Written Answers Nos. 248-262
249. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the actions his Department is taking to address the recent re-arrests of Christians in Eritrea (details supplied) who were previously imprisoned in violation of their right to freedom of religion and belief; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45815/21]
View answerI am deeply concerned by the imprisonment of Christians in Eritrea on the basis of their religious belief.
The right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion (more commonly referred to as freedom of religion and belief) is regarded as a fundamental freedom, provided for under Article 18 of both the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights. Ireland strongly condemns all forms of persecution on the basis of religion or belief, irrespective of where they occur or who the victims are.
The promotion of freedom of religion or belief is therefore a priority for Ireland’s human rights engagement at both multilateral and bilateral levels, as reaffirmed in ‘The Global Island: Ireland’s Foreign Policy for a Changing World’. Ireland consistently co-sponsors resolutions on freedom of religion or belief at the UN General Assembly and the Human Rights Council. During our Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2013, Ireland played a key role in the development and adoption of the EU Guidelines on Freedom of Religion or Belief. These Guidelines provide a framework for the promotion of freedom of religion and belief in the EU’s external human rights policy.
Ireland has consistently expressed concern about the human rights situation in Eritrea, including through our engagement at the United Nations Human Rights Council. Thus far in 2021, Ireland has made two statements on Eritrea at sessions of the Human Rights Council, echoing the call of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea for the Eritrean authorities to cooperate with UN and AU human rights mechanisms to address ongoing human rights violations. Ireland has also contributed to the drafting of EU statements and negotiations on the renewal of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea. In our interventions at the Council, we have particularly recalled the 2016 findings of the Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in Eritrea, and its conclusion that crimes against humanity have been committed in Eritrean detention facilities, military training camps and other locations, and noting that there has been minimal progress towards reform. Despite the release of some prisoners who had been detained for their expression of religious belief last year, arbitrary arrests and incommunicado detention are common practices, with individuals continuing to be detained in violation of international law.
Ireland has consistently urged Eritrea to comply with its obligations under international law and cooperate with both the Special Rapporteur and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and has repeatedly raised this at EU level.
In March 2021, the EU imposed sanctions on Eritrea’s National Security Agency under the new EU Global Human Rights Sanctions regime, citing responsibility of the Agency for serious human-rights abuses, including arbitrary arrests, extra-judicial killings, enforced disappearances and torture by its agents.
Ireland continues to be extremely concerned by the ongoing conflict in Tigray, Ethiopia, now into its tenth month, in which Eritrean troops are participating, and which in recent months has spilled over into neighbouring regions of Amhara and Afar. The conflict continues to have a devastating impact on local populations, and poses severe risks to the stability of Ethiopia, and the wider Horn of Africa region. Ireland has called for all parties to the conflict to end hostilities, and for Eritrean troops to withdraw immediately. Addressing the situation in Ethiopia—including the presence of Eritrean troops—remains a key priority for Ireland, whether bilaterally, at the Human Rights Council, through European Union fora, and in the context of our UN Security Council membership.
My officials and Ireland’s Embassies in Nairobi (accredited to Eritrea) and Addis Ababa, continue to monitor the human rights situation in Eritrea and Ethiopia closely, including the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
250. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether the attacks on education by Israeli forces in the Occupied Palestinian Territory are a deliberate attempt to make the teaching and learning environment unsafe for Palestinian children; his further views on whether the educational process has been severely hampered and disrupted as a result of these attacks and that the dignity and security of Palestinian students and teaching staff have been repeatedly and deliberately violated through the systematic targeting and legal discrimination of the occupying power; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45845/21]
View answerI remain gravely concerned by the ongoing human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territory and particularly the impact on children and their education. Ireland has repeatedly emphasised that the rights of children to protection, safety, and well-being must be upheld at all times.
I fully endorse the statement of 9 September 2021 by European Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarcic, on the International Day to Protect Education from Attack, which underlined that attacks on education constitute violations of International Humanitarian Law.
Ireland has been active on this issue in the UN Security Council. In my address to the Council on 16 May, I expressed Ireland’s deep concern at the plight of children in the occupied Palestinian territory. I highlighted the damage to UNRWA buildings, including schools, during military operations in Gaza, and stressed that all violations against children must end, in particular attacks on schools.
Ireland is a strong supporter of education for Palestinian youth, which is crucial for the long-term economic viability of a Palestinian state. Ireland is a longstanding supporter of UNRWA’s delivery of services, including quality education, in the occupied Palestinian territory, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.
This year Ireland has provided €7 million in funding to UNRWA, including emergency support for the people in the Gaza Strip in response to the deteriorating humanitarian crisis. I provided €500,000 to UNICEF for the provision of child protection, medical and sanitation services to thousands of children in acute need in the West Bank and in Gaza. This included emergency psycho-social services to 5,000 children suffering trauma as a result of the hostilities.
