Written Answers Nos. 442-462
442. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which Air Corps navigation charts have been upgraded to ensure accuracy and reliability and prevent accidents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37061/20]
View answer447. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which aviation and naval charts continue to be updated to ensure the position of potential safety hazards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37066/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 442 and 447 together.
My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained to the greatest extent possible to enable them to carry out their roles as assigned by Government.
The Deputy can be assured that the safety of our Defence Force personnel is paramount. I am advised by Military Authorities that navigation charts used by the Air Corps and Naval Service are routinely updated to take account of changes to aeronautical and nautical charts.
443. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the current strength of the Reserve Defence Forces, Army, Naval Service and Air Corps; the extent to which their upgraded training has continued in each of the past five years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37062/20]
View answerThe Reserve Defence Force (RDF) is comprised of the Army Reserve (AR), the Naval Service Reserve (NSR) and the First Line Reserve (FLR). As of 30 September 2020, the combined strength of the AR and NSR is 1,624 personnel and the FLR had a strength of 281 personnel.
The primary function of training and education in both the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) and the RDF is to develop and maintain capabilities necessary to fulfil the roles laid down by Government. The White Paper on Defence sets out a developmental path for the Reserve and confirms that the primary role of the Reserve is to augment the PDF in crisis situations. As such, the RDF undertakes training in preparation to assist the PDF when required.
Members of the AR and NSR are volunteers who undertake training in their spare time. In order to facilitate the voluntary nature of Reserve Service and to maximise attendance of Reserve personnel, training continues to be organised both in and out of normal working hours, at weekends and during academic and traditional holiday periods.
In the AR, recruits undergo varied training in areas such as combat first aid, military law and tactical training. A major part of Recruit training is training in the use of the Steyr 5.56mm Assault Rifle. RDF personnel are additionally trained in the operation of basic radio communications, map reading, Nuclear, Biological & Chemical warfare defence and the Light Machine Gun. Each Corps also carries out specialist training in its particular field.
In the NSR, the two main courses undertaken as a recruit are Sea Survival and Damage Control & Fire Fighting. NSR personnel also undergo training in the operation of various crafts operated by the Naval Service, such as Motor Training Launches and Rigid Inflatable Boat as well as training in VHF Radios and the operation of VHF systems at sea. Courses are additionally run for personnel on the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System.
For the current year, Subhead A.5 provides for a budget of €2.15 million of which €2.068 million is allocated for Paid Training Mandays for members of the Reserve. This allocation will provide seven days annual paid training for each effective member of the AR and NSR. The budget also provides for fourteen days paid training for all additional personnel recruited to the AR and NSR in 2020, along with career and specialist courses for selected members of the Reserve in line with Reserve priorities.
The utilisation of the training budget allocated to the RDF from 2015 to date is set out in the table below:
|
Year |
RDF Training Budget Allocation |
Spend |
Number of AR and NSR members who availed of paid training days |
Total number of paid training days used |
|
2015 |
€2.068m |
€1.736m |
1,475 |
22,548 |
|
2016 |
€2.068m |
€1.568m |
1,298 |
19,710 |
|
2017 |
€2.068m |
€1.38m |
1,133 |
17,488 |
|
2018 |
€2.068m |
€1.538m |
1,091 |
19,351 |
|
2019 |
€2.068m |
€1.554m |
956 |
15,191 |
|
2020* |
€2.068m |
€0.809m |
637 |
9,905 |
*as of 30 Sept 2020
I am satisfied that members of the AR and NSR are afforded the opportunity to avail of training and update their skills on an ongoing basis and that the extensive and professional training provided to the Reserve is a major motivating factor in encouraging people to join it as well as encouraging retention of existing members.
444. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent of the required upgrading of equipment including vehicles, aircraft and sea-going vessels as currently identified; the extent of the work in hand or proposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37063/20]
View answerMy priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service, is maintained to the greatest extent possible so as to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles as assigned by Government, including overseas deployments.
The acquisition and upgrading of equipment for the Defence Forces remains a clear focus for me. Future equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are considered in the context of the White Paper on Defence as part of the capability development and equipment priorities planning process. The principal aim over the period of the White Paper is to replace and upgrade, as required, existing capabilities in order to retain a flexible response for a wide range of operational requirements both at home and overseas.
