Seanad Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 25 Feb 2025

Vol. 304 No. 4

Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters

Weather Events

Senator Paul Daly

I welcome the Minister and congratulate him on his appointment. I have not been speaking to him in a public forum since his appointment. I am delighted for him and to see him. Regarding this Commencement matter, I compliment him on how quick he was out of the traps in his response to the major crisis that was created by Storm Éowyn. I am always conscious when saying the name of that storm whether I am pronouncing it correctly.

I am asking for a dedicated funding source towards the purchase of generators for community groups that have community halls, or even GAA clubs that have centres. During our experience of this storm, it was seen how important it was to have those hubs within communities for people to go to. Even if it was only to charge devices or to boil a kettle and get a hot drink, they were vitally important. That situation was not one those groups would have consciously prepared for in the past. When such clubs are doing grant applications, a generator would not or ever have been on the priority list. I know as somebody who is involved in the GAA and other community groups, the majority of centres that would be most suitable for similar situations going forward are up to their proverbial tonsils in debt. They owe banks money as part of the matching funding for the many good grants they would have received for different facilities in their areas. They would never have prioritised or even considered getting electricity generators as part of the projects. We are aware that was the worst and most devastating storm this country has ever witnessed. There is no guarantee there will not be similar storms, possibly even in the immediate future. With that in mind, it is important there is some mechanism of grant aid for generators in at least one community facility in every immediate locality. That is my request, which has come to me from people who are activists, who are involved in community groups, and are prepared to go that extra step but are already up to their proverbial tonsils in debt with their particular community centre or pavilion.

Minister for Rural and Community Development (Deputy Dara Calleary)

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach agus leis na Seanadóirí. Déanaim comhghairdeas leis an Chathaoirleach, leis an Leas-Chathaoirleach agus leis na Seanadóirí nua atá tofa. I congratulate the Cathaoirleach, the Leas-Chathaoirleach and the new Senators. Excuse me not knowing a lot of your names but I will get to know you all. I also welcome back all the returning Senators.

I thank Senator Daly for raising this important matter. Collectively, we saw the devastating impact Storm Éowyn had right across the country. We have worked tirelessly since to ensure the Government has taken on board the lessons learnt during those days and that comprehensive preparations are in place in anticipation of similar future weather events.

As Senator Daly said, the importance of community centres as a fulcrum for every community is crucial in good times and in bad. They are the glue that binds communities together. They provide vital social and economic services. We saw that at first hand in the immediate aftermath of the storm. Many community centres were repurposed as community emergency response hubs. I visited a number of these immediately after the storm, as did the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and other Ministers. We saw at first hand how invaluable they were as an outlet for people facing very difficult circumstances.

I thank all the local volunteers and the staff across all our local authorities who were central to the effort in standing those hubs up. I was very proud that many of the facilities that were visited have been supported by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Department of Social Protection under schemes such as the community centre investment fund, CLÁR, LEADER and the local enhancement programme. I am anxious to ensure these facilities are supported to ensure they continue to be relevant at all times for every community.

I have previously said the provision of generators to support communities during extreme weather events is an issue I feel strongly about. I am also of the view that we should be taking into account all the elements that any future emergency hub may require, be it power generation, digital connectivity or the provision of showering facilities, as well as food, catering, etc. I have asked my officials to take full stock of the lessons we have all learned in recent weeks and to do so in consultation with our key partners, such as the local authorities. Central to this is the suite of investment schemes being implemented by my Department. For example, the Senator will be aware that in recent years funding has been provided for a small number of generators for community groups through LEADER and CLÁR. There is no reason such support cannot continue to be made available.

One of the main advantages of the range of schemes run by our Department is flexibility. I have seen in recent years that these schemes can be been adapted to react to and anticipate emerging challenges and priorities. I have asked officials to review schemes that are due to be launched over the coming weeks and months to ensure they are fully focused on the real needs of communities, be that the provision of generators, the refurbishment of existing community facilities or the development of new projects that will help ensure we continue to support strong, resilient and vibrant communities across the country. In this regard, I intend to open schemes such as CLÁR and the town and village renewal scheme in the coming weeks. I will also be announcing further details of funding for projects under the community centre investment fund. This will build on the announcement earlier this week that saw €14 million in funding awarded to 163 community-focused projects under the community recognition fund.

We are working to ensure we continue to support resilient and healthy communities. We have clearly seen the strength of these communities in how they responded to the recent challenges and I am committed to ensuring we help them to be ready for every future challenge.

Senator Paul Daly

I thank the Minister for what is a very positive response. I would not have expected anything less. I compliment him on the line that covers it all for me, where he said he has asked his officials to review existing schemes. I have never doubted the fantastic schemes that are there for local community groups, community halls and for GAA centres and so on through the sports capital grants. It may be an idea to consider it in the latter programme, going forward, for GAA and soccer clubs, or whichever, that have pavilions. Those schemes might be reviewed so it would be put in as a priority item. As I said, it was never seen as being a priority anywhere before the events that have happened took place. I welcome the Minister's response and thank him for such a positive response. I look forward to seeing it in fruition.

