Written Answers Nos. 201-225
201. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Defence if he will align Reservist pay with the Permanent Defence Forces first point of the scale under the new 2020 public sector pay deal; if so, the estimated cost of this alignment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37435/20]
View answerThe rates of pay for members of the RDF is calculated in line with the rates of pay for members of the PDF. As per Defence Force Regulations, the rate of pay for the RDF is linked with first point of the scale of the rate of pay for the PDF.
Prior to the Financial Emergency, the pay scales applying to the PDF also applied to the RDF. Under FEMPI measures, the pay cuts that applied to the PDF also applied to the RDF. An additional 10% reduction applied to the rate of paid training for members of the RDF, as per the Public Service Stability Agreement (PSSA) – 2013-2016 (Haddington Road Agreement) in May 2013.
The restoration of pay for Public Servants, including for members of the Defence Forces, has been conducted in accordance with PSSA 2013 - 2018 and PSSA 2018 – 2020, with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. However, the additional 10% reduction under the Haddington Road Agreement is not included in these restorations and measures to address this are under consideration.
The information requested by the Deputy on an estimation of the cost of this pay alignment is being collated but, unfortunately, could not be provided within the time frame for reply. The information sought will be provided as soon as possible.
202. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Defence the number of applications and number of personnel who re-enlisted to date under the PDF re-enlistment scheme, for the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps by rank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37436/20]
View answerLast April, the former Minister with responsibility for Defence, launched a scheme to re-enlist former Permanent Defence Force (PDF) enlisted personnel. The focus of the scheme was those former PDF personnel with particular skillsets identified by the Chief of Staff where shortages exist The scheme allows for initial re-enlistment for a minimum of six months and up to 3 years and the duration of the re-enlistment offered depends on the vacancies that exist.
The response to the scheme has been positive with over 700 applications received to date. I am advised by the military authorities that unfortunately, a large number of those who applied, did not meet the eligibility criteria, and in addition, a number of applications were subsequently withdrawn by the candidates themselves.
Following recommendations from the Chief of Staff, 38 personnel have been inducted to date. I understand that further recommendations from the Chief of Staff of personnel to be re-enlisted are imminent. The number of personnel, by rank, that have re-enlisted to date under the scheme for the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps, is broken down as follows:
|
Rank |
Army |
Naval Service |
Air Corps |
Total |
|
CQMS |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Sergeant |
3 |
0 |
2 |
5 |
|
Corporal |
5 |
0 |
2 |
7 |
|
Private |
24 |
1 |
0 |
25 |
I welcome the re-enlistment of these personnel and wish them well in their renewed careers in the Defence Forces. Their important contribution to the operational effectiveness of the Defence Forces is appreciated.
203. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Defence the reason recruitment and training has continued for the PDF but not the RDF; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37437/20]
View answerI am advised by the military authorities that a recruitment campaign for the Army Reserve (AR) and Naval Service Reserve (NSR) was opened in spring of this year. However, the restrictions imposed in the interests of public health as a result of the Covid 19 pandemic have had a significant impact on certain Defence Forces activities, leading to difficulties in conducting inductions and training, including for the Reserve Defence Force (RDF). This has impacted on the intake of Reserve recruits in the latter half of the year. Nevertheless, 65 additional new RDF members have been inducted to date this year, with 59 inducted into the AR and 6 inducted into the NSR.
Given the competing recruitment demands at present, Permanent Defence Force (PDF) recruitment is, and will remain a priority. While the Government remains committed to on-going recruitment in the AR and NSR, it should be noted that the same personnel and resources are utilised for both PDF and RDF recruitment.
At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, a decision was made by the military authorities to reduce the amount of RDF training activities in order to comply with public health guidelines. While training has been limited, as the Defence Forces continue to contribute to the Government’s response to the current COVID 19 response, some members of the Reserve who have skills which are required in that response, have been engaged in authorised COVID 19 training activities in support of the PDF, on a voluntary basis, and where their personal circumstances allow. Their contribution at this time is greatly appreciated.
204. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Defence the number of personnel who re-enlisted to the Air Corps under the Air Corps loyalty scheme to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37438/20]
View answerOn 1 April last, the former Minister with responsibility for Defence launched a scheme to re-enlist former Permanent Defence Force (PDF) enlisted personnel. The focus of the scheme is on former PDF personnel with particular skillsets identified by the Chief of Staff, where shortages exist.
