Written Answers Nos. 177-201
177. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures in the proposed RDP for the 2021 to 2027 period published by the EU Commission on 1 June 2018 that give member states the option to introduce measures to mitigate risks from extreme weather events for farmers and the agrifood sector. [49989/18]
View answerIn recent times we have seen the European agriculture sector, including Ireland, experiencing a series of extreme weather events. This has caused significant hardship and additional costs for many of our farmers.
So far, response options have been reactive in nature with ad hoc schemes being introduced to provide support to those who have been adversely affected by these weather related events.
Given the increase in the number of such weather events, I believe it is opportune to examine implementable solutions.
It is important in the first instance to acknowledge that the CAP itself, whether through price supports under Pillar 1, or physical measures under Pillar 2, does provide support to stabilise farm incomes, as well as improving on-farm structural and environmental resilience. However further consideration needs to be given as to how we can assist farmers in better managing risks. It is clear that we need to examine additional measures that will enhance the resilience of farmers in their ability to respond and adapt to adverse events. The CAP post 2020 proposals have rightly raised this issue.
There are nine principal objectives underpinning the future CAP. Amongst other issues, these are clear in recognising the role agriculture has to play in meeting our environmental and climate change targets. The agriculture sector is vulnerable to climate change, in terms of the impact adverse weather events have had on food production and crop yields. Actions under the CAP are expected to contribute 40% of the overall financial envelope of the CAP to climate objectives.
Pillar 2 schemes such as agri-environment and risk management measures can encourage farmers to farm in a more sustainable environmental friendly way, while at the same time provide support to farmers to help them better manage the risks. Since the needs and circumstances of farmers are very different between, and indeed within, Member States, it is important that Member States are afforded sufficient flexibility at national level to assess the risk management instruments appropriate to their farmers, whether these be based on combating income instability or addressing a range of physical risks. I am open to exploring other options including Insurance Schemes and Mutual Funds.
It is of course worth noting that we are in the process of negotiating these draft proposals. I will continue to work hard to ensure the best possible outcome for Irish farmers in the CAP post 2020.
178. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the townlands that will be eligible for the 2019 ANC scheme that were not eligible for the 2018 scheme; and the townlands that will not be eligible for the 2019 ANC scheme that were eligible for the 2018, scheme in tabular form. [49990/18]
View answerA listing of townlands newly eligible for the 2019 ANC scheme and the townlands no longer eligible for the 2019 ANC scheme is attached. In each case the total area of the townland and the agricultural area (ie the potential payable area) is included. Where townlands are no longer eligible in 2019, this may not necessarily lead to a direct financial loss for an individual farmer within that townland.
179. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the ex ante assessment for the use of financial instruments within Ireland’s European agricultural fund for rural development and European Maritime and Fisheries Fund operational programmes; and if the final report has been submitted to the RDP monitoring committee. [49991/18]
View answerThe ex-ante assessment for the use of financial instruments within Ireland’s European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Operational Programmes has been completed and is available on the Department’s website at the following link:
https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/ruralenvironmentsustainability/ruraldevelopmentprogrammerdp2014-2020/.
The report involved a detailed evaluation of access to finance for enterprises in the agriculture and seafood sectors in Ireland and examined the required steps of an ex ante assessment as outlined in Article 37 (2) of EU Regulation 1303/2013.
The report was presented to the Rural Development Programme Monitoring Committee in September 2017. Following this, a written public consultation on the Ex-Ante Assessment was held to hear the views of stakeholders on the proposed use of Financial Instruments.
My Department has assessed the feedback from the RDP Monitoring Committee and considered the public consultation responses. It also considered the effect of the changes in the implementation of Financial Instruments following the adoption of EU Regulation 2017/2393 during this period. Work on this issue is ongoing; the Monitoring Committee will be updated on any developments.
180. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 216 of 8 November 2018, the full-year cost of the number of public servants deployed to work exclusively on market access and other associated costs. [49992/18]
View answerOne of my key priorities is to further increase the market opportunity for Irish food and drinks internationally. Market development is a key component of Food Wise 2025, and is particularly important in the context of Brexit.
