Written Answers Nos. 222-241
222. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Education if she is satisfied that there will be enough post-primary school places available generally to meet demand in the Donaghmede, Howth and Dublin 13 school planning area for the 2021-2022 school academic year; if there are enough all boy school places in this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40848/20]
View answerMy Department is aware of increasing pressures and demand for additional post-primary school places in a number of school planning areas for the 2021/2022 school year, including the school planning area to which the Deputy refers.
Where capacity issues arise it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:
- Duplication of applications – pupils have applied for a place to a number of schools in the area
- School of choice – pupils can’t get a place in their preferred school while there are places in other schools in the town/area
- Some towns/areas have single sex schools and while places are available in the school there are not available to all pupils
- External draw – pupils coming from outside the local area
Until these issues are discussed with the relevant school authorities, the true extent of any capacity issue will only become known.
Similar to the process adopted in advance of the current academic year, my Department is engaging with patron bodies, including patrons in the school planning area in question, to identify particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming year(s) which may necessitate action including, where required, the provision of modular accommodation solutions.
223. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education if there is a deadline for identifying, acquisition of and planning permission for a new site and building for a school (details supplied); if there a roadmap or plan for the next steps needed to be taken by her Department; if the local council will participate in sourcing interim or permanent accommodation; the interim accommodation sites identified; the person or body tasked with identifying and securing the interim accommodation; and if it will be secured in time for September 2021. [40851/20]
View answerThe school to which the Deputy refers opened in September 2019 in suitable interim accommodation pending delivery of its permanent building. For the 2021/22 academic year it will be necessary to move the school to an alternative interim location and options are currently being explored in that regard. My Department will continue to keep the Patron body and the school authorities undated on the matter.
In terms of permanent accommodation, a number of potential site options have been identified and officials from my Department, with the assistance of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, are currently appraising same. Once a preferred site option has been identified, negotiations with the landowner in respect of the proposed acquisition of this site will commence.
Given the commercial sensitivities associated with land acquisitions generally, I am not in a position to comment further at this time. The Patron body will be kept up to date on the matter and will be advised of the permanent location as soon as it is possible to announce same.
224. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Education when retired teachers will receive their 2% increase which was due to them since October 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40890/20]
View answerI am pleased to inform the Deputy that the 2% pension increase payable to retired teachers has been implemented on the retired teachers payroll operated by my Department. This was implemented with effect from the 1st October 2020.
225. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education the steps taken to date in the establishment of a new special school in Cork and additional ASD units; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40908/20]
View answerEnabling children with special educational needs to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this Government. Next year, over 20% of the total Education budget or €2bn will be invested in supporting children with special needs.
This investment will support the provision of over 1,200 additional special class places.
Through better planning at both national and local level, it is my objective that specialist education places should come on stream to meet emerging demand on a timely basis.
The National Council for Special Education is continuing its engagement with schools, patron bodies, parents and others in Cork to bring additional special education placements on stream.
It is open to any school to make an application to the NCSE to open a special class. The active collaboration of school communities is vital to the effective inclusion of students with special educational needs.
Discussions are also ongoing regarding options to increase the availabilty of special school places.
This work will continue until every child has access to a suitable education. In the meantime, Special Educational Needs Organisers are available to support both families and schools who need help or advice.
226. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education the reason a person (details supplied) has been denied a scribe, room and extra time for their exams; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40945/20]
View answerThe State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations. In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
227. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education the status of a school transport appeal (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40953/20]
View answerSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
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.
In the 2019/2020 school year over 120,000 children, including over 14,200 children with special educational needs, are 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.
Decisions made by, or on behalf of, the Department of Education regarding the provision of school transport services and/or grant-aid under the terms of the School Transport Schemes may be appealed to the School Transport Appeals Board. The School Transport Appeals Board is independent of my Department. Under the terms of reference of the Board, the Board determines appeals against decisions made by, or on behalf of, the Department of Education and Skills regarding the provision of school transport services and/or grant-aid under the terms of the School Transport Schemes.
