Written Answers Nos. 109-128
109. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps taken by his Department to ensure no further demolitions of homes or schools in Masafer Yatta in the West Bank which are funded by Irish Aid and the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35504/20]
View answer110. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has raised the issue of the demolitions of homes and schools in Masafer Yatta in the West Bank with the Israeli ambassador to Ireland and-or with his EU counterparts; if he considers that Ireland should be compensated for the funding provided by Irish Aid for these demolished structures in order to use this to provide support to the families that have been made homeless; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35505/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 109 and 110 together.
The demolition of Palestinian homes, and demolition or seizure of related structures such as water tanks, wells, solar panels, schools and animal housing, are cruel and unjust actions. These practices also cause suffering to ordinary Palestinians, and impinge on the right of children to an education.
I am deeply concerned by an acceleration in demolitions in 2020. Demolitions and seizures of Palestinian property are continuing, despite previous commitments from Israeli authorities not to target Palestinian residential structures during the Covid-19 pandemic. The only conclusion we can draw from the systematic nature of these actions, especially in areas where illegal Israeli settlements have already been constructed, is that they are aimed at forcing Palestinians off their land.
Ireland regularly conveys our views on these actions to the Israeli authorities, both directly and through the EU. In my statements of 16 October and 6 November, I called on Israel to halt demolitions and allow for legal construction for Palestinian residents. I have also raised the issue on my visits to the region. With regard to the villages mentioned, Irish officials have been following the issue closely. Ireland’s Ambassador in Tel Aviv has directly raised the issue of demolitions with the Israeli authorities in recent weeks, along with a group of EU and non-EU colleagues. Ireland's Representative Office in Ramallah visited Masafer Yatta on 19 October and a number of other sensitive sites in recent weeks.
Ireland is committed to reducing the vulnerability of Palestinian communities living in Area C of the West Bank. Ireland is a member of the West Bank Protection Consortium which plays a leading role in supporting threatened communities and coordinating the provision of essential services to them, including material assistance and legal aid.
It is of additional concern when those structures confiscated or demolished are donor-funded. The practice of demolition and confiscation of humanitarian assets, including education infrastructure, is contrary to Israel’s obligations under international law, including provisions of international humanitarian law, and in particular the Fourth Geneva Convention.
While my primary concern is the hardship and injustice that demolitions and confiscations cause for Palestinian families, it is important that the question of recompense for humanitarian relief funded by our taxpayers should also be pursued. Ireland, together with a group of EU Member States, pursue this issue consistently through the West Bank Protection Consortium.To date, the Consortium has sought compensation of over €625,000 from the Israeli authorities in respect of confiscated or demolished assets.
111. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the breakdown of the funding allocation for his Department for 2021, by project. [35508/20]
View answerThe breakdown of the funding allocation for the Department of Foreign Affairs for 2021 is as detailed in the Estimates for Public Services 2021, published on Budget Day.
The Department has secured a €30 million increase on its 2020 allocation.
€10 million of that increase will be allocated to programmes to assist the Department in meeting the many challenges and opportunities we face in the coming year. The first of January will be the end of the UK’s transition period following its departure from the EU. We will need to continue our extensive Brexit engagement at this critical time.
2021 will also see Ireland taking our seat on the UN Security Council where we will act under three broad principles: Building Peace, Strengthening Prevention and Ensuring Accountability. Ireland will be at the heart of UN decision-making on matters of vital importance, including international peace, security and development.
The Department must also plan for the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The role that our network played in assisting Irish citizens across the globe underlines the importance of our international footprint and we will continue to strengthen our global presence to ensure Ireland is ready to take advantage of new markets and opportunities and to continue to support our citizens and communities abroad. In addition, this will help to position Ireland for economic recovery through maximising the use of our global footprint.
Funding for the Peace and Reconciliation Fund has been increased by one third to €5 million to allow additional grants in 2021 focusing on cross community and cross boarder engagement and community support and development reflecting the Government’s ongoing commitment to building cross community reconciliation in Northern Ireland.
The remaining €20 million of that increase has been allocated to Irish Aid, our world class international development programme. This enables us to continue to respond to the global impacts of the pandemic, focusing on those most in need. The Department will increase Irish Aid’s engagement on climate action, with the establishment of a dedicated Climate Unit, and through deepening our support for climate adaption and mitigation across the Irish Aid programme.
112. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the cost of renting office space, including for public bodies, from a company (details supplied) in 2019 and to date in 2020, in tabular form. [35611/20]
View answerMy Department currently rents office space in one location from the company in question. The premises operates as a temporary location for the Consulate General of Ireland in Frankfurt.
The cost to my Department, as of end October 2020, of renting this office space is set out in tabular form below.
|
2019 (July to Dec) |
2020 (Jan to Oct) |
|
|
Frankfurt, Consulate General of Ireland |
€65,795 |
€70,795 |
113. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason a desktop exercise was used in respect of the election observer competition in view of the fact that weeks previously Irish Aid stated a rigorous competition was required and promised same to the Oireachtas Committee on Public Accounts, specifically including independent chairmanship, human resources expertise, competitive interviews and so on; if this public competition contained provision for disability on the application form or application process; if disability will be considered as part of the process of appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35685/20]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs enables participation by Irish citizens in overseas election observation missions organised by the EU and the OSCE through nomination of volunteers from our Election Observation Roster. The current, five-year roster was established on the basis of an open, competitive application process in 2018, using a competency framework for ranking in line with Public Appointment Service practice. The Roster, which currently has 199 members, came into effect on 1 January 2019 and is set to run through to the end of 2023.
The questions raised here have been comprehensively addressed in the Information Note on the Overseas Election Observation Roster prepared for the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade (JCFATD), which is attached to this response, as well as in the Composite Note published on the election observation pages of the Irish Aid website, also attached to this response. Matters pertaining to the selection process for the 2019-2023 roster, as well as the membership and operation of the roster, have also been addressed in response to Parliamentary Questions No. 16 of 25 January 2018, No. 98 of 28 March 2018, No. 107 of 24 April 2018, No. 60 of 21 June 2018, Nos. 57 and 58 of 3 July 2018, No. 167 of 4 July 2018, Nos. 138 and 149 of 10 July 2018, Nos. 103,104, 105, 106 and 107 of 24 July 2018, Nos. 69 and 70 of 7 September 2018, No. 45 of 20 September 2018, No. 36 of 9 October 2018, No. 43 of 11 October 2018, No. 179 of 23 October 2018, Nos. 151 and 157 of 20 November 2018, No. 74 of 6 December 2018, No. 109 of 19 December 2018, Nos. 59, 60 and 61 of 23 January 2019, No. 120 of 29 January 2019, Nos. 80 and 81 of 30 January 2019, Nos. 146, 147 and 153 of 5 February 2019, Nos. 61 and 65 of 6 February 2019, No. 58 of 7 February 2019, Nos. 124 and 138 of 12 February 2019, No. 71 of 13 February 2019, No. 129 of 19 February 2019, Nos. 100, 105, 108 and 109 of 26 February 2019, Nos. 115, 117, 119 and 126 of 5 March 2019, Nos. 74, 76 and 81 of 6 March 2019, Nos. 59 and 68 of 12 March 2019, No. 114 of 13 March 2019, No. 157 of 26 March 2019, Nos. 81, 85 and 99 of 2 April 2019, No. 115 of 16 April 2019, No. 51 of 18 April 2019, No. 73 of 29 May 2019, Nos. 117 and 119 of 25 June 2019, Nos. 108, 109, 110, 111 and 112 of 10 July 2019, No. 114 of 23 July 2019, Nos. 106 and 124 of 10 December 2019, No. 37 of 5 March 2020, No. 30 of 13 May 2020, No. 21 of 3 June 2020, No. 33 of 16 June 2020, Nos. 338 and 342 of 21 July 2020, No. 453 of 8 September 2020, No. 369 of 15 September 2020, No. 109 of 23 September 2020, No. 396 of 6 October 2020, No. 186 of 13 October, No. 158 of 15 October, and No. 665 of 3 November.
