Written Answers Nos. 141-156
141. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the arrest and detention of numerous children as young as 12 years of age in Bahrain in recent days; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10851/21]
View answerThe human rights situation in Bahrain remains a matter of serious concern. Although Bahrain has repeatedly stated its commitment to improving its human rights record and safeguarding human rights as enshrined in the Bahraini Constitution, we are concerned by ongoing instances of violations of fundamental freedoms, including violations of freedom of opinion and expression, as well as the targeting of human rights defenders.
I note with concern reports regarding the recent arrest and detention of children in Bahrain. Bahrain has ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). Ireland urges all States to safeguard the human rights of child prisoners and detainees as set out in Articles 9 and 14 of the ICCPR and Articles 37 and 40 CRC. For example, Article 37 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child states that “The arrest, detention or imprisonment of a child shall be in conformity with the law and shall be used only as a measure of last resort and for the shortest appropriate period of time.”
Respect for human rights is an integral part of Ireland’s foreign policy and we consistently seek to raise our concerns on human rights issues through the most appropriate and effective channels. Our active participation at the UN Human Rights Council is particularly important in that regard. Ireland has raised the human rights issues in Bahrain at the Human Rights Council in the form of national statements and through support to EU Statements.
Ireland also engages on the issue of human rights in Bahrain through the European Union, including through the EU Delegation in Riyadh which is accredited to Bahrain.
Ireland will continue to monitor developments in Bahrain, and to call on the Bahraini Government to deliver on its stated commitment to make progress in relation to human rights.
142. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number and value of procurement contracts for Covid-19-related spending in 2020 and 2021 that took place via negotiated procedure without prior publication in his Department. [11180/21]
View answer143. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the breakdown of procurement contracts for Covid-19-related spending in 2020 and 2021 that took place via negotiated procedure without prior publication by his Department, by goods and service type, in tabular form. [11210/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 142 and 143 together.
In 2020 and 2021 to date, the Department of Foreign Affairs agreed one contract for Covid-19 related spending via negotiated procedure without prior publication. The total value of the contract was €842,160. Details are supplied in the table below.
|
Invoice Date |
Payee |
Value |
Reason |
|
October 2020 |
Dell |
€842,160 |
PC Refresh The Department used the negotiated procurement procedure for mobile workstations that included a 22” monitor, wired mouse and keyboard, laptop and carry case. This allows the Department to support the remote safe working of local staff in our Mission network during the course of the Pandemic. |
144. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Defence the number of pension applications yet to be digitised under the Military Service Pensions Collection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10606/21]
View answerThe Military Service (1916-1923) Pensions Collection (MSPC) project is a joint Department of Defence and Defence Forces contribution to the Decade of Centenaries. The MSPC owes its origins to the decision of the Oireachtas of Saorstát Éireann in June 1923 to recognise and compensate wounded members, and the widows, children and dependents of deceased members of Óglaigh na hÉireann, including the National Forces, the Irish Volunteers, the Irish Republican Army and the Irish Citizen Army through the payment of allowances and gratuities. Over time, provision was enhanced and broadened to include members of the Hibernian Rifles, Cumann na mBan, Fianna Éireann and certain members of the Connaught Rangers. Two streams of legislation are relevant to the material in the collection:
- The Army Pensions Acts from 1923 to 1953
- The Military Service Pensions Acts, 1924, 1934 and 1949.
The MSPC project is mandated to preserve and make available the files and records of the Department of Defence dealing with the service of qualifying members of these organisations from the period April 1916 to the 30th of September 1923. This involves cataloguing and digitising in excess of 275,000 files
Public release of material from the collection is made available online through the Military Archives website www.militaryarchives.ie. To date there have been nine online releases of material, the most recent release was in October 2020. Since its first release of material, over 100,000 files have been processed with approximately 40,000 files scanned. Over 2 million individual pages have been digitised since the commencement of the project.
The latest release of material, along with previous releases, provides an invaluable source of information that continues to greatly facilitate research around this defining period in Irish history, and captures first-hand accounts of individuals that participated in events of that period.
