Written Answers Nos. 75-94
75. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Skills the budget allocated for primary and post-primary school capital investment in 2019; and the finance directed to school expansion and building in the Dublin 12 area. [2076/19]
View answerMy Department's capital allocation in 2019 is €941m of which €672m is being allocated for capital spending in primary and post-primary schools. The school sector allocation will be expended primarily on the delivery of large scale projects and on the Additional Accommodation Scheme. Funding will be available for large scale projects that commenced on site in 2018 or earlier and that will remain under construction in 2019 and for large scale projects that are positioned to commence construction in 2019.
Information in relation to the current status of all major school building projects and additional accommodation projects including projects in Dublin 12 area is available on my Departments web-site and this information is updated on a regular basis.
Typically, expenditure levels of between 70% and 80% of the capital allocation available to schools annually is in respect of large scale projects and the Additional Accommodation Scheme. The balance available in 2019 will be expended on site acquisitions, the Summer Works Scheme, the Emergency Works Scheme, furniture and equipment provision and other smaller programmes.
76. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is satisfied with the level of second-level school places that exist in Dunshaughlin, County Meath providing for the amount of housing that is planned for the coming years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2043/19]
View answerIn April 2018, the Government announced plans for the establishment of 42 new schools over the next four years (2019 to 2022). The announcement followed nationwide, demographic exercises carried out by my Department into the future need for primary and post-primary schools across the country.
Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may, depending on the circumstances, be provided through either one, or a combination of, the following:
- Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools;
- Extending the capacity of a school or schools;
- Provision of a new school or schools.
In addition to the new schools announced, there will be a need for further school accommodation in other areas in the future. Approximately 40% of extra school places are delivered by extending existing schools.
While the announcement did not include a new post-primary school for the Dunshaughlin school planning area, the requirement for new schools will be kept under on-going review and will have regard for the increased rollout of housing provision as outlined in Project Ireland 2040.
Dunshaughlin post-primary school planning area is catered for by Dunshaughlin Community College. The school operates under the patronage of Louth and Meath Education and Training Board and has a current enrolment in the region of 1,000 pupils. The school is experiencing demand for additional school places and the ETB is open to assisting in meeting this demand. The ETB has submitted an application for additional accommodation which my Department is currently considering. The outcome will assist my Department in determining the future need in the area. In the meantime, my Department has approved the provision of additional temporary accommodation - 8 general classrooms and 1 science lab - to Louth and Meath Education and Training Board to meet the school’s immediate needs.
77. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the summer works scheme will be open to schools for new applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2062/19]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that I am committed to a new Summer Works Scheme which will open for applications in early 2019 for projects to be delivered from summer 2020.
78. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department has ownership or lease of a school (details supplied); and if not, the owner or leaser in this regard. [2074/19]
View answerThe property referred to by the Deputy is not in my ownership.
When State moneys are provided to facilitate building works to school property owned by a third party, a legal mechanism is put in place in order to protect the State's interest. This is known as a Charging Lease or Declaration of Trust. These leases protect the Minister's capital investment in the school property and require that the property be used as a school for a set period.
I can confirm that neither a charging lease or Declaration of Trust is in place on the property referred to by the Deputy which means that I do not have a vested interest in the property.
79. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Skills the details of an application lodged for a proposed building expansion of a school (details supplied). [2075/19]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that the planning process for the project to which he refers has been completed. The Department is in contact with the school in question to address a number of issues that have arisen on site. A decision on progression of the project to the next stage is imminent.
80. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the expected date for the publication of the review by a person (details supplied) of the compensation scheme for children abused in schools here. [2137/19]
View answerAs part of the implementation of ECtHR Judgement in the Louise O'Keeffe case, Mr Justice Iarfhlaith O’Neill, a retired High Court Judge was appointed in November 2017 as an independent assessor to assess cases where an individual has had an application for an ex-gratia scheme declined by the State Claims Agency.