Deputy Dara Calleary

I assure the Senator I will continue to engage with him and the Seanad on the response and on building resilience in not just rural communities but urban ones. Generators are not necessarily going to be the answer to everything. It is not as easy as some people make it out to be. Irish Water has already made plans to acquire 100 generators in the immediate future. We will have a range of emergency hubs that are fully equipped and that can be stood up relatively immediately in response to the next challenge. We are making the funding arrangements and also the logistical arrangements for that as we speak and I will continue to keep the Seanad updated.

An Cathaoirleach

I thank the Minister for coming to Seanad Éireann to take that Commencement matter.

Health Services Staff

An Cathaoirleach

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell, for being with us.

Senator Ollie Crowe

I thank the Minister of State for joining us in the House. As he and Members will be aware, cancer affects nearly every family in Ireland, with one in every three people receiving a diagnosis at some point in their lives.

When that happens, access to timely and effective treatment is critical. Radiation therapy plays a vital role in cancer care, yet students training for this essential profession receive no financial support, uniform allowance, travel allowance or payment for clinical placements completed every year during their four-year degree programme. This is despite working full-time hours in hospitals. Unlike student nurses who receive a payment during their final year internship, radiation therapy students must complete an unpaid summer clinical placement. Many students rely on summer jobs to support themselves through college but this requirement makes it nearly impossible to earn enough money to cover expenses for the academic year.

As Members may also be aware, it was reported in December 2024 that a staffing crisis in radiation therapy contributed to the HSE spending almost €12 million in 18 months on contracting private hospitals to treat public cancer patients. By addressing the financial struggles facing radiation therapy students, we can address the staffing crisis and make this career path more attractive. As a result, we can save our health service money in the future by reducing the need to outsource to private hospitals. The Irish Institute of Radiography and Radiation Therapy, IIRRT, has also warned staffing deficits have led to machine closures in public hospitals, reducing capacity and worsening delays for cancer patients. The result is longer waiting lists, postponed treatments and potentially poorer outcomes for those in need of urgent care.

This is not just a student issue; it is a healthcare issue. Without financial support for radiation therapy students, staffing shortages will continue and directly impact on cancer patients across this country. If we invest in the students of today, this will pay dividends in the years ahead. There is no reason for these students to be treated less favourably than student nurses. We need to see swift action in this regard.

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Kieran O'Donnell)

I thank Senator Crowe for raising this matter today. I am taking this Commencement matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health, Deputy Carroll MacNeill.

Practice education placements for radiation therapy students are essential to support clinical skills development in the application of theory to patient care and attainment of regulatory standards of proficiency. Practice education offers opportunities for students to translate theoretical learning into practical experience, work in different settings and develop relevant practical skills. Across the health and social care disciplines, there are many students on placements in hospitals and healthcare settings, of which approximately one third are final year students. The length of placement and the activities performed during these placements vary between the disciplines. These students are not employees and are therefore not paid. In many cases, the nature of placement can mainly be limited to participation in an observing and learning capacity.

The length of placements for health and social care professions - HSCPs for short - and the activities performed during these placements varies between disciplines and is determined by the educational standards set by professional regulators. Practice placements for radiation therapy students takes place in two blocs in year one and two blocks in year two. Students must complete a minimum of 1,000 hours in clinical settings. Placements are provided in public and private healthcare settings. CORU registration requirements have been changed to bring Irish training requirements in line with international comparators. Practice hours have been reduced to 1,000 hours from 1,200 hours.

As Senator Crowe mentioned, radiation therapists play a vital role in the delivery of radiation therapy services and supporting patients through each step of their cancer journey. There are approximately 227 whole-time equivalent radiation therapists employed by the HSE. While on placement, radiation therapy students are not employees of the HSE and remain registered with the higher education institution throughout their placements. The nature of the placement is in a learning capacity under supervision meaning their status as a student is protected. In general, there are no allowances or payments for HSCP students while completing placement hours in the health service. Occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, physiotherapy or radiation therapy, dietetics and radiography students do not receive an allowance to support time spent in clinical placements as part of their training.

As the Senator mentioned, uniquely for student nurses and midwives, there is in the final year a paid salary when they are specifically employed on internship placements. Student nurses’ and midwives’ final year internship placements consist of a continual 36-week rostered clinical placement, including annual leave. The internship placement is a paid placement as student nurses and midwives take a reduced caseload. During these placements, students are under supervision and are considered as 0.5 whole-time equivalents of the workforce. In addition, intern students can be allocated across all shift patterns, including nights, weekends and 12-hour days.

