I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Harkin, to the House.
Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters
International Agreements
On 6 March, Lithuania officially withdrew from the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions. That is the convention that bans the production and the use of cluster munitions. It is one of particular significance to Ireland because Ireland hosted the negotiations in Croke Park in 2008 that banned these horrendous weapons and got global support for their phasing out. A total of 124 states signed up to that ban. Lithuania has now withdrawn, the first state to ever withdraw from this international agreement banning this class of weaponry.
As a reminder of what cluster munitions are, they are a type of weapons, often called landmines from sky, where canisters of up to hundreds of explosive devices called submunitions scatter randomly over wide areas. Due to the random nature of cluster munitions, there is a no way of preventing civilian casualties when they are used. As they tend to fail to detonate on impact, they often become landmines and are particularly notorious for attracting children, leading to the loss of limbs or life for children. I met many of the amputees in Croke Park because I was there when the ban was negotiated. It was, as I said, a moment Ireland should be proud of, at a time when we were valuing our record on neutrality, disarmament and being a force for peace and humanity in the world. A total of 71% of the casualties from unexploded cluster munitions are children, with submunitions landing on farms, in streets and in playgrounds. Those who survive the blasts are often left with lost limbs and damage to their eyes. Often the munitions fall in unresourced and poverty-stricken conflict or post-conflict areas where access to treatment or rehabilitation is not available.
The year 2022 was deadliest year on record for the use of cluster munitions since the convention was ratified in 2008. Globally, after a decade and more, when we all understood how awful these weapons are, we are now seeing their use increasing. In Ukraine, at least 809 people have been killed because of the use of cluster munitions through the increase of the intensity in 2022 of Russia's aerial campaign over Ukraine and, very sadly, because Ukraine lobbied for and received cluster munitions from the United States. Russia, the United States and Ukraine are three of the very few countries in the world which are not signatories to this convention. Crucially, there is no moral use of these weapons in any conflict because of the nature of the weapons and the way they target civilians.
Ireland hosted the negotiations in 2008. What actions are being taken now? What leadership is Ireland giving now, in terms of its role to have, first, attempted to dissuade Lithuania from its withdrawal from this convention, to respond to the formal withdrawal of Lithuania from this convention, to discourage other states from withdrawing from the convention, and to widely discourage the production and use of cluster munitions anywhere? This is crucial because we have a time when there is somewhat of a glamorisation of what arms are and what militarisation means. If Ireland is going to have a moral voice, we need to see right now that it is giving moral leadership, including, when necessary, to our EU allies who propose to use weapons that are unconscionable.
I thank the Senator. It is my first time to address the Seanad and that I am extremely grateful for this opportunity. I hear what the Senator said. I hear the passion in her voice and her commitment to this issue. As she said, Ireland is strongly committed to the Convention on Cluster Munitions.
We should and do take pride in the fact the text of that convention was agreed at a diplomatic conference chaired by Ireland in Dublin in 2008. We fully recognise the value of the convention. Since the convention was adopted the market for, and production of, cluster munitions have contracted significantly. More than that, the convention has also produced a stigmatising effect on the use of cluster munitions among non-state parties.
Ireland will continue to work towards a full universalisation and implementation of the convention. As a sign of our active support, Ireland has made additional voluntary contributions to the implementation support unit of the Convention on Cluster Munitions to further its important work. We maintain active engagement through meetings of the states parties, the 13th of which is this year, and at intercessional meetings such as the upcoming meeting in Geneva in early April. Ireland's consistent and principled view is disarmament conventions are not for peacetime only and that it matters how wars are fought. Cluster munitions are by their nature indiscriminate and imprecise, continue to kill and maim long after the conflict is over and should not be used in any circumstances.
The Russian Federation's ongoing illegal war of aggression on Ukraine has created serious security challenges for Europe and Ireland is not immune to these challenges. The altered security environment affects all of us regardless of geography. However, the Government is conscious of the particular security concerns felt by states neighbouring Russia, including Lithuania. Lithuania took a sovereign decision to leave the Convention on Cluster Munitions just six months ago. This followed domestic considerations and democratic debate on the increased security threats, national military advice and a supermajority vote of the national parliament in which only one member voted against leaving. The decision took effect on 6 March this year when Lithuania became the first and, we hope, the only state party to leave the convention.
Lithuania knows Ireland's principled stance on cluster munitions well, including in the contest of Russia's war in Ukraine. Ireland has continued to support Ukraine and its people in the face of Russian aggression. In line with Ireland’s consistent support for our obligations under the Convention on Cluster Munitions the Department of Foreign Affairs has communicated Ireland's concerns to our Lithuanian partners. Ireland’s views were further conveyed by then Minister of State with responsibility for European Affairs, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, during her visit to Vilnius last September. We have also conveyed our views alongside other representatives of states parties to the convention through the Irish Embassy in Vilnius. From those discussions we know this decision was not easy for Lithuania and not taken lightly. As an EU member state committed to the international rules-based order and the rule of law, Lithuania chose to leave the Convention on Cluster Munitions rather than breach its obligations. While we of course wish Lithuania had decided to remain within the convention, we acknowledge the openness with which our Lithuanian colleagues treated this difficult decision.
