Written Answers Nos. 80-99
81. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if supports will be introduced to support student renters (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13654/21]
View answerThe Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) was established as an independent statutory body under the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 to operate a national tenancy registration system and to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants. The Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2019 extended the remit of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 and of the RTB to cover student licences in student-specific accommodation. Due to the quasi-judicial nature of work of the RTB, it would be inappropriate for me, as Minister, or my Department to comment on or intervene in the specifics of any individual case.
The Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2020 provide for minimum notice periods to be served by tenants and landlords for tenancy terminations – for example, a student must provide 28 days' notice to end a tenancy of less than 6 months duration or 35 days to end a tenancy of more than 6 months but less than 1 year. The Acts do not prescribe specific terms and conditions regarding the payment of rents or deposits for inclusion in individual letting agreements in the private rental market including the student-specific accommodation sector. Contract law governs such arrangements. The specific terms associated with an individual student’s rights and obligations are likely to be set out in a written contract signed by both the student and the landlord.
Students may wish to contact their third level education providers to seek any assistance that they might be in a position to provide to resolve any issues arising. If a student cannot come to an agreement with their accommodation provider, they might wish to contact the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) regarding their concerns – https://www.rtb.ie/ - or to refer a dispute for resolution with regard to the non-refund of their deposit.
I understand that the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science is working with representatives from the higher education sector to address the challenges faced by students during this difficult time. The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science understands, based on the information available to it, that the majority of students in university-owned accommodation received pro-rata refunds on foot of vacating their accommodation on foot of Covid-19.
While I also wish to see this principle applied in the case of students who were residing in privately owned student accommodation, it is not within the remit of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science nor of my Department to direct any accommodation provider to refund rents paid.
On 25 February 2021, the Opposition introduced the Residential Tenancies (Student Rents and Other Protections) (Covid-19) Bill 2021. I am aware of the accommodation issues arising for students since the onset of the pandemic and I am currently considering the merits of the Bill within the wider context of the Residential Tenancies Acts, the Government’s commitments under the Programme for Government – Our Shared Future, and the Government’s forthcoming Housing and Residential Tenancies Bill.
82. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has considered the proposals in the report by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government entitled Safe as Houses; if he has adopted its recommendations; and if he plans to implement reforms. [13656/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government sets out a number of commitments in respect of the important policy area of building defects and provides for an examination of defective housing, having regard to the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing report, "Safe as Houses".
In this regard, my Department is actively engaging with key stakeholders and I have had several meetings with stakeholder representative groups on this matter over recent months. My Department is currently working to establish the structures to examine the issue of defective housing in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government.
I recently appointed Mr. Seamus Neely, former Chief Executive of Donegal County Council, to the position of Chair to the independent working group.
In addition, I brought a Memorandum for the Information of the Government to Cabinet recently to note the establishment of a working group with the appropriate expertise to examine the issue of defective housing. It is intended to hold the inaugural plenary working group meeting shortly.
In regard to the working group’s deliberations, the group will seek to engage with a range of interested parties, including homeowners, public representatives, local authorities, product manufacturers, building professionals and industry stakeholders, among others.
In addition, the ongoing building control reform agenda, with its many initiatives, already provides a comprehensive roadmap for embedding a culture of real compliance within the construction industry. The reform agenda includes:
- Amendments made to the Building Control Regulations;
- Establishment of the National Building Control Office; and
- The ongoing development of new legislation through the Building Control (Construction Industry Register Ireland) Bill.
83. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the terms and conditions of a shared ownership house agreement in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13681/21]
View answerThe "Shared Ownership Scheme" was a national scheme introduced by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government in 1992. Local authorities administer the Scheme in each of their administrative areas. The Shared Ownership Scheme was closed to new entrants in June 2011 by the then Government.
The Shared Ownership Scheme facilitated access to full home ownership in two or more stages to persons who could not afford full ownership immediately. The applicant initially acquired a share of between 40% and 75% in a dwelling and rented the remainder from the local authority with an undertaking to acquire the remaining equity within a 25/30 year period. There were two iterations of the Scheme.
In terms of ongoing scheme arrangements it would be important that a participant engages with their local authority on matters as outlined and also seeks independent financial advice and support.
Under relevant legislation, I am precluded from intervening in relation to individual cases such as this.
84. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the outcome for an area (details supplied) under the proposed Land Development Agency Bill 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13693/21]
View answerThe Land Development Agency (LDA) was established on an interim basis in September 2018, by way of an Establishment Order made under the Local Government Services (Corporate Bodies) Act 1971, pending the enactment of the Land Development Agency Bill.