The issue of reasonable accommodation for disabilities as it pertains to the application process for and operation of the Election Observer Roster has been addressed in the responses to Parliamentary Questions No. 60 of 23 January 2019, No. 153 of 5 February 2019, No. 65 of 6 February 2019, No. 58 of 7 February 2019, No. 124 of 12 February 2019, No. 129 of 19 February 2019, Nos. 100 and 105 of 26 February 2019, Nos. 117 and 119 of 5 March 2019, Nos. 74, 76 and 81 of 6 March 2019, No. 68 of 12 March 2019, No. 157 of 26 March 2019, Nos. 117 and 119 of 16 April 2019, No. 73 of 29 May 2019, No. 119 of 25 June 2019, No. 109 of 10 July 2019 and No. 186 of 13 October.
114. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department or bodies under the aegis of his Department rent office space from a company (details supplied) or an Irish subsidiary; the number of employees who work out of such office space; the length of time they have been working from the offices; the cost to date of renting such offices; the tender process by which it was decided to make use of the services of the company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35714/20]
View answerMy Department currently rents office space in one location from the company in question. The premises operates as a temporary location for the Consulate General of Ireland in Frankfurt. Four staff members currently work out of this premises.
The Mission in Frankfurt was opened in 2019 as part of the Government's commitment outlined in the strategy Global Ireland 2025, a strategy which aims to expand and deepen Ireland's international presence and influence across a number of priority regions.
The current premises in Frankfurt was chosen as the best value location that met the needs of my Department for a temporary office space, while work on identifying a suitable permanent location for the Consulate General there is underway. The process to find a suitable location for a temporary office was undertaken based on advice from a local Real Estate Agent, appointed as part of a competitive procurement process in accordance with EU and Irish procurement rules.
My Department has leased this temporary space since July 2019. As of end October 2020, the cost of this lease has been €136,590. This consists of €65,795 in 2019 and €70,795 in 2020.
115. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence the funding allocation for his Department for 2021, by project. [35535/20]
View answerThe total allocation provided to the Defence Sector in Budget 2021 is €1,072.3 million, comprising of €809.7 million for Vote 36 (Defence) and €262.6 million for Vote 35 (Army Pensions).
The Defence allocation of €809.7 million ensures that the Defence Forces have the resources necessary to deliver on all their assigned roles as set out in the White Paper on Defence.
The Defence Vote provides for overall current expenditure of some €679 million for the pay and allowances of up to 9,500 PDF personnel, 550 civilians (technicians, trades, etc.) and 355 civil servants as well as paid training for members of the Reserve Defence Force. It also provides for expenditure on essential and on-going Defence Forces standing and operational costs including utilities, fuel, catering, maintenance, information technology and training.
The capital allocation of €131m, for 2021, will facilitate the on-going programme of equipment replacement and infrastructural development, as set out in the Defence Equipment Development Plan and Infrastructure Development Plan.
Funding for Civil Defence and the Irish Red Cross Society is also provided for in the Defence Vote.
The 2021 Army Pensions (Vote 35) allocation of €262.6m provides funding for some 12,750 Army Pensioners as well as certain dependants.
116. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Defence the cost of renting office space, including for public bodies, from a company (details supplied) in 2019 and to date in 2020, in tabular form. [35606/20]
View answer117. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Defence if his Department or bodies under the aegis of his Department rent office space from a company (details supplied) or an Irish subsidiary; the number of employees who work out of such office space; the length of time they have been working from the offices; the cost to date of renting such offices; the tender process by which it was decided to make use of the services of the company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35709/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 116 and 117 together.
I can confirm that the Department and bodies under the aegis of my Department do not rent office space from the named company.
118. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a full report on the Indemnity Agreement; the details of the 18 religious congregations that it indemnified; the amount these congregations have contributed to the redress board; the value of these contributions that were made by the transfer of property to the State; the details of these properties; the amount by way of monies by congregation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35627/20]
View answerThe Indemnity Agreement of June 2002 involved 18 congregations, acting collectively, which agreed to provide a contribution of €128m towards the costs associated with redress for survivors of institutional abuse. Those 18 congregations are
- Brothers of Charity
- Christian Brothers
- Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul
- Daughters of the Heart of Mary
- De La Salle Brothers
- Dominican Order
- Sisters of the Good Shepherd
- Oblates of Mary Immaculate
- Hospitaller Order of St John of God
- Presentation Brothers
- Presentation Sisters
- Rosminians
- Sisters of Charity
- Sisters of Nazareth
- Sisters of Our Lady of Charity
- Sisters of St Clare
- Sisters of St Louis
- Sisters of Mercy
The total contribution of €128m was comprised of three components – cash amounting to €55.07m, counselling amounting to €10m, and properties amounting to €62.93m. The cash and counselling components have been paid in full to the State. It is not possible to provide a breakdown of the cash contributed by each individual congregation as transfers of cash to the State were dealt with on a collective basis.