Mr Justice O’Neill invited the Department to make a submission on ‘whether the imposition of the condition which required that there had to be evidence of a prior complaint of child sexual abuse on the part of the employee in question to the school authority (or a school authority in which the employee has previously worked), to establish eligibility for a payment under the ex gratia scheme, is consistent with and a correct implementation of the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Louise O’Keeffe v. Ireland’.
The submission forwarded to Mr Justice O’Neill on 27th April can be accessed on my Department's website.
Mr Justice O’Neill subsequently provided copies of submissions received by him from solicitors representing applicants for assessment and from third parties and asked the Minister to address in particular ‘the legal status and/or legal effect in domestic law, of decisions/determinations of the Committee of Ministers in relation to the implementation/enforcement of judgments of the ECtHR.’ The submission forwarded to Mr Justice O’Neill on 14th September can be accessed on the Department's website.
Mr Justice O’Neill then received submissions from third parties responding to the submission of 14th September and has asked for my response. This response is being prepared and will be published on the Department's website.
Mr Justice O'Neill is independent in his role and function and his deliberations will be given in due course.
81. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills if it is planned to make urgent provision for a student (details supplied) to attend the autism spectrum disorder, ASD, unit in a school and to be provided with a full-time special needs assistant, SNA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2155/19]
View answerMy officials have informed me that the student referred to by the Deputy has recently been enrolled in a Post Primary ASD special class placement in a school in the area.
Post Primary ASD special classes are resourced to cater for six pupils with complex educational needs and are staffed with a reduced PTR of 6:1.5 with a minimum of two Special Needs Assistants.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible for allocating a quantum of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support for each school annually taking into account the assessed care needs of children qualifying for SNA support enrolled in the school.
Where a school has received its allocation of SNA support for 2018/19, but wishes new enrolments or assessments to be considered, which were not taken into account when the initial allocation was made, they may continue to make applications to the NCSE.
82. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills if teachers working in autism spectrum disorder units have specialised training over and above that given to primary and secondary school teachers in view of the fact that the needs of children who attend such schools differ from those of children in mainstream schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2164/19]
View answerThe Teaching Council is the statutory body with responsibility for professional standards and regulation of the teaching profession. Under Section 38 of the Teaching Council Act, all initial teacher education programmes are subject to review and accreditation by the Teaching Council, in accordance with the Criteria and Guidelines for Programme Providers (published in 2011 and revised in March 2017). In accordance with these Criteria and Guidelines, inclusive education is a mandatory component for all students in ITE. Inclusive education encompasses education of children with special educational needs, including autism.
The learning outcomes of ITE programmes also reflect the need for the teacher to be able to conduct a systematic, holistic assessment of learner needs; to apply knowledge of the individual potential of students, their disposition towards learning and their backgrounds, identities and learning styles to their teaching; to set clear, challenging and achievable expectations for pupils; to evaluate learner progress; to act as an advocate for students, referring students for educational support as required and participating in the provision of that support, amongst other relevant outcomes.
The Teaching Council is currently carrying out a review of the impact of the current programmes, with a view to amending the Criteria and Guidelines before the next round of accreditation commences in 2020.
A recently published report from the National Council for Special Education on Initial Teacher Education for Inclusion: Phase 1 and 2 (NCSE Research Report No. 26), found that there is in general much good practice related to inclusive education in ITE, particularly in relation to the fostering of positive attitudes to inclusion, while also noting scope for further alignment between theory and practice, in particular as between student placement and the university experience. These findings will be considered by the Teaching Council in the course of its work.
Students in special classes require experienced teachers with appropriate qualifications and, wherever possible, a background in working with students with special educational needs.
Schools should endeavour to assign experienced teachers to Special Classes. Schools should also be proactive in meeting the continuing professional development needs of their special class teachers, in addition to developing and reviewing their whole school polices in relation to the education and inclusion of students with special educational needs.
The NCSE Support Service delivers a range of professional development initiatives and support for teachers working with students with special educational needs in special classes. Schools planning to open special class provision should contact the NCSE Support Service as soon as they receive their letter of sanction in order to facilitate planning for training of teachers. The NCSE Support Service can be contacted at: www.ncse.ie.