An independent review of the radiation therapy profession was finalised in 2024, making 16 recommendations in total. These recommendations intend to support the radiation therapy profession into the future. The review considered important issues such as organisational structure, career development in line with health and social care professional frameworks, strategic workforce planning, and recruitment and retention strategies. An oversight committee is being established by the HSE to implement the recommendations arising from the review.

Senator Crowe may also wish to note that there are a number of student grants and other financial supports available to students in further and higher education. Details are available from the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.

I note the point the Senator raised and I will bring it back to the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill.

An Cathaoirleach

The Senator has one minute. Just to be aware, we will ask for a suspension of House because the Minister of State has to go for a vote in the Dáil Chamber. We will finish this one.

Deputy Kieran O'Donnell

I am okay; I have a pair.

An Cathaoirleach

Have you a pair? Okay.

Senator Ollie Crowe

While I understand that any payments while on placement is a matter for the relevant employer, which in the public sector would be the HSE and, in other cases, private providers, regarding the HSE aspect, I believe there would be considerable benefit in the Minister for Health raising the issue with the chief executive of the HSE and agreeing on a path forward to address this. I have outlined the staffing issues, so I will not repeat them, but it makes this career path more attractive and it requires a focus. As the Minister of State proposed, I would be grateful if he could raise the matter with his colleague, the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill.

Deputy Kieran O'Donnell

I again thank Senator Crowe for raising this matter. The delivery of healthcare education programmes is complex and requires multiple parts of the health and education system working together. Practice education is a fundamental part of a student’s learning experience. The Department of Health provides supports to the HSE and other stakeholders to ensure essential practice placements are available for HSCP students.

It is recognised that many students in higher education experience financial difficulties. Consequently, a number of student grants and other financial supports are available to students in further and higher education. In budget 2025, there was a €1,000 reduction in the student contribution fee for higher education students who are eligible for free fees. The Department of further and higher education provides student grants to eligible applicants attending approved full-time undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Grants include maintenance grants, fees grants and student contribution grants. Budget 2024 increased the value of all maintenance grants. Students who are not eligible for a maintenance grant may still be eligible for a student contribution grant, which could cover the full student contribution charge, 50% of the charge or provide a €500 grant towards same. The income thresholds to qualify for the grants were increased in budget 2025 and the higher thresholds will come into effect in September of this year. In addition, students experiencing exceptional financial need may be eligible to apply for supports under the student assistance fund, which has been subvented by a further €10 million under the Government’s cost of education supports in budget 2025. This fund can be used to meet costs such as childcare, rent, transport costs, books and class materials.

The Senator raised a specific point in respect of the HSE, which I will bring back to the Minister for Health, Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill.

An Cathaoirleach

I thank Senator Crowe for the question and I thank the Minister of State for being here. As there is a vote in the Dáil Chamber and the next Minister of State has gone to vote, I ask the Whip to propose a suspension until 3.05 p.m.

Senator Garret Ahearn

I propose a suspension of the House until 3.05 p.m.

An Cathaoirleach

Is that agreed? Agreed.

Cuireadh an Seanad ar fionraí ar 2.55 p.m. agus cuireadh tús leis arís ar 3.04 p.m.

Sitting suspended at 2.55 p.m. and resumed at 3.04 p.m.

Local Authorities

An Leas-Chathaoirleach

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy John Cummins, who is a former Member of this House. I look forward to engaging with him in his role.

Senator Garret Ahearn

I welcome the Minister of State to the Chamber and wish him well in his new role. It is wonderful to have a former Member of this House elevated to a Ministry. I know that during his term he will show this House and Members of this House the utmost respect, because he is a former Member.

I raise the issue of security for all public representatives right across the country. As the Minister of State knows, politics has changed in the past 20 years. Demands on politicians and local representatives have increased dramatically.

The pressures and challenges they face, particularly with social media, have been recognised over recent years. There is an obligation on all of us in politics to encourage people to get into politics and serve their communities. One of the biggest challenges we have seen over the past ten years concerns the security and safety of all public representatives. A number of measures introduced in recent years have to be recognised and they have been prioritised by the Government, the Houses of the Oireachtas and the Minister of State's Department. A scheme has been put in place to support Oireachtas Members in securing their homes and offices and to provide security to the staff who work in their offices. This scheme was put in place about three years ago. A sum of €10,000 was available to invest in either one's home or office, and 50% of that could be reclaimed as an Oireachtas Member. A similar scheme was set up for councillors whereby they could spend €5,000 on safety measures in their homes, with 50% of that, or €2,500, reclaimable.

All this could be done only when a crime prevention officer came to visit one's house, produced a report and made recommendations on what needed to be done. That has been welcomed and has been good, but the problem is that the uptake has not been significant. The uptake by Oireachtas Members has not been significant, and the uptake among councillors has certainly not been. As the Minister of State knows, councillors are at the very front of local politics, and their security really matters. When we talk to councillors around the country, we hear that one of the reasons the uptake has not been great is the 50% rebate. Councillors recognise they need to get the works done and increase security for their families and staff working in their offices, but they have different circumstances and financial challenges. Councillors are not paid a lot, so having to pay for something up front if repaid only 50% does not encourage them greatly.