With regard to the transfer of properties, 58 of the 60 agreed property transfers have been fully completed. The total value of these properties, as valued in accordance with the Agreement, is €59.87m, which represents 95% of the total monetary value of all the properties transferring under this aspect of the Indemnity Agreement. The value of the transfer of these 58 properties can be summarised as follows:
|
Congregation |
Total Value (€m) |
|
Sisters of Mercy |
21.26 |
|
Christian Brothers |
3.87 |
|
Daughters of Charity |
6.09 |
|
Hospitaller Order |
0.60 |
|
Presentation Sisters |
4.93 |
|
Rosminians |
6.97 |
|
Sisters of Charity |
12.15 |
|
Brothers of Charity |
4.00 |
|
Total |
59.87 |
Two properties have yet to fully transfer under the terms of the Agreement - Mounthawk Post Primary School, Tralee and the Sacred Heart Centre, Waterford.
With regard to Mounthawk, a major obstacle to the completion of the transfer has now been overcome, in that ongoing boundary litigation involving the school has been resolved. The congregation has now applied to the Property Registration Authority to register title to the disputed plot, and once this is received the transfer to the Department can be progressed. The Sacred Heart Centre has transferred to the legal ownership of the HSE but is with the Property Registration Authority for registration of the transfer.
A full list of the property transfers under the 2002 Agreement is set out below.
|
Property Fully & Finally Accepted under 2002 Indemnity Agreement |
Value |
|
|
1 |
Doon, Co Limerick |
€640,000.00 |
|
2 |
St Coleman's, Rushbrook, Cork |
€571,380.00 |
|
3 |
Playing Field, Carna, Co. Galway |
€175,000.00 |
|
4 |
Secondary School & Site, Ennistymon, Co. Clare |
€980,000.00 |
|
5 |
Mohill Community School Site |
€520,000.00 |
|
6 |
Terenure Secondary School |
€4,500,000.00 |
|
7 |
Site at Merrion |
€8,900,000.00 |
|
8 |
Two Properties at Tuam, Co. Galway |
€3,020,000.00 |
|
9 |
Nursery Buildings Goldenbridge |
€570,000.00 |
|
10 |
24 Westcourt, Tralee |
€184,110.00 |
|
11 |
Site at Glenamaddy, Co. Galway |
€600,000.00 |
|
12 |
11 Acre Site at Virginia Road, Kells, Co. Meath |
€825,000.00 |
|
13 |
Deenagh House, Killarney |
€215,265.00 |
|
14 |
St Anne's Secondary School |
€2,600,000.00 |
|
15 |
28 The Woodlands, Celbridge, Co. Kildare |
€270,000.00 |
|
16 |
Vacant Buildings and Land at Rathdrum |
€349,200.00 |
|
17 |
Gate Lodge, Goldenbridge |
€220,000.00 |
|
18 |
1 Garravogue Road, Raheen, Co Limerick |
€228,550.00 |
|
19 |
23 Wooodlea, Tralee, Co Kerry |
€152,370.00 |
|
20 |
Goldenbridge Group Homes |
€1,269,700.00 |
|
21 |
Ballymote, Co Sligo |
€38,000.00 |
|
22 |
15 The Willows, Mallow, Co. Cork |
€114,280.00 |
|
23 |
Presentation Convent, Hospital, Co Limerick (to DES) |
€175,000.00 |
|
24 |
Traveller Site at Blackrock, Co. Dublin |
€3,045,000.00 |
|
25 |
St Teresa's, Temple Hill, Blackrock, Co. Dublin |
€3,045,000.00 |
|
26 |
Belmullet, Co Mayo |
€140,000.00 |
|
27 |
59 Hollybank Road, Drumcondra |
€570,000.00 |
|
28 |
Mount St Joseph, Passage West, Cork |
€914,210.00 |
|
29 |
Building & Site at Edgeworthstown |
€598,045.00 |
|
30 |
Avondale, Waterford Road, Kilkenny |
€330,000.00 |
|
31 |
Site at Longmile Road, Walkinstown |
€325,000.00 |
|
32 |
Presentation Convent Hospital, Limerick (to HVHA) |
€254,000.00 |
|
33 |
Convent Land at Barrack Street, Limerick |
€625,000.00 |
|
34 |
2 Moyle Crescent, Clondalkin |
€325,000.00 |
|
35 |
.28 Acre Site at Dolphin Park, Crumlin |
€250,000.00 |
|
36 |
Holy Cross Gardens, Killarney |
€1,270,000.00 |
|
37 |