My Department’s market access effort includes work at political, diplomatic, and technical levels. The work of staff right across the Department is central to this effort. Veterinary, inspection and administrative staff involved in the protection of public and animal health, the provision of laboratory services and the certification of exports, are directly involved in supporting my Department’s efforts to access new markets, for example through the provision of critical information to competent authorities in third countries, the facilitation of inspection visits by third country officials, or the agreement of export health certificates.
This wider effort work is co-ordinated by a team of 14 people working specifically on market access and the identification of technical barriers to trade across a range of commodities and livestock.
The salary scales for the grades included in the key cohort of staff working exclusively on market access issues are as illustrated in the table.
|
Grade |
Number involved |
Salary Scale |
|
Assistant Principal |
2 |
€66,495 - €77,460 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
1 |
€48,028 - €56,441 |
|
Administrative Officer |
1 |
€31,848 - €56,441 |
|
Executive Officer |
2 |
€29,316 - €46,891 |
|
Clerical Officer |
3 |
€23,338 - €37,204 |
|
Veterinary Inspector |
1 |
€56,055 - €84,825 |
|
Senior Veterinary Inspector |
3 |
€89,795 -€96,761 |
|
Senior Superintending Veterinary Inspector |
1 |
€98,948 - €110,602 |
However, as previously stated, it should be noted that there is a wider effort by staff in all grades right across my Department which together contribute to this important market access work.
Also, my Department has appointed agricultural attachés to embassies in Beijing, Washington, and Abu Dhabi to provide support to our trade development efforts in these critical third country markets. It keeps the locations of such appointments under review in line with the market opportunities in these regions.
My Department also funds the operations of Bord Bia and works closely with other Government Departments and agencies to increase the global footprint of Irish food, including by leading multi-agency trade missions.
I will continue to keep these arrangements under review to ensure that resources are optimally deployed and that our efforts to develop the global footprint of the Irish food sector are effective.
181. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the progress made on the application to the EU Globalisation Fund to aid affected Bord na Móna workers in their transition into new employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49852/18]
View answerIn relation to the European Globalisation Fund, I understand that Bord na Móna is currently assessing its eligibility in relation to an application to the European Globalisation Fund for assistance.
182. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will address a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49872/18]
View answerStorm Callum recently felled 2 trees sited on IFI’s Fish farm at Cullion, Mullingar which unfortunately entered onto the site of St. Bridget’s Well. Following consultation with Local Authorities and other relevant stakeholders IFI established St. Bridget’s Well site ownership and was granted permission to access the property in order to safely remove the storm damaged trees. IFI is in the process of arranging the removal works with suitably competent tree surgeons and will repair any consequential damage. This work will be scheduled for completion shortly.
183. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will release a copy of the pre-qualification questionnaire for the national broadband plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49874/18]
View answer184. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will release a copy of the project information memorandum for the national broadband plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49875/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 183 and 184 together.
The formal procurement for the State intervention was launched on 22 December 2015 with the publication of the Pre-qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) and Project Information Memorandum (PIM) in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU). The PQQ was issued to Bidders intending to submit a pre-qualification response before the closing date of 31 March 2016. This was the first step in the NBP procurement process. The PQQ assisted the Department in evaluating the eligibility, economic and financial standing and technical and professional capability of each Bidder to provide the services required.
With regard to the Project Information Memorandum (PIM), as outlined in the second paragraph of the Important Notice section on page 5, the information in the PIM as drawn up in 2015 is preliminary and indicative only and it was recognised that it would be superseded by subsequent information provided to the bidder.
A copy of both the PQQ and the PIM will be made available on my Department's website shortly.
185. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the importing of fossil fuels extracted using fracking will be prohibited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49883/18]
View answerI refer to the reply to Question Nos. 534 and 549 of 20 November 2018. The position remains unchanged.
186. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the expansion of fossil fuel facilities here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49884/18]
View answerIreland’s energy policy is fully aligned with the EU’s climate and energy objectives on the transition to decarbonisation, which includes continuous and on-going review of policies to reduce harmful emissions, improve energy efficiency, incentivise efficient and sustainable infrastructure investment, integrate markets, and promote research and innovation while ensuring our energy security of supply is maintained and enhanced. The 2015 Energy White Paper, Ireland's Transition to a Low Carbon Energy Future, sets out a road-map for Ireland to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 80-95% by 2050. The strategy is clear that non-renewable energy sources will make a significant – though progressively smaller – contribution to our energy mix over the course of the energy transition.
The National Mitigation Plan, published in July 2017, restates the Government’s commitment to move from a fossil fuel-based electricity system to a low-carbon power system. Investment in further renewable generation will be incentivised. In addition to this the planned closure of Moneypoint by 2025 and the ending of peat for electricity generation will have a positive impact.
During this transition, gas has the potential to deliver significant and sustained benefits, particularly in terms of enhanced security of supply. Natural Gas has the potential to play an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the power generation, industrial and commercial, residential and transport sectors by replacing more CO2-intensive fossil fuels. In Ireland gas powered generation also provides an important back-up for intermittent renewable wind generation.
I have secured government approval to develop an all of government plan which will set out the actions which must be taken in every government department and body to make Ireland a leader in responding to climate change. I will work with colleagues across government to develop new initiatives across electricity, transport, heat, as well as a range of other sectors.
187. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the roll out of high speed broadband for counties Roscommon and Galway under the national broadband plan payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49900/18]
View answerIn April 2017 my Department published an updated High Speed Broadband Map which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. This map shows the areas targeted by commercial operators to provide high speed broadband services and the areas that will be included in the State Intervention Area under the National Broadband Plan. The Map is colour coded and searchable by address/Eircode: - The AMBER areas represent the target areas for the proposed State led Intervention under the NBP and are the subject of an ongoing procurement process.
- The BLUE represent those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services.
- The LIGHT BLUE areas represent eir's commercial rural deployment plans to rollout high speed broadband to 300,000 premises as part of a Commitment Agreement signed with my Department in April 2017.
There are some 39,000 premises in Roscommon. Nearly 18,500 (47%) fall within the AMBER area and will be served under the State led Intervention. More than 17,000 (44%) of premises are in a BLUE area and are or will be served by commercial providers, while some 3,500 (9%) are LIGHT BLUE and fall to be served by eir's planned rural deployment.
There are some 135,000 premises in Galway. Just over 39,000 (29%) fall within the AMBER area and will be served under the State led Intervention. Nearly 85,500 (63%) of premises are in a BLUE area and are or will be served by commercial providers, while nearly 10,500 (8%) are LIGHT BLUE and fall to be served by eir's planned rural deployment.
Information on categories of specific premises can be accessed on the Department’s website, www.broadband.gov.ie, by entering the relevant Eircode into the High Speed Broadband Map.
According to data for Q3 2018 submitted by eir to my Department the company has passed almost 210,000 premises nationwide as part of its ongoing deployment to 300,000 premises. Further detail on this progress is provided on its website www.fibrerollout.ie.
My priority is bringing the procurement process to a fair and impartial conclusion as quickly as possible. My Department will now conclude its assessment of the final tender submission received by the bidder on 18 September 2018 and I will bring a recommendation to Government in the coming weeks.
188. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the position regarding the awarding by the Environmental Protection Agency of an integrated pollution prevention licence to operators; the exact methodology used to calculate the cost of the licence to be paid by the operator annually; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49905/18]
View answerThe Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was established by the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992 as an independent body whose primary function is to monitor the quality of our environment and to ensure compliance with environmental protection legislation. This includes issuing specified licences under the principal Act and also under the Waste Management Act 1996, as amended. The EPA charges licensed facilities in proportion to the risk their activity poses to the environment, and for the enforcement effort in monitoring and determining compliance. The EPA has published a "Licensing and Enforcement Charging Policy" on its website. The policy encompasses both licensing application fees (including related fees such as objection/oral hearing, etc.) and annual licence enforcement charges. The policy document sets out:
- Enforcement charge setting principles
- What enforcement charges do, and do not, fund within the EPA's activities
- Corporate governance and accountability
- How enforcement charges are calculated
The EPA enforcement charges are determined by the EPA using the following six principles which are outlined in the charging policy:
- The "polluter pays" principle
- Risk-based charging
- Burden sharing
- Ring-fencing of costs
- Appropriate cost recovery
- Balance
The full methodology for the calculation of the annual enforcement charge is set out in section 4 of the aforementioned "Licensing and Enforcement Charging Policy" which is available on the Agency’s website at:
https://www.epa.ie/pubs/reports/enforcement/EPA%20Licensing%20&%20Enforcement%20Charging%20Policy.pdf.
