Written Answers Nos. 136-160
136. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the action he has taken in relation to the ongoing conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34399/20]
View answerIreland has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a return to the negotiating table, and we welcome and support the statements of the European Council and the OSCE Minsk Co-Chairs calling for this. This issue was discussed at the European Council of 1 October, where the Taoiseach along with other EU leaders called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and urged parties to recommit to a lasting ceasefire and the peaceful settlement of the conflict.
The European Council clearly stated that there can be no military solution to the conflict, nor any external interference and called on Azerbaijan and Armenia to engage in substantive negotiations without preconditions. Leaders expressed support for the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs and asked the EU High Representative to examine further EU assistance for the settlement process.
I am deeply concerned by the recent clashes in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, in particular along the line of contact, which have regrettably led to the loss of life and severe injury, including civilian casualties. I regret that none of the three recent ceasefires have been honoured and am troubled by continuing reports of hostilities in populated areas, which are having a devastating impact on local civilian populations. The alleged use of Cluster Munitions in any situation is deeply concerning. They pose unacceptably high risks to civilians, especially when used in populated areas. Furthermore, any indiscriminate use of, or impacts from, cluster munitions would be in contravention of International Humanitarian Law.Ireland urges both sides to de-escalate tensions by refraining from inflammatory rhetoric and strictly observing the latest ceasefire. Ireland fully supports the Minsk Process and we thank both the High Representative and the Co-Chairs Group for their efforts to de-escalate tensions over recent months.We will continue to monitor this evolving situation closely.
137. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of the All Ireland consultative forum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34411/20]
View answerThe concept of an independent consultative forum was first established under Strand 2 of the Good Friday Agreement. Under the St Andrews Agreement, support by the Northern Ireland Executive for “the establishment of an independent North/South consultative forum appointed by the two Administrations and representative of civil society” was confirmed.
At its June 2002 Plenary meeting, the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) formally agreed to the establishment of the North South Consultative Forum and an outline structure. Membership of the Forum was to come from the Northern Ireland Civic Forum which had been set up in October 2000 and the social partners.
The Government has since worked to move the issue forward, submitting proposals in 2008 for the role, format, membership and operation of a North/South Consultative Forum to the Northern Ireland Executive for its consideration. However, the Forum has not yet been established.
The issue of the establishment of the North South Consultative Forum has regularly been raised at plenary meeting of the NSMC since July 2007, with the Government encouraging its establishment.
The issue of establishing the North South Consultative Forum is also a matter that has been considered by the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, and remains as an outstanding commitment of both the Good Friday Agreement and St. Andrews Agreement. The Government will continue to work to have the matter progressed through the appropriate forums.
138. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position of Ireland on the future enlargement of the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34412/20]
View answerIreland has always been, and will remain, a strong supporter of enlargement of the European Union, provided that candidate countries met the necessary conditions for membership.
In March 2020, Member States agreed an enhanced accession methodology, which seeks to make the accession process more credible and dynamic, by clustering together negotiating Chapters and phasing in participation in EU programmes and policies. The enhanced methodology also recognises the need for more decisive measures proportionally sanctioning any serious or prolonged stagnation or even backsliding in reform implementation.
The European Commission published its Annual Enlargement Package and country reports in October 2020. In terms of the progress of individual Western Balkan countries, Serbia and Montenegro are both currently negotiating Chapters of the Acquis with the EU. Serbia has opened negotiations on 18 Chapters, with two provisionally closed. Montenegro has opened all Chapters and provisionally closed three. The country reports for 2020 assessed both Serbia and Montenegro as having both made limited progress. Serbia needs to accelerate its reforms in areas such as governance, rule of law and media freedom and make significant progress in the normalisation of relations with Kosovo, while Montenegro must address shortcomings in the areas of media freedom, fight against corruption and trafficking, and turn its attention to the closing of Chapters.
Regarding North Macedonia and Albania, it was agreed by the European Council in March 2020 to open negotiations with both countries. The draft negotiating frameworks are currently being discussed by Member States. Once these are agreed, we can proceed to the first Intergovernmental Conference which will mark the formal start of accession negotiations. Ireland warmly welcomes the opening of accession negotiations with both countries and looks forward to the first Intergovernmental Conferences taking place at the earliest opportunity.