The Equipment Development Plan (EDP) published in June 2020 provides a comprehensive list of planned equipment projects which will be progressed over five years. This plan builds on the intentions set out in the White Paper in relation to equipment acquisition, modernisation and upgrade and has been developed to ensure that our Defence Forces have the major equipment platforms, ancillary equipment and force protection equipment to carry out their important roles both at home and overseas.
The mid-life upgrade of the Army’s fleet of 80 General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) Mowag Piranha III armoured personnel carrier vehicles is well underway. This programme is on-going and continues to command significant resources and commitment of effort. The vehicle, which is the backbone of Defence Forces armoured capability, has been well proven in all its roles since the first vehicles were introduced in 2001. By end-2020, it is anticipated some 52 vehicles will have been upgraded including modernisation of protection systems and weapons. The overall programme is due to be completed by 2022. In addition, an order for 28 Armoured Utility Vehicles AUVs was recently placed with Centigon, a French company, and these will provide a level of protected mobility between the levels of soft-skinned light transport and heavier armoured vehicles.
There is also continuous investment in the non-armoured vehicle fleet. In 2019 a contract was signed with Toyota Ireland for the replacement of the Army's fleet of 3/4 tonne 4 X4 vehicles, the first of which entered service in early 2020. In March of this year a tender process was completed for the supply of one hundred and twenty (120) new 4 X 4 Troop Carrying Vehicles, with the award of a contract to Westward Scania, based in Strokestown, Co. Roscommon. The first vehicles are scheduled for delivery in 2020 with delivery of all 120 vehicles concluding by 2023. Funding is provided on an on-going basis for the required maintenance of vehicles in the military transport fleet, both at home and overseas.
A step change in military air-based capability is being achieved through the acquisition of Pilatus PC-12 aircraft. While nominally a replacement for the Cessna, the new aircraft move capabilities considerably ahead of the present level. The original order of three aircraft which were delivered in September 2020 was augmented on an urgent basis by an additional aircraft delivered in April 2020 to enhance fixed wing capacity to meet demands arising from Covid-19. The PC-12 has proven itself an effective and versatile asset.
The White Paper also provides for the replacement of the CASA 235s with consideration to be given to their replacement with larger more capable aircraft which would enhance maritime surveillance and provide a greater degree of utility for transport and cargo carrying tasks. A contract for the supply of two C295 Maritime Patrol Aircraft was entered into with Airbus Defence and Space in December 2019, with delivery of the aircraft expected in 2023.
The White Paper on Defence also sets out an ambitious programme of capital investment in the Naval Service including the mid-life refit and upgrade of the P50 class vessels, LÉ Róisín and LÉ Niamh, as well as, in due course, the replacement of LÉ Eithne. The P50 mid-life upgrade programme is well underway. The replacement of the flagship LÉ Eithne with a multi role vessel (MRV) is the next scheduled component of the White Paper fleet investment programme. Projects for other vessel replacement will be considered over the life-time of the White Paper in the context of overall capability development and funding and the Equipment Development Plan (EDP) process. The EDP outlines that the MRV project is in the planning ongoing stage with an indicative timeframe for progression from the current year through to 2024.
With regard to Defence Forces communications systems, there is continued investment in the development of suitable network enabled communications in order to meet the challenges of an increasingly complex operational environment. In July of this year a tender competition was commenced for the supply of Software Defined Radios to the Defence Forces and the competition is currently underway. The scope of the project consists of two main requirements; Personal Soldier Radios and Multi-Band Handheld, Manpack, Vehicular and Airborne radios. Given the complexity of the requirements the procurement process is expected to be comprehensive in nature with the first radios not expected to enter service before 2023.