Following recommendations by the Chief of Staff, and with my approval, a total of 38 former PDF personnel have been inducted to date, 5 of which are former Air Corps personnel. Further recommendations from the Chief of Staff are, I understand, imminent.
Separately, a scheme is in place since October 2019, which provides for the re-commissioning of former Officers with specialist skills and where vacancies exist. To date, 5 Flying Officers have been re-commissioned, with 7 further former Air Corps Officers (6 pilots and 1 Air Traffic Controller) due to be re-commissioned this month.
In addition, there exists a Service Commitment Scheme for Air Corps pilots which was reintroduced in 2019, arising from the recommendations in the Public Service Pay Commission’s report on recruitment and retention challenges in the Defence Forces. The Scheme was introduced with a view to assisting in the retention in service of experienced operational pilots in key appointments. A total of 15 officers availed of the 2019 scheme, while a further 10 officers are participating in the 2020 scheme.
205. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Defence the supports in place to assist Defence Forces families during overseas deployment; if these supports will receive additional investment, and the supports that are in development. [37439/20]
View answerWhen Permanent Defence Force personnel are deployed overseas their families have access to a range of supports throughout the period of the deployment.
I am advised by military authorities that the Personnel Support Service (PSS) within the Defence Forces, which has at its disposal, trained military support staff and occupational social workers, remains available to all Defence Forces personnel who are deployed and to their families. Contact with the families of deployed personnel is maintained through Military Liaison Officers, supported by PSS staff.
In addition, a 24 hour confidential counselling service, INSPIRE, which is available to all personnel of the Defence Forces at home or deployed overseas is also currently available to family members of all military personnel, where the family member is a spouse or partner, or an adult child living at home.
206. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Defence the healthcare, housing, psychiatric and income supports available to retired members of the Defence Forces. [37440/20]
View answerI recognise the valued public service that was given to the State by retired members of the Permanent Defence Force. As with other members of society, former members of the Permanent Defence Force can experience difficulties. In such circumstances they have access to the wide range of supports available to all citizens.
Retired personnel also have access to the strong support network provided by the recognised Veterans’ Associations. Officials from my Department and I hold regular meetings with three Veterans’ Associations, the Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA), the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel (ONE) and the Association of Retired Commissioned Officers (ARCO). I most recently met with them last Friday, 13th November 2020 and discussed issues of concern to their members.
As part of the supports currently offered to veterans, my Department has Service Level Agreements in place with ONE and IUNVA which set out the services the Department provides to these Associations. Under the terms of these SLAs, my Department provides financial support by way of annual subventions of €100,000 to ONE and €11,000 to IUNVA respectively to support their work and the range of services they offer to ex-service personnel.
ONE provides accommodation (board and lodgings) for 49 homeless, elderly and disabled ex-service personnel in three residential homes in Dublin, Letterkenny and Athlone, while IUNVA accommodates 4 retired personnel in its home on The Curragh.
ONE currently has 12 Veterans Support Centres (VSCs) nationwide, while IUNVA operates drop-in centres at 8 of its 22 posts around the country. My Department has assisted ONE in its plans to establish a network of VSCs nationwide. ONE plans to establish a total of 15 VSCs. The VSC aims to prevent homelessness through early intervention and to actively address loneliness. VSCs are available to all veterans to seek support and advice, not just to ONE members.
Departmental properties have been made available to ONE and IUNVA to house their VSCs and drop-in centres. 9 of ONE's VSCs are located in military barracks, as are 3 of IUNVA's drop-in centres. Refurbishment work has been undertaken on a number of these properties to facilitate their use by the organisations. 11 of the 15 VSCs which ONE are in the process of establishing will be based in Defence Forces barracks.
As a further means of assisting the recognised Veterans Associations, my Department secured total funding of €300,000 awarded under the Dormant Accounts Fund Action Plan 2020 to assist ONE and IUNVA with specific special projects. ONE has nominated the provision of a VSC in Cobh, Co. Cork as their special project. Work is currently underway refurbishing a former Social Welfare Office premises in Harbour Row, Cobh.
A component of IUNVA’s nominated special project under the Dormant Accounts Fund Action Plan 2020 is to increase the training facilities available to its members at nine of its posts around the country.
207. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Defence if funding has been drawn from other funding sources or Departments in order to finance elements of the Defence Forces: if so, the amount; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37441/20]
View answerDefence Sector funding is provided through the annual Budgetary process, through allocations in respect of Vote 36 Defence and Vote 35 Army Pensions. The total gross allocation provided to the Defence Sector in Budget 2021 is €1,072.3 million, comprising of €809.7 million for Vote 36 and €262.6 million for Vote 35.