Bosnia-Herzegovina has made limited progress over the last year and faces significant challenges to ensure implementation of the Commission’s 2019 recommendations in the areas of democracy, rule of law, fundamental rights, and public administration reform. Progress in these areas must be seen before the opening of accession negotiations with Bosnia-Herzegovina can be considered.
Kosovo is a potential candidate for Membership of the EU. The Commission’s report on Kosovo in 2020 noted that the political situation in Kosovo remains challenging. Rule of law, judicial reform, public administration reform, organised crime and normalisation of the relationship with Serbia are just some of the areas that must be comprehensively addressed in order for Kosovo to advance on its European path. It will be some time before Kosovo can qualify as a candidate country.
Turkey remains a key partner but continues to move further away from the EU. Accession negotiations will not begin again until Turkey reverses course on its backsliding on the rule of law and fundamental rights. However, the EU’s continuing engagement with Turkey in the accession context remains in the interests of the Turkish people and we must build a more constructive EU-Turkey relationship.
Ireland will continue to support the enlargement process and accession negotiations to the EU.
139. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied); if an investigation has been undertaken by his Department in relation to this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34438/20]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs is aware of this case concerning the arrest of a human rights defender in India who is currently detained in India under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
The promotion of human rights, including the protection of human rights defenders, is a priority of Ireland’s foreign policy. Our Embassy in New Delhi has been engaged on the matter including with the EU Delegation. The EU Delegation has contacted the National Human Rights Commission of India to enquire about the conditions of the detention of this human rights defender, and raised the possibility of his release on humanitarian grounds given his age and the risks posed by COVID-19 in prison. Regrettably, an application for bail on health grounds was rejected by a court on 23 October based on the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.The Embassy will continue to monitor developments in this case. We expect the authorities in India to have due regard for his health and well-being during his detention and to fully respect the rule of law including the presumption of innocence.
140. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the outcome of the most recent discussions at EU level in relation to Brexit and the implementation of the withdrawal agreement and the Northern Ireland protocol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34506/20]
View answerFuture relationship talks between the EU and the UK, have been ongoing in Brussels and London to try to close the gaps between the two sides, including on the key outstanding issues of the level playing field, governance and on fisheries. Regardless of the outcome of the talks, the full, effective and timely implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement, including the Protocol, remains vital. The Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland is explicitly designed to operate regardless of whether an EU-UK Future Relationship Agreement is in place. The only appropriate channel for considering issues around the implementation of the Protocol for Ireland and Northern Ireland is through the structures of the Withdrawal Agreement – the Joint Committee and Specialised Committees were established for that very purpose. To this end, the Joint Committee met on 19 October, with another meeting scheduled for mid-November, and the Specialised Committee on the Implementation of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland is meeting today. Ireland participates in both Committees as a member of the EU delegation.
141. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education the certification that was accepted, provided or process undergone to allow the education sector procurement agreement on each of the products now withdrawn from the agreement by the circular on 29 October 2020 (details supplied); the tests that have been carried out on each of the products withdrawn to identify if any of the products is unsafe in tabular form; and if products withdrawn have been definitively categorised as safe unsafe or unknown by her Department or any other body. [34194/20]
View answer154. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education her plans to reopen the education sector PPE procurement agreement to additional products and suppliers following the removal of a number of unregistered products from the list. [34369/20]
View answer155. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education if there have been reports of shortages in supply to schools or difficulties in providing adequate PPE and associated products due to the removal of a number of unregistered products from the approved list. [34368/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 141, 154 and 155 together.
The Education Sector Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) procurement agreement July 2020 provided for the supply of the following PPE products, from 14 suppliers, for use in schools and other education settings: Wipes; Hand Soaps; Facemasks; Gloves; Hand Sanitiser; Protective Clothing; and Safety Glasses.
As part of the selection process suppliers were required to confirm that their products were compliant with the regulations; to provide documentation and samples of products; and to give examples of contracts in the last two years which included supply to the Irish public sector. The RFI specifically requested that interested suppliers confirm that all products comply with Regulation (EU) No. 528/2012, commonly known as the Biocidal Products Regulation, and with the European Union (Biocidal Products) Regulations 2013 (S.I. 427/2013); and to confirm that all products comply with Regulation (EU) 2016/425 of 9 March 2016 on personal protective equipment.