The examples given, whilst not exhaustive, demonstrate my commitment to update and upgrade the Defence Forces equipment and capability, within the financial envelope available. In accordance with the National Development Plan, the capital allocation for Defence was increased to €113 million for 2020, an increase of €7 million. The National Development Plan provides for a total of €541 million for Defence over the period 2018-2022. Budget 2021 provides for a further increased gross allocation to £131m in the defence capital budget in respect of equipment and barracks infrastructure. This level of capital funding will allow the Defence Organisation to undertake a programme of sustained equipment replacement and infrastructural development across the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service as identified and prioritised in the Defence White Paper and builds on the significant investment programme over recent years.
I am satisfied that the Defence Forces have the necessary modern and effective range of equipment available to them which is in line with best international standards in order to fulfil all roles assigned to them by Government.
446. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which gender balance is being achieved throughout the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37065/20]
View answerIt is the policy of the Defence organisation to increase female participation rates at all levels of the Defence Forces in order to increase capability and to better reflect the society from which the Defence Forces are drawn and serve.
As of 30 September 2020, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) stood at 8,529 Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) personnel. Of this some 594 personnel (6.97%) were female broken down as follows:
- Army: 494 Female Personnel (7.18%)
- Air Corps: 39 Female Personnel (5.18%)
- Naval Service: 66 Female Personnel (7.34%)
In line with policies and commitments a number of initiatives have been implemented to increase the level of female participation in the Defence Forces. For example:
- Special consideration is paid to women as a target group for recruitment and within the general recruitment framework.
- The introduction of best practices in recruitment such as the adjustment of physical standards for female applicants and a balanced composition between men and women on recruitment and selection boards.
- A Gender, Equality and Diversity Officer has been appointed to promote gender equality policies and training within the Defence Forces.
- A Defence Forces Women's Network was established with the aim of increasing the participation of female personnel at all levels of the organisation.
The Government remains committed to a policy of equal opportunity for men and women throughout the Defence Forces and to the full participation by women in all aspects of Defence Forces activities.
448. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which the global positioning systems, GPS, used by the Defence Forces are modern, accurate and updated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37067/20]
View answerMy priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service, is maintained to the greatest extent possible so as to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles as assigned by Government, including overseas deployments.
The Equipment Development Plan (EDP) published in June 2020 provides a comprehensive list of planned equipment projects which will be progressed over five years. This plan builds on the intentions set out in the White Paper in relation to equipment acquisition, modernisation and upgrade and has been developed to ensure that our Defence Forces have the major equipment platforms, ancillary equipment and force protection equipment to carry out their important roles both at home and overseas. The equipment planning process recognises the need to maintain and upgrade military capabilities having regard to emerging operational requirements and changes in technology, including communications equipment and technology and this is an ongoing process.
Modern secure communications are essential for the Defence Forces and in that regard Defence Force personnel are suitably equipped in a variety of roles with required communications and global positioning systems (GPS) equipment. GPS systems are used to aid navigation and as a force protection measure. They are integrated on board vehicles, vessels and aircraft control systems and embedded in communications systems used by Defence Force personnel.
I am advised by the Military Authorities that the Defence Forces have the necessary modern and effective range of equipment available to them which is in line with best international standards in order to fulfil all roles assigned to them by Government and that such systems are kept under review.
449. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Defence the number of aircraft purchased in 2020; the cost for each aircraft; the purpose of each new aircraft; the persons or body that operates them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37119/20]
View answerMy priority as Minister with Responsibility for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Defence Forces is maintained to the greatest extent possible so as to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles as assigned by Government. Capability equipment requirements are kept under
on-going review in the light of present and expected operational needs.
The White Paper on Defence provides for the replacement of the current Air Corps Cessna fleet with three larger aircraft, equipped for Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR). Following an open tender competition, a contract was placed with Pilatus Aircraft Ltd in December 2017 and all three aircraft were delivered in September 2020. The total cost of the three aircraft including associated training and ancillary equipment was €43m including VAT. These Fixed Wing Utility Aircraft are operated by the 104 Squadron of the Irish Air Corps and are equipped to carry out Transport, Logistics, ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) and MEDEVAC roles.
In March 2020, an additional Pilatus PC-12 NG aircraft was acquired at a cost of €5.2m including VAT. This aircraft was procured to provide the Air Corps with immediate additional fixed wing capacity to meet the unique situation arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. This aircraft is also operated by the 104 Squadron of the Irish Air Corps and is equipped to carry out transport, logistics and MEDEVAC roles.