The digitisation of the file, which is performed for both preservation and for access, is only one small aspect of the process in making files available to the public. In order to follow international standards for archival cataloguing and before a file is scanned it must be examined physically, repaired and cleaned. Information is also extracted for database retrieval online and any GDPR issues are examined. The file may then need to be flattened to ensure that it is safe to be handled for scanning. It is only after this process has been completed that the file may be scanned. Each scanned file is then linked to its archival description and following this process, files are ready to be released online.
For files held in the Military Services Pension Collection, on average one single claimant may have 3 files under their name. In addition, and to note, files can vary in size from a couple of pages up to several hundred pages. To date, the project team have scanned the files of circa 15,000 applicants, which represent around 40,000 files. It is estimated that the collection encompasses the claims of approx 80,000 applicants. There has been a focus on prioritising the digitisation of files of successful claimants which generally are larger in size than files of unsuccessful claimants and therefore take longer to process.
The aim of the Military Services Pensions Collection project during 2021 is to continue to make additional files available through planned releases, adding to the substantial corpus of digitised primary sources already available online.
145. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Defence the number of Reserve Defence Force personnel by barracks; if there will be a recruitment campaign in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10607/21]
View answerFor reasons of operational security, it is not possible to release Reserve Defence Force (RDF) strength figures by barracks.
The RDF is comprised of the Army Reserve (AR), the Naval Service Reserve (NSR) and the First Line Reserve (FLR). The effective strength of the Army Reserve (AR) and Naval Service Reserve (NSR) as at 31 January 2021 is 1,583, comprising 1,458 Army Reserve members and 125 members of the Naval Service Reserve. The FLR strength at that date, is 263 personnel.
I have been advised by the Deputy Chief of Staff (Support) that a rolling recruitment model for the RDF will be put in place in 2021, which is similar to the model currently used for the PDF General Service recruitment.
An advertisement campaign for RDF recruitment is scheduled to be launched in mid-March.
146. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Defence if he will establish an inquiry into allegations of systemic sexual abuse and the covering up of sexual abuse in the Curragh Camp; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10608/21]
View answerThis question is non specific to the work of my Department. In so far as it relates to my policy brief or my functions, any person having any knowledge of possible criminal activity should report it to an Garda Síochána who are the proper authority to investigate such matters.
147. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Defence the annual spend on national defence and on the Defence Forces excluding pensions as a percentage of GDP since 1999, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10726/21]
View answerThe table below sets out Vote 36 (Defence) Gross expenditure, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at current market prices as published by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), along with Defence expenditure expressed as a percentage of GDP for the period 1999 to 2019. Details of GDP figures for 2020 are not yet available.
Defence Expenditure (Vote 36) 1999-2019 as a % of GDP
|
Year |
Defence (Vote 36) Expenditure €m |
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) €m |
Defence (Vote 36) Expenditure as % of GDP |
|
1999 |
760 |
92,669 |
0.82% |
|
2000 |
820 |
108,400 |
0.76% |
|
2001 |
731 |
122,010 |
0.60% |
|
2002 |
725 |
135,956 |
0.53% |
|
2003 |
711 |
145,534 |
0.49% |
|
2004 |
733 |
156,189 |
0.47% |
|
2005 |
759 |
170,231 |
0.45% |
|
2006 |
772 |
184,914 |
0.42% |
|
2007 |
817 |
197,130 |
0.41% |
|
2008 |
880 |
187,620 |
0.47% |
|
2009 |
804 |
169,786 |
0.47% |
|
2010 |
744 |
167,674 |
0.44% |
|
2011 |
704 |
170,951 |
0.41% |
|
2012 |
657 |
175,104 |
0.38% |
|
2013 |
667 |
179,616 |
0.37% |
|
2014 |
673 |
195,148 |
0.34% |
|
2015 |
671 |
262,853 |
0.26% |
|
2016 |
671 |
270,809 |
0.25% |
|
2017 |
681 |
300,387 |
0.23% |
|
2018 |
701 |
326,986 |
0.21% |
|
2019 |
756 |
356,051 |
0.21% |
|
2020 |
781 |
Note: The CSO advised that Ireland’s GDP grew considerably from 2015, mainly due to multinational companies moving their intellectual properties to Ireland, resulting in a huge spike in Irish earnings and the impact of ‘tax inversions’, where businesses moved their official headquarters to Ireland but kept the bulk of their actual operations abroad.