An appeal for the child referred to by the Deputy was lodged with the School Transport Appeals Board on 23rd September, 2020. The Board has requested the School Transport Section to provide a report in accordance with the terms of the Board’s Operating Procedures. School Transport Section is currently liaising with Bus Éireann in regard to the information required.
When the report is received, the Board will liaise directly with the family regarding the appeal date and their subsequent deliberations.
228. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education if school transport will be provided for 16 students from the Knockmoylan area, County Kilkenny to the nearest schools as currently there is no room for concessionary ticket holders and some parents are having hardship getting children to school; if funding will be provided for a minibus or request Bus Éireann to accommodate the children; and if a resolution to this long-standing issue will be expedited. [40960/20]
View answerSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
In the 2019/2020 school year over 120,000 children, including over 14,200 children with special educational needs, were transported in over 5,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres at a cost of over €219m in 2019.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school. Under the terms of the Primary School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for school transport where they reside not less than 3.2kms from and are attending their nearest Primary School as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
All children who are eligible for school transport and who completed the application and payment process on time have been accommodated on school transport services for the 2020/21 school year where such services are in operation. The closing date for payment for the 2020/2021 school year was Tuesday 4th August 2020.
Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only and will be facilitated where spare seats are available after eligible children have been accommodated. Where the number of ineligible children exceeds the number of spare seats available Bus Éireann allocates tickets for the spare seats using an agreed selection process.
Bus Éireann has confirmed that the pupils referred to by the Deputy are not eligible for transport under the terms of the scheme.
A 53 seater service serves the route to the school referred to by the Deputy; 34 mainstream eligible pupils and 19 mainstream concessionary pupils were successful in obtaining seats on board. 18 mainstream concessionary pupils were not successful in obtaining a seat during the selection process for school year 20/21.
229. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Education the status of an additional school accommodation application by a school (details supplied). [40972/20]
View answerI can confirm that my Department is in receipt of an application for capital funding under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme, from the school authority referred to by the Deputy. Once the application has been assessed, the school authority will be contacted directly with a decision.
230. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Education the status of requests for another school bus to be provided to cover an area servicing a school (details supplied). [40973/20]
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 Department has been engaging intensively with Bus Éireann in regard to the logistics for the safe operation of School Transport Scheme services for the 2020/2021 school year on all school transport scheme services - both Bus Éireann services and private contractor operator services.
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. Government has agreed to provide the necessary funding to ensure that full implementation of the public health recommendation is achieved as quickly as possible on all post-primary services, including Special Educational Needs post-primary transport services.
Bus Éireann and the Department of Education have put in place measures to support infection prevention and control on primary and post-primary services. The Department has also issued detailed information and guidance to parents and children on the operation of school transport services for the 2020/2021 school year. Measures include all post-primary students wearing masks, all bus drivers and bus escorts receiving PPE where necessary, as well as funding to support additional cleaning and hygiene measures, including the provision of sanitiser on all buses. Seating plans with pre-assigned seating are also in place on all routes, with children sitting next to their siblings or classmates where possible which reduces interaction on school transport services.
Bus Eireann has confirmed that the route, to which the Deputy refers, carries 54 pupils in total, which prior to social distancing required 2 vehicles. Social distancing has been implemented on this route since 17th November 2020 with a 55 seater, 53 seater and 16 seater bus now operating on this route.
231. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education the progress made to date in providing permanent accommodation for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40978/20]
View answerOfficials from my Department have been working closely with Galway City Council and Galway County Council under the Memorandum of Understanding for the acquisition of school sites in order to identify and procure a suitable site for the school in question.
A number of potential site options have been identified and these are currently under consideration.
While a site acquisition process is underway, given the commercial sensitivities associated with land acquisitions generally I am not in a position to comment further at this time.
232. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Education her plans to end the pay inequality for teachers who joined the profession post-2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40988/20]
View answerThe public service agreements have allowed a programme of pay restoration for public servants to start. The starting salary for a new entrant teacher in 2012 was €30,702. As a result of the programme of pay restoration, the starting salary of a teacher is now €37,692.
