Written Answers Nos. 74-93
74. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the steps the OPW has taken to mitigate the effects of coastal erosion at Bettystown and Laytown beaches, County Meath; the levels of erosion experienced at these points on the coastline in the past ten years; the way in which the OPW plans to continue to measure the rate of erosion of the east Meath coastline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29295/17]
View answerCoastal erosion is a natural and ongoing process, which takes place around the entire coastline. Coastal erosion may threaten human life, infrastructure such as roads and may undermine and cause damage to properties. However, it should also be recognised that coastal erosion also has beneficial effects to the local environment, such as providing natural nourishment and supply of sediment to adjacent beaches.
The primary objective of Government policy on coastal protection is to ensure that in areas identified as being at greatest risk of damage or loss to economic assets through coastal erosion or flooding, appropriate and sustainable measures are identified by Local Authorities to protect those assets and, where such measures are economically justified on cost benefit grounds and compatible with all required environmental and other statutory requirements, they are implemented subject to the availability of resources.
The Office of Public Works (OPW) has undertaken a national assessment of coastal erosion (including erosion rates) under the Irish Coastal Protection Strategy Study (ICPSS) and the results of this study have been published on the OPW website. The relevant reports and associated predictive erosion hazard mapping (to 2050) may be viewed at http://www.opw.ie/en/floodriskmanagement/floodanderosionmapping/icpss
This Study has surveyed and assessed the coastal erosion risk along the entire national coastline and this information is available to all Local Authorities to enable them to develop appropriate plans and strategies for the sustainable management of the coastline in their counties including the identification, prioritisation and, subject to the availability of resources, the implementation of coastal protection works both of a structural and non-structural nature.
The Local Authorities may carry out coastal protection works using their own resources. If necessary, they may also put forward proposals to the relevant central Government Departments for funding of appropriate measures depending on the infrastructure or assets under threat.
Given an intervention within a coastal area may cause problems further along the coast, any proposed intervention measures are best developed in conjunction with a formal coastal erosion risk management study, which has carefully investigated the problem and explored the full range of management options.
The OPW operates the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme, under which applications for funding from Local Authorities are considered for measures costing not more than €750,000 in each instance. Funding for coastal erosion risk management studies may also be applied for under this scheme. Funding of up to 90% of the cost is available for projects, which meet the eligibility criteria including a requirement that the proposed measures are cost beneficial.
The OPW has published guidelines for coastal erosion risk management measures and funding applications under the Minor Works Scheme, available on the OPW website and http://www.opw.ie/en/media/FinalGuidelines&SchedulesB 2030-03-12.pdf
Following the severe storms of Winter 2013/2014 and on foot of submissions made by the Local Authority, total funding of €126,792 was provided by the OPW to Meath County Council under the Government decision S180/20/10/1272 of 11th February 2014 to allocate funding for the repair of damaged coastal protection infrastructure. Funding was approved for works at Laytown to include the replacement of gabions/rock armour revetment sea defence systems.
75. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the monetary value of all work contracted out under the aegis of his Department to external agencies or consultancies for work completed or investigations undertaken in human resources and industrial relations including hiring and interviewing of staff, disciplinary procedures and workplace related issues such as allegations of bullying and so on or dignity at work issues in each of the years 2015 and 2016. [29343/17]
View answerIn response to the Deputy’s question, the following table outlines the information sought in respect of bodies under the aegis of the Department:
* The Public Appointments Service is the centralised recruitment provider for the Civil Service and much of the Public Service, and procure external search services and in-depth assessments for some senior executive posts. Over the last 12 months, €157,823 was paid to four external providers in respect of six recruitment campaigns.
76. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if emergency funding will be provided to carry out repairs on a roof in a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29285/17]
View answerThe school to which the Deputy refers recently submitted an application to my Department for funding under the Emergency Works Scheme to carry out roof repairs. As the scope of the works are outside the terms of the scheme, the application was refused. The school may use its minor works grant to carry out the repairs.
77. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to parliamentary question No. 188 of 9 May 2017, if he has received assurances that at least one of the second level schools in Carrigaline, County Cork, will accept new first year students into their ASD programme for the 2017/18 school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29293/17]
View answerThis Government is committed to ensuring that all children with Special Educational Needs, including those with autism, can have access to an education appropriate to their needs, preferably in school settings through the primary and post primary school network.
Such placements facilitate access to individualised education programmes which may draw from a range of appropriate educational interventions, delivered by fully qualified professional teachers, with the support of Special Needs Assistants and the appropriate school curriculum.
My Department considers it essential that in assessing the need for special class placements the individual needs of children should be properly assessed to determine the appropriateness of special class provision for them.
Some students, although academically able to access the curriculum in mainstream, may find it too difficult to manage full-time placement there. This can be due to significant difficulties in areas such as behaviour or sensory needs which have not been ameliorated, even with appropriate intervention, in mainstream.
Enrolment in an ASD special class should only be considered where it has been demonstrated that a student requires the support of a special class because he/she is unable to learn effectively in a mainstream class for most or all of the school day even with appropriate supports.
Students enrolling in ASD Special Classes must have a report from a relevant professional or team of professionals (for example, psychologist, speech and language therapist, psychiatrist) stating that:
- S/he has ASD
- S/he has significant learning needs that require the support of a special class setting and the reasons why this is the case.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), in consultation with the relevant education partners, is responsible for the establishment of special classes in various geographical areas where there is an identified need.
Since 2011 the NCSE has increased the number of such classes by over 100% from 548 in 2011 to 1152 at present. The NCSE has informed my Department that it intends to establish an additional 174 Special Classes for the 2017/18 school year which will bring the total number of Special Classes available across the country to 1326.
With regard to ASD Post Primary provision in the Carrigaline area, the NCSE has informed my Department that there will be 4 ASD Post Primary classes, including 1 newly established class, for the forthcoming school year.
The NCSE has confirmed that first year students have enrolled into these classes and that they are satisfied that there are sufficient placements to meet existing demand in Carrialgailne.
Parents/guardians who may need advice or are experiencing difficulties in locating a school placement should contact their local Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO) who can assist in identifying an appropriate educational placement for their child. Contact details are available on www.ncse.ie.
78. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna cé mhéad scoil atá i dteideal a bheith aitheanta mar Scoil Ghaeltachta; agus cé mhéad scoil a chuir iarratas isteach ar an scéim aitheantais mar Scoil Ghaeltachta. [29307/17]
View answerI mí Aibreáin 2017 thug mo Roinn cuireadh do gach bunscoil agus gach iarbhunscoil i limistéar pleanála teanga Ghaeltachta bheith rannpháirteach sa Scéim Aitheantais Scoileanna Gaeltachta. Fuair 133 bunscoileanna agus 28 iarbhunscoileanna an cuireadh sin agus beimid ag glacadh le foirmeacha um léiriú spéise ó scoileanna sna limistéir pleanála teanga Ghaeltachta a bhfuil fonn orthu bheith rannpháirteach sa Scéim go dtí deireadh na míosa seo. Faoi láthair, tá foirmeacha um léiriú spéise faighte ag an Roinn ó bheagnach 80% de na bunscoileanna agus níos mó ná 90% de na hiarbhunscoileanna sna limistéir pleanála teanga Ghaeltachta.
79. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the appointment of a CEO to the City of Dublin Education Board in view of the controversy regarding the appointment of a person (details supplied) to the Court of Appeal; the steps he will take to ensure that all public appointments are made on the basis of open competition in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29317/17]
View answerThe Chief Executive (CE) post in City of Dublin ETB was filled in March 2016 in accordance with the agreed redeployment arrangements for the ETB sector.
In 2013, through a series of decisions the then Government decided to reduce 33 Vocational Education Committees (VECs) to 16 new entities, to be known as Education and Training Boards (ETBs) and to establish a new body to be known as SOLAS to replace FÁS. In order to address the redeployment of permanently appointed Chief Executive Officers of the former VECs, redeployment arrangements were agreed with SIPTU in the context of the Croke Park Agreement.