I ask that the Minister of State consider the changes made over recent months for Oireachtas Members whereby the amount they may spend was increased to two and half times the original value. Most important, there is a rebate of 100%. I do not believe for one second that we cannot take seriously the safety of councillors right across the country. We need to give them every opportunity to get into public life and feel as though they can devote themselves to it and contribute. However, most important, we need to ensure they are safe when doing their job.

If we recognise that the measures introduced three years ago were not sufficient for Oireachtas Members, we should also recognise that those introduced for councillors at the exact same time and based on the exact same recommendations, made by the group set up to make recommendations, have not been as successful as the Minister of State and I would like. Deputy Cummins, in his position as Minister of State responsible for local government, should consider this and what can be done to encourage and support councillors and keep them safe.

An Leas-Chathaoirleach

I thank Senator Ahearn. The matter is one on which I believe he has unanimous support in the Chamber.

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy John Cummins)

Although it a little strange, it is fantastic to be back here in the Seanad Chamber for my first Commencement matter. I thank Senator Ahearn for raising this important matter, which I know all Members of the House will agree on. In the context of the recent revision of the security allowance made for Oireachtas Members, I have raised the issue with my officials. We want to make progress on it. I am grateful for the opportunity to go through what has been done on this matter thus far.

As the Senator has rightly stated, local government plays an important role in the life of the nation. It is responsible for the delivery of a wide range of local services, and elected councils provide vital forums for the democratic representation of our local communities. I am sure we will all agree that all elected representatives should be free to carry out their functions and representational role without fear of harassment or intimidation.

Heightened adversarial attitudes to elected representatives are corrosive to democratic participation. This risks deterring potential new candidates and induces existing representatives to withdraw from public life.

As the Senator rightly pointed out, a scheme was introduced for local authority members that provides for up to €2,500 to be claimed back on expenditure of €5,000 on personal security on a once-off vouched basis. This is administered by local authorities. I asked for information regarding how many have drawn that down. Unfortunately, only 23 councillors have done so. The reason for that relates to many of the items the Senator pointed to. In making that vouched claim, applicants have to get a written report from a crime prevention officer, which is a prerequisite for both the Oireachtas and local authority schemes, and the security measures have to be installed by Private Security Authority-registered installers. As the Senator said, there has been a change in respect of the Oireachtas scheme. One of my first acts as Minister of State, when I met the team in the Custom House regarding local government matters, was to raise the issue of the security allowance for councillors. As a former local authority member and a former Member of this House, I understand how important it is. I want to see progress made on this as early as possible.

I met with LAMA with the AILG today on a wide range of local government issues, but this is one of the matters that both organisations raised. Thus far, my officials have engaged with Revenue, which has indicated that there is no issue with the 100% element the Senator referred to. What my officials now have to do is make a business case to the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform. That business case is required to set out the rationale and evidence for any revision to the allowance, as well as its value and cost, and the ability of local authorities to meet the unforeseen costs that might arise in 2025.

As Minister of State with responsibility for local government, I am very clear that I want to see progress on this without delay because the security of councillors throughout this country is of the utmost importance to me.

Senator Garret Ahearn

I thank the Minister of State for his response. As he said, he knows this issue very well. He was a councillor for 11 years in Waterford City Council and mayor for two years. He knows the challenges and pressures councillors are under. Councillors also know that. I know from talking to a lot of councillors that they are very hopeful that he will be able to make changes. As he said, 23 people put in applications in 2024. We have more than 1,000 councillors, which shows there is something in the system that is wrong.

I welcome the fact that the Minister of State, after only a couple of weeks in the role, has already met LAMA and the AILG on a range of issues and on this matter in particular. I especially welcome his confirmation that the 100% element is not an issue because that is the most important part of it. I am sure he is getting recommendations for what the amount should be. That is clearly important in supporting councillors. The majority of councillors do not have offices so the amount would obviously be different from Oireachtas Members. From talking to councillors throughout the country, the key element is that 100% would be repaid. That seems to be the deterrent for local representatives throughout the country. They want to do it but cannot afford to, or are not in a position to be able to do it.

Deputy John Cummins

It is important to state that Revenue does not have an issue with the 100% element. I have to make that business case to the Department of public expenditure regarding changes in that respect.

The Senator has rightly pointed out that the lower amount for councillors, relative to the rate for Oireachtas Members, is in recognition of the fact that councillors do not, by and large, have offices. We must land at a figure for that business case but I am anxious for that process to be brought to a conclusion as early as possible. It is important to say that the existing scheme is still available. The commitment I will make is that should there be changes to the scheme, anybody making a claim under the existing requirements will not be negatively impacted. I implore councillors availing of the current scheme to do so because safety and security is of the utmost importance. I will work with the entire House to make progress on this issue.

