regional Property Programme aims to ensure the supply of land, buildings and infrastructure in regional locations to meet the needs of current and prospective clients of the IDA, Enterprise Ireland and Local Enterprise Offices and is a significant contributor to regional economic development and job creation.
The IDA actively promotes available buildings and land in IDA Business Parks and high-quality buildings in private ownership through their network of overseas offices. IDA Ireland owns approximately 10.6 hectares of industrial zoned land on the Sligo Road in Quignashee, Ballina and the site has been "concept master planned" by the Agency to demonstrate its potential to investors.
IDA Ireland continues to market the site to existing and prospective investors that may be interested in expanding or locating in County Mayo. IDA Ireland is working in collaboration with Mayo County Council and relevant stakeholders to ensure that the potential for the IDA Ballina lands to further support the objectives of IDA’s current strategy 2021-2024 is maximised.
Planning permission had been previously obtained for infrastructural development, although this has since expired. In this regard, I am advised that IDA Ireland has a planning submission application being drafted for a Phase 1 infrastructure delivery and is awaiting a final confirmation of feasibility response from key stakeholders to include in this planning application, and that it is IDA's intention to lodge the planning application upon receipt of the response. IDA Ireland will work with Mayo County Council to ensure the infrastructure development will be complimentary to the wider development plans for Ballina and that the site, once developed, will be positioned and marketed as a suitable location for indigenous and FDI developments.
266. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extra supports provided to local enterprise offices since the current Government was formed in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56207/23]
View answerThis Government recognises that the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) play a crucial role at local level providing services directly to small businesses and promoting entrepreneurship within towns and communities across the country. The LEOs are the 'first stop shop' at local level for every business in the country. They provide signposts for all Government supports for SMEs providing referrals to other relevant bodies and they support a diverse range of new and innovative businesses to start and grow.
Our support is reflected in the steady increase in funding for the LEOs, which has risen from €38.18m in 2020, to an allocated budget of €56.797m in 2024. This funding provides the LEOs with the necessary funding to engage with a broader range of small businesses across a wider range of services.
My Department has introduced a number of new supports, through the LEOs, that assist businesses in addressing the challenges that they have faced - be that during the Covid-19 pandemic, the energy crisis or longer terms challenges like decarbonisation and digitalisation.
During the pandemic, my Department introduced the Business Continuity Voucher and the Micro Enterprise Assistance Fund, as temporary supports for businesses in response to Covid-19 that sought to address a real identified need at that time.
Since 2020, the LEOs have evolved to provide services to a broad range of businesses of various sizes across the economy and have been at the forefront of the Department’s efforts to promote decarbonisation and digitalisation in small businesses. This includes the introduction of the Energy Efficiency Grant, Green for Business and Digital for Business.
The extension of the LEO mandate in 2022 has allowed the LEOs to target more enterprises with export ambition by providing direct grants to firms operating in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sectors with up to 50 employees.
The LEOs also promote entrepreneurship through courses such as Start Your Own Business and through events such as the National Enterprise Awards, National Women’s Enterprise Day, and the Student Enterprise Programme.
We will also be enhancing the capacity of the LEO network through the LEO Digital Transformation programme, which will, on completion, provide the LEOs with an increased ability to actively engage with their clients.
Next year will mark 10-year anniversary of the establishment of the LEOs and work has commenced on the development of a policy statement that will set out the future direction for the LEOs to play their part in implementing the objectives in the White Paper on Enterprise. The White Paper also sets out the ambition for the LEOs to continue to enhance their advisory services for locally trading firms, helping them to improve productivity through digitalisation and decarbonisation; two of the priority areas in the White Paper.
267. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on the implementation of each of the Regional Enterprise Plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56208/23]
View answerRegional enterprise development is an established core element of the enterprise policy landscape, and the Regional Enterprise Plans are among the primary tools to operationalise this policy priority. The Plans are an integral part of the broader policy system aimed at driving economic growth and sustaining better standards of living throughout Ireland.
The current set of Regional Enterprise Plans were launched in 2022 and will run until the end of 2024.