Section 11 of the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017 provides that “the Minister [for Public Expenditure and Reform] shall, within three months of the passing of this Act, prepare and lay before the Oireachtas a report on the cost of and a plan in dealing with pay equalisation for new entrants to the public service.”
The report laid before the Oireachtas on foot of this provision by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform assesses the cost of a further change which would provide a two scale point adjustment to new entrants recruited since 2011. The total cost of such an adjustment across the public sector is of the order of €200 million, of which Education accounts for approximately €83 million. The report also acknowledges that, during the financial crisis, there were policy changes which affected remuneration in different occupations across the public sector (including education).
The matter of new entrant pay is a cross sectoral issue, not just an issue for the education sector alone. The Government supports the gradual, negotiated repeal of the FEMPI legislation, having due regard to the priority to improve public services and in recognition of the essential role played by public servants.
The total year one cost of equalising the pay of new entrant teachers to the pre-2011 arrangements is estimated to be in the region of €59 million per annum in year one (€45 million for full resolution of pay scales and €14 million for re-instatement of the H.Dip allowance). The costs would rise in subsequent years as more new entrants join the system.
On 24 September 2018, an agreement was reached between the Government and the public services committee of ICTU in respect of new entrant pay.
This agreement is benefitting 18,000 teachers and nearly 5,000 SNAs within the education sector. The deal provides for a series of incremental jumps for new entrants.
I am fully aware that the teacher unions have outstanding issues of concern following the September 2018 agreement. These outstanding matters will be given full consideration. This will happen in the context of the next round of pay talks. The positions of each of the parties on these matters must be given due regard in endeavouring to reach a mutually agreed resolution.
The current series of restorative measures for new entrants have been achieved through continued engagement and collective bargaining between the Government and the public service unions and shows the benefits that such engagement can bring.
233. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Education her views on the Traveller History and Culture in Education Bill 2018; the steps she will take to see the progression of this Bill in the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41040/20]
View answerI wish to assure the Deputy that I fully support improving educational outcomes for Travellers, and that includes ensuring that the school setting is a more welcoming environment. Developing knowledge and understanding of Traveller culture and history in schools will help build a recognition of the important value of Traveller culture and history to this country and help to improve a sense of belonging for Traveller children in schools.
The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) published an audit of traveller culture and history in the curriculum in 2019 which has provided the basis for further work in this area which is being progressed. A full-time Education Officer was appointed in September, 2020 to progress the next steps which include :
- identifying existing initiatives and supports across the three education sectors (early childhood, primary and post-primary) and exploring how they can be further enhanced, supported and possibly replicated;
- identifying existing resources and materials and exploring the kinds of new support material and resources that need developing;
- working directly with early childhood settings and schools to identify good practice underpinned by principles of inclusion, intercultural education, and learning about Traveller history and culture.
An expert advisory group is being established by the NCCA to inform the work being carried out; this group includes representatives and members of the Traveller community .
234. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education the steps she is taking to address the shortage of ASD units in west County Cork (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41054/20]
View answerEnabling children with special educational needs to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this Government. Next year, over 20% of the total Education budget or €2bn will be invested in supporting children with special needs.
This investment will support the provision of over 1,200 additional special class places. Notwithstanding the extent of this investment, there are some parts of the country, including Cork, where increases in population and other issues have led to concerns regarding a shortage of school places.
Through better planning at both national and local level, it is my objective that specialist education places should come on stream to meet emerging demand on a timely basis.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide. The NCSE is working with schools, patron bodies, parents and others in Cork to ensure there are sufficient special education placements to meet local need. However, there are no plans for a new special school in the area at this time.
NCSE is actively working with primary and post primary schools in Cork to establish special classes in the area. It is open to any school to make an application to the NCSE to open a special class. The active collaboration of school communities is vital to the effective inclusion of students with special educational needs.
I understood that a school in the area has opened a new special class which may cater for children who currently do not have a suitable placement. My Department has no role in sanctioning new special classes and accordingly, I have referred the question to the NCSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
The pupil referred to by the Deputy would be eligible for transport if availing of placement in nearest ASD special class.