On 22 October 2020 the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine notified my Department that it had removed ViraPro hand sanitiser from the product register. On the same day my Department removed the supplier of Virapro and its entire product offering from the procurement agreement and advised all schools to cease all use of these products. These products have been on general sale and not just available through the education sector framework.
On Friday 23rd the Department of Agriculture advised not to use any Virapro branded product and this was communicated to schools. My Department immediately commenced a review of biocidal products included in the Education Sector PPE procurement agreement.
This involved reviewing 172 items from 14 suppliers. The outcome of this review was a decision to take 43 biocidal and 9 other products off the approved list for schools because it has not been possible to satisfactorily confirm their registration status as part of this review. These products will not be included in my Department’s approved list for schools until their registration status has been confirmed. The Department has no evidence that these products are unsafe.
The review was undertaken in consultation with the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine Testing, which is responsible for the testing, approval and certification of all biocidal products for sale in the State and to which I would refer the Deputy for further information.
Immediately following the product review my Department on Thursday 29 October, 2020 wrote to all schools to advise them of changes to the approved list of products on the Education Sector PPE procurement agreement, and the steps they can take to procure new stock if they need to. Suppliers on the agreement committed to swift processing of orders and delivery to support schools, and the Department has not been made aware of any shortages of note in PPE supplies in the system.
My Department has added a new supplier to the PPE Agreement, this supplier had engaged in the original process and they have now completed the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine biocidal registration process. 23 new products were added to the agreement from the 14 suppliers on the agreement.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has commenced reference sample testing for other products other than ViraPro. To-date they have analysed reference samples relating to 39 products on the Education Sectors current framework of hand sanitisers. Laboratory analysis confirms that these products are in accordance with their respective conditions of registration. In addition, one unregistered product has been analysed. No issues in relation to safety or efficacy have been identified. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is continuing to increase its testing of product on the market to provide reassurance in relation to compliance with approved product specifications.
My Department is currently reviewing overall PPE supply requirements for the sector to determine the optimum supply arrangements for the future designed to maximise opportunities for supplier participation.
142. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the situation pertaining to 17 Irish teachers that are owed money by a school (details supplied); if this school is recognised by her Department; if the service of these teachers will be recognised as service for pay purposes for those teachers now teaching in the Irish education system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34207/20]
View answerThe school the Deputy refers to is a private educational institution located abroad. The Irish Leaving Certificate examination is offered each year to candidates in the school. The role of the State Examinations Commission (SEC) is to provide examinations to candidates who have been entered for either the Junior or Leaving Certificate.
Teachers working at this school are directly recruited and engaged as employees of that school. Their terms and conditions of employment including pay are private contractual matters between themselves and the school authorities. My Department has no role in relation to internal management or contractual issues between this school’s employees and their employers.
Regarding pay - the rules for pay for registered qualified teachers in an Oireachtas funded post are as follows:
A person first appointed to an Oireachtas funded teaching post before 1 January 2011 whose date of first qualified teaching service is -
(a) before 5 December 2011, will be paid on the pre-2011 qualified pay scale and the qualification allowances applicable to that scale,
(b) between 5 December 2011 and 28 April 2013, will be paid on pre-2011 pay scale and qualification allowances applicable to that scale subject to the maximum value of the honours primary degree allowance applicable to that scale, or
(c) On or after 29 April 2013, will be paid on the 1 February 2012 pay scale with no qualification allowances.
A teacher who has service abroad may be eligible to apply for Incremental Credit. The criteria for the award of Incremental Credit, for previous teaching experience, to recognised post-primary teachers is outlined in Circular 29/2007 and 10/2001 for primary teachers, and was agreed in the first instance, by the Teacher Conciliation Council (TCC). This Council is comprised of representatives of the teacher unions, school management bodies, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, and the Department of Education & Skills chaired by an official of the Workplace Relations Commission.
Currently, a maximum of seven years incremental credit may be awarded for approved teaching service, given in approved schools outside the European Union, as per Circulars 10/2001 and 29/2007.
143. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Education her plans for a new educate together school in Dublin 5; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34211/20]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, since April 2018 the Government has announced 47 new schools to be established over a four year period (2019 - 2022) including one new primary school to serve the Killester_Raheny_Clontarf school planning area. This school was established in 2019 under the patronage of Educate Together following a patronage process.
The school opened in suitable interim accommodation in Suttonians Rugby Club, Dublin 13 pending delivery of its permanent building.
