Written Answers Nos. 423-442
423. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Education if guidance and information has been provided to parents who have decided to homeschool their children due to Covid-19; if so, if she will provide a copy of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23779/20]
View answerHome schooling is a matter which is dealt with by Tusla and parents can access information in relation to home schooling via www.tusla.ie/tess/information-for-parents-and-guardians-tess/education-welfare-service/can-i-teach-my-child-at-home/.
My Department is aware that some parents and children will have concerns about returning to school. My Department has developed and prepared a comprehensive response to supporting the wellbeing of school communities at this time. NEPS will work with schools to support them to meet the needs of their students on their return to school.
The HPSC has also produced guidance in relation to the return to school for at risk groups. It outlines that children with immediate family members, including parents, in both the ‘high risk’ and ‘very high risk’ categories can return to school and it is important for the child’s overall well-being.
This is consistent with public health advice internationally in relation to at-risk family members. The guidance is available at the following link. www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/guidance/educationguidance/HSE%20advice%20on%20return%20to%20school.pdf.
The priority is that the household continues to follow all current advice on how to minimise the risk of coronavirus, through regular hand washing, cough etiquette etc.
424. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 6 of 30 July 2020, if the school appealed the reduction of staff ratio allocated for the 2020-21 school year; the outcome of the appeal; the additional resources allocated to help the school deal with class sizes of 35 from different years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23789/20]
View answerThe 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 operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all similar types of schools equally irrespective of location.
The staffing schedule includes an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain criteria to an independent Appeals Board. The appeals criteria are set out in Circular 18/2020, "Staffing Arrangements for Primary Schools for the 2020/21 School Year". My Department has not received a staffing appeal from the school referred to by the Deputy.
The Roadmap for Full Return to School set outs the plan for the safe and sustainable reopening of our schools. It has been developed in line with public health advice issued by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), the Roadmap for Society and Business, and follows comprehensive and intensive engagement with education stakeholders including the school management bodies and staff representatives.
My Department is providing capital and current funding of an additional €377 million to support implementation of the roadmap. The supports are comprehensive across a range of areas and involve funding for measures such as PPE, hand sanitisation, enhanced cleaning and hygiene, physical distancing, management supports and substitution provision. It is also recognised that schools may require some reconfiguration works and this is supported by a once off enhanced minor works grant of €75 million to prepare their buildings and classrooms for reopening including an uplift for schools with SEN pupils.
The public health guidance recognises that the ability to achieve 1m physical distancing for junior infants to 2nd classes is not a prerequisite for facilitating a full return of all pupils. While there is the requirement for 1m physical distancing for the senior classes (3rd class to 6th class) schools also have the flexibility to organise their classes into bubbles and pods. The requirement in the public health guidance is for each pod to be 1m apart as distinct from each pupil in the pods.
My Department has published practical guidance for schools to help achieve physical distancing in line with public health advice and include:
- Reconfiguring classroom accommodation through the removal of unnecessary items of furniture, shelving etc.
- Using the largest classrooms for the senior classes
- Reviewing the size of each class so that there is a more even spread of pupils between each class
- Maximising available space within the footprint of the school
- If necessary, look at opportunities for sourcing any nearby accommodation for a large class e.g. parish hall, sports facilities etc. The Department supports same through the minor works grant and additional funding can be provided where necessary.
The public health advice recognises that the implementation of physical distancing will look different across the various ages and stages of learning and that a balanced and common sense approach should be applied in the implementation of measures, allowing for some flexibility when needed whilst noting that it must be applied in a practical way, recognising that the learning environment cannot be dominated by a potentially counterproductive focus on this issue.
Schools have an option of an appeal to the Primary Staffing Appeals Board should they continue to experience difficulties, having first taken measures necessary to achieve physical distancing in line with published guidance.
425. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education the number and locations of schools that faced a reduction of staff ratios for this coming school term; the number that appealed the decision; and the number of successful appeals. [23790/20]
View answerI am very conscious of the staffing schedule and the need to prioritise teacher allocations in primary schools given their vital role in communities around the country. I am looking at how best to make further progress in reducing the primary teacher ratio in the context of the Programme for Government implementation.
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.
I attach the number of schools per county that are due to have their staffing reduced as a result of falling enrolments.