Under Section 51 of the Land Development Agency Bill 2021, where a relevant public body is seeking to dispose of land located in population centres over 10,000 it must offer it for sale to the LDA in the first instance. The LDA will assess whether the land being offered is of use to it for its own purposes and will determine whether it wishes to purchase the land for development.
Section 14 of the Bill also provides that the LDA will provide services to local authorities, when requested by the local authority, in order to assist them in the development of large scale multi-tenure sites for housing and urban development in population centres over 30,000. This will assist with the construction of increased affordable and social housing on local authority owned sites.
In relation to the sites detailed, in the first instance it is a matter for local authorities to bring forward viable and appropriate development proposals. It is also a matter for each local authority to manage its own finances in a prudent and sustainable manner. In this context, the Housing Finance Agency works with individual local authorities to find the most efficient way of dealing with each authority's outstanding loans.
85. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will supply all historical valuations to date that the Valuation Office has placed on the Thornton Hall site; and if he will set out in detail his proposals for the site. [13761/21]
View answerThe Commissioner of Valuation is independent in the exercise of his functions under the Valuation Acts 2001-2020 and members of the Oireachtas can submit queries on valuation matters to the Valuation Office’s e-mail account at Oireachtas.Enquiries@valoff.ie .
The Land Development Agency (LDA) was established on an interim basis in September 2018, by way of an Establishment Order made under the Local Government Services (Corporate Bodies) Act 1971, pending the enactment of primary legislation when it will be established as a commercial State agency
The LDA have informed my Department that they are currently engaging with the Irish Prison Service in relation to the site at Thornton Hall. I am informed that an engineering and capacity survey has been carried out by the LDA however, as the requirements for the Thornton Hall site are currently under deliberation, the LDA do not plan to release this report at this time.
As with all State bodies operating under the aegis of my Department, arrangements have been put in place by the LDA through which Oireachtas members can request information directly from the Agency in relation to operational matters. In this regard, the LDA may be contacted directly at oireachtas@lda.ie.
86. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount received in vacant site levies in respect of the Thornton Hall site historically. [13766/21]
View answerUnder the vacant site levy provisions in the Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015, planning authorities were empowered to apply a vacant site levy of 3% of the market valuation of relevant properties which were listed on local authority vacant site registers in 2018, which relevant owners were liable to pay in January 2019. The rate of the levy increased to 7% for sites listed on local authority vacant sites register from 2019 onwards which site owners became liable to pay in January 2020.
My Department does not maintain a central register of vacant sites, as each local authority administers the vacant site register in respect of their functional area. As provided for under the Act, the register in respect of each local authority is available for inspection at its offices and online on its website.
The levy is not intended to be a revenue generating measure with the proceeds accruing to the relevant local authority rather than the Exchequer. The levy proceeds generated are specifically intended to be used by local authorities for the provision of housing and regeneration development in the local area in which vacant sites are located. No more than 10% of the levy monies received by planning authorities may be used on their administration costs in collecting the levy.
87. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the €121.3 million in full or in part was allocated in the budget 2021 announcement or in any previous budget further to his announcement on 5 March 2021 for funding for the regeneration of the north-inner city concept area 1. [13774/21]
View answer88. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the process by which Dublin City Council will draw down the funding from his Department will be clarified further to his announcement on 5 March 2021 for funding for the regeneration of the north-inner city concept area 1; and the role his Department will have in the delivery of the nine projects for which the funding has been allocated. [13775/21]
View answer89. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the breakdown of the €121.3 million allocated to each of the nine regeneration projects for the north-inner city concept area 1 projects announced on 5 March 2021, in tabular form. [13776/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 87 to 89, inclusive, together.
The Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) was launched in 2018 to support more compact and sustainable development. The URDF is one of four funds established under the National Development Plan 2018-2027 and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has responsibility for its implementation.
The Fund is providing part-funding for applicant led projects that will enable a greater proportion of residential and mixed-use development to be delivered within the existing built-up footprints of our cities and large towns, while also ensuring that more parts of our urban areas can become attractive and vibrant places in which people choose to live and work, as well as to invest and to visit.
The URDF, as a key activator of the National Planning Framework (NPF) and Project Ireland 2040, is supporting a programme of significant transformational capital projects that will contribute to the regeneration and rejuvenation of Ireland’s five cities and other large towns, in line with the objectives of the NPF and PI2040.