There are nine Plans covering the North-West (Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim), North-East (Louth, Cavan, Monaghan), South-East (Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Waterford), Dublin, Mid-East (Meath, Kildare, Wicklow), Midlands (Laois, Offaly, Longford, Westmeath), South-West (Cork, Kerry), Mid-West (Limerick, Clare, Tipperary), and West (Galway, Mayo, Roscommon).
The main principle underpinning the Plans is that of collaboration between regional stakeholders on initiatives that can help to realise each region’s enterprise development potential. This collaboration allows the Plans to be informed by an understanding of unique local strengths and assets and to have the potential to enable more effective translation of national policy into regional impact. The Plans are not meant to be comprehensive economic development strategies on their own. The Plans include specific strategic objectives and over 200 associated actions requiring a collaborative regional effort; one plan has as many as 48 distinct actions.
Each of the nine Plans were developed ‘by the region, for the region’ by relevant enterprise-focused stakeholders. However, my Department highlighted several national policy challenges for each Steering Committee to consider as part of the preparation of the Plans, including enabling recovery and building enterprise resilience in the context of COVID-19; addressing the twin transition imperative for enterprises to digitalise and decarbonise; improving competitiveness through effective place-making; and capitalising on existing and emerging sectoral strengths and capabilities through smart specialisation. Furthermore, the Plans are agile documents that can be adapted to take advantage of new opportunities as they arise. As an example of this, Steering Committees are currently considering how their Plans may contribute to the major enterprise opportunities arising from the development of offshore wind (where this is not already sufficiently covered by existing activity under the Plan).
In terms of implementation, each Regional Enterprise Plan is overseen by a Steering Committee of regional stakeholders and chaired by a senior private sector businessperson. The Steering Committees are supported by a Regional Enterprise Plan Programme Manager in each of the nine regions although there are some vacancies being carried at present. The role of the Programme Manager is critical to the successful implementation of the Regional Enterprise Plans as they are chiefly responsible for driving implementation and stakeholder engagement on the ground in each region.
The Deputy may be aware that my Department has secured up to €145m in funding for the Smart Regions Enterprise Innovation Scheme, co-funded under the European Regional Development Fund, to develop and expand regional enterprise projects aligned to the Regional Enterprise Plans. The first call of €35m is now open and there will be further calls in the coming years. This follows on from previous regional enterprise development funding provided by my Department.
My Department is responsible for monitoring implementation of the Regional Enterprise Plans at the national level. Minister Coveney, Minister Calleary and I chair the Regional Enterprise Plans National Oversight Group (NOG), which is made up of the Chairs of each Regional Enterprise Plan, as well as representatives from the enterprise agencies, the Local Enterprise Office network, the County and City Management Association, the Regional Assemblies and representatives from other relevant enterprise focused agencies. The last meeting of the NOG took place on 26 October 2023 and implementation was considered to be progressing well overall. It will meet next in Q2 2024.
The Chair of the Steering Committees must submit two progress reports to my Department over the lifetime of the Plans. The first progress reports documenting mid-term implementation are currently being prepared for publication and final progress reports will document implementation overall to the end of 2024. The mid-term progress reports will constitute a comprehensive action-by-action update on the implementation of each of the Regional Enterprise Plans and will be available on my Department’s website in Q1 2024.
268. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education if she will provide the number of public servants serving on State boards since 2006 in an independent capacity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55910/23]
View answerIn making appointments to State boards under my remit as Minister for Education, my Department operates in accordance with the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform guidelines on appointments to State Boards. The Deputy should note that Board appointments, while made by me as Minister, are not in all cases made at my discretion. Individuals may be nominated for appointment by various organisations arising from the terms in the relevant statutes of the Body concerned.
The Public Appointments Service (PAS) has responsibility for managing an open, accessible and transparent system to support Ministers in making state board appointments and it is open to all members of the public to apply for positions advertised on the stateboards.ie website.
Although the information requested by the Deputy may be available as part of the appointment process, under General Data Protection Regulation guidelines my Department does not have access to this information once the appointment has been made. Therefore, the specific information sought by the Deputy relating to public servants serving on State boards since 2006 in an independent capacity on Department of Education State boards is not available.
Details of the current membership of all applicable State boards are published on the State boards website www.Stateboards.ie and on the Department of Education’s website www.gov.ie State Boards Membership here.