In addition to the above, the Department provides funding support for teachers to expand their capacity through courses at the Middletown Centre for Autism and through funded post-graduate provision at a number of higher education institutions for teachers involved in Learning Support & Special Education.
83. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there is a specific category under the Teaching Council for special education teachers as there is for primary, secondary and further education; his plans in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2165/19]
View answerThe Teaching Council is the body with statutory responsibility for the regulation of the teaching profession including the registration of teachers in Ireland.
The Teaching Council's (Registration) Regulations 2016 (SI 444 of 2016) set out the requirements to be registered as a teacher in Ireland. Under these regulations there are four defined routes to registration, namely Route 1 Primary; Route 2 Post-Primary; Route 3 Further Education; Route 4 Other.
Under Section 38 of the Teaching Council Act, all initial teacher education (ITE) programmes in Ireland that lead to registration must have professional accreditation from the Teaching Council in accordance with the Criteria and Guidelines for Programme Providers (published in 2011 and revised in March 2017).
Under the Council’s criteria for initial teacher education, student teachers in all accredited programmes are required to undertake study in Inclusive Education including Special Education.
84. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there are additional resources available for schools with autism spectrum disorder units; the way in which such funding and resources are allocated; if such funding is based on the number of students catered for or other criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2166/19]
View answerMy Department's policy is that all children with Special Educational Needs, including those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), can have access to an education appropriate to their needs, preferably in school settings through the primary and post primary school network.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) policy advice on Supporting Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (2016) found that students are generally well supported in schools with appropriate curriculum; extensive teacher and SNA supports; improving range of educational placements supported by improved accommodation and equipment; improved teacher knowledge and understanding and a generally good standard of provision at primary and post primary levels.
The greater proportion of children with ASD attend mainstream class, where they may access additional supports if required.
Special class placements are provided in mainstream schools for students with ASD and more complex needs, where it has been demonstrated that he/she is unable to learn effectively in a mainstream class for most or all of the school day even with appropriate supports.
Special school placements are provided for other students with ASD and very complex special needs who wouldn’t manage in a mainstream school even for part of the week.
Special classes for students with ASD are staffed with a lower pupil–teacher ratio of 6:1 at primary level and 6:1.5 at post primary level, and also have a minimum of two SNAs for every class of 6 children.
Other resources which are provided to schools to support children with Special Educational Needs including Autism include the following:
- The National Educational Psychological Service
- Assistive technology.
- Access to the Special School transport scheme.
- Access to special equipment and furniture where required.
- Enhanced capitation grants at primary level
- Adapted school buildings
- ICT Grant for new classes
- Start Up grant for new classes
- Access to the extended school year scheme. (July Provision).
The NCSE has published guidelines for schools on setting up and organising Special Classes, which are available to download from www.ncse.ie. The guidelines include information on resources which may be provided to schools with special classes and links to information on the how funding is allocated.
85. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills if circular 0058/2006, in particular sections 3.1 and 3.2, applies to the education and training boards, ETBs; if the Labour Court recommendation 20308 and the circular referenced are being monitored to ensure compliance by ETBs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2179/19]
View answerRedundancy arrangements for SNAs are set out in Department Circular 0058/2006, and this circular is used to calculate redundancy payments for all SNAs. SNAs are employed in an ETB scheme, and not by individual schools. Accordingly, an SNA employed in an ETB scheme will be offered employment in another school in the scheme before redundancy can be offered.
Labour Court Recommendation 20308 of June 2012 is effected in Circular 034/2018 (this circular is reviewed annually). My Department investigates any instances of non-compliance that are brought to its attention, and reminds employers of their obligations to comply with the provisions of the aforementioned circular and the Labour Court recommendation.
86. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 193 of 18 December 2018, if the views of the local communities in the catchment areas of schools (details supplied) in County Cavan were taken into account in the analysis of the proposal by the ETB to close both schools and provide a new facility; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is widespread opposition at local level to the ETB proposal, which did not involve negotiation or consultation with local communities prior to the decision being made by the ETB; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2184/19]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the decision making authority for any amalgamation belongs to the Patron/Trustees of the school, and this is subject to the approval of the Department.
Any proposed change involves extensive negotiations at local level and must be well planned and managed in a manner that accommodates the interests of students, parents, teachers, local communities and contributes to an inclusive education system.
My Department has sought further information from the Patron of the schools concerned relating to the proposed amalgamaton and this is awaited. The matter can be considered further following receipt of this information.
87. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a suitable school place will be found for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2200/19]
View answerThe enrolment of a child to a school is a matter in the first instance for the parents/ guardians of the child and the Board of Management of a school. My Department has no role in relation to processing applications for enrolment to schools. The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is a statutory body, the functions of which include planning and co-ordinating the provision of education and support services to children with special educational needs. The NCSE, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports as required. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.
SENOs are available to assist parents/guardians to identify appropriate educational placements for children with special educational needs and to discuss their child's special educational needs. As you will appreciate, SENOs are guided by the information regarding diagnosis and the recommendations contained in the reports submitted. The NCSE has published a Guide for Parents and Guardians of Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs on Choosing a School; this guide is available on the website, www.ncse.ie.
The NCSE works in collaboration with the Educational Welfare Services (EWS) of the Child and Family Agency which is the statutory agency that can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child or can offer assistance where a child is out of school. The local service is delivered through the national network of Educational Welfare Officers (EWO). Contact details are available at http://www.tusla.ie/get-in-touch/education-and-welfare/.
It is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998. The selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. Under section 15 (2) (d) of the Education Act 1998, each school is legally obliged to publish its enrolment policy.
It should be noted that where a parent/guardian seeks to enrol a child in a school and that school refuses to enrol the child, the school is obliged to inform the parents/guardians of their right under Section 29 of the Education Act 1998 to appeal that decision to the Secretary General of my Department. Only where an appeal under Section 29 is upheld, may the Secretary General of my Department direct a school to enrol a pupil.
As the deputy's question refers to a specific child, the question will be forwarded to the NCSE for direct reply.
88. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a school place will be offered to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2213/19]
View answerThe policy of my Department is to ensure that all children with special educational needs can be provided with an education appropriate to their needs.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is a separate statutory body whose functions include planning and co-ordinating the provision of education and support services to children with special educational needs in conjunction with schools and the Health Service Executive (HSE).
Parents/Guardians who may need advice or are experiencing difficulties in locating a school placement, including special class placement, should contact their local Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO) who can assist in identifying an appropriate educational placement for their child, using the contact details available at http://ncse.ie/seno-contact-list.
As the matter raised by the Deputy refers to a placement for a particular child, I have arranged for the Deputy's question to be forwarded to the National Council for Special Education for direct reply.
89. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount spent in each year for the past five years on accountancy and consultancy firms in relation to capital projects; the specific capital project in which the costs were incurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2260/19]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that while the delivery of major capital projects on the school building programme uses external design teams (Architects, Engineers etc.) appointed by tender to deliver specific projects, these are not termed “consultants” in terms of the Deputy’s question. Accountancy firms are not used on major school building projects.
Likewise, no expenditure has been incurred on accountancy and consultancy firms in respect of capital projects in the Higher Education sector.
90. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if additional funding will be provided to An Garda Síochána to tackle insurance fraud; if he is still committed to establishing a dedicated insurance fraud unit in An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2047/19]
View answer91. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on establishing a publicly funded dedicated insurance fraud unit in An Garda Síochána; if the Garda Commissioner rejected the idea of a dedicated insurance unit; if the Commissioner rejected the idea of industry funding such a unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2048/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 90 and 91 together.
The Deputy is aware that the Cost of Insurance Working Group (CIWG) proposed exploring the possibility that a specific unit, funded by the insurance industry, be established within the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB) to tackle insurance fraud.