The Defence Vote receives reimbursements from the United Nations (UN) for certain Personnel and Equipment costs incurred by the Defence Forces on UN led operations. These reimbursements are in the form of Appropriations-in-Aid to the Defence Vote.
My Department has also secured approval in principle for EU funding available under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) Operational Programme (2014-2020) for a number of relevant projects. No payments have yet been received under this Programme.
208. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Defence if there has been correspondence with the relevant authorities in the European Union Commission regarding Ireland's inability to fully crew all naval ships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37442/20]
View answerThe Naval Service is the State's principal sea-going agency tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. While the main day to day role of the Naval Service is to provide a fishery protection service in accordance with the State's obligations as a member of the European Union, the Naval Service also carries out a number of non-fishery related tasks including a defence and security role.
The Government has acknowledged the recruitment and retention issues that are currently impacting on Naval Service operations. The current shortfall is especially marked in specialist areas, where small numbers are more vulnerable to gaps. Without giving rise to any compromise on safety, the impact of these shortfalls has resulted in greater pressure on individual members and units. There has also been an impact on the operational availability of the Naval Service, and an impact on the overall number of operational ships, which is a situation that has to be managed carefully.
There has not been any approach by any EU authority or body in relation to our national Naval Service fleet's size or manning levels. National defence and security are a Member State competency.
In relation to the Naval Service's sea-fishery protection role, the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006 established the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) as the competent Authority for securing efficient and effective enforcement of sea fisheries protection legislation and the sustainable exploitation of marine fish resources from the waters around Ireland within Ireland's EEZ.
A Service Level Agreement is in place which underpins the relationship between the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority and the Defence Organisation. This Agreement provides for the development of an annual Control Plan and for agreed reporting and training arrangements. Via the annual Control Plan the Naval Service makes a commitment to carry out a certain number of dedicated joint sea fisheries protection days in conjunction with fellow EU Member States. On an annual basis, including this year in the face of a number of challenges, the Naval Service continues to meet its EU commitments under the Control Plan and to provide a high level of national fishery patrol days.
209. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Defence the technological changes to the recruitment process that have occurred due to the Covid-19 pandemic to facilitate a safer and faster recruitment process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37443/20]
View answerThe capacity of the Defence Forces to induct and train recruits was severely impacted by the COVID-19 situation but those aspects of the induction process that could be conducted remotely continued throughout the year and inductions/training have been resumed taking public health guidelines into account.
While additional safety measures have necessitated the re-scheduling of aspects of the recruitment process, this has not necessitated significant technological changes, with the exception of some interviews which have been conducted remotely.
210. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Defence the average body mass index of Defence Forces personnel broken down by service, that is, Army, Naval Service and Air Corps in each of the years 2015 to 2019. [37509/20]
View answerIn the timeframe available for answering PQs it is not possible to compile the information requested by the Deputy. I will revert to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
|
Year |
Army |
Naval Service |
Air Corps |
|
2015 |
26.03 |
25.79 |
26.02 |
|
2016 |
26.23 |
26.27 |
26.11 |
|
2017 |
26.17 |
26.19 |
26.28 |
|
2018 |
26.22 |
26.46 |
25.85 |
|
2019 |
26.15 |
26.37 |
26.10 |
211. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Defence the third-party contracts entered into by agencies under the remit of his Department for the operation of community and voluntary organisations; the number of staff employed by the third party; and the cost of the contract in 2019 and 2020. [37557/20]
View answerI can confirm that neither my Department, or any agencies operating under the remit of my Department, have entered into third-party contracts for the operation of community and voluntary organisations.
212. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Defence if the Naval Service loyalty bonus also applies to Naval Service reservists that meet the requirement criteria. [37743/20]
View answerThe Naval Service Sea-going Service Commitment Scheme recently introduced, is targeted at retaining and incentivising personnel of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) who have accrued an appropriate level of service and experience. It is one of a number of measures aimed at addressing retention issues with Naval service PDF personnel. The Scheme is not open to members of the Naval Service Reserve.
The Scheme is not intended to encompass all sea-going personnel, solely those with the requisite experience levels. In this context, in order to be eligible for the Scheme, personnel must have 3 years’ service in the rank of Able rating or above, or Ensign and above, and to be serving in a sea-going appointment.