The Deputy may wish to note that the White Paper also provides for the replacement of the two CASA 235 Maritime Patrol Aircraft with consideration of their replacement with larger more capable aircraft, which would enhance maritime surveillance and provide a greater degree of utility for transport and cargo carrying tasks. Following a tender competition a contract was awarded to Airbus Defence and Space in December 2019 for delivery of two C295 Maritime Patrol Aircraft in 2023 at a cost of some €221m including VAT.
450. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Defence the additional provisions being given to the Air Corps to deal with additional demands from the HSE, in particular the demand for emergency airlift provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37120/20]
View answerWhilst the Defence Forces are not a primary response agency for non-security related emergencies, as defined in the Framework for Major Emergency Management, they provide the fullest possible assistance to the appropriate Lead Department in the event of a natural disaster or emergency situation in its Aid to Civil Authority (ATCA) role.
As part of the Defence Organisation, the Air Corps provides a broad range of services in accordance with its primary security role. The Air Corps also undertakes a diverse range of non-security-related tasks on an ‘as available’ basis including the provision of air ambulance services to the Health Service Executive (HSE). This support is underpinned by agreed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
In relation to other requests for support, the Air Corps and indeed the Defence Forces, can be made and are made available, within current means and capabilities, as the need arises. At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, a Joint Task Force was established to coordinate the Defence Forces contribution to the whole-of-Government COVID-19 response while retaining, at all times, a contingent capacity to provide Aid to the Civil Power support.
Given the unique situation arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, an additional PC-12 NG aircraft was purchased to provide immediate additional fixed wing capacity. This aircraft provides the Air Corps with a further agile resource to service urgent requests from the HSE and other agencies of the State. Over the last number of months the Air Corps have been involved in the transportation of COVID-19 tests to Germany in direct support of the effort to fight COVID-19, as well as fulfilling a broad range of other security and non-security roles as detailed above.
451. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education when a bus ticket will issue to a person (details supplied) who has made an application for a school bus ticket; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36401/20]
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.
Bus Eireann has confirmed, that the child to whom the Deputy refers, is eligible for School Transport. However, payment for School Transport for the 2020/2021 school year was received on 8th September 2020 and as such is a late payment.
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 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.
452. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the time when leaving certificate exams were postponed and students were informed that they would be awarded full marks for the oral exam (details supplied); her views on the adequacy of supports in place for students sitting the leaving certificate exams; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36486/20]
View answerThe Leaving Certificate written examinations commenced on Monday 16th November and will conclude on Friday 11th December. These written examinations will be based on the normal question paper format, content and structure, and duration as in previous years.
These postponed examinations are being provided to students who are unhappy with the outcome of the calculated grades process, as well as to the small number of students who may not be awarded a calculated grade in the absence of credible teacher data to generate an estimated mark.
Candidates taking the November examinations will be graded on the basis of their written papers. It would not be feasible or practical at this stage to conduct examinations in oral or practical components, or to try to complete unfinished coursework.
The earlier arrangement communicated in March, that full marks would be awarded in respect of oral language and music performance tests for Leaving Certificate, no longer applies. The March announcement was intended to support the running of all other examination components in the normal fashion as part of a response to the emergency situation relating to Covid-19 at the time. Candidates were not automatically awarded full marks in respect of any examination component in the Calculated Grades system. Accordingly, it would not be appropriate or fair to now award full marks for some examination components in the interest of inter-candidate equity between those sitting a later examination and those receiving a calculated grade.
Following the closure of schools in March 2020, my Department published a range of guidance to assist schools and teachers in ensuring continuity of teaching and learning for students, as well as supporting their wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This guidance aimed to ensure regular engagement of students in lessons, tasks and learning experiences across the range of curriculum subjects, provision of regular assignments and regular, practical, supportive and customised feedback on work submitted. Schools engaged with their students in various ways, in accordance with the technology and broadband resources available in school and at home.
