Written Answers Nos. 180 - 190
180. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the expenditure on consultancy by his Department; the number of consultants engaged by his Department in the years 2011 to 2014; the names of the consultancy companies awarded contracts; and the steps which have been taken to reduce the expenditure on consultancy and reliance on consultants by his Department in these years and for the future. [18962/15]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is responsible for two Votes, Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs and Trade) and Vote 27 (International Co-operation). It has not been possible to compile the requested information in the time available. I have asked my officials to provide the requested information directly to the Deputy as soon as it is collated.
181. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when he proposes to meet the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland; the issues to be discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19059/15]
View answerI welcome the re-appointment of Theresa Villiers MP as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. As Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, my working relations with Theresa Villiers have been very close and constructive, involving regular and in-depth engagement, in particular in the context of the Stormont House Agreement.
I had a constructive telephone conversation with Secretary of State Villiers on the day of her re-appointment, 11 May, on our shared priorities and the challenges that lie ahead. In particular, we discussed the crucial work that remains to be done in implementing the Stormont House Agreement. We plan to meet in Dublin in the near future to discuss these matters in more detail.
Last December the signing of the Stormont House Agreement demonstrated what can be achieved when the two Governments and the Northern Ireland Executive parties work together towards the shared aims of advancing the reconciliation agenda and building a more prosperous Northern Ireland. It is time to return to this work. I look forward to doing so in partnership with Secretary of State Villiers and in support of the power-sharing institutions in Belfast.
182. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his visit to Switzerland on 6 and 7 May 2015. [19119/15]
View answerI made a two day official visit to Switzerland on 6 and 7 May at the invitation of my Swiss counterpart, Foreign Minister Didier Burkhalter.
The purpose of my visit was to strengthen our relations with Switzerland, particularly by advancing our cooperation on issues of international concern and by supporting our important bilateral economic relations. I believe my visit achieved both of these goals and I am very grateful to my Swiss hosts for their excellent cooperation.
I travelled to Berne on 6 May and met with Minister Burkhalter for consultations on a range of foreign policy issues of mutual interest. Our discussions focused on areas where our countries have worked closely together, such as nuclear disarmament, the OSCE and sustainable development. Switzerland and Ireland share common approaches on many policies including UN reform, the role of the OSCE, and non-proliferation and it was agreed that further opportunities for such cooperation should be pursued.
I then travelled to Zurich where I addressed a seminar organised by the Irish Funds Industry Association in cooperation with IDA Ireland. The seminar on 7 May was attended by fund and asset managers in Switzerland and in my opening address I highlighted the Government’s commitment to IFS2020 – the new Strategy for Ireland's International Financial Services Sector. The full text of my speech was attached to a press release issued on that date by my Department and which is available on the Departmental website.
The seminar, hosted by Swiss global financial services company UBS, was also addressed by industry experts who outlined why Ireland is among the best countries in the world to do business and is the location of choice for administrating and domiciling investment funds.
Switzerland is Ireland’s fifth largest market for merchandise exports and, during my visit, I had the opportunity to meet with current and potential Swiss investors, including senior management at Zurich Insurance and at UBS.
183. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the issue of a referendum in the United Kingdom on European Union membership; if he will report on any discussions with European Union counterparts on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19120/15]
View answerI have of course been following very closely the debate in the United Kingdom regarding its relationship with the European Union, along with my Government colleagues. Since last week’s general election in the UK, Prime Minister Cameron has reiterated his commitment to holding a referendum on the country’s EU membership by 2017.
While a referendum on the subject will be strictly a matter for the British people to decide, my Government colleagues and I have been clear in stating that the more than forty years of EU membership by the UK and Ireland have been hugely beneficial to our country and our bilateral relationship. The important role the EU has played in the context of Northern Ireland should also not be forgotten, as the Taoiseach emphasised recently in a speech in Belfast.