269. Deputy Ciarán Cannon asked the Minister for Education what her plans are to support post-primary schools in delivering the physical education curriculum, in particular those schools which have no access to their own indoor sports facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55842/23]
View answerThe Programme for Government commits to high quality Physical Education (PE) in primary and secondary schools. The appointment of Thomas Byrne TD as Minister of State with special responsibility for Sport and Physical Education reflects this commitment. My department also continues to work closely with the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) with regard to curricular developments.
The new Primary Curriculum Framework was published in March this year. As part of the Primary Curriculum Framework will involve the development of the wellbeing framework which included a PE specification. A new Junior Cycle PE specification was introduced for first year students in all post-primary schools from September 2023. Schools are required to provide a minimum of 135 hours of Physical Education for all Junior Cycle students. There are two options for PE at Senior Cycle – Leaving Certificate Physical Education (LCPE), which is an examinable subject and the Senior Cycle Physical Education (SCPE) framework which is non- examinable. Introduced on a phased basis in 2018 to 64 schools, LCPE is now being offered by 404 schools around the country. The Senior Cycle Physical Education (SCPE) non-examination framework provides a flexible planning tool for physical education for all students in senior cycle. Oide, the new Integrated Teacher Education Support Service, was launched on the 1st of September 2023. It promotes the quality of teaching and learning through the provision of Teacher Professional Learning and support for our physical education teachers.
Outdoor learning experiences relating to the curriculum such as Athletics, Invasion Games and Adventure Activities, can take place outdoors on tarmac. The department is conducting a review of current tarmacadam specification and is involving a number of schools in a trial of the use of polymeric and astro-turf surfaces. In addition, my department has published a comprehensive list of PE equipment which is required to deliver the curricula. The PE equipment on this list is provided to all new schools, major projects and refurbishments. Funding for PE equipment from this list is available to all schools to replace or update equipment, where required. Health-related activity, Dance and Gymnastics are key physical activity areas that require indoor space for effective learning experiences.
The department provides GP rooms and PE halls with the construction of all new primary and post primary schools, respectively. These facilities may also be provided where a large-scale building or refurbishment project is being delivered for an existing school. During the period 2018 to 2022, such large-scale school building projects delivered 31 PE Halls and 56 GP Rooms.
I recognise the limitations that a lack of indoor PE facilities places on the delivery of the PE curricula. However, it is important to note that almost 95% of the post primary schools, and over 70% of the primary schools that made 2020 Annual Schools Returns have indicated to the department that they either have a PE Hall, access to a nearby PE Hall, or a project in train that will deliver a new PE Hall. Practically all schools have outdoor play areas and many schools use adjacent local facilities, including community halls, public parks, playing fields and swimming pools.
Since 2020, the Department of Education has invested in the region of €3.5 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 690 school building projects, and with construction currently underway at approximately 300 other projects.
School building projects at construction involve an overall State investment of over €1.2 billion. There are also 200 modular accommodation projects that are very well advanced for delivery or at construction stage. This is a record level of investment in our schools and highlights the Government’s very strong track record of delivery in providing additional capacity and modern facilities for our school communities.
A future strengthened focus on refurbishment of existing school stock will have different strands and will include a PE build and modernisation programme which will enable students in post-primary schools to have access to appropriate facilities to support PE provision, particularly also in the context of the roll-out of PE as a leaving-certificate subject. Enhanced and modernised PE facilities will also provide important amenities for local communities.
Under the Programme for Government there is a commitment to deliver a PE build and modernisation programme, so that more schools have indoor facilities for PE and local communities have access and extra amenities available to them.
However, the main focus of the department’s capital funding over the last decade and for the coming period is on provision of critical additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics and children with special education needs.
The department is required to manage the overall school building programme so that we target and prioritise areas that are under greatest pressure for additional school places. This reflects the Department’s fundamental objective of ensuring the availability of a school place for every child.
The overall position with regard to potential modernisation and replacement of existing school infrastructure will be kept under review as capital funding allocations for future years are clarified.
The Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform will be engaging with departments on NDP allocations for the period 2026 to 2028 over the coming months, with allocation decisions expected during the first half of 2024.