All applications for URDF support are assessed in terms of their alignment with the intended purpose of the URDF programme and also their viability before being considered for approval.
With regard to the approved proposal in question, Dublin City Council’s North Inner City Concept Area 1, the recently announced global provisional allocation of €121,285,388 for this multi-element project is a new allocation under Call 2 of the URDF which will be funded from an allocation of €2 billion provided under the National Development Plan (NDP) 2018-2027.
In the coming weeks my Department will issue a formal approval in principle letter in respect of this successful proposal to Dublin City Council, which will set out the arrangements and conditions attached to URDF support, and which will also provide a breakdown of the global provisional allocation by sub-project.
While my Department works closely with the successful applicants in respect of project funding, responsibility for the advancement of URDF supported projects through the various stages of planning, development and completion is, in the first instance, a matter for the Sponsoring Agency, in this case Dublin City Council.
In this regard it should be noted that all URDF supported projects must be carefully developed and managed by the Sponsoring Agency in accordance with the normal conditions and arrangements that apply to public sector managed projects including, exercising appropriate cost control and delivering projects as approved, and in full compliance with the Public Spending Code.
90. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he plans to publish the report carried out in 2017 on the tenant (incremental) purchase scheme 2016 himself in view of the refusal by his Department to release the report under the Freedom of Information Acts; if it is planned to have a public consultation on the report prior to his making some changes to the eligibility conditions under the scheme as promised in the Programme for Government; when he plans making a final decision on the changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13779/21]
View answerThe Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme came into operation on 1 January 2016. The Scheme is open to eligible tenants, including joint tenants, of local authority houses that are available for sale under the Scheme. To be eligible, tenants must meet certain criteria, including having a minimum reckonable income of €15,000 per annum and having been in receipt of social housing support for at least one year.
A review of the first 12 months of the Scheme’s operation has been undertaken. As part of this review, a public consultation process on the Tenant Purchase Scheme was published on the Department’s website and opened to the public on 13 January 2017, and it remained open until 10 February 2017. Written submissions were sought on the scheme from interested members of the public. There are no plans to hold a further consultative process on this scheme.
The Programme for Government commits to maintaining the right of social housing tenants to purchase their own home with some changes to eligibility. The review and the commitments in the Programme for Government are being examined as part of the work on the broader social housing reform agenda. I expect to be in a position to finalise changes to the Scheme once the work on these reform measures is complete.
91. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on the review in relation to the housing income limits. [13809/21]
View answerApplications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended.
The 2011 Regulations prescribe maximum net income limits for each local authority, in different bands according to the area concerned, with income being defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy. The 2011 Regulations do not provide local authorities with any discretion to exceed the limits that apply to their administrative areas.
Under the Household Means Policy, which applies in all local authorities, net income for social housing assessment is defined as gross household income less income tax, PRSI, Universal Social Charge and Pension-Related Deductions within the meaning of Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009. The Policy provides for a range of income disregards, and local authorities also have discretion to decide to disregard income that is temporary, short-term or once-off in nature.
The income bands are expressed in terms of a maximum net income threshold for a single-person household, with an allowance of 5% for each additional adult household member, subject to a maximum allowance under this category of 10%; and 2.5% for each child, subject to a maximum allowance under this category of 10%.
The income bands and the authority area assigned to each band were based on an assessment of the income needed to provide for a household's basic needs, plus a comparative analysis of the local rental cost of housing accommodation across the country. It is important to note that the limits introduced in 2011 also reflected a blanket increase of €5,000 introduced prior to the new system coming into operation, in order to broaden the base from which social housing tenants are drawn, both promoting sustainable communities and also providing a degree of future-proofing.
Given the cost to the State of providing social housing, it is considered prudent and fair to direct resources to those most in need of social housing support. The current income eligibility requirements generally achieve this, providing for a fair and equitable system of identifying those households facing the greatest challenge in meeting their accommodation needs from their own resources.
However, as part of the broader social housing reform agenda, a review of income eligibility for social housing supports in each local authority area is underway. The review will have regard to current initiatives being brought forward in terms of affordability and cost rental and will be completed when the impacts of these parallel initiatives have been considered.
92. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on his Department’s engagement with an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13671/21]
View answerWith a record 235 million people currently needing humanitarian assistance and protection, or one in 33 people worldwide, humanitarian agencies are seeking new ways to collaborate and increase efficiency and impact.