The Deputy will also be aware that the GNECB has engaged with Insurance Ireland in relation to this matter and submitted a mechanism for establishing an insurance fraud unit to Insurance Ireland in the first half of 2017. Following receipt of the reply from Insurance Ireland in July 2018, I met with the GNECB and the Assistant Commissioner, Special Crime Operations, on 30 August 2018 to discuss this recommendation further.
On 13 December, my colleague, the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Mr Michael D'Arcy, T.D., met with the Garda Commissioner to discuss matters relating to insurance fraud, including this recommendation, and the work of the CIWG. I am aware that the Commissioner indicated his preference at this meeting that, in principle, An Garda Síochána should not be funded by any source other than the exchequer for the purposes of tackling insurance fraud.
I am further informed that the Commissioner undertook to further consider the establishment of an insurance fraud investigation unit within the GNECB. The Deputy will, of course, appreciate that it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the allocation of resources within An Garda Síochána and I have no role, as Minister, in such operational matters. The Budget allocated to An Garda Síochána for 2019 is in excess of €1.76 billion, an increase of over €100 million on the 2018 allocation.
More broadly, I am aware that considerable progress has been made in enhancing the level of engagement and cooperation between An Garda Síochána and the insurance industry, in part, via the Fraud Roundtable, established under the CIWG and which involved wide stakeholder consultation. A notable output of the Fraud Roundtable engagement is the commitment for the GNECB and Insurance Ireland’s Anti-Fraud Forum to meet on a regular basis in order to discuss and act upon current and ongoing general issues, which arise in the area of insurance fraud. I welcome this enhanced cooperation, which will be very important going forward in tackling the issue of fraudulent claims.
My officials remain in close, ongoing contact with An Garda Síochána in relation to this matter.
92. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding community CCTV; and the progress of ongoing talks with the Local Government Management Agency and an organisation (details supplied). [2052/19]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that CCTV systems installed for the purposes of crime prevention and as aids to policing in areas to which the general public routinely have access, such as town centres, fall into two distinct but complementary categories, namely Garda CCTV systems and community-based CCTV systems. Neither may be established without authorisation by the Garda Commissioner under section 38 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, among other requirements.
Community CCTV is governed by section 38(3)(c) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 and the Garda Síochána (CCTV) Order 2006 (SI No 289 of 2006). This legal framework requires that any proposed community CCTV scheme must:
- be approved by the local Joint Policing Committee,
- have the authorisation of the Garda Commissioner, and
- have the prior support of the relevant local authority, which must also act as data controller.
This is the legal basis for all community CCTV schemes, regardless of how they are funded.
As the Deputy is aware, the Programme for a Partnership Government commits to supporting investment in CCTV systems. In furtherance of this commitment, a grant-aid scheme to assist groups in the establishment of community-based CCTV systems in their local areas is being administered by my Department. Eligible groups, including community groups and local authorities, can apply for grant-aid of up to 60% of the total capital cost of a proposed CCTV system, up to a maximum total of €40,000.
There have to date been 28 applications to the scheme. 20 applications have been approved, involving approved grants totalling more than €500,000. A further 5 applications to the scheme are currently being assessed and considered. The remaining 3 applications have been returned to the applicants concerned to enable them to supply the information necessary to qualify for grant aid.
In accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 and the Garda Síochána (CCTV) Order 2006, any proposed community CCTV scheme must have the prior support of the relevant local authority, which must also act as data controller. I understand that the large majority of local authorities have previously undertaken to act as data controllers in the context of specific community CCTV schemes. This has been the case either in the course of the current grant-aid scheme administered by my Department, in connection with the previous grant-aid scheme operated by Pobal on behalf of the Department, or in connection with schemes funded independently by local authorities. I understand from my Department's engagement with the Local Government Management Agency that the total number of local authorities which have undertaken the role of data controller for these purposes amounts to 28 out of the 31 local authorities nationwide.