23 Parnell Square, Dublin 1 |
€1,270,000.00 |
|
38 |
Convent at Newport, Co. Mayo |
€635,000.00 |
|
39 |
Ballina, Co. Mayo |
€38,000.00 |
|
40 |
Airne Villa, Rock Road, Killarney, Co Kerry |
€221,615.00 |
|
41 |
6 Mount Vincent Terrace, Limerick |
€400,000.00 |
|
42 |
Gentili, Farahoe, Innishannon, Cork |
€228,600.00 |
|
43 |
Roseboro, 2 Firgrove Gardens, Bishopstown, Cork |
€292,100.00 |
|
44 |
4 The Hawthorns, Macroom Road, Bandon, Cork |
€215,900.00 |
|
45 |
5 Avondale Drive, Bandon, Cork |
€190,500.00 |
|
46 |
The Vineyard Child Centre, Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow |
€349,250.00 |
|
47 |
Lands at Mullaghmonaghan, Co Monaghan |
€825,000.00 |
|
48 |
Benvon, 5 Bishopstown Road, Bishopstown, Cork |
€279,400.00 |
|
49 |
Kidron, Roundhill, Old Chapel, Bandon, Cork |
€266,700.00 |
|
50 |
St Patrick's Upton, Cork |
€4,445,000.00 |
|
51 |
Respite Centre, Garretstown, Cork |
€635,000.00 |
|
52 |
10 The Priory, Old Chapel, Cork |
€304,800.00 |
|
53 |
Lands & Buildings at Lota, Glanmire, Cork |
€4,000,000.00 |
|
54 |
Cork Street, Dublin 8 |
€5,209,300.00 |
|
55 |
Rally Field, Upton, Co. Cork (in place of former Old Schoolhouse, Garretstown, Co Cork) |
€110,000.00 |
|
56 |
Coiscéim, Cappoquin, Co. Waterford |
€222,200.00 |
|
57 |
Emohruo, Cappoquin, Co. Waterford |
€222,200.00 |
|
58 |
Waterpark National School, Newtown Road, Waterford |
€700,000.00 |
|
€59,869,675.00 |
Properties not fully and finally completed under the 2002 Indemnity Agreement
|
Property |
Transferor |
Transferee |
Current / proposed use |
Position at October 2020 |
|
Mounthawk, Tralee, Co Kerry. |
Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy, Southern Province |
Minister for Education and Skills |
Functioning post-primary school. |
Pre-Contract enquiries are ongoing in respect of this property. Boundary litigation in respect of this property has been a major obstacle to achieving property transfer. This litigation is now settled. The congregation has applied to PRAI to get title registered to them for plot which had been in dispute. Once mapping issues are resolved and agreement on boundaries are finalised the transfer of the site to the Department will be progressed. The Department is engaging with the CSSO to this end. |
|
Sacred Heart Centre, Waterford. |
Sisters of Charity |
Health Service Executive |
Functioning childrens’ health centre. |
Transfer substantially completed. Documentation remains with the Property Registration Authority for first registration. A Certificate of Title is expected to be received shortly and that will complete the requirements of the Indemnity Agreement. |
119. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education if the matter raised in correspondence (details supplied) will be clarified; the reason distinctions are made; the reason the rate of sick pay or leave differs substantially despite the effect of being out of work being the same in both cases; the reason a Covid-19-symptomatic person is being put on normal sick leave instead of Covid-19-related leave; the provisions her Department has made for Covid-19-related leave to ease the burden of the pandemic on workers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35460/20]
View answerThe general principles to apply to the management of COVID-19 includes the safety and welfare of employees and the minimisation of the impact of COVID-19 on teaching and learning. The current COVID-19 arrangements in place for teachers and special needs assistants (SNAs) are outlined in my Department’s Circular Letter 0049/2020.