The NCSE's local Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) are available to assist and advise both schools and the parents of children with special educational needs. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available at: https://ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list.
235. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to enhance financial supports for carers in view of the ongoing Covid-19 situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40463/20]
View answerThe main income supports to carers provided by my Department are Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit and the Carer’s Support Grant. Combined spending on the above payments to carers in 2020 is expected to exceed €1.3 billion.
In responding to COVID-19, the Department has made special provisions for those who may be most vulnerable and negatively affected at this time, that is, those who have been diagnosed with COVID-19, have been medically certified to self-isolate and those who have lost their jobs as a result of the pandemic.
My Department introduced the following short-term emergency payments - the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment and COVID-19 Enhanced Illness Benefit. Both of these temporary measures allow payments to be made with certain other social welfare payments including Carer’s Allowance or Carer’s Benefit. A carer whose work ceases as a result of COVID-19 and whose situation qualifies them for one of these payments will get them along with their current carer's income support whether Carer’s Allowance or Carer’s Benefit.
Despite the substantial extra financial demands due to the COVID-19 crisis, I announced that the Carer’s Support Grant would continue to be paid to carers this year at an estimated cost of over €237 million. Furthermore, as part of Budget 2021, I announced an increase of €150 to this grant, bringing it from €1,700 to €1,850.
Any improvements or additions to these supports can only be considered in a budgetary context, taking account of other expenditure pressures in this and other Departments, and in the light of available financial resources.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
236. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department has been the subject of an investigation by the Data Protection Commission from 2016 to date; the number of specific investigations underway or completed; the dates on which her Department was first notified of the investigation; the details of the investigation; the nature of the complaints; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40818/20]
View answerMy Department has been the subject of three investigations by the Data Protection Commission from 2016 to date. These are as follows:
1. PSC
On 27th October 2017, the DPC wrote to the Department informing it that it was initiating an own-volition investigation pursuant to Section 10(1A) of the Data Protection Acts into the Department’s compliance with its responsibilities as a data controller in respect of PSC related matters.
On 30th January 2018, the DPC notified the Department of its intention to split the investigation into two modules, with the first module dealing specifically with the issues of:
(i) the legal basis for processing personal data in connection with the PSC;
(ii) security measures in relation to processing operations in connection with the PSC; and
(iii) transparency of information provided in relation to processing personal data in connection with the PSC.
The final report, relating to legal basis and transparency issues, containing eight findings was received by the Department on 15th August 2019, together with a letter from the DPC requiring that the Department take certain measures. The second module has not yet commenced.
The DPC issued an enforcement notice on 6th December 2019, outlining seven Enforcement Steps in line with the findings of the report. The Department carefully considered the notice and sought the advice from the Attorney General’s Office. An appeal against the Enforcement Notice has been lodged.
2. Independence of DPO
The DPC is conducting an own volition inquiry into the independence of the Department's Data Protection Officer in connection with changes to the Department's privacy statement in July 2018. The DPC informed the Department of the commencement of this inquiry in a letter dated 5th December 2018. The Department provided the information required and a draft report was received from the DPC on 28th May 2019. The Department provided its response to the draft report on 24th July 2019. There has been no further activity or correspondence on the matter.
3. Child Benefit Eligibility Certificates
The DPC notified the Department on 18th June 2020 that it was conducting an own volition inquiry to investigate the collection and alleged further processing of the personal data of child benefit recipients (qualified persons) and beneficiaries (children) for the purposes of conducting eligibility checks.
The Department received an extension to the initial deadline of four weeks for responding to the initial notice. In response to an Information Notice issued by the DPC, the Department responded with the requested information by the agreed deadline of 27th November 2020.
237. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40881/20]
View answerI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned. Under social welfare legislation the decision of an Appeals Officer is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed in the light of additional evidence or new facts.