Ireland is committed to upholding disarmament regimes, including the Convention on Cluster Munitions, and we will continue to be a vocal advocate for the convention.
Before I call Senator Higgins back in, I welcome Bridget Clare, who was the sixth class teacher of Senator Ruane when she was in school. She taught her and taught her well, obviously. We are delighted she is here. She is here for a particular Commencement matter but we welcome her and thank her for being here.
Lithuania is not the only country; Poland is now considering leaving the convention as well.
Frankly, the response is highly inadequate and is effectively a set of excuses. We are meant to be applauding Lithuania because rather than breaching international rules based on the rule of order, it is leaving the convention. It is like we should be saying "Well done, what a tough decision for you" but it is not a tough decision. It is a decision that has consequences in terms of human life, loss of limb and impact on civilians. Frankly, it is not enough to convey that we will agree to disagree in some private meetings. We need to see what I call for in this Commencement matter, which is action. The kind of vocal support that is needed is not a quiet word in the ear, but vocal and visible statements from the Irish Government condemning an absolutely landmark decision to leave a convention against an unacceptable and brutal weapon. The Government must condemn it publicly and not just say "what a pity". That is what Ireland needs to do if we are to be meaningful in being vocal and taking action regarding the cluster munitions treaty. This is what the Government needs to do if it wants to dissuade other countries. It cannot simply be a case of "well you are a little nervous so you will use it; we were not planning on banning cluster munitions if you use them in wars." Of course they were designed for use in wars because they are one of the most brutal and effective weapons for mass killing. It is important for Ireland to take a stand now. What action will Ireland take? Can the Minister of State guarantee that we will not be engaging in any military co-operation with countries that have left the cluster munition treaty?
I thank Senator Higgins again. I can hear her passion and her belief, and that matters. What I can say on behalf of the Government is that Ireland's support for the Convention on Cluster Munitions remains steadfast. As I have said, Ireland is committing to further the universalisation and implementation of the convention. We will remain a strong advocate for the aims of a convention that seeks to prevent the use of such indiscriminate weapons, which have reverberating and long-lasting negative effects. We fully agree with the Senator's statements on this.
Lithuania's decision to leave the convention clearly reflects the serious extent to with which the illegal actions of Russia and its unjustified war of aggression on Ukraine have undermined European security. This is further reflected in the recommendation this week from the ministries of defence in Poland and three Baltic states to leave the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, otherwise known as the Ottawa treaty. Domestic discussions and democratic processes with regard to these recommendations are due to take place in these states. All I can do is assure the Chamber that Ireland's views on disarmament conventions are and will remain well known to our partners.
Transport Costs
The Minister of State, Deputy Harkin, is very welcome to the Chamber. It is the first opportunity I have had to welcome her here. I wish her well in her role as Minister of State. I have no doubt she will do an excellent job.
The Commencement matter I am raising today is not new to this House. I have debated it ad nauseam within the Dáil and the Seanad. Like countless others, I believe public transport should be affordable, accessible, reliable and safe. In recent years, there has been a total discrepancy in the operation of fares in certain parts of Kildare, and indeed right around Louth, Meath and Wicklow. For example, if I came in on the train this morning from Newbridge, where I live, it would be €10.65 for a single ticket. If I drove to the next station - Sallins, which is within the short hop zone - it would be 57% less. That is simply not good enough. We have a situation where people are, understandably, getting into their cars and bypassing the stations in Newbridge and Kildare town. They are clogging up the roads and going to Sallins, where there are parking problems, to get the short hop zone ticket. I do not blame people for doing that. I know families that have a second car to drive students to Sallins because they currently cannot get accommodation in Dublin and it is far cheaper to commute from Newbridge.
I will speak to the Minister of State about two press releases. The first relates to the fair fares strategy of the National Transport Authority, NTA, which was published in 2023. The strategy dealt with the NTA's national fares strategy for commuter and interurban journeys on public service obligation, PSO, buses and rail fares. It stated that the strategy was going to provide a "more consistent and equitable approach" for commuters, particularly those in the greater Dublin area. One of the key aspects of this press release was the statement that under the new structure, the cost per kilometre travelled would be "more consistent" across the country. It stated that a new outer Dublin commuter zone, extending to approximately 50 km from Dublin city centre, would be created to include towns such as Drogheda, Navan, Trim, Enfield, Clane, Prosperous, Newbridge, Kildare, Greystones and Wicklow. That is hugely important.
I also have a press release from 24 January 2024, a year after the publication of the strategy. This second press release stated that the Dublin commuter zone extending to approximately 50 km would be put in place in 2024 and would represent the rebalancing of affairs. The old fare for commuters travelling, for example, from Newbridge to Heuston Station in Dublin was €10.85, while the new fare was to become €6, a decrease of 45%. The fare for commuters travelling from Kildare town was to change by 38%. There was to be a decrease of 50% in fares from Drogheda and of 29% in fares from Ashbourne. The changes are important and these fares were to come into being in September. We heard in September that the changes were to be delayed until January. We heard in January that the changes were to be delayed until April. Someone who wanted to buy an annual ticket was told that the changes were not going to come in until June. People need to know. They need to balance their books and to budget. What is the timeline and what will be the implementation plan for the fair fares structure for those commuters in counties outside Dublin city?