The Government are committed to ensuring that the Defence Forces have sufficient funding to deliver effectively on all their assigned roles, both at home and overseas, as set out in the White Paper on Defence and reinforced by White Paper Update 2019.
148. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Defence the status of the married and single quarters within the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10727/21]
View answerThe long-standing policy of my Department has been to withdraw from the provision of married quarters. This policy approach was and remains reflective of the State’s move away from the provision of tied housing for State employees. Single-Living-In accommodation is provided for operational and transient use. As such, military personnel can use accommodation for overnight stays during operations, training and courses. The occupancy of SLI accommodation therefore can fluctuate on a daily basis, depending on location, activities and the number of courses being held in a location and the duration of the course.
149. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Defence the reason for reviewing the Defence Forces in isolation via a stand-alone commission; the reason a review of national defence and security as a whole is not being undertaken; the selection criteria for the membership of the commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10728/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government committed to an independent Commission to undertake a comprehensive review of the Defence Forces and include the following matters;
- Arrangements for the effective defence of the country at land, air and sea.
- Structures for governance, joint command, and control structures.
- The brigade structure.
- Pay and allowances and composition of the Defence Forces.
- Recruitment, retention and career progression.
- The contribution of the Reserve Defence Forces, including its legislation and Defence Forces regulations governing it, and whether specialists from the RDF should be able to serve overseas.
This independent Commission on the Defence Forces was established by Government in December 2020, with a mandate to report within 12 months. The Government also approved the Terms of Reference, based on the Programme for Government, and the membership of the Commission. As part of a broader consultation process, the Commission has launched its website and has invited submissions from individuals and organisations on issues relevant to its Terms of Reference.
The members of the Commission have been carefully chosen to ensure the optimum range of expertise in key areas. The Commission is chaired by Aidan O'Driscoll, a former Secretary General in the Department of Agriculture and, more recently, in the Department of Justice and Equality. The 14 other members have a broad range of experience and expertise both nationally and internationally. Their areas of expertise cover a wide range of disciplines particularly suited to the work of the Commission including public policy, defence and foreign policy, military operations, and with significant leadership experience in the public and private sectors.
Separately the Department of Defence is the subject of an Organisational Capability Review in accordance with the approach being taken under the Government's approach to Civil Service Renewal and to be completed by the end of this year.
150. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Defence the number of formal and informal Council of the European Union meetings that have been held since 27 June 2020 under the remit of his Department; and the number of formal and informal meetings, respectively, held virtually. [10811/21]
View answerDuring each European Union Presidency, both formal and informal meetings of Defence Ministers are held within the Council of the European Union. There is no separate Defence Ministers' Council within the Council of the European Union.
Twice a year - once during each Presidency - Defence Ministers attend the formal Foreign Affairs Council in Defence Ministers' configuration.
In the period from 27 June 2020 to date, two Council of the European Union meetings relating to Defence have taken place, one informal in August and one formal in November.
I was regretfully unable to attend the Informal Meeting of EU Defence Ministers hosted by Germany on 26 August 2020 but Ireland’s Ambassador to Germany attended in-person on my behalf. I attended the formal Meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Defence Ministers configuration which was hosted via videoconference on the 20 November 2020.
The informal Defence Ministerial Meeting which was scheduled to be held in Lisbon on 2-3 March 2021 was postponed by the Portuguese Presidency until late spring. No revised date has been provided yet.
151. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Defence the current establishment number for Defence Forces personnel, permanent, reserve and civilian support staff; the way these figures compare to the number of personnel in 1999, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10956/21]
View answerI am informed by the military authorities that it was not possible to collate the required information within the timeframe available. I shall provide the information to the Deputy once it becomes available.
|
|
RDF |
Civilian Employees |
||||
|
Establishment |
Strength |
Establishment |
Strength |
Establishment |
Strength |
|
|
1999 |
11,500 |
11,044 |
22,785 |
N/A |
N/A |
1,245 |
|
2021 |
9,500 |
8,551 |
4,069 |
1,574 |
N/A |
457 |
152. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Defence the number and value of procurement contracts for Covid-19 related spending in 2020 and 2021 that took place via negotiated procedure without prior publication in his Department. [11175/21]
View answer153. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Defence the breakdown of procurement contracts for Covid-19-related spending in 2020 and 2021 that took place via negotiated procedure without prior publication by his Department, by goods and service type, in tabular form. [11205/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 152 and 153 together.