Special Educational Needs

An Leas-Chathaoirleach

The Minister of State, Deputy Niall Collins, is very welcome.

Senator Pauline Tully

I attended a meeting last week at a primary school in my constituency. Another meeting that is coming up soon will combine a number of primary and secondary schools. A number of issues were raised at the meeting last week and will be raised at the meeting next week. The first and main issue is the lack of suitable and appropriate school places for children with additional educational needs. That is especially the case for autistic children but applies to all children with additional educational needs. One parent at the meeting said that her son is in sixth class. He is autistic. She has been applying to schools and looking for a suitable secondary school placement for her son but has not as yet been informed whether a place will be available.

All of us with children take it for granted that when we apply to schools to allow our children to progress from primary to secondary school there will be sufficient places to accommodate need in the locality. Unfortunately, for children with additional needs that is not the case. More often than not when we come to September, there are many students without places for the start of the school year. There were approximately 120 students without a place this year. That number has reduced in recent months but there are still students who do not have a secondary school place at the moment and are being educated at home. That is not fair.

It comes down to a severe lack of planning. There needs to be much better co-operation and consultation between the NCSE and the Department of Education to ensure this does not happen in the future. One of the teachers at the meeting was a special education teacher. She was put into the position of teaching in an autistic class when she had absolutely no training in special education. Most teachers do not have that training because it is not included in their primary degree. All of the teachers who are asked to teach a special class do their utmost to upskill. The teacher I am speaking about upskilled in her own time and at her own expense to ensure she knew what she was doing. That is not fair. We need continuous professional development for all teaching staff. We also need specified degrees in special education to be rolled out in this country to ensure that our staff are trained to educate children who have additional needs. That is a wide and varied cohort and every child has different needs.

One thing that teacher pointed out was that prior to the setting up of the children's disability network teams, CDNTs, members of the children's development teams used to call to the school. They were occupational therapists, OTs, physiotherapists and speech and language therapists. They would advise her and the special needs assistants, SNAs, in the school on practices they could and should use with the children. They would devise plans around the child's specific needs. That has not happened since the establishment of the CDNTs. What makes it worse is that the community supports that did exist for children prior to 2021 no longer exist in any shape or form. All of the parents at that meeting were able to say that their children had not seen an OT, a speech and language therapist or a physiotherapist since 2019, when the child's development teams were disbanded, along with the early intervention teams, in favour of the CDNTs. That structure is not working and needs to be replaced. I have for some time been advocating through committees and in the Dáil for in-school therapy for children.

They should be in special schools but they should also be in mainstream schools where there are special classes attached. There could be a cluster of schools which would access support from a number of professionals who would go into the school, meet the children, devise plans to help them with their needs and instruct both the teachers and the SNAs how best to help educate those children. The teacher pointed out that many of the children in their autistic class in the school are either pre-verbal or non-verbal. The biggest problem is the frustration that they cannot communicate what their needs are to the teachers, and that causes all sorts of problems, including self-harm and harming of other students and of staff. It needs to be addressed.

Minister of State at the Department of Justice (Deputy Niall Collins)

I thank Senator Tully for raising this important matter.

The National Council for Special Education, NCSE, has responsibility for co-ordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide. The Department of Education and the NCSE have introduced a number of strategic initiatives to plan for and provide sufficient mainstream special classes and special school places. We know demand for new special classes at post-primary level is expected to increase significantly over the next few years, due to increasing demographics and increasing prevalence rates, and the Department and the NCSE have engaged with post-primary stakeholders regarding the provision of special classes.

In October 2022, the Department wrote to all post-primary schools, requesting that each school begin planning to provide for up to four special classes to meet the needs of children progressing from primary learning. Last October, the Department issued a circular to all schools, setting out new measures to support the forward-planning of special education provision. As a result of this forward planning, five new special schools will open for the 2025-26 school year, including one in County Monaghan. This is the first special school in County Monaghan, which up to now was serviced by the special school in Cootehill, County Cavan. This should ease the pressure in terms of application to the special school in County Cavan.

Capacity has also been expanded in a number of other special schools around the country. The NCSE has to date sanctioned 209 new special classes - 138 at primary and 71 at post-primary level - for opening in the coming school year 2025-26. Four of these new classes are in County Cavan - one at primary level and three at post-primary. These will be added to the existing 59 classes currently in operation, which comprise 46 at primary level and 13 at post-primary level. The NCSE is engaging intensively with more schools and school patron bodies to confirm further new special classes in the coming period. It has recruited additional special education needs organisers, SENOs, advisers and team managers. A total of 120 SENOs now operate nationwide, almost double the number we had previously.