I thank the Senator for her question. I welcome the opportunity to discuss this important topic on behalf of the Minister for Transport. I would like to clarify that the Minister has responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport but neither he nor his officials are involved in the day-to-day operation of public transport services. The NTA has responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services provided under PSO contracts.
That said, the Government is strongly committed to providing all citizens with reliable and realistic sustainable mobility options and public transport plays a key role in the delivery of that goal. To support this objective, in budget 2025 the Department of Transport secured €658.5 million of funding for PSO and Transport for Ireland, TFI, Local Link services. That was an increase from €614 million in 2024. The package also includes funding for the continuation of the various public transport fare initiatives and funding to extend free child fares on PSO services to include those aged between five and eight years old. It also supports new and enhanced public transport services.
In its capacity as fare regulator, the NTA published a new national fares strategy on 27 April 2023. On 18 January 2024, it published the first of a series of fare determinations related to the strategy. This was aimed at simplifying fares and introducing a more equitable distance-based structure, which brings us to the point raised by the Senator.
The first phase of the fares determination was subsequently introduced last June, and I understand the Department of Transport is engaging with the NTA on the implementation of phase 2, which will deliver more integrated and equitable fares in Dublin commuter areas up to 50 km from the city centre. This area was selected based on a review of future public transport network proposals, for example, the implementation of DART+ along with analysis of ticket sales information to determine travel demand. Later phases will include the introduction of free transfer flat fares in the regional cities and certain towns and distance-based fares for the rest of Ireland outside towns and cities.
The new commuter zone will include stations outside of the Dublin city zone, which the Senator mentioned, as far as Rathdrum, Kildare, Enfield, Drogheda and, of course, Newbridge, and will provide better value for passengers from these areas. The Dublin commuter zone is designed to ensure the cheapest fare is made available to passengers and will help to alleviate boundary issues between the national and city fare structures. For example, for a journey from Newbridge to O’Connell Street, passengers will benefit from the flat fare element within the city, facilitating longer distances of travel at a cheaper fare.
Unfortunately, the implementation of phase 2 has been delayed due to a number of technical challenges. I have been advised that Bus Éireann, Irish Rail and Luas are all working closely with their contractors to enable implementation of the phase 2 fare changes.
I thank the Cathaoirleach for giving me a little bit of extra time. It is my first day. Next time, I will be better prepared. I have one or two more comments after the Senator’s follow-up.
The Minister of State did not get to say it, but I saw when I read ahead that the key element is that it will happen by the end of April 2025. The answer to my question on the start is that it is not being delayed further. I am very glad to hear that. It is important.
I acknowledge that the NTA is responsible for the day-to-day operations, but it is not implementing Government policy. I have led delegations to the previous Minister for Transport, Jack Chambers, and to James Lawless. In that, I acknowledge Jennifer Caffrey and all the work she has done in raising these commuter issues. The NTA is also responsible for communications, which we are not getting in a timely manner. Having said that, it is set out in the response prepared by the Minister – I appreciate it is not the Minister of State’s Department – that the Department will be sticking to the end of April. That is good. However, I wish to make the point that last June, when phase 1 was implemented, which was to raise the fares in Dublin to enable the fares to be reduced elsewhere, the NTA was quick to raise the fares and it will be ten months then before phase 2 comes in. That is not good enough, but I am glad that, at least, we are sticking with April.
I did not intend it, but I allowed the Senator the opportunity to say the most important thing, which is that it will not go by April before these changes are made. The Minister for Transport fully acknowledges the frustrations of commuters who have been impacted by the delays in the roll-out of phase 2 of fare determination. When it is implemented, it will involve the introduction of new Dublin city and Dublin commuter zones, a significant reduction in Leap card multimodal caps and the introduction of Leap travel credit at all Dublin commuter zone rail stations. It will be a further positive step towards a more equitable approach towards public transport fares pricing and will reduce the disparities that currently exist for some passengers.
I thank the Senator for the opportunity to discuss this matter. If I left anything out, it is all here in the documentation.
Teacher Training
Cuirim fáilte roimh Marian. I am used to calling her "Marian" because she is from my own area.
I am used to calling the Senator "Nessa".
She is very welcome. My Commencement matter today is on an issue the Minister of State will be very familiar with as she is from our own area. As background for everyone else in the House, Donegal Education Support Centre has been based in Donegal town for 28 years. It offers CPD support for primary and post-primary teachers across County Donegal. Some 95% of its classes are online. It is 100% funded by the Department of Education. The Department and the management committee have been negotiating on proposals to move the centre to Letterkenny. There is a lot of resistance to this proposal, primarily from the six women employed in the centre but also from many local councillors and TDs. I give great credit to Councillor Jimmy Brogan and Deputy Charles Ward for raising this matter.