270. Deputy Ciarán Cannon asked the Minister for Education the number of post-primary schools in Ireland that have an enrolment figure of 500 students or more; how many of those schools do not have access to an on-site indoor sports facility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55843/23]
View answerInvestment and expenditure on PE Halls is an element of the overall School Building Programme. The provision of GP rooms and PE Halls, at primary and post primary level respectively, and outdoor hard play areas, form part of the accommodation brief for all new school buildings. This is also the case where a major building or refurbishment project is being delivered for an existing school.
Almost 95% of the post primary schools that made 2020 Annual Schools Returns have indicated to the Department that they either have a PE Hall, access to a nearby PE Hall, or a project in train that will deliver a new PE Hall. Practically all schools have outdoor play areas and many schools use adjacent local facilities, including community halls, public parks, playing fields and swimming pools.
My department can confirm that for the school year 2022-2023, 401 post-primary schools had an enrolment of 500 or more pupils. My department's records are showing that there is 20 of these schools that do not have their own PE Hall facility, nor have a project in train that will provide a PE Hall.
The purpose of the 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 or by available accommodation at other schools in the area. A request for a PE Hall does not come within the remit of the ASA scheme.
Since 2020, the Department invested in the region of €3.5 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 690 school building projects, and with construction currently underway at approximately 300 other projects.
School building projects at construction involve an overall State investment of over €1.2 billion. There are also 200 modular accommodation projects that are very well advanced for delivery or at construction stage. This is a record level of investment in our schools and highlights the Government’s very strong track record of delivery in providing additional capacity and modern facilities for our school communities.
A future strengthened focus on refurbishment of existing school stock will have different strands and will include a PE build and modernisation programme which will enable students in post-primary schools to have access to appropriate facilities to support PE provision, particularly also in the context of the roll-out of PE as a leaving-certificate subject. Enhanced and modernised PE facilities will also provide important amenities for local communities.
However, the main focus of the Department’s capital funding over the last decade and for the coming period is on provision of critical additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics and children with special education needs.
The Department is required to manage the overall school building programme so that we target and prioritise areas that are under greatest pressure for additional school places. This reflects the Department’s fundamental objective of ensuring the availability of a school place for every child.
The overall position with regard to potential modernisation and replacement of existing school infrastructure will be kept under review as capital funding allocations for future years are clarified. The Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform will be engaging with Departments on NDP allocations for the period 2026 to 2028 over the coming months, with allocation decisions expected during the first half of 2024.
271. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education if she is aware of the shortage of primary and secondary school places in the Fingal area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55883/23]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, in order to plan for school place needs, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and utilises a Geographical Information System to anticipate school place demand. Information from a range of sources, including Child Benefit data, school enrolment data and information on residential development activity is used for this purpose. Additionally, Project Ireland 2040 population and housing targets inform my Department's projections of school place requirements.
It is important to note that where enrolment pressures arise, it may not always be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:
• Duplication of applications – pupils have applied for a place to a number of schools in the area
• School of choice – pupils can’t get a place in their preferred school while there are places in other schools in the town/area
• Some towns/areas have single sex schools and while places are available in the school they are not available to all pupils
• External draw – pupils coming from outside the local area
There are 12 School Planning Areas within or partially within the Dublin Fingal constituency. Having considered the projected requirements in each school planning area, my Department then makes an assessment of the existing capacity and identifies any requirement for additional provision.
Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may, be provided through:
• Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,
• Extending the capacity of a school or schools,
• Provision of a new school or schools.
My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in the area. In relation to school admissions, it is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998.
Parents have the right to choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available the pupil should be admitted. However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available a selection process may be necessary. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.
There are currently a number of active projects at post-primary level in the Dublin Fingal Constituency which will increase local capacity. The Capital Programme details the school projects that are being progressed under Project Ireland 2040. The current status of large-scale projects being delivered under Project Ireland 2040, may be viewed on my Department's website at, www.gov.ie and this information is updated regularly. In addition, a list of large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date may also be viewed on the website.
The Educational Welfare Services (EWS) of the Child and Family Agency (Tusla) is the statutory agency that can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The local service is delivered through the national network of Educational Welfare Officers (EWO). Contact details are available at www.tusla.ie/get-in-touch/education-and-welfare/. The specific information requested is not available at this time.