The detailed information sought by the Deputy is not readily available within the time frame sought. At the request of my Department the military authorities are conducting the search, retrieval and collation of same. I will arrange to have this information forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
|
List of Vendors for Covid-19 Related Spend 2020 |
Type (Goods or Services) |
Spend (Goods) |
Spend (Services) |
Total Spend |
Year |
|
Access Time & Control Ltd |
Goods |
€522.75 |
€522.75 |
2020 |
|
|
Accu-Science |
Goods |
€6,765.00 |
€6,765.00 |
2020 |
|
|
Armstrong Medical Ltd |
Goods |
€146.99 |
€146.99 |
2020 |
|
|
Critical Healthcare Ltd |
Goods/ Services |
€7,877.17 |
€127.92 |
€8,005.09 |
2020 |
|
Critical Support Ltd |
Goods/ Services |
€11,072.29 |
€954.95 |
€12,027.24 |
2020 |
|
Cruinn Diagnostics Ltd |
Goods |
€109,265.23 |
€109,265.23 |
2020 |
|
|
E-Fox (Engineers) Ltd |
Goods |
€7,995.00 |
€7,995.00 |
2020 |
|
|
Fannin Healthcare Ltd |
Goods |
€31,223.48 |
€31,223.48 |
2020 |
|
|
J&S Davis Ltd |
Goods |
€28,742.45 |
€28,742.45 |
2020 |
|
|
Mervue Labs Ltd |
Goods |
€250,000 |
€250,000 |
2020 |
|
|
Office Depot |
Goods |
€40,200 |
€40,200 |
2020 |
|
|
UNIPHAR Wholesale |
Goods |
€57,500 |
€57,500 |
2020 |
|
|
Flagship Scubadiving Ltd |
Goods |
€6,478.00 |
€6,478.00 |
2020 |
|
|
Henry Schein (IRL) Ltd |
Goods |
€1,913.89 |
€1,913.89 |
2020 |
|
|
Irish External Quality Assessment Scheme |
Goods |
€595.32 |
€595.32 |
2020 |
|
|
Iskus Health Ltd |
Goods |
€18,302.41 |
€18,302.41 |
2020 |
|
|
MDI Medical Ltd |
Goods |
€7,306.20 |
€7,306.20 |
2020 |
|
|
Medguard Healthcare Ltd |
Goods |
€28,859.43 |
€28,859.43 |
2020 |
|
|
Medical Supply Company |
Goods/ Services |
€4,121.28 |
€13,210.20 |
€17,331.48 |
2020 |
|
Prodent Ltd T/A Promed |
Goods |
€11,529.85 |
€11,529.85 |
2020 |
|
|
Rockford Healthcare Ltd |
Goods |
€147.60 |
€147.60 |
2020 |
|
|
Sealpack Ltd |
Goods |
€209.10 |
€209.10 |
2020 |
|
|
Skill Shop Ltd |
Goods |
€3,382.50 |
€3,382.50 |
2020 |
|
|
SP Services (UK) Ltd |
Goods |
€4,693.80 |
€4,693.80 |
2020 |
|
|
Swords Medical Ltd |
Goods |
€3,236.34 |
€3,236.34 |
2020 |
|
|
Uniphar Wholesale |
Goods |
€2,977.93 |
€2,977.93 |
2020 |
|
|
United Drug Wholesale Ltd |
Goods |
€14,642.95 |
€14,642.95 |
2020 |
|
|
Vernon Medical Ltd |
Goods |
€11,070.00 |
€11,070.00 |
2020 |
|
|
Telent Industries |
Goods |
€160,407.00 |
€160,407.00 |
2020 |
|
|
Tetra |
Goods/ Services |
€8,128.24 |
€9,639.76 |
€17,768.00 |
2020 |
|
Voyager IP |
Goods/ Services |
€142,007.19 |
€38,601.09 |
€180,608.28 |
2020 |
|
MJ Flood |
Goods |
€161,563.00 |
€161,563.00 |
2020 |
|
List of Vendors for Covid-19 Related Spend 2020 |
Type (Goods or Services) |
Spend (Goods) |
Spend (Services) |
Total Spend |
Year |
|||
|
BP GLOVES |
Goods |
€1,180.80 |
€1,180.80 |
2020 |
||||
|
Classic Environmental Solutions |
Goods |
€2,800.71 |
€2,800.71 |
2020 |
||||
|