If I may interrupt the Senator for just a moment, there is a vote in the Dáil. Does the Minister of State need to attend?
I do.
As the Senator has just started and there is three minutes to go until the vote, the Minister of State is permitted to leave if she would like to and we can then start again. Is that okay?
That is okay.
I apologise. We will continue afterwards, with the agreement of the House. We have no choice. The Minister of State has to go. Is it agreed to suspend the House for the duration of the vote? Agreed.
Cuireadh an Seanad ar fionraí ar 3.02 p.m. agus cuireadh tús leis arís ar 3.14 p.m.
Sitting suspended at 3.02 p.m. and resumed at 3.14 p.m.
I call Senator Nessa Cosgrove. With the permission of the Minister of State, I will allow Senator Cosgrove to start again because it is important to keep the flow of it.
I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Harkin. She is very welcome again.
We will stick to the time for the rest of the session in order that everyone can get their Commencement matter in.
That is great. The Minister of State is welcome again.
My Commencement matter is in regard to Donegal Education Support Centre, which provides training and CPD training to primary and post-primary schools for the past 28 years in Donegal town. A total of 95% of classes are delivered online and there are outreach services throughout the country. It employs six female staff who are based in Donegal town. The Donegal Education Support Centre, however, has required that the staff move their place of work to Letterkenny, which is more than 60 km away.
This issue has been going on now for a while. The Minister of State has met with a lot of local representatives. I know they have had a meeting here. Senator Manus Boyle has been very supportive in this regard. Deputy Charles Ward and particularly Councillor Jimmy Brogan in Donegal town have been raising this issue a lot. There is another meeting happening tomorrow night.
I would like for the Minister of State to come back with a clear answer. The trade union, Fórsa, is involved and has requested that the Donegal Education Support Centre releases the business plan and evidence of consultation which has informed the move from Donegal town to Letterkenny. To date, however, it is refusing to do this, citing confidential matters. I would like the Minister of State to provide and release information, which would include the business plan, some of the evidence of the consultations which informed this business plan, who the stakeholders were and where they were based, as well as how the information was actually gathered that is trying to inform this plan.
I would also love to see the State recognise the fact that if the six female staff employed directly and funded by the Donegal Education Support Centre were seen under the public service agreement, it would be seen as inappropriate for them to move more than 45 km from their workplace, whereas Letterkenny is more than 60 km. While I am aware the Minister of State has come back saying she is looking into it and that the management committee has put forward a substantial business plan, I am seeking the evidence that is supporting that business plan, to find out whom the consultations were with, as well as more information regarding how this development plan came about.
I thank the Senator. I am very pleased to be able to respond to her and to do so on behalf of the Department. It is important to note the vital role the 28 education support centres throughout the country have on the delivery of national programmes of teacher professional learning. I am aware they also are an invaluable local resource for teachers in their catchment areas and are providing tailored and responsive professional learning opportunities for teachers to meet their identified needs in the region.
The Department of Education funds these centres and monitors governance. Under section 37 of the Education Act, each centre is required to have a management committee, appointed by the members of the centre, whose function by law is to manage the business and staff of that centre. Decisions about how to run the centre to achieve the best teacher professional learning opportunities for all teachers in the centre’s catchment area, including where to locate the centre, are a matter for the management committee. While I hear what the Senator says, I am just outlining the legal position.
I understand that, in advance of its decision to relocate, the management committee of Donegal ESC consulted with stakeholders, including teachers, school leaders, the Donegal Education and Training Board, the National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, Atlantic Technological University, ATU, and Oide during March and April 2024 – just over 12 months ago - and that stakeholders supported and encouraged the move. The teacher consultation took the form of a digital survey that was distributed to primary, post-primary and special schools within the county.
I am informed that the management committee also analysed the spread of primary and post-primary schools in County Donegal and attempted to identify the optimal location for an education support centre. A business case supporting the move to Letterkenny, a more central location, was developed. Donegal Education Support Centre engaged with the Department of Education officials on the business case and, as part of normal, good governance, queries were raised by the Department and addressed by the centre. These included queries on the potential financial implications of the move. Following the engagement, the Department of Education informed the management committee in mid-December of last year that it accepted the reasons underpinning the decision to relocate to Letterkenny.
As education support centres are independent bodies, the management committee is responsible for managing the business and staff of the ESC. All decisions in relation to the terms and conditions of staff employment are a matter for the management committee. The staff members of the ESC are not State employees and as such do not have entitlements to public sector benefits. They do, however, enjoy all the standard employment protections associated with an organisational decision such as this. It should be noted that the centre has confirmed that the director and management committee members have been communicating with staff members about this issue since November 2023 and were in contact with Fórsa representatives who are acting on behalf of the staff as early as May 2024. The management committee has developed a hybrid working model which allows staff the option of working from home for two days per week and flexibility around start and finish times. Fórsa has now requested WRC mediation, to which Donegal Education Support Centre has agreed. The management committee hopes this will provide a forum to address staff concerns.