The requirement for additional school places in the Dublin Fingal constituency is kept under on-going review. Additionally, my Department will continue to liaise with the local Council in respect of its review of the Development Plan with a view to identifying any potential long-term school accommodation requirements.
272. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education the steps parents who have children on multiple waiting lists for schools in the Fingal area should take in light of the significant lack of school places available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55884/23]
View answerI can assure the Deputy that the provision of school places to meet the needs of children and young people at primary and post primary level, including children and young people with special educational needs is an absolute priority for my Department.
In order to plan for school place needs, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and utilises a Geographical Information System to anticipate school place demand. Information from a range of sources, including Child Benefit data, school enrolment data and information on residential development activity is used for this purpose. Additionally, Project Ireland 2040 population and housing targets inform my Department's projections of school place requirements.
While my Department is aware of enrolment pressures and demand for additional school places in some areas, it is important to note that where enrolment pressures arise, it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:
• Duplication of applications – pupils have applied for a place to a number of schools in the area• School of choice – pupils can’t get a place in their preferred school while there are places in other schools in the town/area• Some towns/areas have single sex schools and while places are available in the school they are not available to all pupils• External draw – pupils coming from outside the local area
My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in the area. In relation to school admissions, it is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998.
Parents have the right to choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available the pupil should be admitted. However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available a selection process may be necessary. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.
The Department does not seek to intervene in the selection criterion that is applied by schools.
Where a board of management make a decision to refuse admission, a parent/guardian can appeal that decision under Section 29 of the Education Act, 1998, and an independent appeals committee will be appointed to consider the appeal. The role of the Section 29 hearing committee is to examine the application for enrolment and consider if it was correctly processed by the school, in accordance with the school’s Enrolment Policy.
This Department has no authority to compel a school to admit a student, except in circumstances where an appeal under Section 29 of the Education Act, 1998 has been allowed and the appeals committee directs that the school admit the child concerned.
As you are aware, section 29 of the Education Act, 2008, as amended by Education (Admissions to Schools) Act 2018, provides for a paper based appeal to be considered by an independent appeals committee appointed by the Minister for Education, in circumstances where a parent has been refused enrolment due to oversubscription.
My Department is working to establish the true extent of any capacity issues across school planning areas through ongoing discussions with the relevant school patrons and authorities.
This close engagement will allow my Department to identify particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming years which may necessitate further action to that already in train including, where required, the provision of modular accommodation solutions.
The Educational Welfare Services (EWS) of the Child and Family Agency (Tusla) is the statutory agency that can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The local service is delivered through the national network of Educational Welfare Officers (EWO). Contact details are available at www.tusla.ie/get-in-touch/education-and-welfare/
I can assure the Deputy that Department officials will continue to actively engage with schools and patrons to ensure that there is appropriate provision for all students across Fingal School Planning Areas for the 2024/25 school year and into the future.
273. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education if her Department plans to rapidly move to build and staff more schools in the Fingal area, in light of the increasing population of the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55885/23]
View answer274. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education how her Department determines the need for more schools in an area; if this need is calculated by the current population of an area; if not, if it is calculated by the prospective population of an area, considering the increasing number of new builds underway in the Fingal area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55886/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 273 and 274 together.
I wish to advise the Deputy that requirements for school places is kept under on-going review in the context of available information on population, enrolments and residential development activity.
In order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System, using data from a range of sources, including CSO Census data, Child Benefit and school enrolment data, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise and where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.
The total for the population enumerated in Census 2022 was 5,149,139 persons which is an increase of 8% since April 2016. Any change arising from an increase in the number of pupils directly linked to the Census is likely to be marginal in the short term relative to the overall challenge of meeting our targets. This is because we already have the precise enrolment numbers for all of the children covered by the census. The only immediate change is likely to be to the projected intake to infant classes next September but this would already have been tracked through monitoring of child benefit data.
Major new residential developments have the potential to alter the demand for school places at a local level. In that regard, as part of the demographic demand analysis, my Department monitors planning and construction activity in the residential sector. This involves the analysis of data sources from Local Authorities and the CSO along with the engagement with local authorities and the construction sector. In this way, up-to-date information on significant new residential developments is obtained and factored into the demographic analysis exercise. This is necessary to ensure that schools infrastructure planning is keeping pace with demographic changes, at a local level, where there is a constantly evolving picture with planned new residential development.