The project to deliver the permanent accommodation for the school is on my Department's capital programme and a permanent site option in the school planning area has been identified. Given the commercial sensitivities associated with land acquisitions generally I am not in a position to provide further information regarding the proposed location at this time, however, it will be confirmed to the school patron at the earliest possible date.
144. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Education the number of educate together national schools and secondary schools in Dublin 5, 13 and 17, respectively in tabular form. [34212/20]
View answerPlease find list of schools attached.
Primary
|
Roll No. |
School Name |
Address |
Patron |
|
20308Q |
BELMAYNE EDUCATE TOGETHER NS |
BALGRIFFIN PARK, BELMAYNE, DUBLIN 13 |
Educate Together |
|
20445D |
MALAHIDE/PORTMARNOCK EDUCATE TOGETHER N S |
MALAHIDE ROAD, KINSEALY, CO DUBLIN |
Educate Together |
|
20519G |
STAPOLIN ETNS |
GRANGE COMMUNITY COLLEGE, DONAGHMEDE, DUBLIN 13 |
EDUCATE TOGETHER |
|
20525B |
KILLESTER RAHENY CLONTARF ETNS |
SUTTONIANS RFC, SUTTON CROSS, 13 STATION ROAD, BURROW, DUBLIN 13 |
EDUCATE TOGETHER |
Post-Primary
|
Roll No. |
School Name |
Address |
Patron |
|
68346T |
DUBLIN NORTH EAST EDUCATE TOGETHER SS |
BELMAYNE, DUBLIN 13 |
Educate Together |
The attached list is compiled from the Patronage data held by the DES Forward Planning Section and school location/address data from the most recent Data on Individual Schools list, 2019-20, which can be found at the link below;
https://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Statistics/Data-on-Individual-Schools/
145. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education her plans for a permanent educate together non-denominational primary school in the Killester area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34217/20]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, since April 2018 the Government has announced 47 new schools to be established over a four year period (2019 - 2022) including one new primary school to serve the Killester_Raheny_Clontarf school planning area. This school was established in 2019 under the patronage of Educate Together following a patronage process.
The school opened in suitable interim accommodation in Suttonians Rugby Club, Dublin 13 pending delivery of its permanent building.
The project to deliver the permanent accommodation for the school is on my Department's capital programme and a permanent site option in the school planning area has been identified. Given the commercial sensitivities associated with land acquisitions generally I am not in a position to provide further information regarding the proposed location at this time, however, it will be confirmed to the school patron at the earliest possible date.
146. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education the cost of a bus service to date (details supplied). [34221/20]
View answerI wish to inform the deputy that the costs associated with transporting students to and from the school in question following a tragic accident in August 2019 were approximately €76k (incl. VAT) for the 2019-2020 school year.
In order to facilitate physical distancing arrangements on the buses, the cost has been proportionately higher in the current school year. Approximately €85k (incl. VAT) has been expended on this service in the current school year to date.
It is anticipated that the current arrangement will no longer be required shortly.
147. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education the number of schools that have a PE hall by county; the percentage of schools that do not have same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34229/20]
View answerThe specific information requested by the Deputy regarding the number of schools that have or do not have a PE hall is not readily available within my Department.
I wish to advise the Deputy that the provision of PE Halls form part of the accommodation brief for all newly established schools. These facilities may also form part of the overall accommodation brief for major capital extensions to existing schools. Details of large-scale projects being delivered under the school building programme may be viewed on my Department's website, www.education.ie and this information is updated regularly. In addition, a list of large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date may also be viewed on the website.
The main focus of resources over the last decade and for the coming period is on provision of additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics. The second half of the NDP (from 2023 onwards) will see an increasing focus on the upgrade and refurbishment of the existing school stock. This will include a PE Hall build and modernisation programme to ensure that students in all post-primary schools have access to appropriate facilities to support PE provision.
The immediate priority of my Department is providing new and replacement school places each year, to ensure that every child has a school place.
148. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education the minimum infrastructural requirements each primary and secondary school must meet, that is, classrooms, PE halls and so on; the guidelines for the minimum land size for primary and secondary schools; the minimum outdoor recreational facilities required for primary and secondary schools; the number of primary and secondary schools being built outside the guidelines by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34230/20]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that a school's enrolment dictates the teacher allocation and consequently the accommodation required varies from school to school.