I thank the Minister of State for her response. I am aware that Fórsa is engaging and that there may be WRC intervention, which is welcome. The bottom line is that Fórsa would like to see a copy of the business plan. I do not think any campaign happens unless there is a reason. There is strong support from all the elected representatives. The move will have an effect on the business in Donegal town and footfall for the local economy there. It is also the case that 95% of the courses are delivered online and, although the move might possibly affect some part-time teachers who are travelling, this does raise questions as to why there is a need to move in the first place. I would still request that the Minister of State see if the business plan, which shows exactly where the consultation was, can be made available. There are concerns that some email addresses were not fully active at the time. They want to know exactly who the stakeholders were.
I thank the Senator. The information that I have outlined shows that a decision to relocate was taken after a period of consultation and consideration by the management committee of Donegal Education Support Centre. The Department of Education, following detailed engagement, was satisfied from a governance and funding perspective that it could support the decision to relocate. I will say this much to the Senator. I have already had a meeting with all Donegal representatives, including Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher, Senator Manus Boyle, Deputies Charlie McConalogue, Pearse Doherty, Pádraig Mac Lochlainn and others. I hope I have not missed anybody. We had a meeting to discuss this with the Minister. Before I came into the House, I grabbed 20 seconds with her when she said she would consult and come back to us. I have no news for the Senator other than that. We are listening and it is to be hoped we can find a decision that works. I thank the Senator again for her intervention on this.
School Funding
The Minister of State is very welcome. It is not often that I have raised a local issue in the Chamber since I became a Senator in 2016, but this is an issue that is extremely close to my heart. Scoil An Chroí Ró Naofa Sóisir in Killinarden is facing serious financial trouble. The school opened in 1980 and now caters to three generations of the Killinarden community. Killinarden is an extremely tight community. We look after each other. What we do not have in financial and social capital, we have in human capital in terms of how we care for each other.
That a school that understands the context and historic nature of the community in the way this school does could potentially close is not just a travesty in terms of the children's education but a threat to the social cohesion and fabric of the community. Our community experiences a lot of hardship and the school is the most consistent place that we will experience throughout our day. Even beyond the education piece, we have to look at the fact that the SNAs in the school are local women. We know that everybody is minding and looking out for each other. The school originally catered for 400 children and the population of the school has decreased.
The Minister for Education, Deputy McEntee, has engaged on this matter and has said she will provide an advance in capitation funding, but this is a short-term solution when we need bigger picture thinking. The school needs double capitation. Currently, it is using its DEIS funding to pay bills and bridge gaps. This funding was used to pay for art and music therapies and additional extracurricular activities. Not only are the kids losing out in terms of what they should be getting educationally, they are now also losing out in what they should be getting in terms of extra needs.
This is a community that has a lot of complex needs. The potential closure of the school is not something that should be taken lightly. Some people may argue that there are other schools close by or the children can attend a school down the road. However, the closure of the school would threaten the safety of the community, including children.
I hope that, rather than the Minister of State responding with a short-term solution such as the advancement of funding to keep the school open temporarily, we look to DEIS band 1 plus. Some schools deal with many more additional needs than other DEIS schools. We need a solution that provides the proper care for those schools. I ask the Minister of State for an update on the DEIS band plus system and what we can expect to see in that regard. Will that meet the needs of the school? A school with a smaller population of students - there are 117 pupils - will advance children far more than having to fill a school with more pupils. A double capitation grant would do that.
I thank the Minister of State for being here today. My involvement in this matter arises from a representation made to me by a colleague at work, a parent who has children in the school and received a letter warning him that, as and from 1 April, the school will close its doors and that the parent might attempt distance education. One can imagine what that means for working parents, single parents and the like. It would be a disaster. No parent should be confronted with a letter stating that they have three weeks to relocate their children.
I note the Taoiseach was asked in the Dáil about this matter by Deputy Paul Murphy and indicated that, despite some delay from late November when the crisis became acute, something is now in hand. No parent should be confronted with a letter of this kind. I would have been shocked to receive it when my kids went to primary school. Everything Senator Ruane said about a vulnerable community with disadvantaged children makes it doubly sad that a situation like this could have arisen.
Before the Minister of State responds, I welcome the exchange students from Georgetown Visitation School in the US and the students from their host school in County Louth, who are in the Gallery. How apt that we are having a conversation on education. Thank you for joining us today.
I welcome all our visitors, wherever they come from. We are delighted they are here and can listen to our discussion, even if right now they have to leave.
I thank the Senators for outlining their position on the financial situation of the Sacred Heart Junior National School in Killinarden. I take this matter on behalf of the Department of Education. The Department has been made aware of the financial position of the school and is committed to offering all available and appropriate support to the school as quickly as is necessary, to avoid any uncertainty. In order to support the school, more information is needed about its financial situation and the Department has asked the school to provide this. The school is engaging with the financial support services unit, FSSU, with this purpose. To address the immediate cash flow issues in the school, the capitation grant funding due to be paid to the school in June 2025 will be paid before the end of this week. The Department is keeping in contact with the school and patron so that the appropriate support can be provided.