The Circular outlines that special leave with pay may be granted to employees who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or who have been advised by the HSE/GP to self-isolate. In addition, the Circular allows for an employee who has been advised by the HSE/GP to restrict his/her movement or has been categorised as very high risk of serious illness, from contracting COVID-19, to be facilitated with alternative working arrangements e.g. working from home.
My Department has an enhanced OHS in place to provide employers with occupational health advice in relation to employees’ fitness for work. The OHS provider has a process in place for school staff with health concerns about their risk of serious illness from contracting COVID-19, through workplace attendance.
A detailed on-line questionnaire is submitted by the employee to the OHS, along with detailed medical evidence to provide clarity with respect to the medical complaint(s) in question. All of this information is reviewed by the OHS specialist occupational health physician, including the combined and cumulative risk that can arise when an employee suffers from more than one health condition. The risk categorisation is comprehensive and follows the same process that is being applied across other sectors. An employee is categorised by the OHS into one of three COVID-19 risk categories. These are general population risk, higher risk, and very high risk. The outcome of the risk categorisation is governed by the HSE guidance.
Where an employee considers the OHS ‘COVID-19 Health Risk Categorisation Report’ places him/her in an incorrect risk category, a review can be requested by the employee where the OHS will re-evaluate the medical evidence provided. The employee may provide additional medical evidence as part of the review process.
In accordance with HSE advice, an employee in the ‘high risk’ group who is not ill must attend the workplace and should take extra care to practice social distancing and hand hygiene. The use of face coverings and personal protective equipment may also be considered where maintaining social distancing is difficult. All employers are required to have a COVID-19 Response Plan in place. The plan outlines the arrangements in place to ensure a safe workplace for all employees. Those employees deemed ‘high risk’ and ‘normal risk’ can attend the workplace safely where the school is implementing the COVID-19 Response Plan and the health advice for schools.
In addition, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre has issued advice in respect of SNAs, which sets out clearly how a safe working environment can be maintained for SNAs in schools - ‘Guidance for Schools regarding Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) supporting children and young people with additional care needs in the context of COVID-19' . There is an obligation on the employer to discuss the COVID-19 Response Plan with the employee and ensure that all appropriate risk mitigation measures are in place for the protection of employees in the school.
Based on the medical information provided, the SNA in question has been categorised by the OHS as in the ‘high risk’ group and therefore, if medically fit for work must attend the workplace
The terms and conditions of the Sick Leave Scheme for SNAs are outlined in my Department’s Circular Letter 60/2019. An employer must refer an employee to the OHS for an independent medical assessment of fitness for work, where he/she has been absent on Sick Leave for 4 weeks (28 days) continuous or cumulative in a 12 month rolling period of SNA service. Based on her Sick Leave record, the SNA in question was referred to the OHS and following a medical assessment has been advised that she is currently unfit for work due to a non-Covid-19 related illness and is therefore recorded by the employer as absent on Sick Leave. The OHS has scheduled a review appointment with the SNA over the coming days.
120. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education if an exemption is made available to leisure centres which facilitate physical education for schools with no indoor physical education facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35468/20]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that Level 5 restrictions do not apply to the Education sector and on this basis any prior commitment or agreement between a school authority and a third party should remain in place.
121. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education if a proposal to acquire land beside a school (details supplied) will be considered by her Department in view of the serious road safety concerns in the village due to a lack of parking facilities. [35471/20]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has no record of receiving a proposal from the school in question. However, the issue of road safety measures outside the vested site areas of schools on public roads, such as road signage, traffic calming measures etc., is a matter, for the relevant Local Authority. Local Authorities have the power to decide on road safety measures outside schools to ensure that measures are in place to protect the safety of local school children. My Department has no function in this matter.
122. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education if it is still her plan to have a school (details supplied) completed by September 2021 in view of the fact that a commitment was given by the previous Minister for Education to have the new school building completed by that date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35509/20]
View answerThe major building project to which the Deputy refers is included in my Department’s Construction Programme which is being delivered under the National Development Plan.