All applicants at the time of application must be commencing/undertaking sea-going duties and must give an undertaking to serve for an aggregate of 24 months at sea and undertake a minimum number of patrol days (240) during the sea-going periods, over a maximum 48 month reference period. Individuals are required to undertake a minimum of 60 patrol days in each 6 month sea-going period to qualify for staged payments.
213. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education when the minimum entry maths grade was changed for entry to the primary school teaching qualifications; the grade now required; and if there is a route to gain this grade other than a repeat of the maths subject in the leaving certificate. [37462/20]
View answer215. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education her views on a matter on entry requirements for primary teaching (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37415/20]
View answer230. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education if the entry requirements for Irish for the master’s degree in primary education have changed from 2020; the previous requirement and the current requirement; if there will be exceptions made for students who did their leaving certificate in 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37630/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 213, 215 and 230 together.
My Department made a decision in 2017, based on advice received from the Teaching Council, to set higher Minimum Entry Requirement Standards (MERS) to primary teaching for Leaving Certificate Mathematics, English and Irish with effect from September 2019 as follows:
Entry 2018 - Irish: H5, English: H7/O5, Maths: H7/O6
Entry 2019 and onwards- Irish: H4, English: H7/O4, Maths: H7/O4
The new MERS were approved following detailed consultation and are designed to maintain the integrity of Initial Teacher Education and to support quality teaching and learning in primary schools. I am of the view that the new higher MERS, are the appropriate standards and will apply for entry to the Professional Masters of Education (PME) programme in September 2021.
As the original timing of the higher MERS may have caused difficulties for some students planning on undertaking a PME as an entry route to primary teaching, my Department made a decision in 2019 to defer the increased MERS for entry to the primary postgraduate route for an additional two years until September 2021. This deferral was to allow students the opportunity to make arrangements to ensure they have the necessary entry requirements for entry to the programme. I wish to note that the new higher MERS announced in October 2017, continued to apply from September 2019 for students planning on entering the undergraduate Bachelor of Education (Primary) programme.
In the case of a student who does not meet the minimum entry requirement in Irish, English or Mathematics, it is open to the person to repeat the Leaving Certificate Examination or pursue a course of study leading to one of the alternative qualifications in the subject(s) concerned as outlined in the published Entry Requirements and Procedures for 2020.
214. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education if a bus ticket will issue to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37734/20]
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.
Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only. Concessionary transport is subject to a number of terms and conditions including the availability of spare seats on an existing service and payment of the annual charge. The availability of concessionary transport may vary from year to year, is not available on public scheduled services and cannot be guaranteed for the duration of a child’s education cycle. Where the number of applications for transport on a concessionary basis exceeds the number of seats available, Bus Éireann will determine the allocation of the tickets. Routes will not be extended or altered, additional vehicles will not be introduced, nor will larger vehicles or extra trips using existing vehicles be provided to cater for children travelling on a concessionary basis.
Bus Eireann has advised that the pupil referred to by the Deputy is not eligible for school transport as he is not attending his nearest post primary school. The existing school transport service is currently operating to capacity and there are no seats available at present. A refund of the school transport charge was processed on 8 September 2020.
216. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education her views on the rights of students to attend a school in their catchment area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37450/20]
View answerIn relation to school admissions, it is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998 and the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in that area.
Under the provisions of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018, all schools have drafted new school admission policies, which have been approved by the school patron and published on the school websites.
The act requires schools to clearly set out their selection criteria in their admission policies. Schools have discretion in relation to their admission criteria and how they are applied, giving a priority to a certain catchment area is permitted as a criterion under the act, and schools can apply this as a criterion should they wish to do so. The criteria to be applied by schools and the order of priority are a matter for the schools themselves. However in some cases there may be more applicants than places available. In such circumstances a selection process may be necessary and some applicants may not receive a place of their first choice.
New schools established since 2011 to meet demographic demand are required, in the first instance, to prioritise pupil applications from within the designated school planning area(s) which the school was established to serve. This does not preclude schools from enrolling pupils from outside of the school planning area where they have sufficient places, rather it reflects the need to accommodate in the first instance the demographic for which the school was established.
The requirement on new schools established since 2011 to prioritise enrolment from a particular school planning area(s) does not apply to or impact on the majority of existing schools established prior to 2011.
217. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education the reason post-primary schools receive a higher capitation per head than primary schools with regard to the minor works grant payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37454/20]
View answerSchools by their nature are generally much larger at post-primary level than at primary level. There are also a wide variety of specialist rooms and various plant and equipment at post-primary level that would not be a feature at primary level.