The Department commits to providing funding to recognise primary and post-primary schools in the free education scheme by way of per capita grants. The two main grants are the capitation grant, to cater for day-to-day running costs such as heating, cleaning, insurance and general upkeep, and the ancillary grant, to cater for the cost of employing ancillary services staff. Schools have the flexibility to use capitation funding, provided for general running costs, and ancillary funding, provided for caretaking and secretarial services, as a common grant from which the board of management can allocate according to its priorities, except for the employment of relevant secretaries as per Circular 36/22.
As part of the capitation package in budget 2022, the Department is pleased to have secured over €30 million as a permanent increase in capitation funding to assist schools, now and in the longer term, with increased day-to-day running costs. This represents an increase of approximately 12% on current standard rates and enhanced rates. This increase is on top of the approximately 9.2% increase from last year's budget. This will bring the standard rate of capitation grant to €224 per pupil in primary schools from September 2025. Enhanced rates will be paid in respect of pupils with special educational needs and Traveller pupils.
Schools should also ensure that they are availing of the Office of Government Procurement, OGP, frameworks and getting best value for money for all school expenditure. In addition to these grants, €45 million in cost-of-living supports issued in September 2024 to support all recognised primary and post-primary schools in the free education system. This additional funding announced in budget 2025 is designed to assist schools with increasing day-to-day running costs, such as heating and electricity, and was paid at a rate of €36 per pupil in primary schools. The FFSU, funded by the Department, is an important source of advice and support for schools in financial matters, including budgeting and cash flow management.
I thank the Minister of State. This is a school I went to as a child. I spent all my primary years there. One of my teachers, Ms Bridget Clare, is here today for the debate. It is a very important school, and I urge the Minister of State to communicate to the Department the need for a year-on-year doubling of the capitation grant, and not just this interim investment. It helps and is welcome but there needs to be a long-term plan.
The deputy principal in the junior side of the school teaches full time. There is no way for them to have access to an actual deputy principal. This is in a school where protection issues often come up and there are many highly complex needs. While we welcome what has been offered, I ask the Minister of State to ensure it is communicated very strongly that the capitation grant needs to be doubled for this school to be able to continue and to be able to give kids in Killinarden what they deserve in terms of their education so they can flourish.
I thank the Minister of State for her response. I want to emphasise that the Minister of State, as an educationalist, will appreciate that this kind of crisis should not take place. There should be an early warning system rather than a fire brigade action at the end of a period of time. My information is that the crisis emerging at this school was present for some time. I am glad to see that the FSSU has been engaged by the Department now to support the school and that the acceleration of payment of the particular funding has been put in place.
Two lessons must be learned from this. First, parents should not be treated in this way under any circumstance. It is a terrible shock for parents to receive a letter of the kind my work colleague received. Second, the early warning system in the Department should operate much faster and the FSSU should get involved much more quickly. The situation of the shock letter that was sent to parents threatening to close their school with effectively two weeks' notice should not recur. I thank the Minister of State.
I thank the Senators. Of course, I cannot comment on the response from the Department of Education but as a TD in this House I fully understand what both Senators are saying to me and the awful shock it was for parents and families. I thank the Senators for giving me the opportunity to outline the situation with regard to the financial situation at the Sacred Heart Junior National School in Killinarden and the ongoing support the Department of Education is providing. While the FSSU, on behalf of the Department, plays a crucial role in this process, in order for the Department to engage with the current financial situation the school needs to engage with the FSSU for this purpose. The Department wishes to expedite this engagement and the school is now constructively engaging with the FSSU. I hope that the situation will resolve itself; that the school, which both Senators care so much about, will not continue in the position it is in; and that the parents and students at the school will be able to look forward to a future that perhaps they were not quite so sure of three or six months ago.
Mental Health Services
I rise today to highlight an urgent crisis in mental health services in my constituency of Laois and all across Ireland. Save Our Sons and Daughters, SOSAD, is a vital front-line mental health organisation. It is on the brink of closure due to financial constraints at a time when its services have never been in more demand. Last week alone, SOSAD in Portlaoise saw 108 clients compared to 45 during the same week last year. These are people in deep distress, many of whom have nowhere else to turn. SOSAD's interventions save lives. They prevent suicide, provide emergency counselling and ensure people in crisis receive urgent support. SOSAD does not just support people in County Laois. For nearly two decades, SOSAD has been a lifeline for thousands of people in crisis all over Ireland. It has provided free, accessible mental health supports to those at their most vulnerable. Its work in suicide intervention, crisis intervention and bereavement support has saved countless lives. Despite the growing mental health crisis in our communities, this essential service now faces the very real threat of shutting down due to a lack of financial support.
Suicide remains a national tragedy that affects families in every county. SOSAD has been there for people who have nowhere else to turn. It has bridged the gap left by our overstretched public mental health services.
It provides immediate access to professional counselling, a service that simply does not exist in a timely manner under the HSE’s current structure.