Cavan now has two SENOs dedicated solely to supporting schools and parents in the county. SENOs play an important role in ensuring there is adequate special educational provision within local areas and support families to secure placements for children. I assure the Senator that both the Department and the NCSE will continue to monitor and review the need for further new special classes and schools or the expansion of existing special schools over the coming months and years.

Senator Pauline Tully

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Leas-Chathaoirleach and the Minister of State.

The opening of new schools and new classes is always welcome and I welcome the new special school in Monaghan. It is badly needed. There was only one school between Cavan and Monaghan. It was definitely needed, although I urge the Minister of State to ensure that school is established in a suitable premises and not one that was deemed unsuitable for students some years ago.

There is a lot more work to be done because, as the Minister of State said, we know demand is increasing. If the Government and the NCSE know that demand is increasing, there should be plans in place to ensure that there are sufficient school places for all students as they transition from preschool to primary school and then from primary school into secondary school, but that is not happening at present.

As regards SENOs, there are not enough of them. They are overworked. We need more SENOs. When I was teaching, the SENO assigned to my school knew every student who attended the school and their families and was in regular contact with them about where they should be going to school and what their needs were.

That is not the case now. A lot of families do not even know who the SENO is for their area. That needs to be addressed as well.

An Leas-Chathaoirleach

Before I call the Minister of State to respond, I welcome the transition year students who are here with the Office of the Ombudsman. They are very welcome.

Deputy Niall Collins

In conclusion, it is a priority for this Government to ensure that all children have an appropriate school placement and that the necessary supports are provided to all our schools to ensure the needs of children with special educational needs are met. It is important to remember that the vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. To support children with more complex needs, special classes in mainstream schools and special schools are provided.

More than €2.9 billion will be spent in 2025 supporting children with special educational needs. This figure builds on previous years and represents more than a quarter of the total education budget. It will provide for, among other things, 400 new special classes, 300 new special school places and will also increase special educational posts by 768 special education teachers and 1,600 special needs assistant, SNA, posts nationwide. The NCSE continues to access what additional provision is required at local areas and what schools have capacity to accommodate the required provision. As the NCSE progresses the sanctioning of new classes over the coming weeks, it will advise parents in turn on the location of new special classes for the 2025-2026 school year.

An Leas-Chathaoirleach

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit.

Schools Building Projects

Senator Lorraine Clifford-Lee

I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach. The Minister of State is very welcome to the Seanad to discuss this important matter. As he knows, I am passionate about the delivery of services for my constituency. One of my top priorities is the delivery of a new school building for Rush National School. It is a matter I have continuously raised in the Seanad and one we need to keep raising and pressing the Department on because this is a project that has been in the offing for 18 years. The school leadership, under Morgan Doran, and the board of management have been pressing this. The previous principal, Margaret Dobinson, started the campaign. It has been a long and sorry history, which I will bring the Minister of State briefly through. Approval was obtained in 2010 and planning permission was granted in 2013. While it was renewed on a couple of occasions due to it expiring, it finally expired on 8 December 2024. A fresh planning application was required and this is currently in process.

It is a school of some 700 pupils. It was built in 1953 and is completely inadequate. A new 32-classroom school needs to be delivered that will also have two autism classrooms, which are really badly needed, particularly in light of the previous Commencement matter. The same demand is seen throughout north County Dublin. Rush has a big population with more than 11,000 people and is increasing rapidly. Thousands of houses are being built and delivered in north County Dublin and Rush is at the centre of that. There is huge demand on school places and autism classrooms and the principal of Rush National School, Morgan Doran, wants to deliver this school so that he can cater for the huge demand in the area. The school is not fit for purpose.

I am raising this Commencement matter to see whether we can get some information as to where the project is at. While the school wants to engage positively and collaboratively with the Department of Education, there is a complete lack of information coming from the Department with regard to the progress of this project. Given the long history I have outlined, including the lapsing of the planning permissions and the need for constant renewal of planning permissions, the lack of information coming from the Department is concerning. The school needs to be delivered. I do not want to let this matter slip from the attention of the new Minister for Education, Deputy McEntee. The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth of Ireland, Deputy Foley, visited the school last June when she was the Minister for Education, as did the Taoiseach, when he was the Tánaiste, in November. They saw the great education the children receive in the school but also the completely inadequate facilities. The people of Rush are proud of this school and the education it has delivered for generations in Rush. They are invested in its success, but the delivery of the school building is needed.

When I was out knocking on doors last November, people were telling me that when their children started school, they were told the new school would be delivered within a couple of years. Not only have those children finished in Rush National School, they have also finished in secondary school at this stage, so enough is enough. We need this school building to be delivered as soon as possible. I would really appreciate an update about where the project is and a commitment that the Department will keep engaging or start better engagement with the school and board of management.

Minister of State at the Department of Justice (Deputy Niall Collins)

I thank the Senator for raising this matter on a number of occasions and again today. The large-scale capital project for Rush National School is included in the Department of Education’s construction programme, which will be delivered under the national development plan as part of the Project Ireland 2040 framework.