The staffing process for primary schools, including staffing appeals, is ongoing and the total number of appeals will not be known until the Autumn after confirmation of enrolments on 30th September and the conclusion of the staffing appeals process in October.
|
COUNTY |
No. of Schools Due to Have Staffing Reduced as a result of falling enrolments |
|
CARLOW |
3 |
|
CAVAN |
6 |
|
CLARE |
15 |
|
CORK |
54 |
|
DONEGAL |
18 |
|
DUBLIN |
110 |
|
GALWAY |
27 |
|
KERRY |
15 |
|
KILDARE |
12 |
|
KILKENNY |
2 |
|
LAOIS |
11 |
|
LEITRIM |
2 |
|
LIMERICK |
15 |
|
LONGFORD |
4 |
|
LOUTH |
14 |
|
MAYO |
12 |
|
MEATH |
18 |
|
MONAGHAN |
7 |
|
OFFALY |
5 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
3 |
|
SLIGO |
12 |
|
TIPPERARY |
20 |
|
WATERFORD |
5 |
|
WESTMEATH |
10 |
|
WEXFORD |
13 |
|
WICKLOW |
15 |
|
Total |
428 |
426. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education if clear guidelines have been given in writing to each post-primary school to the effect that if a pupil in the school has medical certification to the effect that he or she cannot wear a face covering, he or she is exempted from doing so and can continue to attend school as normal with the arrangements for hand hygiene and so on and no particular special arrangements for physical distance required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23797/20]
View answerMy Department received advice from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) on the use of face coverings in educational settings on the 6th August 2020.It is a requirement for face coverings to be worn by teachers, staff in schools and students attending post primary school.
However Public health advice also provides that cloth face coverings should not be worn by any of the following groups:
- any person with difficulty breathing
- any person who is unable to remove the face-covering without assistance
- any person who has special needs and who may feel upset or very uncomfortable wearing the face covering, for example persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities, mental health conditions, sensory concerns or tactile sensitivity.
A medical certificate must be provided to the school where an exemptions is sought on the above grounds. There is no capacity for schools to deviate from either the requirement to wear face coverings or the exemptions that apply.
Advice for schools on the use of face coverings is available in the COVID-19 Response Plans for schools published on the www.gov.ie/backtoschool.
427. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education if her Department was in contact with a school (details supplied) about a situation that has arisen in which a pupil has not been allowed to attend classes as they cannot wear a face covering, according to medical evidence which has been supplied; the response of the school to this contact; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23798/20]
View answerMy Department has been in contact with the school in relation to the issue raised by the Deputy and will continue to engage with the school until the matter is resolved. My Department received advice from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) on the use of face coverings in educational settings on the 6th August 2020. It is a requirement for face coverings to be worn by teachers, staff in schools and students attending post primary school.
However Public health advice also provides that cloth face coverings should not be worn by any of the following groups:
- any person with difficulty breathing
- any person who is unable to remove the face-covering without assistance
- any person who has special needs and who may feel upset or very uncomfortable wearing the face covering, for example persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities, mental health conditions, sensory concerns or tactile sensitivity.
A medical certificate must be provided to the school where an exemptions is sought on the above grounds. There is no capacity for schools to deviate from either the requirement to wear face coverings or the exemptions that apply.
Advice for schools on the use of face coverings is available in the COVID-19 Response Plans for schools published on the www.gov.ie/backtoschool.
428. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Education the policy on school bus placement (details supplied); and if there is a rule that students must attend their nearest school as per the guidelines mentioned by Bus Éireann. [23817/20]
View answerSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2019/20 school year over 120,000 children, including over 14,200 children with special educational needs, were transported in over 5,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres at a cost of over €219m in 2019.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
Under the terms of the Department's School Transport Scheme children are eligible for school transport if they satisfy the distance criteria (3.2km at primary and 4.8km at post-primary) and are attending their nearest school as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
All children who are eligible for school transport and who completed the application and payment process on time have been accommodated on school transport services for the 2020/2021 school year. Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis and are facilitated where spare seats exits after eligible children have been accommodated.
429. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Education the reason Bus Éireann continues to take full payment from applicants who reside outside the 6 km radius until it knows it can offer a place on the service (details supplied). [23818/20]
View answerSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2019/20 school year over 120,000 children, including over 14,200 children with special educational needs, were transported in over 5,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres at a cost of over €219m in 2019.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
Under the terms of the Department's School Transport Scheme children are eligible for school transport if they satisfy the distance criteria (3.2km at primary and 4.8km at post-primary) and are attending their nearest school as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
All children who are eligible for school transport and who completed the application and payment process on time have been accommodated on school transport services for the 2020/2021 school year.
Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis and are facilitated where spare seats exits after eligible children have been accommodated. Where the number of ineligible children exceeds the number of spare seats available Bus Éireann allocates tickets using an agreed selection process. A full refund is given to those who do not secure a ticket.
The closing date for payment for the 2020/2021 school year was Tuesday 4th August 2020. The School Transport Scheme Family Portal was temporarily closed for applications and payments on the 20th August 2020. This temporary closure was necessary to complete the work required to issue tickets to families who at that time remained due to be allocated a ticket for school transport services for the 2020/2021 school year.
The School Transport Scheme Family Portal has now re-opened. However, parents/guardians making an application/payment at this time for the 2020/2021 school year are reminded that the closing date for payments for the 20/21 school year was Tuesday 4th August 2020. While it is possible to submit a payment, payments made at this time are now late. Late applicants and/or families who pay late are not guaranteed a seat and will only be allocated a seat if capacity is available once seats are allocated to those families who applied and paid on time for transport services for the 2020/2021 school year.
In addition, payments for Post-Primary seats completed or made after 4th August 2020 can only be considered when 50% capacity, required by new Covid19 public health guidelines, is achieved on each route.
In the event of not securing a ticket where no capacity exists, or on cancellation, a full refund will be issued.
430. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Education the reason it is not policy for schools to make parents aware of the school bus transport arrangements when they accept students into their schools. [23819/20]
View answerSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2019/20 school year over 120,000 children, including over 14,200 children with special educational needs, were transported in over 5,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres at a cost of over €219m in 2019.
Full information on the operation of my Department's School Transport Scheme is available on the Department's website at www.education.ie and on Bus Éireann's website at www.buseireann.ie.
In addition, Bus Éireann who operate the scheme on behalf of my Department, annually distribute information to schools in advance of school open nights with information on school transport services. This information includes details on who is eligible, how to apply, when to apply, details of ticket charges and details of the websites for both the Department and Bus Éireann for those who wish to seek further information on the School Transport Scheme.
431. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the position on the provision of a new school building for a school (details supplied); the timeline for same; the status of the application; and if the application will be prioritised. [23832/20]
View answerWicklow Educate Together Secondary School opened in 2019 in interim temporary accommodation on Department owned land at Crinion Park, Wicklow Town.
I can confirm that Officials from my Department have identified a number of potential site options in Wicklow Town for the permanent location for Wicklow Educate Together Secondary School and negotiation are ongoing with the landowners.
Officials are working towards acquiring the most suitable site for this school while ensuring value for money for exchequer is achieved. Officials from Wicklow County Council are assisting my Department in this regard.
While a site acquisition process is underway, given the commercial sensitivities associated with land acquisitions generally I am not in a position to comment further at this time.
432. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education the role of the school inspectorate in view of the fact that formal inspections have paused; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23853/20]
View answerConsistent with its remit, the Inspectorate is engaging in advisory, evaluation and research work to support schools and the education system as the return to school takes place, and it has adjusted its programme of work in the school year 2020/21 accordingly. A key focus for the Inspectorate during the first term is on advising and supporting schools as they re-open and students settle back into the routine of schooling. Schools are being offered an opportunity to participate in Inspectorate-led advisory sessions (online and face-to-face) focusing on student well-being, teaching and learning, and assessment and the promotion of school self-evaluation. There will also be a strong emphasis on the needs of vulnerable learners during these advisory sessions.
Evaluation work for the first term will focus on a small number of priority inspections including the completion of inspections commenced prior to school closure and risk-based inspections such as child protection and safeguarding inspections and urgent follow through inspections. Furthermore, the Inspectorate will carry out a programme of visits to schools to provide advice and support in the implementation of public health advice and the Department’s Covid-19 Response Plans for schools. As well as supporting school communities, these visits will also provide an assurance to the Department and public that schools are a safe working and learning environment for teachers, other school staff and for learners.
The Inspectorate will also engage in research work to identify and disseminate effective practice and will conduct regular surveys of stakeholders in schools, the outcomes of which will inform the provision of supports and any necessary additional guidance to schools.