The project is currently 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.
Following the Stage 2(a) Stakeholders meeting the school agreed to the addition of a 2 classroom SEN base to the project brief and a Stage 2(a) Addendum report for this change to the brief has been submitted to my Department for review and approval.
Upon approval of the Stage 2(a) Addendum, the Design Team will proceed to lodge applications for the statutory approvals for the project. When these have been secured, the Design Team will proceed to prepare the tender documents and finalise the Stage 2(b) report.
Upon completion of the Stage 2(b) report, it will then be submitted to my Department for review.
Upon receipt and review of the completed Stage 2(b) report, my Department will revert to Board of Management with regard to the further progression of the project at that time.
123. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education if the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment will provide a more detailed and dedicated specification document to agricultural science teachers with regard to the specification design and learning outcomes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35528/20]
View answer124. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education if she will undertake to consult with an association (details supplied) on the on reforms to the curriculum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35529/20]
View answer125. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education if the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment will provide the promised teacher guidelines document to accompany the new agricultural science specifications to agricultural science teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35536/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 123 to 125, inclusive, together.
A revised specification for Leaving Certificate Agricultural Science was introduced in September 2019. The revised specification was approved as a draft by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) in September 2017 before being submitted to my Department for approval.
The curriculum development process undertaken by the NCCA is a rigorous and collaborative process. A subject development group comprising representatives with suitable expertise, nominated by their respective stakeholder organisations, deliberate and decide, in the context of their subject, what knowledge should be acquired through study of the subject. This is then expressed as a series of learning outcomes by the subject development group.
The work of this specialist group is monitored and discussed regularly by the Boards and Council of the NCCA to ensure that young people in Ireland receive an appropriate, relevant, and high standard education. Throughout the process, there are several opportunities where the work of the development group is informed by public consultation.
This process was applied in the development of the revised Leaving Certificate Agricultural Science specification, and consensus was sought through extensive deliberation informed by relevant research, consultation and the expertise and experience of stakeholder representatives. This is evidenced by that fact that, following feedback received from the consultation on the draft curriculum specification, the NCCA’s Agricultural Science Subject Development Group amended 43 learning outcomes to provide additional clarify, and added 8 new learning outcomes before finalising the specification.
Since the early 2000s, there has been a move in Ireland towards an outcomes-based approach to curriculum development, with learning being defined in terms of the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes that students will have learned and developed students at the end of a course.
Using learning outcomes in the development of new curricula places emphasis on the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes that students will learn, as well as focusing on the subject matter of the course or syllabus. They also play a significant role in ensuring that the aims and objectives of the curriculum, the learning/teaching strategies adopted, and the assessment used are consistent with each other.
It should be clarified that at no point during the development of the subject specification did the NCCA, or my Department, commit to the provision of further guidance beyond what has been provided. When the work of the subject development group was concluded, the group was informed that the requirements for supporting the introduction of the specification would come into focus and that guidance in relation to coursework would be developed. This guidance to support the completion of the coursework in the subject has been available since 2019.
The Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) has appointed a dedicated support team of experienced teachers to developing in-service training and materials to support teaching and learning of the new curriculum.
As is usual in the case of new subject specifications the NCCA will complete a brief review of the specification following the first examination in the subject, following which any required clarifications to elements of the specification can be provided.
In addition, my Department published guidelines on the adjusted assessment arrangements for state examinations in summer 2021. The Assessment Arrangements for Junior Cycle and Leaving Certificate Examinations 2021 are available at the following link:
https://www.education.ie/en/Schools-Colleges/Information/Curriculum-and-
Syllabus/assessment-arrangements-junior-cycle-and-leaving-certificate-examinations-2021.pdf.
These adjustments were arrived at through discussions between my Department, the State Examinations Commission (SEC), the NCCA and key stakeholders. The key stakeholders that were consulted in relation to the document included unions representing teachers, and school management bodies.