Classic Environmental Solutions |
Goods |
€608.85 |
€608.85 |
2020 |
||||
|
Classic Environmental Solutions |
Goods |
€3,028.88 |
€3,028.88 |
2020 |
||||
|
Midland Veterinary Ltd |
Goods |
€1,965.79 |
€1,965.79 |
2020 |
||||
|
Liffey Mills |
Goods |
€759.65 |
€759.65 |
2020 |
||||
|
Liffey Mills |
Goods |
€855.00 |
€855.00 |
2020 |
||||
|
Vernon Medical Ltd |
Goods |
€22,140.00 |
€22,140.00 |
2020 |
||||
|
Fleming Medical |
Goods |
€11,685.00 |
€11,685.00 |
2020 |
||||
|
Office Depot |
Goods |
€4,603.89 |
€4,603.89 |
2020 |
||||
|
GS Medical Ltd |
Goods |
€1,845.00 |
€1,845.00 |
2020 |
||||
|
Oliver Douglas & Son Ltd |
Goods |
€200.00 |
€200.00 |
2020 |
||||
|
Oliver Douglas & Son Ltd |
Goods |
€125.00 |
€125.00 |
2020 |
||||
|
Critical Healthcare |
Goods |
€7,318.50 |
€7,318.50 |
2020 |
||||
|
Winroy Industrial Polymers Ltd |
Goods |
€14,585.34 |
€14,585.34 |
2020 |
||||
|
Amber Fire Protection Ltd |
Goods |
€2,767.50 |
€2,767.50 |
2020 |
||||
|
Donegal Shores |
Goods |
€1,476.00 |
€1,476.00 |
2020 |
||||
|
Amber Fire Protection Ltd |
Goods |
€1,197.00 |
€1,197.00 |
2020 |
||||
|
Theya Healthcare Ltd |
Goods |
€73,800.00 |
€73,800.00 |
2020 |
||||
|
Oliver Douglas & Son Ltd |
Goods |
€82.60 |
€82.60 |
2020 |
||||
|
Dohertys Hardware |
Goods |
€371.00 |
€371.00 |
2020 |
||||
|
Health & Safety Publications |
Goods |
€2,457.71 |
€2,457.71 |
2020 |
||||
|
Elite Safetec T/A Safety Tec |
Goods |
€128.49 |
€128.49 |
2020 |
||||
|
Stakelum Office Supplies |
Goods |
€159.90 |
€159.90 |
2020 |
||||
|
Alan King Agri Sales Ltd |
Goods |
€246.00 |
€246.00 |
2020 |
||||
|
Critical Healthcare |
Goods |
€2,361.44 |
€2,361.44 |
2021 |
||||
|
Critical Healthcare |
Goods |
€3,630.00 |
€3,630.00 |
2021 |
||||
|
Total |
|
€162,380.05 |
|
List of Vendors for Covid-19 Related Spend 2020 |
Type (Goods or Services) |
Spend (Goods) |
Spend (Services) |
Total Spend |
Year |
|
Pilatus (Switzerland) (Aircraft Ltd) |
Goods |
€5,232,360.71 |
€5,232,360.71 |
2020 |
|
|
Pilatus (Switzerland) (Aircraft Ltd) |
Goods |
€55,508.40 |
€55,508.40 |
2020 |
|
|
Pilatus (Switzerland) (Aircraft Ltd) |
Goods |
€25,729.08 |
€25,729.08 |
2020 |
|
|
Pilatus (Switzerland) (Aircraft Ltd) |
Service |
€35,607.48 |
€4807.01 |
€40,414.49 |
2020 |
154. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that primary teaching students of a college (details supplied) are not entitled to apply for the Gaeltacht grant, the 1916 bursary fund, SUSI grants, the student assistance fund, the €250 fees refund scheme and other postgraduate supports; the steps being taken to address same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10720/21]
View answerThe current requirements for Gaeltacht Learning Periods (GLPs) for primary Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes takes the form of 2 x 2 week placements, which are outlined in the Teaching Council’s Céim: Standards for Initial Teacher Education.