In the case of school projects, my Department's Technical Guidance Documents set out the general principles of Universal Design in schools.
A suite of technical guidance documents is available on the Department's website (www.education.ie) to assist design teams in best practice design and development of projects and to encourage them to take a complete design team approach from project conception. These documents cover all aspects of the development of a building project for both internal and external works.
149. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education the geographical areas within County Wicklow that determine the demand for school places; the data sources being used to determine demand in each geographical area; the frequency with which the models are updated to incorporate increased housing developments and subsequent increase in demand for school places; the issues the models are revealing in terms of demand for school places in the county; the threshold by which the decision is made to allocate a new school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34231/20]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, in order to plan for school provision my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and utilises a Geographical Information System, using data from a range of sources, to identify where a demand for additional school places will arise.
There are ten school planning areas in Wicklow.
- Dunlavin
- Baltinglass
- Hacketstown
- Arklow
- Carnew
- Bray
- Blessington
- Greystones
- Wicklow
- Rathdrum
Included in the data analysed is Child Benefit data and, for the purpose of post primary school place projections, current enrolments in primary schools in the relevant school planning area(s). Also considered is information provided by local authorities in respect of residential development activity in each area, in order to anticipate emerging school place requirements from any planned additional population.
Where data indicates that additional provision is required at primary or post primary level, 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 school
The requirement for additional school places is kept under on-going review and work on an updated exercise to assess needs for the coming years, including those which may arise in Wicklow is at an advanced stage.
150. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education the criteria under which primary schools are eligible to access the substitute teacher panel; the factors that determine if a school is not eligible to access the substitute teacher panel; if a school does not have access to the panel, the way in which it sources substitute teachers; the primary schools in County Wicklow which have not qualified to access the substitute teacher panel; the percentage of primary schools in the country which are not eligible to access the substitute teacher panel; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34232/20]
View answerThe Roadmap for the Full Return to School provides for comprehensive supports across a range of areas to allow for the safe reopening of schools. Among the supports provided is the extension of the Substitute Teacher Supply Panel.
My Department has worked closely with our Partners on expanding teacher supply panels. The base schools were first identified in collaboration with the INTO and Primary Management Bodies. The INTO and Primary Management Bodies made contact with these schools with a view to being a base for that location.
In forming the Supply Panel Clusters, the Department’s Geographical Information System (GIS) identified the receiving schools based on distance from the base school. The Supply Panel Teaching posts were allocated to each Supply Panel based on the number of schools in the cluster and the number of permanent teaching positions to be serviced by the scheme.
Currently, there are 115 Substitute Teacher Supply Panels nationwide, with almost 330 newly appointed Supply Panel teachers employed, providing substitute cover to almost 2,300 schools across the country. In relation to Co. Wicklow, there are 5 Supply Panels in the county operating in over 90 schools.
These substitute Supply Panels are not the sole means whereby schools source substitutes but are set up to work alongside the existing methods of sourcing substitute teachers whether through a school’s own panel of regular substitutes or the National Substitution portal service as outlined in the Department Circular 45/2020.
151. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education the status of accommodation in a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34233/20]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the Department made arrangements to refurbish a property for the school in question during the summer and the school relocated to this property recently.
A major capital project for the provision of permanent accommodation for the school is being addressed through the Department's Capital Programme.
The Department proposes to master plan a 12 acre site owned by the ETB to demonstrate how the accommodation needs of the school, as well as the existing education provider on the site, could potentially be met, which will be mutually beneficial for both parties. The draft plan is well advanced at this point.
152. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education when a decision will be made in relation to an application by a school (details supplied) for the additional accommodation scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34234/20]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is in receipt of applications from the school in question, for major capital funding for the provision of a PE hall and also for capital funding under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme.
My Department's current priority within the limited funding available, is the provision of essential classroom accommodation in areas where significant demographic need has been established to ensure that each child will have access to a physical school place. Therefore, all applications for capital funding must be considered in this context.
Under the National Development Plan (NDP), increased funding has been provided for the school sector capital investment programme. This funding allows for a continued focus on the provision of new permanent school places to keep pace with demographic demand and also provides for an additional focus on the refurbishment of existing school buildings to include the building and modernisation of PE facilities in schools.