The aim of the remote learning approaches adopted by schools, the guidance that was issued to all schools, and the regular engagement with students, was to ensure that students stayed connected with and progressed their learning. These actions will, therefore, have helped to minimise the impact of the school closures and to enable students to complete the curriculum before tuition for 6th year students ceased on 11 May.
Candidates who elect to sit postponed examinations are no longer students in schools. The school which they attended have a new cohort of 6th year students who will be preparing for examinations in 2021, as well as full cohorts of students in every other year. On a practical level, schools will have had no capacity (infrastructural or staffing) to offer additional tuition to candidates for the autumn examinations.
In addition, offering additional supports to students opting to sit the postponed examinations would not be equitable to those who did decide not to so opt. As students may combine their examination results with Calculated Grades results, offering supports to those taking the examinations could result in them having an advantage in attaining grades that would not be offered to students who decide not to opt to sit the postponed examinations. It should also be borne in mind that students choosing to sit postponed examinations will have had additional time to prepare for examination and, if they choose, may opt to sit less than the full suite of examinations.
453. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education if one-to-one music lessons are permitted for leaving certificate students who are obliged to perform for a music practical examination in March and April 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36808/20]
View answerMy Department has published a suite of helpful guidance for the safe and sustainable operation 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.
Schools have a particular role to play in establishing secure and safe learning environments, in supporting the wellbeing of all, and in planning collaboratively for teaching and learning in a way that enables all pupils to progress and flourish in the 2020/21 school year. Subjects which are being followed as part of the school curriculum, including music, can continue, once appropriate control measures are in place in line with a school’s COVID-19 Response Plan.
The specific focus of planning for individual subjects will vary from school to school in light of the individual school circumstances. Schools are advised to consult with guidance published by my Department is respect of practical subjects ‘Return to School Guidance for Practical Subjects in Post Primary Schools and Centres for Education’.
Further information is available at www.gov.ie/backtoschool.
Guidelines on undertaking private activities outside of school are not a matter for this Department.
454. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education the amount of additional ring-fenced funding to be provided to domestic violence services under budget 2021 in order that services can respond adequately to increased incidence of domestic violence through Covid-19 and beyond; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37126/20]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that no additional ring-fenced funding has been provided to my Department towards domestic violence services in Budget 2021.
However, I can inform the Deputy that my Department is continuing to implement relevant actions from the Second National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence, launched in January 2016. The strategy is a whole of Government response aimed at tackling domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.
455. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Education when she expects the third round of the appeals process for 2020 leaving certificate grades to be complete; the progress of the appeals process generally; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36136/20]
View answerThe 2020 Leaving Certificate Calculated Grades appeals process has concluded and the appeal outcomes were made available to students at 12pm on Friday 16 October through the Calculated Grades Student Portal.
In the processing of the appeals, a total of 33,301 individual subject records belonging to 12,216 students were reviewed. This number excludes students who initially entered for an appeal but later withdrew their application.
As a result of the process, a total of 18 increased grades have been awarded to 18 individual students. Eleven of these were upgrades following an appeal by the student. A further seven grades were upgraded following quality assurance checks as part of the appeals process which involved checks on the documentation submitted by schools; the entry of that data on to the schools' data collection system; and the subsequent transmission of the data through the various IT systems used in the generation of calculated grades.
The appeals process was a process review focussed on looking for errors in the transmission and processing of student data through the process. It was not possible to appeal the information (estimated percentage mark or rank order) provided by the school. Due to the nature of the Calculated Grades system the professional judgement of the school was outside of the appeals process. The design of the statistical model and the application of the national standardisation process was also outside of the scope of the appeals process.
The CAO were also notified of changes to students’ results on 16 October. Candidates who are eligible for a new offer as a result of the upgraded mark received following the appeals process will be contacted as soon as possible.
Students unhappy with the outcome of the above process could invoke a separate process to have their appeal reviewed by independent Appeals Scrutineers. These scrutineers are independent of my Department. The independent Appeals Scrutineers will check to ensure the correct procedures were followed throughout the appeals process. The scrutineers will have access to the records and documentation considered in the appeals process.