Despite the growing demand, however, SOSAD has been forced to cut back services. It has had to suspend its text service due to the lack of funding, reducing accessibility for those who may not be able to make a call or attend in person. This means that some of the most vulnerable people, those struggling in silence, are now left without the immediate support they desperately need. SOSAD Portlaoise operates with skeleton staff and relies on the dedication of 33 volunteer counsellors. They are doing everything in their power to keep the service running but the passion and commitment alone cannot keep the lights on. They cannot do it alone.
SOSAD is in the process of applying for HSE governance, a necessary step to secure long-term funding, but this process takes time and the harsh reality is that it may be forced to close its doors before it is complete. What happens to the hundreds of people in Laois who rely on SOSAD if the doors close while they wait for their funding? What alternatives exist for those in immediate crisis? There are none. We cannot allow this to happen. This is an issue of life and death. I urge the Government to take immediate action and improve emergency interim funding for SOSAD to keep this life-saving service open.
Mental health services should not have to rely on charity alone. It is the Government’s responsibility to ensure essential supports like SOSAD are properly funded. This is not just about budgets or funding structures. It is about saving lives. We must not let SOSAD collapse due to bureaucracy or financial shortfalls when it is out there preventing suicide and supporting our most vulnerable. I urge the Government to please take action now.
On behalf of the Minister of State with responsibility for mental health, Deputy Butler, I thank the Senator for raising this important matter.
The Minister of State is very familiar with the work of Save Our Sons and Daughters, SOSAD, which makes a significant contribution to counselling service provision in north-east Leinster and the midlands. It is important that is acknowledged. SOSAD is currently funded by HSE Louth-Meath mental health services. The Minister of State is aware that in August 2023, SOSAD applied for section 39 funding. This was not progressed at the time because the HSE Louth-Meath mental health service was not procuring new services in 2023 or 2024 and all funding had been allocated in line with the HSE national service plan. I understand that last year, SOSAD’s financial situation deteriorated as fundraising and donations were reducing. This was brought to the attention of the Minister of State in the autumn and she met SOSAD in November 2024, along with officials from the Department of Health, to discuss the situation. Funding to organisations such as SOSAD is arranged through the section 39 scheme administered by the local HSE mental health services. Following the meeting, the Minister of State requested that HSE Louth-Meath make contact with SOSAD to outline the requirements it would have to fulfil in order for any potential funding application to be considered.
HSE Louth-Meath has been in direct contact with SOSAD for approximately four months and the Minister of State’s office receives regular updates on their engagements. As per any negotiations between the HSE and any charity or organisation, information such as audited accounts, annual reports, governance arrangements and board of management details are required so that the HSE can undertake due diligence as part of consideration of any potential funding arrangements.
HSE Louth-Meath has requested information on corporate and clinical governance from SOSAD in line with HSE policies and has provided guidance on work SOSAD may need to undertake to comply with these requirements before the HSE can consider making public funding available to the organisation.
We all appreciate the good work SOSAD has done and is doing. The Minister of State, Deputy Butler, works hard each year to increase the amount of funding for counselling and suicide prevention services in our communities. However, the Department of Health and the HSE will always require due diligence and appropriate oversight before funding, which is taxpayers' money, can be transferred to any organisation. With the best will in the world it remains the case that, prior to any funding arrangement, the HSE will need full and complete details on the corporate governance of the organisation such as information on the board responsible for the independent oversight of the management of an organisation and what clinical governance structures are in place. This is particularly important for any organisation that would potentially be providing talk therapies to vulnerable people on behalf of the HSE and as a recipient of public funding.
I thank the Minister of State and I appreciate that this is not her brief. The concern is that the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, met with SOSAD in November 2024 - Deputy Harkin is correct about that - at which stage a promise was made that interim funding would be given while the process of the HSE governance for applying for funding was in place. That promise was made, but it still has not happened. I do not know if that promise is now not on the table anymore.
I respect and understand there are processes that need to be followed in order that SOSAD is in a position to be funded by the HSE. It is an organisation based on volunteers, however, and a lot of its volunteers are actively counselling. I visited Portlaoise last week and talked to approximately 33 volunteer counsellors in the county. There is not a lot of admin staff. They will be left in a situation, while the process is happening and they are back and forward trying get everything in line for HSE governance, that they will end up closing their doors. I see that as a real problem here. Can we find some kind of intervention in order that SOSAD does not have to close its doors and the 108 people in one week last week will not be left with nowhere to go in two or three weeks’ time if we have to close while we wait?
I cannot comment on promises that were made. I am just here answering questions today. The Senator is aware that grant aid agreements with NGOs must be compliant with necessary spending and governance codes as evidenced by audited accounts and other information such as the details of the organisation's board of directors. My time to respond is short, but the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, recognises the frustration of SOSAD. However, these steps are essential and the HSE is not in a position to provide funding in the absence of information necessary to provide assurance on corporate and clinical governance. These are the same requirements for all bodies to whom the State provides public funding. The HSE remains available to SOSAD should any further guidance be needed. The Minister of State encourages SOSAD to provide the necessary information as soon as possible in order that the HSE can consider its request for funding. I say that to the Senator as earnestly as I can, and I hope it will work out well.