I can confirm that a devolved grant was approved in November 2017, under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme, to enable the school authority to provide 1 additional SET room. This project is currently devolved to the school authority.
A further application has recently been received under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme and once the application has been assessed, the school authority will be contacted directly with a decision.
153. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education the reason two pupils (details supplied) did not receive a seat on the bus in 2020-2021 in view of the fact that they had a seat every other year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34366/20]
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 Post Primary School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for school transport where they reside not less than 4.8kms from and are attending their nearest Post Primary School/Education Centre as determined by the 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 2020/21 school year where such services are in operation. The closing date for payment for the 2020/2021 school year was Tuesday 4th August 2020.
Children who apply for transport and who are not eligible under the terms of the scheme are considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
Concessionary transport may vary from year to year and cannot be guaranteed for the duration of a child’s post primary school education cycle. Where the number of applications for transport on a concessionary basis exceeds the number of seats available, Bus Éireann determines the allocation of the tickets and refunds payments made on behalf of those concessionary applicants for whom no seats remain.
Bus Eireann has confirmed that the children to whom the Deputy refers are not eligible for school transport as they are not attending their nearest post primary school. Bus Éireann has also confirmed that payment for school transport for the 2020/2021 school year was received by the family in question on 10th September 2020 and as such is late and that the service was at capacity when payment was received.
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 or submission of medical card details 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.
156. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to an update to the Covid-19 tracker application in order that it can be paused; if she has concerns that this feature is being used for school staff during school hours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34389/20]
View answerThe 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’ https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/a0bff-reopening-our-primary-and-special-schools/
It is important to note that the response to confirmed cases or outbreaks of COVID-19 in the community or in a school is the responsibility of, and will be led and managed by, Public Health HSE. All decisions as to appropriate actions following a confirmed case or outbreak will be made by their teams in the context of a full Public Health Risk Assessment procedure. The COVID Tracker App assists public health teams as part of their Public Health Risk Assessments. The COVID Tracker App is intended to augment manual contact tracing processes rather than replace them. The app has a number of advantages. People who have been on close contact with someone who has been diagnosed with Covid-19 are normally notified faster by the app, than is possible via the manual contact tracing process. The app can also alert people who are strangers to the Covid patient and who otherwise could not be traced via manual contact tracing processes.
In the version of the app released on 27th October 2020, a ‘PAUSE’ function was introduced for health care workers to allow them to temporarily disable proximity detection when wearing PPE. The same ‘PAUSE’ functionality is already deployed successfully in the Northern Ireland and Scottish Covid tracker apps. The information provided in the App when a close contact alert is received has been updated and includes guidance for people in schools and healthcare settings. It now also includes the date when the close contact happened.
157. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Education the status of development for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34401/20]
View answerThe building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is being delivered under my Department's Design & Build Programme.
The tender process for the building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is running as part of a wider process involving the tender of 8 major building projects. The first phase of the tender process to create a shortlist of contractors is complete. The second phase of the tender process is ongoing and is expected to be completed in the coming months, with a construction start date in Quarter 1 of 2021.
The first phase will be due for handover at the earliest possible opportunity during the 2021/2022 school year. The school is currently located in interim accommodation on the permanent site.
158. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Education the location of a proposed school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34402/20]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the building project for the school in question is included in my Department's capital programme.
The acquisition of the permanent site for Malahide Portmarnock ETNS is at an advanced stage of conveyancing. Once all contractual matters have been finalised the site will be assessed for Architectural Planning.
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.
159. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Education the steps she has taken to address the issue of students in Waterside and Feltrim, County Dublin, choosing alternative education options rather than those in a school (details supplied) due to reduced subject choices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34403/20]
View answerThe school to which the Deputy refers was established in 2018 and is in interim accommodation on its permanent site at Feltrim Road, Drinan, Swords.
This site will also accommodate the future construction of the permanent building for the school. In that regard, there are restrictions on the amount of temporary accommodation that can be placed on the permanent site. Therefore, the Department has informed the school and its patron body Educate Together that it will not be possible for the school to increase its enrolment intake beyond the current intake level (up to 48 pupils at 1st year intake) for the 2021/2022 academic year.
160. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Education the considerations being given to the resumption of in person church services upon return to Covid-19 level 3 restrictions as part of the resilience and recovery document; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34404/20]
View answerThe restrictions surrounding church services is not a matter for my Department.