I am advised that the person concerned has submitted additional evidence and that the Appeals Officer has agreed to review the case. The person concerned will be contacted when the review of her appeal has been finalised.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
238. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will address a matter regarding the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40906/20]
View answerThe rate of State pension (contributory) entitlement for the person concerned has been reviewed. Their contribution record has been updated for the years 2011, 2012 and 2013. They have been awarded an increase in pension, based on a yearly average calculation of 16, to 65% of the maximum weekly rate of State pension (contributory). They have also been awarded a commensurate rise in the Increase for qualified adult in payment to their spouse.
The person has been notified in writing of this decision, backdated to their 66th birthday. Arrears of the personal rate of pension have issued to the designated bank account of the person concerned. Arrears of the Increase for qualified adult have issued by cheque to the person’s spouse.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
239. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of application for carer’s allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); if all documentation has now been received; when applications will be concluded with a view to granting of payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40911/20]
View answerCarer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
Means are any income belonging to the carer and their spouse, civil partner, or cohabitant, property, (except their own home) or an asset that could bring in money or provide them with an income, for example occupational pensions, or pensions or benefits from another country.
I confirm that my department received an application for CA from the person concerned on 27 June 2019.
Following an investigation, the person concerned did not provide such certificates, documents information or evidence that has been requested from them. A decision was made to disallow as the means of the person concerned could not be determined.
The person concerned was notified on 6 February 2020 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
A review was requested on behalf of the person concerned on 2 July 2020; however, the requested documents were still not provided. As a result, the decision remained unchanged. The person concerned was notified on 7 July 2020 of the outcome of this review
The person concerned requested an additional review and submitted additional evidence in support of her application. A further information request seeking the business accounts pertaining to the self-employment of the spouse of the person concerned was sent by a Deciding Officer on 6 November 2020.
This information is still outstanding. However, once received the review will be processed without delay and the person concerned notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
240. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason workers on the pandemic unemployment payment cannot receive the fuel allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40938/20]
View answerThe fuel allowance is a payment of €24.50 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €686 each year) from October to April, to an average of 352,000 low income households, at an estimated cost of €261.35 million in 2020. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. The allowance represents a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. It is not intended to meet those costs in full. Only one allowance is paid per household.
Qualifying payments for fuel allowance are those payments that are considered long term payments and an applicant must also satisfy a means test. People on long term payments are unlikely to have additional resources of their own and are more vulnerable to poverty, including energy poverty. It is for this reason that the Department allocates additional payments, supports and resources to help this cohort of claimants
The PUP was introduced by my Department in March 2020 and is available to all employees and the self-employed who have lost employment due to a downturn in economic activity caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. When introduced the scheme was expected to be a short term measure and applicants do not have to satisfy a means test to qualify for the payment.
Any decision to include the PUP as a qualifying payment for fuel allowance would have budgetary consequences and would have to be considered in the context of budget negotiations taking into consideration the resources available to my Department.
While the PUP is not a qualifying payment for the fuel allowance, similar to the short-term jobseeker’s allowance payment, it does not prevent an otherwise qualified household from receiving the payment.
Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, exceptional needs payments may be made to help meet an essential, once-off cost which customers are unable to meet out of their own resources, and this may include exceptional heating costs. Decisions on such payments are made on a case-by-case basis.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
241. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if the Christmas bonus will be paid to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40954/20]
View answerThe person concerned made a claim for Pandemic Unemployment Payment on 6th October 2020, having last worked on 4th October 2020. He received his first payment on the 13th October 2020 and is in receipt of the payment each week thereafter, to date.
In order to receive the Pandemic Unemployment Payment Christmas bonus the person must:
- Be eligible to receive payment in respect of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment entitlement week of 27th November to the 3rd December, which is due to be paid on 8th December and
- Have been in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment and/or a Jobseekers payment and/ or an Emergency Needs Payment in lieu of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment for a total of 17 weeks in the period from 13th of March to the 3rd December 2020. The 17 weeks does not have to be continuous.
As the person concerned made his claim on 6th October 2020, he does not unfortunately satisfy the eligibility condition of the 17 weeks. If the person concerned is in need of financial assistance he may contact his local Community Welfare Officer to discuss his situation.