The project brief for Rush National School includes the construction of a new two-storey, 32-classroom school with two classrooms for children with special educational needs, a general purpose hall and ancillary accommodation. External works include the demolition of the existing single-storey school building, the removal of existing temporary accommodation, a new boundary treatment, landscaping, staff car parking area, ball courts, play areas and ancillary works. The project is at architectural planning stage three - tender action and award.

A tender report was received from the design team in 2023 and was reviewed by the Department of Education. During the course of this review, it was noted that the planning permission was due to expire in December 2023 and a new planning permission application would be required. Given the passage of time since tenders were returned and the requirement for a new planning application, the design team was authorised in July 2024 to collapse the former tender procedure and proceed with the new planning application. This planning application will include decarbonisation measures in accordance with technical design guidance. The design team has liaised with Fingal County Council accordingly. The updated tender documents will include the updated mechanical and electrical requirements in accordance with decarbonisation measures and compliance with any statutory requirements.

The due diligence by the Department of Education is a critical part of the overall completion of the stage three process and is critical to ensuring quality and value for money and that projects are progressed within overall programme parameters. The large-scale capital project remains a priority for delivery and Department of Education officials will keep the school authority updated as stage three progresses.

Senator Lorraine Clifford-Lee

I thank the Minister of State for his response, which outlined the long and sorry history of the delivery of this project. It is not good enough. The people of Rush and, in particular, the children of Rush National School deserve better. I am glad to see that Department officials will keep the school authorities updated as this stage progresses. Regarding doubling down on this commitment and getting them to engage in a better way than heretofore, I can guarantee that the school leadership and board of management want to ensure the quality of the school and value for money and are fully signed up to the principles laid out by the Minister of State in his response. They want to collaborate with the Department to get this delivered and not allow this to go on any longer than is necessary.

Deputy Niall Collins

I thank the Senator for raising a project that is very important for her constituency. It is not acceptable to me or, I think, anybody else in Seanad Éireann or Dáil Éireann that this project should take so long. I will be communicating with the Department on foot of what I have heard here today. It beggars belief that so many projects in the Department's school building unit take so long. I have come to this House on many occasions to answer Commencement matters on issues rightly raised by the Senator and others across the House regarding the inordinate length of time some of our building projects take.

It is simply not acceptable. It raises alarming issues in terms of value for money and delivery. If we have a national development plan, as we have, and we want to see our projects delivered, we want to have them delivered in a timely manner. Our communities and the teachers and students who are going to those schools deserve better. Everybody needs to work harder. I thank all Senators for raising this issue.

Education Policy

Senator Laura Harmon

I wish to ask what is being done to amend and improve assault leave for teachers and SNAs. With her consent, I will talk about the experience of a special education teacher, Sophie Cole. I had the privilege of meeting Sophie and her husband, Shane O'Brien, last November in their home in Carrigaline, County Cork. They are a young couple very much in love and starting out on their married life together. Their world was turned upside down and inside out when Sophie, a special education teacher with a clear passion, love and deep understanding of her profession and the children she teaches, was assaulted in the classroom in November 2022. Sophie's left hand was slammed into a steel reinforced table while at work. As a result, she has complex regional pain syndrome, one of the most painful conditions in the world. She has undergone many surgeries at great expense to try to get any relief she can from the debilitating and excruciating pain that she feels on a daily basis and the endless sleepless nights.

She has said that sometimes she has to look at her hand to make sure it is still there because it feels like the flesh is burning off it. She has had to become a full-time campaigner, when she can, for herself and many others who have experienced assault in the classroom. Three months after Sophie experienced this assault, her assault leave entitlement ended and she had to use up all of her sick leave. One day, without any warning, she received a letter through the door telling her she would receive no more pay. Sophie has lost her career and her wage and has incurred large medical bills. Her world has been turned upside down by this.

Her husband Shane sometimes has to take leave to take care of her. The couple has feared on many occasions that they would not be able to keep up their mortgage repayments on their home because of the financial pressure this has resulted in for them. Meanwhile, the State and Department of Education have completely let Sophie, and hundreds like her, down. The previous Minister ignored Sophie and I implore the new Minister to make time to listen and act. It feels like it is a case of, "Knock, knock, is anybody there? Knock, Knock, does anybody care?" when people like Sophie are trying to communicate how they are being affected by this.

We need to amend the circular relating to assault leave to ensure that financial assistance covers medical bills and therapy and to ensure that teachers and SNAs are covered for the duration of their medically certified leave so that there is information and adequate support available put in place for all teachers and SNAs. When will we properly value teachers and SNAs?