The closing date for application to this process was 5pm on Friday 23 October. Applications for this stage of the appeals process were submitted by 302 candidates in respect of 900 subject results. Every effort will be made to complete this review stage as quickly as possible and to provide the outcomes to students. At this stage, it is not possible to specify the exact timescale for completion of the review process.
Following the conclusion of the appeals processes, students who consider that their case has not been processed correctly can make a complaint to the Ombudsman or, in the case of students under 18 years of age, the Ombudsman for Children.
Students were also given the opportunity to register for the postponed Leaving Certificate examinations which are due to begin on 16 November.
456. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education the way in which the planned investment of €5 million for DEIS schools will be allocated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36137/20]
View answerI am pleased to advise the Deputy that under Budget 2021 I have announced a general reduction in the mainstream staffing schedule to 25:1. While there has been a reduction in mainstream class size in recent years, there has not been a corresponding reduction for those Urban Band 1 DEIS schools who are already allocated a preferential staffing schedule of 20:1 for schools catering for junior classes only and 24:1 for schools catering for senior classes only. Most DEIS Urban Band 1 schools operate vertical schools with a ratio of 22:1.
As an initial step in addressing this, I have focused on a reduction in the Senior DEIS Urban Band 1 primary schools and therefore there will be a one point reduction in their staffing schedule from 24:1 to 23:1.
The total Budget allocation of additional funding of €2million in 2021, with a full year allocation of €5million in 2022 provides for further supports to be allocated as part of the DEIS programme to those schools catering for the highest concentrations of educational disadvantage. My Department continues to support those schools most in need and is considering options on how best to achieve this.
457. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education the reason she has not committed to extending the planned class size reductions in DEIS band one junior and vertical schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36138/20]
View answer458. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education if additional resources such as staffing will be allocated to all DEIS band one schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36139/20]
View answer468. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education the reason a school (details supplied) did not benefit from a decision to extend class size reductions to DEIS band one schools despite being a DEIS band one school. [36242/20]
View answer500. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she will consider extending the class size reductions planned for DEIS band one senior schools to include DEIS band one junior schools and DEIS band one vertical schools in a context of evidence that class size matters most for younger children; the way in which the currently planned increased investment in DEIS schools is to be transparently allocated; if she will consider allocating an increase in resources and staffing to all DEIS band one schools in the context of the shortages exposed by the Covid-19 pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36507/20]
View answer507. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Education if junior DEIS band one schools will benefit from a reduction in the pupil teacher ratio announced in budget 2021; the position regarding the planned full-year allocation of €5 million in 2022 and allocation of same; the position regarding additional resources and staffing and the allocation of same to all DEIS band one schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36646/20]
View answer545. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education if she will extend proposals to reduce class sizes in DEIS senior schools to include DEIS band one junior and vertical schools such as a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36942/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 457, 458, 468, 500, 507 and 545 together.
Under Budget 2021 I have announced a general reduction in the mainstream staffing schedule to 25:1. While there has been a reduction in mainstream class size in recent years, there has not been a corresponding reduction for those Urban Band 1 DEIS schools who are already allocated a preferential staffing schedule of 20:1 for schools catering for junior classes only and 24:1 for schools catering for senior classes only. Most DEIS Urban Band 1 schools operate vertical schools with a ratio of 22:1.
As an initial step in addressing this, I have focused on a reduction in the Senior DEIS Urban Band 1 primary schools and therefore there will be a one point reduction in their staffing schedule from 24:1 to 23:1.
The total budget allocation of additional funding of €2million in 2021, with a full year allocation of €5million in 2022 provides for further supports to be allocated as part of the DEIS programme to those schools catering for the highest concentrations of educational disadvantage. My Department continues to support those schools most in need and is considering options on how best to achieve this.
459. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education the reason Honey Park, Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin, is excluded from the catchment area of school patronage for Blackrock, Booterstown and Dún Laoghaire (details supplied). [36159/20]
View answerIn order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data in a way that takes account of the significant local and regional variations in demographic trends and enrolment projections, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas (SPAs).
Using school planning area boundaries within my Department’s Geographic Information System (GIS) allows data within those boundaries, including data for enrolments in schools, child benefit and other relevant data to be added to the mapping information, grouped and analysed.