This all adds to a greater level of complexity to the management and operation of post-primary schools to have them ready for re-opening for September 2020 and continue in operation during the school year in a Covid-19 environment.
It is also worth noting that there is a greater level of flexibility in the public health guidance on physical distancing arrangements at primary level compared to post-primary level. This impacted on the scale of reconfiguration works that were needed in post-primary schools to facilitate a full return to school.
These factors were taken into account by the Department in determining the appropriate levels of minor works grant funding to operate at primary and post-primary levels.
A total of €90m minor works funding is being provided to primary schools - €60m was paid in July/August and a further €30m will be paid in early December.
A total of €70m minor works funding is being provided to post-primary schools - €42m was paid in August and a further €25m will be paid in early December. The balance of €3m will be provided to schools that need additional support.
218. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education if a payroll issue will be resolved for a teacher (details supplied) who worked as a SNA from September to October 2020 and is now a substitute teacher. [37465/20]
View answerI am pleased to inform the Deputy that officials in my Department have been in contact with the teacher involved and are resolving the pay issue.
219. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education if she will address a matter regarding the case of a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37511/20]
View answerThe NCSE has responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs including the allocation of SNAs and reviews. The Department does not have a role in making individual school determinations. Accordingly, the question has been referred to the NCSE for direct reply.
The Special Needs Assistant (SNA) scheme is designed to provide schools with additional adult support staff who can assist children with special educational needs who also have additional and significant care needs. Such support is provided in order to facilitate the attendance of those pupils at school and also to minimise disruption to class or teaching time for the pupils concerned, or for their peers, and with a view to developing their independent living skills.
SNAs are not allocated to individual children but to schools as a school based resource. The deployment of SNAs within schools is a matter for the individual Principal/Board of Management of the school. SNAs should be deployed by the school in a manner which best meets the care support requirements of the children enrolled in the school for whom SNA support has been allocated.
It is a matter for schools to allocate support as required, and on the basis of individual need, which allows schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised.
Schools were notified of the arrangements for the allocation of SNA support in respect of students in mainstream classes for the current school year. The arrangements include the following provisions:
- 2019/20 mainstream class SNA allocations were frozen, from the date of issue of Circular 0030/2020, and have automatically rolled over into the current school year. This means that no school received an allocation less than that which they had on the date of issue of the Circular and existing SNAs in standard SNA posts at the time were allowed to continue in these posts for the current school year in the normal way.
- A diagnosis of a disability, or a psychological or other professional report, is not be necessary for this process.
- The role of the SNA to support the care needs of students in mainstream classes, as set out in Circular 0030/2014, remains unchanged.
It was expected that schools would review and reprioritise the deployment of SNAs within mainstream settings and allocate resources to ensure those with the greatest level of need receive the greatest level of support. Providing access to SNA support continues to be based on primary care needs as outlined in DES Circular 0030/2014.
Schools may apply to the NCSE for additionality where they can demonstrate that the current allocation does not meet additional care needs within the mainstream classes in the school. Applications for additionality arising from significant new or emerging additional care needs, which cannot be catered within existing allocations, are dealt with by way of the exceptional review process.
The exceptional review process for mainstream allocations is available to schools throughout the current school year.
Detailed information on the NCSE exceptional review process is published on the NCSE website www.ncse.ie.
A school can appeal the outcome of an exceptional review and details of how to do this are here https://ncse.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/GuidanceSchoolAppealing-Exceptional-Review-outcome.docx
220. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 138 of 11 November 2019, the steps being taken or her plans to refurbish the current post-primary school to accommodate a school (details supplied); the timeline for such plans; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37525/20]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the school referred to opened in September 2020. The patron has made arrangements to accommodate the school in existing interim accommodation that is available to the Patron.
My Department understands that the patron proposes to relocate the school to an alternative school building when it becomes available. There are no plans at this point to refurbish the property in question.
221. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education the total funding provided for schools in counties Cavan and Monaghan through the minor works grant in 2020. [37552/20]
View answerUnder Project Ireland 2040 the Minor Works Grant (MWG) is paid to primary schools in either December or January of each school year.
This year, due to the exceptional circumstances arising from COVID-19, €29m was paid under the Minor Works Grant to primary schools in the free scheme in July 2020. There was also an additional funding of €75m under the July Stimulus programme allocated to cover an enhanced Minor Works Grant at Primary and a once off Minor Works Grant at Post-Primary schools.