Flood Relief Schemes
I must be very strict on time in order to begin the next business at 4 p.m. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Moran.
I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House to address the very urgent matter I raise, namely, flooding in Enniscorthy, the population of which is approaching 12,500. Regrettably, the town's location on the beautiful banks of the River Slaney means it is prone to flooding. There has been flooding of a severe nature in 1924, 1947, 1965, 2000, 2002, 2009, 2014, 2016 and, most recently, in 2021, when the flooding took place on Christmas Day.
For the past ten years, the Government has committed to delivering a flood relief scheme in Enniscorthy. Unfortunately, the reality is that while funding was allocated after the flooding in 2014, local residents and businesses affected by it have not seen progress. In 2020, Wexford County Council and the Minister of State's Department submitted a planning application to the then Minister for public expenditure to deliver a flood relief scheme in Enniscorthy that would have involved taking out the Seamus Rafter Bridge, dredging the river and erecting glass walls. The scheme had buy-in from the local community, including the 105 residents and 127 owners of the business and commercial properties affected by flooding on an ongoing basis, with no objections or submissions put forward as part of the public consultation process. Regrettably, in 2022, two years after the application was submitted to the Minister for public expenditure, it was rejected, citing environmental considerations.
When heavy rain is anticipated in Enniscorthy, residents live in fear that, once again, their homes, businesses or commercial properties will be flooded. This has created an unfortunate situation whereby investment in the Templeshannon side of the town has stalled and properties on Island Road have been devalued, with their owners unable to access flood insurance. People have adopted a cynical attitude in that they genuinely do not believe we will ever have flood defences in Enniscorthy. I am here today to give a voice to their fears and to advocate on their behalf to ensure this project gets the priority it deserves. I know the Minister of State has taken a personal interest in the project in the past, including by visiting Enniscorthy. In fact, when he was previously Minister of State, the project made it to the point that it could go forward for planning approval. I have several specific questions for him. Is the OPW determined to see the project through? Is it a priority once again for the Minister of State? Will he visit the town with me and meet with some of the residents and the local councillors in the Enniscorthy municipal district? Is he committed to delivering this project?
I thank the Senator for raising this important matter. I have seen first-hand the devastation that flooding has on people, businesses and communities. The town of Enniscorthy has a long history of flooding. The most recent flood events occurred in 2000 and 2015. Flooding represents a risk to health and safety. In Enniscorthy, it has resulted in significant property damage and traffic disruption.
In March 2020, the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland submitted the Enniscorthy food relief scheme to the then Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for statutory confirmation under the provisions of the Arterial Drainage Acts 1945 and 1995. The main elements of the proposed scheme included construction of flood defence walls, river channel widening and deepening, and removal of the Seamus Rafter Bridge, with construction of new and replacement road and pedestrian bridges over the River Slaney. In March 2022, the then Minister made a decision to refuse this scheme consent under section 7E(1)(b) of the Arterial Drainage Acts, as amended by the European Union (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Arterial Drainage) Regulations 2019. The Minister reached the decision to refuse consent for the scheme due primarily to concerns regarding its impact on the environment and protected species, including the freshwater pearl mussel.
My ministerial predecessor, Deputy Patrick O'Donovan, at a meeting of Enniscorthy MDC on 4 May 2022, gave a commitment to deliver the flood relief scheme in Enniscorthy. I confirm to the Senator today that I am 100% committed to the flood relief scheme in Enniscorthy.
People ask us to visit and I will gladly do that but there are issues. The environmental element is slowing down the process and delivery of the scheme but I am looking at ways to streamline that. I will also gladly take up the offer to meet the Senator and his colleagues, particularly the councillors.
I was very good to Enniscorthy when I was Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works. I continue my work now by giving the Senator a commitment that I want the delivery of the scheme and I promise that.
I thank the Minister of State and welcome his commitment to the scheme. I welcome his confirmation that the scheme is funded and will be funded, and that he accepts the invitation to visit Enniscorthy with me and to meet the Enniscorthy municipal district councillors. I again thank the Minister of State for his contribution.
As I said at the outset, I know too well the effects flooding has on people. I know the frightening effects on people when they hear the downpours after they go to bed at night.
I was in Portugal recently representing the Government and the people of Ireland and saw at first hand the issues they have. I was also there to see if we can learn from and work with them. There are things we can do to speed up the process but it is about working together. I will work with the Senator and he will work with me, and that is the way I look forward to working with the councillors, especially those on Enniscorthy municipal district council. I did meet some of them recently to discuss another issue which we have finally resolved. I will have news in the coming weeks on flooding in terms of minor works and other things. That is the way to get the local authority to drive on these schemes. It is about working together and not apart.
Cuireadh an Seanad ar fionraí ar 3.57 p.m. agus cuireadh tús leis arís ar 4 p.m.
Sitting suspended at 3.57 p.m. and resumed at 4 p.m.