The school planning areas are used in the demographic exercise as a basis for the assessment of areas of growth and to inform recommendations on the establishment of any new schools required in that school planning area. In urban areas, in particular, data relating to adjacent school planning areas is also used to inform our consideration of requirements. There are no current plans to revise school planning areas.
The new post primary school to which the Deputy refers was announced in 2018 following nationwide demographic analysis which identified an emerging demand at post primary level in the Booterstown_Blackrock and Dunlaoghaire SPAs. For that reason, the school is being established in 2021 as a regional solution to serve those school planning areas.
For school planning purposes, Honey Park is located in the Sallynoggin_Killiney_DLR school planning area, which is adjacent to the Dunlaoghaire SPA. As the Deputy may be aware, a new 8 classroom primary school is to be established in 2021 to serve the Sallynoggin_Killiney_DLR/North school planning area and a patronage process for that school has just commenced, with school patron bodies/prospective school patron bodies invited to apply for the patronage of the new primary school. It is anticipated that the Online Patronage Process System (OPPS) for this school will open for parental preferences soon after the patron application process is completed.
The OPPS for the new post-primary school for the Booterstown_Blackrock and Dún Laoghaire school planning areas, along with three other post-primary schools to be established in 2021, is currently ongoing.
All new schools established since 2011 to meet demographic demand are required to prioritise the enrolment of children from within the designated school planning areas which the school is being established to serve. Accordingly, only parents of eligible children residing in the school planning area can express a preference with regard to the patronage of the new school. However, it is important to note that this does not preclude schools from enrolling pupils from outside of the designated school planning area, rather it reflects the need to accommodate in the first instance the demographic for which the school was established. An expression of a parental preference for patronage of a school is not an application for enrolment. Once the school has been established, parents must apply directly to the school in relation to their child’s enrolment in the normal way.
460. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education if she will address a matter (details supplied) regarding live streaming classes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36183/20]
View answerThe Health Protection Surveillance Centre and HSE has published guidance in relation to the return to school for at risk groups. The advice confirms that for the vast majority of children, including those who are high risk, can return to school and it is important for the overall health and wellbeing for children to attend school. This is consistent with public health advice internationally. Live streaming of classes does not arise where categories of students are expected to be in school. 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.
My Department has also published guidance to support schools in making adapted education provision for students with an underlying medical condition who cannot return to school because they are medically certified as being at very high risk to COVID-19.
The guidance for post-primary schools on supporting such students is available via the following link: https://assets.gov.ie/86732/17f3cc49-72ad-4986-98fc-51037d93369e.pdf.
461. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education her views on overcrowding on school buses (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36191/20]
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.
School Transport services for the 2020/2021 school year commenced on the 26th 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.
Based on the public health advice published in early July, and the updated advice received from the HPSC on 7th August and from NPHET on the 18th August, the Department has been planning for School Transport Scheme services for the 2020/2021 school year to fully operate, but with additional measures and hygiene requirements in place and with the rolling implementation of measures on post-primary services as required to provide physical distancing, using 50 per cent of passenger capacity. The implementation of 50% capacity has been put in place where possible over the last number of weeks and over the coming weeks, Bus Éireann will be implementing 50% capacity on a rolling basis as soon as it is possible to do so on all remaining routes.
Commercial contractors who provide transport for schools on a private hire or commercial basis but who are not contracted by Bus Éireann to operate on the Department’s School Transport Scheme do not fall under the remit of the Department of Education. However, my Department has reminded schools and other stakeholders that public health advice is best practice on these services also.
462. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education the status of the provision of a new school (details supplied) in County Offaly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36197/20]
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. The project is currently at Stage 1 of architectural planning which entails preliminary site surveys, location suitability and initial sketch scheme.
A review in 2019 of the demand for post-primary provision in the area resulted in an increase in the schedule of accommodation to cater for up to 1,300 pupils.
The Stage 1 report has recently been received by my Department. A meeting was convened last week between officials from my Department, the Board of Management and its Design Team to discuss the report and further information is to be provided by the Design Team. Once received and reviewed, my Department will be in contact with the school and its Design Team with regard to the further progression of the project.