The policy also sets out the arrangements in place should a licencee form the view that the enforcement charge set by the EPA is incorrect or unreasonable.
189. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the details of all costs incurred in the preparation of the foreshore lease application (details supplied) made by SEAI for an offshore site in County Mayo, including the costs of all consultations, studies, assessment documents and reports relating to the entire project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49913/18]
View answerI am advised by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) that costs incurred in the preparation of the environmental impact study and foreshore lease application for the Atlantic Marine Energy Test Site (AMETS) were €818,871. This covers costs for all studies conducted between 2010 and 2011 in preparation for the Foreshore application. Costs relating to one study completed in 2009 which informed the selection and development of the site have been more difficult to locate due to change of financial system. However, these are being sought by the Authority and will be forwarded directly to the Deputy as soon as possible. The Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (OREDP) 2014 sets the policy framework for the sustainable development of our offshore renewable energy resources. Ireland is currently developing a suite of world class ocean energy test facilities capable of taking an ocean energy technology through the main technology readiness levels. The Lir National Ocean Test Facility in Cork consists of state of the art wave tanks and electrical rigs that allow for scaled testing in a controlled environment. The Galway Bay Marine and Renewable Energy Test Site (GBMRETS) allows ¼ scale devices to be tested in real sea conditions.
The AMETS is being developed by the SEAI to facilitate testing of full scale wave energy converters in an open ocean environment. AMETS will be located off Annagh Head, west of Belmullet in County Mayo and will be connected to the national grid. At present all development in Irish coastal waters from the high tide mark out to 12 nautical miles must receive consent to develop from the Minister for Housing Planning and Local Government in order to proceed. The AMETS foreshore lease was granted by the Minister for Housing Planning and Local Government in 2015.
Planning permission for the onshore aspects of the AMETS, including the electrical substations, was awarded in April 2017. The next steps are to commission a detailed design of the substation and tender for construction and connection to the electricity network.
190. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to introduce financial support for persons (details supplied) who use incontinence pads in view of increased refuse costs associated with same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49918/18]
View answerMy Department is continuing the work of developing a mechanism to provide a €75 support for vulnerable persons with a condition such as lifelong or long-term medical incontinence to help meet the average annual cost of disposing of their domestic waste. I am informed that this process has taken longer than envisaged, due to a number of issues, including data protection issues that have arisen since the introduction of GDPR. However, I can assure the Deputy that I am committed to introducing an annual support as soon as practically possible in conjunction with relevant agencies and stakeholders.
191. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will review a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49933/18]
View answer193. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that lack of publicity in relation to difficulties receiving an Eircode is causing long delays for persons with new homes acquiring broadband from certain providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50046/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 191 and 193 together.
Eircodes are assigned to new property addresses using a valid postal address and verified geo-locations. An Post collects information on new and existing buildings, as well as changes to existing addresses and Ordnance Survey Ireland provides the geo-locations for these buildings. An Post GeoDirectory, issue a new release of the GeoDirectory database file on a quarterly basis to Capita Business Support Services Ireland, trading as Eircode, in accordance with their licence agreement.
Each new address assigned an Eircode is published on the free to use Eircode Finder website, a notification letter is issued to the occupant containing the Eircode of that address and an updated Eircode Database is provided to licenced businesses for their use. Eircode have informed my Department that 22,503 new addresses were assigned an Eircode in 2017.