In 2020,to date:
- schools in County Cavan have received the Minor Works Grants to the value of €1,934,138.00
- schools in County Monaghan have received the Minor Works Grants to the value of €1,633,618.00
The Deputy should also be aware, on the 12th of November, I announced a further €55 million in minor works grants for primary and post-primary schools to be paid in early December, 2020.
The €55 million payments involve:
- an additional €25m funding for Covid-19 related Minor Works at post-primary level;
- bringing forward from 2021 the standard €30m minor works grant at primary level
The minor works grant funding provides good flexibility at local level to assist schools to manage in the Covid-19 environment and to put more sustainable arrangements in place. For example, schools may use this funding to enhance ventilation, purchase furniture or adapt toilet areas.
The payment of the grants at this stage gives schools a good lead-in period to plan and undertake works that support the operation of the school in the current school year and assist in catering for capacity and other requirements going into the 2021/22 school year.
222. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education the total funding provided to schools in counties Cavan and Monaghan through the measures accompanying the plan to reopen schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37553/20]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, on 27 July last the Government published the Roadmap for the Full Return to School, along with details of a significant financial package to support the implementation of the measures in the roadmap, following approval by the Government. The package of supports were expected to cost in excess of €437 million in the 2020/2021 school year. Revised public health advice to reduce the capacity on school transport led to further additional costs of €15 million in 2020.
The range of supports being made available to schools includes financial supports to provide for additional staffing, management supports, enhanced cleaning, hand hygiene and personal protective equipment costs under the Covid-19 response plans, school transport, the continuation of additional educational psychological services to provide for well-being supports, etc.
The Government also approved a package of minor works grants amounting to €75 million as part of the July Stimulus to support schools to prepare their buildings and classrooms for reopening. An additional €105 million was subsequently announced for 2020 which will facilitate the bringing forward of an ICT grant and minor works grant for primary schools planned for 2021 and the delivery of projects and will also allow for an exceptional minor works grant payment to post-primary schools .
I can confirm to the Deputy that at the end of October 2020, €154 million of the approved supports (€72 million of capital grants, €67 million current grants and pay costs of some €15 million approx.) have been paid directly to all of the country's State funded primary and post-primary schools along with bringing forward the payment of €30 million of primary minor works grants planned for later this year. A detailed breakdown of this expenditure on a county by county basis is not readily available.
223. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education the third-party contracts entered into by agencies under the remit of her Department for the operation of community and voluntary organisations; the number of staff employed by the third party; and the cost of the contract in 2019 and 2020. [37558/20]
View answerMy officials have been in contact with the agencies under the remit of my Department in regard to the Deputy's query. I am advised that there are no third party contracts that fall within the scope of the Deputy's question.
224. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Education if the CDETB has parks and playing pitches that could be used as public parks given the increased demand need for such amenities at present. [37581/20]
View answerThe specific information requested by the Deputy regarding the number of parks and playing pitches held by the City of Dublin Education and Training Board which could be used as public parks is not readily available within my Department.
In the case of all Education and Training Board (“ETB”) schools and colleges, the Board of Management has responsibility for determining the use of the school/college buildings or grounds for community purposes at times which do not affect school/college work. Regulations and conditions governing the use of the premises for community purposes must be prepared by a Board of Management for the approval of the ETB and are subject to alterations from time to time with the approval of the ETB.
Any proposal to make ETB facilities including parks or playing pitches available for use by the general public raises additional issues to those presented by a proposal to make a facility available to a community group or local club which would undertake to manage the use of the property over the period of any access. These additional issues, which include management, insurance and health & safety, would need to be considered by the ETB in advance of any decision to grant access.
In addition, during the period of the COVID-19 pandemic, the school or the ETB, in considering any applications should carry out a risk assessment with regard to adherence to public health requirements.
225. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education the reason for post-primary schools to receive more funding per capitation grant than primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37588/20]
View answerIt is difficult to make precise comparisons between the levels of grants paid and the actual costs of running schools at primary and post-primary levels. However it is self-evident that the maintenance and running costs for second level schools are much greater on a unit cost basis than those in primary schools.
In general, post-primary schools are larger than primary schools and have a lower pupil teacher ratio resulting in more classrooms and specialist rooms such as laboratories, workshops and kitchens. This leads to higher unit costs in second level schools for heat, light, power, maintenance and cleaning.