Sophie's social media page, Special Education Muinteoir, has hundreds of stories of people in similar situations, some with broken backs, damaged eyes, PTSD or facial paralysis, all because they were assaulted in the classroom. Many do not share their stories because they feel shame due to what has happened. I would argue that the shame is on the State for the lack of support. Our classrooms must be safe for teachers and children. We need multidisciplinary teams. As we know, there is a teacher shortage in this country because we are not looking after them properly in terms of their workplace conditions and pay. Unfortunately, we are exporting many of our teachers to places like Dubai.

The Labour Party was the only party to have this in our general election manifesto. A lot of people are not aware of the number of people who are suffering because of this. It is not anything that any aspiring teacher setting out on their career thinks about. They do not think it is something that will happen to them. I commend Sophie on her campaign and look forward to the Minister of State's reply.

Deputy Niall Collins

I thank Senator Harmon for raising this important matter of leave of absence following assault for teachers and SNAs.

Where a teacher or an SNA is injured as a result of physical contact from a third party causing physical injury in the course of their duties, and during approved school activities, they may apply for leave under the leave of absence following assault scheme. The provisions of this scheme are contained in the Department's Circular 0061/17 for teachers and Circular 0062/17 for SNAs. It provides for special leave with pay, subject to specified limits, for teachers or SNAs who are unable to perform their duties due to a physical injury following physical contact from a third party which happened in the course of their duties or during approved school activities.

The leave available under the scheme for leave of absence following assault is three months, or 92 days, at full pay in a rolling four-year period. In exceptional cases, such as where a significant period of hospitalisation is required or in situations of a second or subsequent incident of assault, the leave may be extended for a further period not exceeding three months, or 91 days, at full pay, subject to an overall limit of six months, or 183 days, at full pay in a rolling four-year period. A teacher or SNA who has exhausted the maximum period of paid leave under the scheme for leave of absence following assault and who is still medically unfit to resume duty may avail of sick leave under the sick leave scheme, subject to the normal rules of that scheme.

The Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform determines the terms and conditions of the leave schemes for public servants, which include teachers and SNAs. In this regard, the leave limits noted in the assault leave circular for teachers and SNAs were agreed with the education partners, consisting of the relevant unions, school management bodies and the Department, in conjunction with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. It is intended that the terms and conditions of the scheme will be reviewed in consultation with the education partners in 2025.

The employee assistance service, which is currently provided by Spectrum.Life, is also available as a supportive resource for teachers and SNAs following physical injury. The freefone confidential helpline is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Supportive resources may include up to six sessions of short-term counselling. If the EAS recommends additional short-term counselling sessions with the teacher, the Department can facilitate this request.

It should be noted that, in accordance with section 14 of the Education Act 1998, it is the duty of the patron to appoint, where practicable, a board of management. The board of management is the body of persons, or the person, appointed by the patron to manage the school on his or her behalf, including issues surrounding health and safety. While the Department of Education has statutory functions in the setting of terms and conditions for teachers and SNAs, the Department of Education is not the direct employer.

Senator Laura Harmon

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. It is welcome that this scheme will be reviewed, as has been promised, in 2025. We await that. It is very important that the unions and the teachers themselves are consulted as part of this. I know this is on the radar of Fórsa, representatives of which I will meet in the next week, and of the INTO. As regards the case I outlined of Sophie Cole and those of many others, six months is certainly not enough. We need to review and extend that. We certainly need to look at how we communicate this to those working in our classrooms in order that they are aware of it and know what their entitlements are. There is a clear lack of awareness of rights in this regard.

We look forward to further engagement, and I really hope the Minister, Helen McEntee, will engage as well on this issue.

Deputy Niall Collins

There is an established and agreed process to amend all circulars. Once discussions have concluded with the education partners and the Department of public expenditure, we will amend the necessary circulars to reflect the required changes.

The Department of Education developed new guidelines and published them on 12 December 2024. They are entitled "Understanding Behaviours of Concern and Responding to Crisis Situations Guidelines for Schools in Supporting Students".

The Department established a working group to develop these guidelines for schools on the prevention and management of behaviours of concern where such behaviours pose imminent danger of serious physical harm to self or others in the school environment. The guidelines have been the subject of extensive consultation with education stakeholders and advocacy groups. They support schools to develop a whole-school, positive approach to behaviours, with particular emphasis on prevention, early intervention and de-escalation. The guidelines have been developed to take account of national and international legislative requirements, school governance structures and duty-of-care considerations directly related to supporting the well-being and safety of students and staff. The guidelines place a strong focus on prevention and on early intervention and de-escalation strategies for the management of crisis situations. Physical intervention may be employed only as the last part of a comprehensive, positive, planned behavioural approach by the school. It is intended the guidelines will be a live document and, as such, will be subject to review and updated from time to time.

Cuireadh an Seanad ar fionraí ar 3.46 p.m. agus cuireadh tús leis arís ar 4.01 p.m.

Sitting suspended at 3.46 p.m. and resumed at 4.01 p.m.