Responding to this imperative, the Irish Emergency Alliance (IEA) was launched in September 2020. It comprises seven non-governmental organisations that work in fragile states and humanitarian crises: Action Aid, Christian Aid, Plan International Ireland, Self Help Africa, Tear Fund Ireland, Trócaire and World Vision Ireland. These organisations came together in the IEA to coordinate joint public fundraising appeals in Ireland to humanitarian crises.
Since its launch, the IEA has established an appeal for conflict-affected countries suffering from the secondary impacts of COVID-19. The appeal established partnerships with the media, recruited 3,000 individual donors and raised €250,000.
My Department has engaged with the IEA substantially at both official and political levels. Following a meeting with the IEA Board, I released a statement of support for their launch.
In 2020, my Department allocated €38 million to IEA members through the Irish Aid programme. My Department will continue to work with IEA members both bilaterally and collectively in pursuit of our common commitment to save lives, reduce suffering and protect the dignity of people affected by humanitarian crises.
93. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the role the new climate unit in his Department will play in addressing the global climate crisis and devising a strategy to scale up Ireland’s climate finance contributions as outlined in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13672/21]
View answerDelivering on a commitment in the Programme for Government, a dedicated Climate Unit was established last autumn in the Development Cooperation and Africa Division in my Department. The establishment of the Climate Unit will facilitate a more holistic and effective Irish engagement on global climate issues, and guide the process now underway of doubling the proportion of Irish Official Development Assistance which contributes to climate action.
This year a key moment will be the COP 26 UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, from 1-12 November. My Department will be working with Ireland’s national delegation, led by Minister Ryan and the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Communications, in preparing Ireland’s national position for COP 26.
In addition, the Climate Unit is working, through the network of our Embassies, with EU partners, and in other relevant fora, as well as with relevant Government Departments to advocate on Ireland's climate priorities on the road to COP 26.
The first priority for the Climate Unit to COP26 is to promote the Adaptation and Resilience agenda, assisting Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States to adapt to climate change, change which they are already experiencing.
Its second priority is advocating for a Sustainable Blue Economy, which includes adaptation, as well as the protection of our oceans.
Its third priority is to lobby for the inclusion of climate considerations in UN Security Council mandates and Resolutions, wisely using the opportunity provided by Ireland co-chairing the experts' group on Climate and Security at the UN Security Council.
The Climate Unit is working across the development programme and other Department of Foreign Affairs initiatives to climate proof the work of the Department.
The Unit also manages Irish Aid funding for climate specific initiatives, with a 2021 budget of €11.7 million, which will support activities in line with the aforementioned three climate diplomacy priorities. There is also specific funding for climate justice activities.
Together with relevant Government Departments, in a process it co-chairs with officials from the Department of Finance, the Climate Unit is working on a Climate Finance Roadmap, to be finalised this year. This will set out a plan for an increase in the quantity and quality of Irish climate finance, while also seeking to optimise inter-Departmental coherence and coordination.
94. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a detailed response will be provided on the way his Department approaches development education in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13673/21]
View answerDevelopment education is an integral part of the Irish Aid programme, Ireland’s Official Development Aid programme managed in large part by the Department of Foreign Affairs, but which engages many Departments across Government, the education system and civil society. Development education contributes to an active Irish public, engaged and well-informed on issues which impact on global dynamics with an emphasis on understanding inequalities and interdependencies, including raising awareness of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
My Department’s current approach is governed by the Irish Aid Development Education Strategy 2017 – 2023. This year, the Irish Aid budget for development education is €5.29 million, which is available to both formal and non-formal education sectors, including schools and schools networks, third level institutions, non-governmental organisations, youth, adult and community groups. Organisations funded are typically members of the Irish Development Education Association, which has produced a Code of Good Practice for Development Education available on its website, www.ideaonline.ie.
Recognising the changes in the general education environment over the past year due to the pandemic, in particular the move to digital education, I decided that it would be appropriate to revisit the current Irish Aid Development Education Strategy. On 15 February, I launched a consultation process for a new strategy, which would address development education and global citizenship. That consultation is ongoing, with a view to identify new opportunities for engagement, looking to see how lifelong learning concepts might be most effectively integrated into our approaches and, importantly, how we engage with new audiences around the country.
The new strategy will build on strong foundations. In 2019-2020, Irish Aid supported 31 partners to deliver development education projects, reaching more than 350,000 people. This includes 70% of second-level schools. 23 of the 26 Higher Education Institutes are providing Irish Aid supported global citizenship courses and other initiatives. In addition, the Department provided grant funding to NGOs and other groups for activities to promote understanding of an engagement with global issues.