Eircode have advised my officials they have been in contact with the individual in question on a number of occasions regarding an Eircode for the new address and will liaise further with the individual. In relation to the Eircode website, Eircode has informed my officials they will update their website to improve and clarify information in relation to the allocation of new Eircodes for new buildings in conjunction with An Post.
My officials are working with An Post, Ordinance Survey Ireland, An Post GeoDirectory and Capita to improve and expedite the process of assigning Eircodes for new build properties.
192. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the recent findings of the ObSERVE Programme into marine life will inform his policy on issuing licences for the exploration of oil and gas in view of the fact that such activity is known to destroy plankton, damage breeding grounds for many species and cause disorientation to many whale species listed in the ObSERVE study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49955/18]
View answerIn advance of the 2015 Atlantic Margin Licencing Round, the Irish Offshore Strategic Environmental Assessment (IOSEA) 5 Environmental Report in respect of oil and gas exploration activities in the Irish offshore was undertaken by my Department. Policy in respect of exploration activities carried out under an exploration licence offshore Ireland is informed by IOSEA5. The ObSERVE Programme has highlighted the rich diversity of cetaceans and seabirds offshore Ireland. The findings of the Programme are already informing the environmental aspects of decision making in respect of applications for exploration activities offshore Ireland through the statutory consent process. Exploration or production activities proposed to be carried out under an exploration licence or petroleum lease (e.g. a seismic survey or drilling of a well) are subject to assessment of compliance with the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive, the Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive. In addition, the observations of the National Parks and Wildlife Service regarding potential impacts on Annex IV Protected Species and sites protected under the Birds and Habitats legislation are sought.
Scientific research regarding the potential for exploration activities to have an adverse impact on plankton and fish with trophic links to cetaceans is limited and not settled. My Department is mindful of the need to keep abreast of current international research projects in this regard.
194. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if further progress has been made regarding allowing asylum seekers to apply for an Irish driver licence. [49906/18]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, historically Ireland has not issued driving licences to asylum-seekers.
As I advised in response to Question no. 3 on 19 September 2018, I have asked my officials to re-examine the question of whether we should issue driving licences to asylum-seekers, this matter is still under consideration in consultation with my colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality.
195. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the ongoing efforts by the NTA to review the small public service vehicle industry; the planned actions arising from this review; and if there will be a public consultation period or other mechanism for public representatives to submit their views in relation to same. [49858/18]
View answerUnder the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013, the National Transport Authority (NTA) is responsible for the development and operation of a regulatory framework for the licensing of, and the standards to be applied to, small public service vehicles and their drivers in addition to the provision of services involving small public service vehicles.
In line with that responsibility the NTA is undertaking a review of key aspects of taxi, hackney and limousine operations with the intention of developing a five year strategy for the small public service vehicle industry that will guide its regulatory development over that timeframe.
This review is considering, with the assistance and input of the Advisory Committee on Small Public Service Vehicles, a variety of issues including issues related to vehicle licensing, vehicle standards, driver licensing, wheelchair accessible vehicles, fixed payment offences and technological developments.
The NTA intends to conduct a public consultation process in the first half of 2019 in relation to the proposals emerging from the review process. As part of that procedure, public representatives will have the opportunity to submit their views. Where any recommendations emerging from the review were to involve a significant revision of a policy nature and/or require legislative change, then these would be subject to full consideration by the Department.
196. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 871 of 6 November 2018, if councillors are free to make changes to speed limits (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49864/18]
View answerAs I explained to the Deputy in response to Question No. 871 of 6 November, the Road Traffic Act 2004 sets default speed limits for various categories of roads but elected members of local authorities have statutory responsibility for deciding on and making appropriate Special Speed Limit bye-laws for roads within their administrative area and, in the case of national roads, subject to the consent of Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). The making of such bye-laws is a reserved function of the elected members of the council.