The specific activities included in the Inspectorate’s work programme will be kept under review and will evolve in line with public health advice and the prevailing health circumstances. Further information on the Inspectorate’s work for the 2020/21 school year is available in Circulars 0040/2020, 0041/2020 and 0042/2020 on the Department of Skills website at www.education.ie/en/Circulars-and-Forms/Active-Circulars.
433. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if public health HSE or his Department have the mobile numbers of principals in primary and post-primary schools nationwide in the event of contact tracing taking place when schools are closed, that is, at the weekend. [23854/20]
View answer434. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education when schools were first contacted and informed that they had to have a summary of key information to assist public health HSE in its public health risk assessment. [23855/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 433 and 434 together.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre and the HSE have published guidance for managing potential cases of COVID-19 in educational settings which includes the testing strategy within an educational facility ‘Schools Pathway for COVID-19, the Public Health approach’
www.gov.ie/en/publication/a0bff-reopening-our-primary-and-special-schools/.
My Department contacted all schools on 27th August to advise of the publication of the schools pathway document for management of COVID-19 within the school community. A key to this response is the ability of the public health professionals to contact schools where a suspected case arises. In certain instances this may include out of hours, in the evening or at weekends.
My Department wrote to school principals on the 8th September requesting a mobile number for a designated contact, preferably the School Principal, who can be contacted in the event of a suspected case. My Department has also requested schools to have a summary of key information to assist Public Health in their Public Health Risk Assessment ready to be provided on request.
435. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education the specific guidance plan for buses which service schools and persons with special educational needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23858/20]
View answerSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2019/20 school year over 120,000 children, including over 14,200 children with special educational needs, were transported in over 5,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres at a cost of over €219m in 2019.
I recently announced a comprehensive plan detailing a package of measures and resources to be provided to facilitate schools in re-opening. I have also published a detailed roadmap for the full return to school. This roadmap set out how schools would reopen for all students from the end of August. It was developed in line with public health advice issued by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), the Roadmap for Society and Business and followed comprehensive and intensive engagement with all relevant stakeholders including Bus Éireann, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the National Transport Authority on the logistical considerations that arise in planning for the operation of school transport services for the reopening of our schools.
School Transport Scheme services for primary school pupils, including services for children with special educational needs, operated by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department are fully operating as normal in line with public health advice for the 2020/2021 school year with the appropriate hygiene and other measures in place.
Observing hygiene requirements is a key priority and my Department has issued clear communications to all parents and students using school transport services to set out the requirements for those travelling on services.
Following the most recent advice from NPHET, the Government decided that the post-primary scheme (including post-primary services for pupils with special educational needs) would commence operation when schools re-open with additional measures in place, such as pre-assigned seating and additional hygiene and cleaning measures on services and with the rolling implementation of measures to provide physical distancing, in line with those required on public transport, which is using 50% of passenger capacity, on the post- primary services as required.
Given the timing of this most recent advice from NPHET so close to the start of the new term, my Department has not withdrawn post-primary transport services for pupils with special educational needs as to do so would cause difficulty for many families in getting their children to school. My Department has engaged with Bus Éireann to implement measures so that any services that could operate from the start of the school year at 50% capacity have done so and over the coming period all other services for children of post-primary school going age will be re-organised and additional services will be provided as required to allow for physical distancing.
Every effort continues to provide a safe transport service for all pupils. However, if parents/guardians decide not to avail of transport services they may request a refund on the cost of their ticket for the 2020/2021 school year. Parents have been asked to inform my Department if they wish to avail of this option.
436. Deputy Ciarán Cannon asked the Minister for Education the status the development of a Gaelchampas at a location (details supplied). [23867/20]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has finalised the accommodation brief for the proposed project to which he refers and the patron has been advised accordingly. This will facilitate the commencement of the architectural planning process for the project. My Department will be in further contact with the patron in this regard.
437. Deputy Ciarán Cannon asked the Minister for Education the status of the construction of a major extension to a school (details supplied). [23868/20]
View answerThe Deputy may be aware that the project to which he refers has been approved funding under my Department's Additional Accommodation Scheme. It has been devolved to the school authority for delivery in that context.
The project is currently at the Preliminary Design stage. In May 2020, the school submitted a preliminary design report for review by my Department. A number of issues with this report have been identified. In that respect, my Department wrote to the school on 21st August last requesting it to submit a revised design to address these issues. We now await this revised design.
438. Deputy Ciarán Cannon asked the Minister for Education the status of the development of a new school building for a school (details supplied). [23869/20]
View answerThe major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is included in my Department’s Construction Programme which is being delivered under the National Development Plan.