The Deputy may also wish to be aware that on 29 November 2018 the Data Protection Commissioner’s Office issued a note (available on its website www.dataprotection.ie) confirming that there is a legal basis for community based CCTV and that the General Data Protection Regulation does not introduce new barriers in that regard. In particular, the Data Protection Commission confirmed that: “Data protection legislation does not stand in the way of the roll-out of Community based CCTV schemes that have been authorised by the Garda Commissioner. Once the local authority in the administrative area concerned is willing to take on and deliver on its responsibilities as a data controller for the schemes concerned, there is no legal impediment under data protection legislation to the scheme commencing.”
The Data Protection Commissioner's Office is currently conducting an audit of the practice, operation and governance of CCTV as part of a wider inquiry into surveillance through the use of technologies for law enforcement purposes. We expect the findings from the CCTV module of this process to be of assistance to all concerned and in particular to local authorities.
The Deputy referred to engagement with the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) and the County and City Management Association (CCMA). I can confirm that my Department is engaging positively and on an ongoing basis with the LGMA and the CCMA, as well as with any individual local authorities making separate contact, to clarify any queries arising and to assist those interested in availing of the scheme.
I am keen to ensure that all interested groups, in both rural and urban areas, have the opportunity to take advantage of the availability of the grant aid scheme. If the Deputy is aware of groups wishing to avail of the scheme, details of the grant aid package are available on my Department's website www.justice.ie and support and guidance is available to help interested groups to apply for this funding through a dedicated email address communitycctv@justice.ie.
93. Deputy Pat Casey asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the refurbishment and reopening of Wicklow town courthouse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2109/19]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts, including the provision of accommodation for court sittings, is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions.
However, a number of developments in relation to Courts Service accommodation requirements are outlined in the Government's recent National Development Plan 2018 - 2027. They include:
- Further new or refurbished courthouses in regional cities and county towns where facilities remain substandard (including Galway City, Wicklow Town, Portlaoise, Tralee and Roscommon) and further provincial locations such as An Clochan Liath (Dungloe) to serve as the Gaeltacht court for the region, and Tuam;
- Regional Family Law Centres;
- A nationwide condition survey of all court buildings in the estate will be undertaken to determine their condition and identify works required in relation to any issues identified and meet ongoing maintenance requirements.
The precise allocation and timing of additional funding over the entire ten year period remains to be fully determined. It will be dependent on the outcome of further detailed planning and analysis of costs which will determine prioritisation of projects from a timing and budgetary perspective.
Furthermore, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that, as part of its provincial capital building programme, one of the objectives is to extend and refurbish the courthouse in Wicklow town to provide a significantly larger 4 courtroom venue together with a range of facilities for staff, the judiciary, persons in custody, jurors, legal professionals, other state agencies and members of the public.
The Courts Service has indicated that while detailed planning or design work has not yet commenced, it has purchased a number of adjacent properties, some of which will be demolished in order to create a larger site capable of accommodating a courthouse building on the scale envisaged. Assistance has been sought from the OPW in this regard and it is hoped that demolition work will proceed in 2019.
94. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2017; his plans to continue to support the legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2119/19]
View answerIt is important to note that the Government has always been, and continues to be, supportive of the principle of Parental Leave. In fact, as part of Budget 2019, the Government announced the introduction of a new paid parental leave scheme, which will commence later this year. This new scheme will initially provide two weeks of paid, non-transferable leave per parent, with a view to expanding the scheme and increasing the number of weeks of paid leave for both parents in future years.
During the debate in Dáil Éireann on the Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2017, I strongly suggested that the relevant Oireachtas Committee would carry out detailed pre-legislative scrutiny on this Bill. If this had occurred, it would have allowed all stakeholders to scrutinise the proposed legislation and to report on any policy or legal issues which may have be identified. It is my view that this is what should happen with all such legislation. Unfortunately, this scrutiny did not take place and it has now arisen that a number of Government Departments have raised certain issues which need to be clarified.
Subsequently, it has been brought to my attention that the Bill’s sponsors have decided not to proceed with the Committee Stage in the Seanad at this time.