A number of GLPs due to take place in 2020 were postponed due to public health restrictions. Also, due to the uncertainties of how GLPs would happen, any scheduled placements were put on hold for the 2020/2021 academic year.
My Department has been working for some time with stakeholders, including the Teaching Council, the Higher Education Institutes (including the College referred to by the Deputy), the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and CONCOS (umbrella body for Gaeltacht Colleges), to develop contingency arrangements to allow for the completion of GLPs in the current academic year. An agreement has now been reached to proceed with the delivery of an online version of the course in 2021.
These contingency plans allow for all placements scheduled to take place this year, related to the 2020/21 academic year, along with those postponed from 2020. It will also ensure that any final year students have the opportunity to graduate as scheduled in summer 2021.
Budget 2020 provided for the re-instatement of the grant to cover the full cost of the Gaeltacht Learning Periods (GLPs) for undergraduate and post-graduate students in State-funded primary ITE programmes, with effect from the 2020/2021 academic year. The grant was previously funded by my Department up to the 2012/2013 academic year, when it was ceased due to financial constraints. The rate of the re-introduced student grant for 2021 has been set at an average of €650. This will cover the cost of the undertaking the fortnightly online course in 2021. The re-introduced grant will be made available for undergraduate and post-graduate students in State-funded primary Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes. This is in line with normal practice for other grant payments per students qualifying requirements.
In recent years, it is understood that students had paid an average of €750 for undertaking a fortnightly GLP in the Gaeltacht. This average cost has been in place for many years and included a contribution to cover accommodation costs associated with attending the course in the Gaeltacht. While the accommodation costs do not arise this year, it is acknowledged that Gaeltacht College providers do face a number of additional costs associated with the preparation, design and delivery of a new online programme. It should be noted that in normal circumstances, Gaeltacht householders who provide accommodation to trainee teachers attending recognised courses in Gaeltacht regions also qualify for a daily grant of €10 per night under the terms of Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge which is administered by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
It is the shared aim of all of the stakeholders involved that students experience a quality online programme. HEIs are currently working directly with their Gaeltacht College providers on implementing the practical and administrative arrangements for delivery of the GLP.
An allowance has been made for 2nd year Professional Masters in Education (PME) students (including students in the College referred to by the Deputy). Those 2nd year PME students who have not completed any GLP will now complete a 3 week online programme (had previously been required to complete 4weeks). 2nd year PME students who have completed some of their required GLP will now be required to complete the remaining balance (up to a total requirement of 3 weeks) online. This particular allowance, approved by the Teaching Council’s Education Committee, recognised the significant timetabling issues facing 2nd year PME students in respect of school placement, the GLP and normal course work.
The College referred to by the Deputy is an independent private provider of ITE programmes. In relation to the cost of the online programme for students in the College referred to by the Deputy, my Department has recently responded to a proposal from that College confirming that both my Department and the Teaching Council has no issue with that College, working in collaboration with a Gaeltacht College(s) to provide an online programme based on the agreed syllabus for their own students and to negotiate and set the cost for undertaking that programme for their own students.
In relation to other grant schemes, this is a matter for the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.
155. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education if she will examine the situation in which the junior certificate is considered the minimum requirement to become a special needs assistant, SNA, and the reason a course currently attended by SNAs at UCD is not being considered for accreditation by her Department (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10751/21]
View answerThe current entry level qualification for Special Needs Assistants is set out in my Department's circular 0051/2019 which requires a FETAC level 3 major qualification on the National Framework of Qualifications, OR a minimum of three grade Ds in the Junior Certificate, OR the Equivalent. This remains unchanged.
While many SNAs have qualifications above the entry requirement, there are no plans to change the qualifications required for appointment.
The Comprehensive Review of the Special Needs Assistant Scheme (SNAs) was published by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) in 2018. The Review made a number of recommendations regarding SNAs. While SNAs are very much valued in the provision of care support, the Review recommended that a more broadly based set of supports was required including therapeutic supports.