On 16 September 2020, the SEC also published information clarifying the level of flexibility available to students in completing their coursework for Leaving Certificate Agricultural Science for the 2021 examinations. This document is available at the following link: https://www.examinations.ie/misc-doc/EN-EX-72284060.pdf. The SEC consulted with my Department and the NCCA on the development of this document. It was drawn up following consideration of the concerns of the Irish Agricultural Science Teachers Association which had been sent to the SEC, NCCA and my Department. This additional flexibility for the 2021 cohort allows all candidates to meaningfully complete their examination coursework in line with the expectations of the Brief and the Guidelines in these exceptional circumstances due to Covid-19. In addition, the PDST Agricultural Science team has prepared additional supports for teachers in light of the exceptional challenges arising this year.
126. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 753 of 3 November 2020, if her attention has been drawn to a school giving enrolment priority to residents of Dublin 15 despite having opened in response to demographic need in Scribblestown and Finglas west, County Dublin (details supplied); and if the matter will be addressed. [35543/20]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, my Department undertakes demographic exercises to identify areas where pressures for school places are anticipated to arise and divides the country into 314 school planning areas for that purpose. The school to which she refers was established to meet emerging demand in the Pelletstown area, largely associated with new residential development and these communities span three school planning areas: Cabra_Phibsboro_D7, Castleknock_D15 and Scribblestown_FinglasWest.
New schools which have been established since 2011 to meet demographic demand are required to prioritise enrolments from the area that they were intended to serve. Given that the primary purpose of the school is to serve the needs of Pelletstown and adjoining areas, the school is required to prioritise enrolments on that basis.
127. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the status of the ex gratia payment scheme pursuant to the 2014 judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in the O’Keeffe case and the subsequent review in 2019 of the judgment and scheme by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35548/20]
View answerAs you are aware, the ex gratia scheme was established on foot of the specific circumstances arising from and in response to the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) relating to Louise O'Keeffe.
The Department undertook a review of the scheme in response to a determination by the Independent Assessor, Mr Justice Iarfhlaith O’Neill that one of the criteria for eligibility is incompatible with the ECtHR judgement.
The issues involved are highly sensitive and complex and require very careful deliberation before proposals can be finalised and brought to Government. It is important to have a more complete awareness of the extent of the problem, the number of people who could potentially be involved the legal implications of any course of action, and an accurate estimate of likely costs before introducing any modifications to the scheme.
The review of the ex-gratia scheme has yet to be concluded
128. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education the guidelines issued to teachers and schools on the social distancing requirements in classrooms in primary and post-primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35557/20]
View answerMy Department has published a suite of helpful guidance for the safe and sustainable reopening of schools. Each school is required to have a COVID-19 Response Plan for the safe operation through the prevention, early detection and control of COVID-19 in line with public health advice. This guidance is focused on the practical steps schools must take to minimise the risk of transmission of infection and includes key measures such as respiratory and hand hygiene, cleaning, PPE and physical distancing.
In relation to physical distancing, public health advises of two broad approaches; increasing separation and decreasing interaction between students themselves, between students and staff and staff when together. HSE and HPSC guidance also advises that the application of physical distancing measures in a school should allow for some flexibility when needed and 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.
In order to facilitate physical distancing in primary schools, pupils and their teachers may be sorted into ‘Class Bubbles’ and ‘Pods’. A ‘Class Bubble’ is a class grouping which stays apart from other classes as much as possible. The objective is to limit contact and sharing of common facilities between people in different Class Bubbles (and Pods within those Class Bubbles) as much as possible, rather than to avoid all contact between Pods, as this will not always be possible.
Whenever possible, pupils and teaching staff should consistently be in the same Class Bubbles. Different Class Bubbles should have separate breaks and mealtimes or occupy separate areas at break or mealtimes. Movement of staff members between Class Bubbles should be limited as much as possible.
My Department has also published guidance for Post Primary schools on maintaining physical distance in the classroom, with illustrative classroom layouts. This guidance also includes options such as reconfiguring class spaces to maximise physical distancing, using all other space within the school, reviewing timetables and reconfiguring classes, and live streaming of a class to another room or area in the school. All students and staff must wear face covering in post primary schools.
While recognising that each school is different in terms of location, physical layout and available space, school themselves are best placed to decide on appropriate changes necessary to maintain physical distancing.
Guidance in relation to physical distancing measures is available on my Department’s website, https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/a0bff-reopening-our-primary-and-special-schools/.