The Development Assistance Committee of the OECD reviewed the Irish Aid programme last year, finding Ireland to have a strong approach to development education, focusing on achieving greater knowledge and changed attitudes. The review states that Ireland’s “approach encompasses both formal and non-formal education and relies on strong partnerships among the government, non-governmental organisations, education actors and local communities. Outreach to schools is already very substantial, and Ireland is aiming to reach wider audiences to sustain and deepen the considerable support within the Irish population.”
95. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the details of his recent visit to Iran; the position regarding the 2015 Iran nuclear deal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13805/21]
View answerI visited Tehran on 7 March, and met with the President of Iran, Dr. Hassan Rouhani and Foreign Minister, Dr. Javad Zarif.The visit took place in the context of Ireland's role on the Security Council as Facilitator for Security Council Resolution 2231. This Resolution provides for the engagement of the Security Council with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the Iran nuclear deal.
Like our EU partners, Ireland is committed to preserving the JCPOA, which we believe offers the best mechanism for preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons. In our role as Facilitator we will do our utmost to support implementation of Resolution 2231.
I am in ongoing contact with the parties to the agreement and my discussions with President Rouhani and Minister Zarif were intensive and productive. There is now a window of opportunity to return to dialogue and agree a path back to full compliance with the JCPOA. I emphasised to my Iranian interlocutors that Ireland is ready to support and facilitate these efforts in line with our Security Council role.
We also discussed regional issues including Syria, Yemen and the Middle East Peace Process, as well as human rights issues in Iran.
96. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the registration number of each of the US military aircraft that spent an overnight at Shannon Airport between 1 February 2020 and 28 February 2021; the number of US military personnel who were accommodated in hotels in counties Clare and Limerick as a result of these overnight refuelling stops; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13806/21]
View answerAs Minister for Foreign Affairs, I am responsible for diplomatic clearance for overflights and landings by foreign military aircraft, on the basis of applications made by accredited Embassies of the countries concerned.
In the thirteen-month period under reference, 1 February 2020 to 28 February 2021, there were 85 stop-over landings at Shannon airport by US military aircraft.
It is not the policy of my Department to disclose the specific details of the registration numbers of the aircraft which are submitted as part of requests for diplomatic clearances.
My Department has no role with regard to the accommodation of personnel arriving on such flights.
97. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Education if grant assistance will be provided to students in private colleges undertaking a professional masters of education in primary teaching to facilitate their participation in the newly proposed online Gaeltacht experience; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13641/21]
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.
The Department of Education has been working for some time with stakeholders, including the Teaching Council, the Higher Education Institutes (including a Private College provider), 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 the Department of Education 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 4 weeks). 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.
In relation to the cost of the online programme for students of the private college provider, the Department of Education has recently responded to a proposal from that College confirming that both the 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.
The Department understands that the private College has now organised the provision of an online GLP programme for all of their students in collaboration with one Gaeltacht College.
98. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education the status of a building project for a school (details supplied); the timescale for the commencement of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13574/21]
View answerThe school referred to by the Deputy has been devolved for delivery to Louth County Council.
The process of preparation of tender documentation for the project is effectively completed. However, there are some issues, including a design issue, that have recently arisen in respect of this project and which need to be considered before the tendering process itself can begin.
At this stage of the project, it is not possible to provide a timeline for completion.
99. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education if assurances will be given that the early intervention class programme for ASD preschool children will not be stopped or defunded; the details of her plans to continue to support children with additional needs and ensure their needs are addressed at the earliest stage possible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13601/21]
View answerThe principal vehicle for the delivery of pre-school education is the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Scheme which provides early childhood care and education for children of pre-school age. Since 2016 the inclusion of children with a special needs, including Autism, in the ECCE Scheme has been supported under the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) for pre-school.
First 5 is the whole-of-Government strategy to improve the lives of babies, young children and their families, commits to continue to roll out AIM to ensure the full inclusion of children with special needs.
The report of the Inter-Departmental Group in 2016 recommended that early intervention classes and other specialist pre-school supports provided by my Department should remain in place and be reviewed three years from the introduction of the model.
The AIM End of Year 3 Evaluation is currently underway, and is scheduled for completion in December 2021. Consideration of the further development of AIM will take place following completion of the evaluation.