To assist local authorities in the application of Special Speed Limits, my Department's updated Guidelines for Setting and Managing Speed Limits in Ireland, which is available on my Department’s website, reiterate the statutory responsibilities of elected members in relation to the making of such Special Speed Limit bye-laws, while providing Guidelines taking account of relevant national policy and local circumstances - including road safety.
197. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the level of funding allocated through Fáilte Ireland to County Westmeath for the purpose of promoting tourism within the county in 2019. [49893/18]
View answer198. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the level of funding allocated through Fáilte Ireland to County Longford for the purpose of promoting tourism within the county in 2019 will be examined. [49898/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 197 and 198 together.
My Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of developing national tourism policy, while the tourism agencies have operational responsibility for the implementation of this policy. Although my Department provides funding to Fáilte Ireland for investment in tourism, it has no role in the administration of the agency's funding programme.
I have asked Fáilte Ireland to provide the Deputy with further details with regard to funding for the development of tourism in Longford and Westmeath and the promotion of those counties. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
199. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost of the establishment of the designated authority for noise regulation at Dublin Airport as required under EU Regulation 598/2014; the estimated annual running costs for the competent authority to carry out this regulatory function; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49904/18]
View answerIt is estimated that the set-up cost of establishing the Competent Authority under EU Regulation 598/2014 will be in the region of €350,000. It is further estimated that when the Competent Authority is making a regulatory determination - which will typically be in five year cycles - the cost of this peak activity will be in the region of €1 million. In years where activity is related to monitoring and reporting only - in other words, the years between each regulatory determination - the running costs will of course be less than this.
It is intended that these costs will be met by a levy that the Competent Authority can impose on the daa. The daa will be liable to pay this levy on a monthly, biannual or annual basis, as determined by the Competent Authority, and it will be based on costs incurred by or reasonably expected to occur in the performance of its functions as the Competent Authority.
200. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated cost of increasing the number of programme weeks in the early childhood care and education and ECCE programmes by one week to 14 weeks, respectively in tabular form. [49890/18]
View answerThe Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme provides for a programme of early learning for children before commencing primary school.
With effect from September 2018, all children meeting the minimum age requirement of 2 years and 8 months will be eligible for a full two programme years on the ECCE scheme. This further enhancement delivers fully on a commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government that is good for children and families.
The below table shows the cost of increasing the number of weeks available to children in 2019, based on estimated registration figures:
Increase in ECCE Programme Weeks (€m)
|
Additional |
Number of Weeks |
Total Cost |
Increase |
|
0 |
38 |
298.1 |
0 |
|
1 |
39 |
305.9 |
7.8 |
|
2 |
40 |
313.8 |
15.7 |
|
3 |
41 |
321.6 |
23.5 |
|
4 |
42 |
329.5 |
31.4 |
|
5 |
43 |
337.3 |
39.2 |
|
6 |
44 |
345.2 |
47.1 |
|
7 |
45 |
353.0 |
54.9 |
|
8 |
46 |
360.9 |
62.8 |
|
9 |
47 |
368.7 |
70.6 |
|
10 |
48 |
376.5 |
78.4 |
|
11 |
49 |
384.4 |
86.3 |
|
12 |
50 |
392.2 |
94.1 |
|
13 |
51 |
400.1 |
102.0 |
|
14 |
52 |
407.9 |
109.8 |
201. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the first and full-year cost of restoring the school completion programme to peak levels of funding. [49891/18]
View answerThis question has been answered previously. I would refer the Deputy to the answer to PQ48526/18 answered on November 21st 2018 and the answer to PQ 43136/18 answered on October 18th 2018. The response to those questions was as follows:
"As the Deputy may be aware, responsibility for the National Educational Welfare Board which included the School Completion Programme (SCP) was transferred to my Department on its establishment in 2011.
Upon the establishment of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency on January 1st 2014, operational responsibility for the SCP was transferred to the Agency.
The SCPs are funded in line with the academic year commencing in September each year. The funding available to the SCP for the school year 2018/2019 stands at €24.7 million.
The Educational Welfare Service (EWS) of Tusla has advised that the first and full-year cost of restoring the SCP to peak levels of funding would be €7.3 million."