Under these agreed arrangements, permanent vacancies arising for CE of an Education and Training Board are subject to the application of these redeployment arrangements before open recruitment via the Public Appointments Service can be considered.
80. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills the monetary value of all work contracted out under the aegis of his Department to external agencies or consultancies for work completed or investigations undertaken in human resources and industrial relations including hiring and interviewing of staff, disciplinary procedures and workplace related issues such as allegations of bullying and so on or dignity at work issues in each of the years 2015 and 2016. [29336/17]
View answerIn 2015 and 2016 my Department did not engage an external agency or a consultant to carry out investigations in relation to human resources, industrial relations, disciplinary procedures, allegations of bullying or dignity at work issues.
In relation to the recruitment and selection of staff my Department engages the Public Appointments Service (PAS) which is an independent body established for such purposes under the terms of the Public Services Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004.
81. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an appeal for increased funding for additional accommodation by a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29370/17]
View answerThe school to which the Deputy refers was allocated devolved funding under my Department's Additional Accommodation Scheme 2015 to build 2 standalone classrooms and a WC for assisted users.
The school submitted an application for significant additional funding for works outside the scope of the approved project. This was refused.
The school appealed this decision. The case has been reviewed and the school has been informed that my Department's decision not to grant the additional funding stands. In this regard, I am sure the Deputy will understand that due to the level of demand on my Department's capital budget, it is necessary, in the interest of fairness, to ensure that as many schools as possible can benefit from the funding available and that individual schools do not benefit to the detriment of others.
The school has been advised to arrange for and submit a design consistent with the works approved by my Department. The grant earmarked for the approved works remains available to the school.
82. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding applications for works submitted by schools (details supplied). [29384/17]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that building projects for the schools in question are included in my Department's 6 year Construction Programme.
My Department has identified suitable sites as permanent locations for the schools and the acquisition process is underway. Discussions are ongoing in relation to the provision of access to the site and my Department is liaising with the Local Authority in this regard.
I can assure the Deputy that the acquisition of a new site for both schools is a priority for my Department and it is my Department's intention to complete this process as expeditiously as possible.
My Department will continue to liaise directly with the school authorities concerned in the context of progressing the projects through the architectural planning process.
83. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding applications for works submitted by schools (details supplied). [29385/17]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that building projects for the schools referred to in the details supplied are included in my Department's 6 Year Construction Programme. My Department will be in contact with both school authorities in the context of initiating the architectural planning process for the schools projects in due course.
84. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding applications for works submitted by a school (details supplied). [29386/17]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that a building project for the school in question is included in my Department's 6 Year Construction Programme.
The school will be aware that preparatory work has been initiated to advance this project including the technical assessment of the traffic survey. My Department will continue to liaise directly with the school authorities concerned in the context of progressing the project through the architectural planning process.
85. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a school (details supplied) will retain its third teacher when school restarts in September 2017. [29387/17]
View answerThe criteria used for the allocation of teaching posts is published annually on the Department website. The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September. The staffing schedule also includes an appeals mechanism for schools to submit an appeal under certain criteria to an independent Appeals Board.
The staffing schedule operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all similar types of schools equally irrespective of location.
The school referred to by the Deputy submitted an application for consideration by the Appeals Board at its April 2017 meeting under the small school criterion. The appeal was provisionally approved by the Appeals Board pending confirmation of the actual enrolments in September 2017. The school has been notified of the outcome of the appeal. The Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.
86. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will grant an application for additional accommodation at a school (details supplied). [29388/17]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that a building project for the school in question is included in my Department’s 6 Year Construction Programme (2019/21).
My Department will be in contact with the school authority in the context of initiating the architectural planning process for the project in due course.
In the meantime, my Department recently approved funding to the school to provide additional temporary accommodation pending the delivery of the building project.
87. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will grant an application for additional accommodation at a school (details supplied). [29389/17]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the school in question has submitted an application to my Department for capital funding for additional accommodation. The application will be considered and a decision will be conveyed to the school authority as soon as the assessment process has been completed.
88. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application by a school (details supplied) for building works; when a decision will be made on the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29392/17]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the school in question has submitted an application to my Department for capital funding for additional accommodation. The application will be considered and a decision will be conveyed to the school authority as soon as the assessment process has been completed.
89. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a proposed building project at a school (details supplied); when this project will proceed to construction stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29393/17]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that a building project for the school in question is included in my Department’s 6 year Construction Programme.
My Department is working towards finalising the acquisition of a site to provide the permanent location for this school and I can assure the Deputy that this acquisition is a priority for my Department.
90. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a school (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive confirmation of its capital application for essential accommodation required for the 2017 to 2018 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29420/17]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of an application from the school referred for additional accommodation.
My Department is currently considering the application and will be in contact with the school authority shortly on the matter.
91. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a SUSI higher education grant will be approved in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29424/17]
View answerAs part of a comprehensive customer service and communications strategy provided by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI), to ensure that all necessary avenues are open to applicants to receive the information they need, a dedicated email and phone line service is provided by SUSI for Oireachtas members. This was established to meet an identified need for applicants who choose to engage the assistance of their public representatives in making enquiries about their grant applications.
This service complements the established channels provided by SUSI which include online application tracking, a dedicated website, a telephone helpdesk, email and social media, including Facebook and Twitter.
Enquiries may be emailed direct to SUSI at oireachtas@susi.ie. Staff in SUSI are responding to email queries within a matter of days.
92. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the humanitarian crisis in Sri Lanka as a result of heavy rain which caused severe flooding and landslides in central, southern and western parts of the country; his plans to come to the assistance of these persons in this time of need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29261/17]
View answerI am aware of the need to ensure that humanitarian assistance and support is provided as quickly as possible to the many thousands of people suffering as a result of the damage caused by severe flooding and landslides in Sri Lanka. Ireland has not directly provided any emergency funding to Sri Lanka at this time. However, 228,000 Swiss francs ( €210,000 approx) was allocated from the International Federation of the Red Cross’s Disaster Emergency Relief Fund (DREF) on 28 May to support the Sri Lankan Red Cross Society in delivering assistance and support to 40,000 people affected by floods and landslides. Ireland has been a consistent donor to the DREF in recent years and donated a total of €1.1m in funding to it in 2016. On 24 February, the Start Fund provided €295,008 in funding to Handicap International, Oxfam, Save the Children and World Vision in response to drought in Sri Lanka. The Start Fund is an NGO-managed pooled fund which allocates small amounts of humanitarian funding to NGOs in the initial days of an emergency response and focusing on under-the-radar emergencies. It is currently funded by the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands and ECHO. Ireland contributed €1 million to the Start Fund in 2016.
Ireland has also supported the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) since it was first established in 2005, and is among the top eight contributors. We have contributed just over €12 million to CERF in 2017. To date this year, CERF has disbursed over US$7 million in funding to Sri Lanka.
We will continue to monitor the situation in Sri Lanka, including through our Embassy in New Delhi, which is accredited there. Our Ambassador in New Delhi maintains regular contact with the Sri Lankan authorities and regularly visits Sri Lanka for discussions.
93. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of documentation including birth certificates for persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29312/17]
View answerThe checking and adjudication of applications for citizenship through Foreign Birth Registration is a complex process, and it is important that the Department and our Embassies take all due care in relation to the verification of identity, eligibility and supporting documentation in each and every case. Consequently, we advise applicants that the process is likely to take around 20 weeks.
The applications for citizenship to which the Deputy refers were received at Embassy New Delhi on 13 February, 2017. I can advise that our Embassy in New Delhi has been in regular contact with the parents of the applicants concerned. I am pleased to confirm that the applications have now been processed and decisions will be communicated to the family by the Embassy in the coming days.