Stage 1 of Architectural Planning has been completed and the project has now progressed to Stage 2a – Developed Design, where the preferred option design is developed to a stage where the project is fully costed and can be prepared to lodge for statutory approvals.
439. Deputy Ciarán Cannon asked the Minister for Education the status of the development of a new school building for a school (details supplied). [23870/20]
View answerThe major building project for this school is at an advanced stage of architectural planning, Stage 2b – Detailed Design, which includes the applications for Planning Permission, Fire Cert and Disability Access Cert and the preparation of tender documents.
The Design Team is currently in the process of securing statutory approvals. Upon completion of the Stage 2(b) report, it will be submitted to my Department for review.
Upon receipt and review of the completed Stage 2(b) report, my Department will revert to the Board of Management of the school with regard to the further progression of the project at that time.
440. Deputy Ciarán Cannon asked the Minister for Education the status of the development of a new school building for a school (details supplied). [23871/20]
View answerThe major school building project referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning - Stage 2(b) Detailed Design, which includes the application for statutory approvals and the preparation of tender documents. All statutory applications have been secured and the Design Team is currently in the process of completing the Stage 2(b) Report.
Upon completion of the Stage 2(b) Report it will be submitted to my Department for review.
Upon completion, receipt and review of the report the Department will revert to the school regarding the further progression of this major building project.
441. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education if school transport will be provided to pupils (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23884/20]
View answerSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of my Department. In the 2019/2020 school year over 120,000 children, including over 14,200 children with special educational needs, were transported in over 5,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres at a cost of over €219m in 2019.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
The closing date for payment for the 2020/2021 school year was Tuesday 4th August 2020. All children who are eligible for school transport and who applied and paid by the deadline have been accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
The School Transport Scheme Family Portal was temporarily closed for applications and payments on the 20th August 2020. This temporary closure was necessary to complete the work required to issue tickets to families who at that time remained due to be allocated a ticket for school transport services for the 2020/2021 school year.
The School Transport Scheme Family Portal has now re-opened. However, parents/guardians making an application/payment at this time for the 2020/2021 school year are reminded that the closing date for payments for the 2020/21 school year was Tuesday 4th August 2020.
Bus Éireann has confirmed that payment for tickets for the children referred to by the Deputy was received on the 7th September 2020 for the 2020/2021 school year and such their payment is late.
Late applicants and/or families who pay late are not guaranteed a seat and will only be allocated a seat if capacity is available once seats are allocated to those families who applied and paid on time for transport services for the 2020/2021 school year.
Payments for Post-Primary seats completed or made after 4th August 2020 will be only considered when 50% capacity, required by new Covid19 public health guidelines, is achieved on each route. In the event of not securing a ticket where no capacity exists, or on cancellation, a full refund will be issued.
442. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Education her plans to upgrade the school transport service and allow persons from within a parish to attend their local parish school rather than having to go to the nearest school, which may be outside the parish; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23899/20]
View answerSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2019/20 school year over 120,000 children, including over 14,200 children with special educational needs, were transported in over 5,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres at a cost of over €219m in 2019.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
A number of changes to the School Transport Scheme were introduced in Budget 2011, which derived from recommendations in the Value for Money Review of the Scheme. These changes encompassed a number of elements such as national application of the distance rule of 3.2 kilometres at primary level, the cessation of the Closed/Central School Rule at primary level, the cessation of catchment boundary area to determine eligibility at post primary level, the increase from seven to 10 eligible pupils residing in a distinct locality to retain or establish a school transport service and the introduction of charges at primary level.
Under the terms of the Department's School Transport Scheme children are eligible for school transport if they satisfy the distance criteria (3.2km at primary and 4.8km at post-primary) and are attending their nearest school as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
All children who are eligible for school transport and who completed the application process on time have been accommodated on school transport services for the 2020/2021 school year. Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis and are facilitated where spare seats exits after eligible children have been accommodated. Where the number of ineligible children exceeds the number of spare seats available Bus Éireann allocates tickets using an agreed selection process.
With regard to the Review of the School Transport Scheme, as announced by my predecessor in October 2019, given the current evolving situation with Covid-19 the proposed review has been delayed. I propose to convene the Steering Group shortly and to agree and supplement revised terms of reference to reflect the Programme for Government.