Our unique relationship with the UK – in economic, social, cultural and historical terms – means we have a deep interest in the outcome of this debate about that country’s future in Europe. We also value the contribution the UK has made to the EU and we share a similar approach on many key policy areas. A key priority will be ensuring that our UK partners are fully aware of the potential consequences for Ireland of any fundamental change in the nature of their membership of the EU.
I have addressed many of these points directly with Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond. He and I now speak on a regular basis and will continue to do so following his re-appointment to the role this week. I also discuss this issue with other EU counterparts as well as those from outside the EU.
In addition to my own contacts and those of the Taoiseach and others, the Embassy of Ireland in London is, of course, very active with regard to the EU-UK relationship. Its input and reporting on this issue, together with the reports and analysis we receive from our other diplomatic missions across the EU, will continue to be of key importance.
We will work closely in the coming period with both our British and EU partners with the objective of ensuring continued UK membership of the European Union.
184. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide a list of the secondary schools in County Donegal which have an Irish language stream within the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18910/15]
View answerThe information the Deputy requires is contained in the following table.
Post primary schools in Co. Donegal where some or all pupils are taught some or all subjects through the medium of Irish.
|
School Roll Number |
Official School Name |
Address 1 |
Address 2 |
Address 3 |
Irish language classification |
|
71242B |
Gairm Scoil Chú Uladh |
Béal an Átha Móir |
An Clochan, Leifear |
Co. Dhun na nGall |
All pupils taught all subjects through Irish |
|
76079S |
Coláiste Phobail Cholmcille |
Baile Úr Oileán Thoraí |
Doirí Beaga |
Co. Dhun na nGall |
All pupils taught all subjects through Irish |
|
76081F |
Coláiste Ailigh |
Cnoc na Móna, |
Leitir Ceanainn |
Co. Dhun na nGall |
All pupils taught all subjects through Irish |
|
76107U |
Gaelcholaiste Chineál Eoghain |
Muileann Thulaigh Gharbhain |
Bun Cranncha |
Co. Dhun na nGall |
All pupils taught all subjects through Irish |
|
91409A |
PobalScoil Gaoth Dobhair |
Doirí Beaga |
Leitir Ceanainn |
Co. Dhun na nGall |
All pupils taught all subjects through Irish |
|
91408V |
Pobalscoil Chloich Cheannfhaola |
An Fálcarrach |
Leitir Ceanainn |
Co. Dhun na nGall |
Some pupils taught some subjects through Irish |
|
71244F |
Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada |
An Leadhbgarbh |
Áraninn Mhór |
Co. Dhun na nGall |
This school while classified as teaching curriculum subjects through the medium of English has an Aonad attached to the school where a significant number of pupils are taught through the medium of Irish. |
185. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the systematic literature review on educating persons with autistic spectrum disorders has not been published, in spite of the fact that, according to the tender document, it was due to be submitted by January 2014, and the findings were presented at the National Council for Special Education research conference six months ago. [18913/15]
View answer186. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will confirm that most of the best evidenced studies reviewed in a study (details supplied) were based on behavioural principles, as stated by Dr. Bond at the National Council for Special Education research conference. [18914/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 185 and 186 together. As the Deputy may be aware the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is at an advanced stage in preparing policy advice on the education of children with autism. The NCSE commissioned two separate pieces of research in the context of the policy advice. One is a systematic literature and country review of evidence relating to Educating Persons with Autism, and the second is an evaluation of current provision. All NCSE commissioned research reports go through an extensive internal quality assurance process before being signed off by the Council. Reports then go through copy editing and design phases which take several more months. The NCSE has advised that it expects the literature review in question, the findings of which were presented at their research conference, to be published shortly. It would not be appropriate for me to comment on the detail of the study. I expect that the NCSE final report on the policy advice, which is to be delivered shortly, will consider the broadest possible range of views and provide recommendations which will assist the development of policy for future years.
187. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to review her Department's approach to applied behaviour analysis schooling; her plans to remove the board certified behaviour analysts employed as directors of education from the former applied behaviour analysis pilot schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18915/15]
View answerMy Department supports the use of Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) and training is provided for teachers in its use. The use of ABA as part of the range of interventions is particularly useful for addressing behavioural issues. The NCSE is at an advanced stage in preparing policy advice on the education of children with autism, which will incorporate a review of literature on the effectiveness of the range of evidence-based practices and interventions for the education of children with autism. I expect that the final report, which is to be delivered shortly, will consider the broadest possible range of views and provide recommendations which will assist the development of policy for future years. As the Deputy is aware my Department previously funded a number of centres through an ABA pilot scheme. All of the centres which participated in the scheme have been granted recognition as special schools for children with autism and operate in line with my Department's policy. My Department has committed to provide funding to the schools to facilitate the cost of employing the behavioural analysts in question until 2017. I have no plans to remove them in the interim.
188. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding home tuition; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18918/15]
View answerI wish to reiterate that the position outlined in earlier responses on this issue is factually correct. The record of the Dáil therefore is accurate and does not require correction. The Home Tuition Scheme operated by my Department is designed to support children who are not in a position to attend school and, because of this, it is generally the case that the tuition is provided at the child's place of residence. In the majority of cases therefore, there will be 1 child in receipt of an individualised educational programme at home. The tuition will therefore be delivered on a 1:1 basis in all such cases. Funding is provided by my Department on this basis. Where parents of children who are eligible for home tuition have sought alternative arrangements to be put in place for the tuition my Department has responded and facilitated by putting arrangements in place with private commercial organisations which provide group tuition to children in a class type setting. Payment in these cases is made directly to the service provider and is calculated on a group rate basis. My Department has no contract with these providers and therefore the question of procurement or tendering does not arise. At the time when a previous question on the issue was addressed my Department had concluded an arrangement with one private commercial organisation which provided group tuition to children in a class type setting. Under that arrangement, payment was made directly to the service provider concerned and was calculated on a group rate basis. The arrangement which at that time was the only exception, was put in place to facilitate the parents of the children in question all of whom had been approved as eligible for home tuition. There are now similar arrangements in place with 6 private pre-school providers which provide group tuition to children in a class type setting for children for whom home tuition has been approved. The Deputy may be aware that the NCSE is at an advanced stage in preparing policy advice on the education of children with autism which will incorporate a review of current state- funded educational provision for children with autism. I expect that the final report, which is to be delivered shortly, will consider the broadest possible range of views and provide recommendations which will assist the development of policy for future years.
189. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she has a strategy to help incentivise and promote careers in the hospitality and catering sectors; if she is aware that such careers are particularly important in peripheral and rural areas where other career options may be limited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18941/15]
View answer190. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the measures in place for training persons for the hospitality and craft sectors; her plans regarding the advancement of this sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18943/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 189 and 190 together.
The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN), together with the SOLAS Skills & Labour Market Research Unit (SLMRU), is currently undertaking a study 'Assessing Future Skills Requirements of the Hospitality Sector 2015-2020'. The study will assess the current and planned domestic supply of hospitality-related skills from higher education, further education and training, and private sector provision and map identified skills needs against this provision. The scale and nature of the developmental response required to address such gaps will also be identified.
The study is expected to include recommendations on measures to build up the domestic skill supply of talent over the period 2014-2020, including through (a) the higher education and further education systems; continuing professional development; and talent retention initiatives. It will also advise on optimising the use of existing resources – in both Government and the private sector. The Further Education and Training (FET) Services Plan (2015) estimates that there will be 3,101 beneficiaries of FET provision in the Food and Beverages sectors in 2015. The plan also estimates that there will be 9,195 beneficiaries of FET provision in the Tourism and Sport sectors in 2015. Overall in 2015 there is an estimated increase of 4,768 beneficiaries of FET provision in these sectors. SOLAS is also currently engaged in the development of a pilot Career Traineeship model of training programme delivery for the hotel sector. This model is being developed in partnership with Education and Training Boards (ETBs) the Irish Hotel Federation, Fáilte Ireland and hoteliers. These pilot training programmes will commence in the last quarter of 2015. In addition, Momentum 2 provides for 1,334 places for the Hospitality Sector.