The Deputy references the Fingal Area in his question. This is a large area and is covered by numerous school planning areas including Balbriggan, Rush_Lusk, Donabate, Swords, Malahide_Nevinstown, Skerries, Blanchardstown_West_D15, Blanchardstown_Vge_D15, Castleknock_D15, Muluddart_TyrellstownD15, Donaghmede_Howth_D13, Portmarnock and Whitehall_Santry_D9.
The 2023 demographic exercise indicates that 79% of the 314 school planning areas at primary level show static or decreasing enrolments for the period to 2027 compared with 2022. At post-primary level some 78% of school planning areas are anticipated to have increased enrolments for the period to 2030, with most expected to reach a peak within the next two or three years.
Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may, be provided through:
• Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,• Extending the capacity of a school or schools,• Provision of a new school or schools.
Details of large-scale projects being delivered under the school building programme may be viewed on my Department's website at www.gov.ie and this information is updated regularly. In addition, a list of large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date may also be viewed on the website.
The Department will continue to liaise with Local Authorities in respect of their County Development Plan and any associated Local Area Plans with a view to identifying any potential long-term school accommodation requirements across school planning areas.
275. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education if the siblings of a child in Donegal (details supplied) can travel on the same bus to the same school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55902/23]
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.
Over 134,000 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. There has been an overall increase in both applications and tickets issued for the 2023/2024 school year in comparison to the 2022/2023 school year.
The purpose of the School Transport Scheme for children with Special Educational Needs is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children with special educational needs arising from a diagnosed disability.
The National Council for Special Education acts in an advisory role to the Department of Education on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs. Under the terms of the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, the Department will consider the report of the Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO). School transport is provided to children with special educational needs who are attending the nearest school to their place of residence that is or can be resourced to meet their educational needs, as identified by the SENO.
The siblings in question are not eligible to avail of this service under the Special Educational Needs School Transport Scheme
Both the Department and Bus Éireann are very conscious of the specialised nature of transport provision for children with special educational needs, under this scheme.
This is reflected in the standard of dedicated service provided and the fact that these services are generally planned and timetabled to operate on a door-to-door basis. In certain cases, the Department also provides funding to schools for the employment of escorts to accompany children whose care and safety needs require this level of support while they travel to and from school.
Given the concerns regarding welfare of children with special educational needs, it is not always practical to make these services available to children who are capable of travelling on standard mainstream school transport services. As to do so might diminish the level of care and safety that the Department and Bus Eireann wish to provide for these vulnerable children.
Children who are attending mainstream schools may apply for school transport in accordance with the terms of the Department’s School Transport Schemes for Primary Schools.
276. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education when the terms of reference for the Citizens’ Assembly on the future of education will be published. [55922/23]
View answer277. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education how her Department plans to integrate children’s voices into the Citizens’ Assembly on the future of education to ensure they are adequately represented at the assembly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55923/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 276 and 277 together.
The Programme for Government commits to establishing a Citizens’ Assembly on the Future of Education ensuring that the voices of young people and those being educated are central.
The Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs Use recently held its final meeting and the final report from this assembly is scheduled to be published in due course.
The establishment of the Citizens’ Assembly on the Future of Education and its Terms of Reference will be the subject of a Government decision and resolutions of the Dáil and Seanad at the appropriate time. Citizens’ Assemblies operate independently of the Government with secretariat support provided by the Department of the Taoiseach.
My officials have engaged in ongoing contact with the Department of the Taoiseach and ongoing discussion with key stakeholders across school communities on the Programme for Government commitment and will continue to do so.
The commitment in the Programme for Government also states that the voices of young people and those being educated will be central to this Assembly. The impact that children and young people have on shaping their own learning experiences is a focus of the work of my Department.
I strongly support the meaningful participation of children and young people in this process.
Further to any Government decision and resolutions of the Dáil and Seanad regarding the Citizens’ Assembly on the Future of Education, officials from my Department will provide appropriate information and support as may be requested by the Assembly.
We will also continue to listen carefully to the views of parents, teachers, school leaders and all those in school communities who help shape our education system.