The Review also referenced SNA training. Among the recommendations was the introduction of a national training programme for SNAs currently employed in our schools. Following a public procurement process, University College Dublin (UCD) School of Education, in conjunction with UCD School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems, were selected to develop and deliver this important educational initiative. UCD’s wide-ranging experience and expertise will enable the delivery of a broad-ranging and high-quality programme.
This major educational initiative will enhance the knowledge, skills and expertise of SNAs whose work is central to the inclusion of students with additional care and complex needs in school life. For some SNAs, this programme may present the first opportunity in recent times for them to engage with the
theory and research based best practice underlying their role. Completion of the programme may serve as a stepping stone to further education opportunities in the area.
Each participant who completes the programme successfully will receive a certificate from UCD School of Education.
There is no cost to serving SNAs working in schools. This course is fully funded by the Department of Education and Skills.
Participation in the programme is voluntary and all available places in this phase have been taken up.
156. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education if supports will be made available to students of a course in a college (details supplied) to assist with the cost of their virtual Gaeltacht course; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10763/21]
View answerThe current requirements for Gaeltacht Learning Periods (GLPs) for primary Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes takes the form of 2 x 2 week placements, which are outlined in the Teaching Council’s Céim: Standards for Initial Teacher Education.
A number of GLPs due to take place in 2020 were postponed due to public health restrictions. Also, due to the uncertainties of how GLPs would happen, any scheduled placements were put on hold for the 2020/2021 academic year.
My Department has been working for some time with stakeholders, including the Teaching Council, the Higher Education Institutes (including the College referred to by the Deputy), the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and CONCOS (umbrella body for Gaeltacht Colleges), to develop contingency arrangements to allow for the completion of GLPs in the current academic year. An agreement has now been reached to proceed with the delivery of an online version of the course in 2021.
These contingency plans allow for all placements scheduled to take place this year, related to the 2020/21 academic year, along with those postponed from 2020. It will also ensure that any final year students have the opportunity to graduate as scheduled in summer 2021.
Budget 2020 provided for the re-instatement of the grant to cover the full cost of the Gaeltacht Learning Periods (GLPs) for undergraduate and post-graduate students in State-funded primary ITE programmes, with effect from the 2020/2021 academic year. The grant was previously funded by my Department up to the 2012/2013 academic year, when it was ceased due to financial constraints. The rate of the re-introduced student grant for 2021 has been set at an average of €650. This will cover the cost of the undertaking the fortnightly online course in 2021. The re-introduced grant will be made available for undergraduate and post-graduate students in State-funded primary Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes. This is in line with normal practice for other grant payments per students qualifying requirements.
In recent years, it is understood that students had paid an average of €750 for undertaking a fortnightly GLP in the Gaeltacht. This average cost has been in place for many years and included a contribution to cover accommodation costs associated with attending the course in the Gaeltacht. While the accommodation costs do not arise this year, it is acknowledged that Gaeltacht College providers do face a number of additional costs associated with the preparation, design and delivery of a new online programme. It should be noted that in normal circumstances, Gaeltacht householders who provide accommodation to trainee teachers attending recognised courses in Gaeltacht regions also qualify for a daily grant of €10 per night under the terms of Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge which is administered by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
It is the shared aim of all of the stakeholders involved that students experience a quality online programme. HEIs are currently working directly with their Gaeltacht College providers on implementing the practical and administrative arrangements for delivery of the GLP.
An allowance has been made for 2nd year Professional Masters in Education (PME) students (including students in the College referred to by the Deputy). Those 2nd year PME students who have not completed any GLP will now complete a 3 week online programme (had previously been required to complete 4weeks). 2nd year PME students who have completed some of their required GLP will now be required to complete the remaining balance (up to a total requirement of 3 weeks) online. This particular allowance, approved by the Teaching Council’s Education Committee, recognised the significant timetabling issues facing 2nd year PME students in respect of school placement, the GLP and normal course work.
The College referred to by the Deputy is an independent private provider of ITE programmes. In relation to the cost of the online programme for students in the College referred to by the Deputy, my Department has recently responded to a proposal from that College confirming that both my Department and the Teaching Council has no issue with that College, working in collaboration with a Gaeltacht College(s) to provide an online programme based on the agreed syllabus for their own students and to negotiate and set the cost for undertaking that programme for their own students.