Ireland also supports the work of the Palestinian Ministry of Education, as well as providing additional operational support to partners in the education sphere.
Irish officials will continue to engage actively on the ground and by supporting Israeli and Palestinian civil society partners who play a critical role on this issue.
251. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the State plans to raise the issue of Syrian detainees who have suffered arbitrary and incommunicado detention and enforced disappearance by Syrian Government forces at the UN Security Council during its Presidency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45848/21]
View answerThere is considerable evidence, including in the most recent report of the United Nation’s Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic, that tens of thousands of people in Syria have been subject to arbitrary detention or forcible disappearance by government forces in Syria.
Ireland and the EU have repeatedly condemned violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law perpetrated by the Syrian regime and other actors, some of which may constitute war crimes or crimes against humanity.
Ireland has consistently advocated on behalf of the missing and detained in Syria and their families across various international fora including through co-sponsoring multiple resolutions at the United Nations Human Rights Council.
Since taking a seat on the Security Council in January, Ireland has consistently condemned the practice of arbitrary detention and forced disappearance in our statements to Council. We have called for an immediate end to this practice, for the release of detainees, and for accountability for past crimes. We will continue to do so, including during our Presidency of the Council this September.
UN Security Council Resolution 2254 sets the framework for a comprehensive political solution to the Syria conflict, addressing the underlying causes of the conflict and calling for the release of arbitrarily detained persons. Ireland strongly supports UN Special Envoy Geir Pedersen and I urge the Syrian government to engage fully with his efforts to find a lasting political solution within the framework set out in Resolution 2254.
253. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education the steps she is taking to deliver on her capital building programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45181/21]
View answerMy Department has a strong and ambitious rollout of projects under the school building programme to support the operation of the school system particularly in terms of additional capacity requirements.
During the NDP period 2018-2020, there were 526 completed building projects under the Large Scale Capital Programme and the Additional School Accommodation Scheme. These projects delivered in excess of 48,000 school places, including permanent accommodation for 229 special classes and additional capacity for 67 classrooms in 14 special schools throughout the country.
The Department currently has a significant existing pipeline of projects to be delivered over the coming years to meet capacity needs managed under the Large-Scale Capital Programme (LSCP) and the Additional School Accommodation Scheme (ASA). This includes circa 1,200 school building projects across the various stages of planning, design, tender and construction. There are currently in excess of 250 projects currently at construction, most of which will be completed during Q4 2021 and 2022. and a further 200 school building projects at advanced stages of planning and design.
It is envisaged that 150 - 200 school building project will be completed annually under the NDP.
The current status of projects being delivered is listed on a county by county basis on the www.Gov.ie website and is updated on a monthly basis to reflect their progress through the various stages.
The main focus of resources over the last decade and for the coming period is on provision of additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics.
While at a national level, enrolment trends indicate that primary enrolments have passed their peak and that post primary enrolments will peak in the 2024/25 academic year, my Department is very much aware that there are variations to this trend at regional and local level. For that reason, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and utilises a Geographic Information System, using data from a range of sources, including Child Benefit, school enrolment data and information on residential development activity in order to anticipate school place demand and identify capacity requirement priorities which will necessitate action. This is important in the context of ensuring alignment with the Government’s Housing for All Plan.
While much progress has been made to date, the continued modernisation of school facilities will be a priority for my Department under the forthcoming revised NDP to 2030. This increased focus on the upgrade and refurbishment of the existing school stock will be further to the continued increase of school capacity to keep pace with demographic demand including provision for Special Education Needs.
254. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education her views on whether it is acceptable or appropriate under the UNHCR Best Interest of the Child principle or equality that 732 children with special educational needs are without a school place and currently sanctioned for home tuition with some families believing they are hidden away from society and mainstream education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36252/21]
View answerEnabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this Government.
The level of investment in special education, at almost €2 billion, is at an all-time high.
An additional 269 additional special classes are being opened this school-year. This will bring the total number of special classes nationally to 2,118. The new classes provide 1,600 additional places, spread right throughout the country.
Two new special schools are also opening this year, one in Dublin and one in Cork.
Despite this unprecedented increase, I am very aware of the need for further specialist education places in a small number of areas, mainly concentrated in Dublin.
I acknowledge that any delay in securing a suitable school placement can cause much anguish for parents and families involved.
Delays can happen for a variety of reasons including, for example, assessment reports for children coming available over the summer period while schools were closed. In other cases, parents may change their preference for a class placement and request that their child move from a mainstream class to a special class.
My Department and the NCSE have therefore put in place new planning structures and procedures to ensure sufficient places become available to meet local need. As new need emerges, there is a cohesive response available to ensure places become available in a timely and targeted way.
Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) are working closely with parents and schools to address their needs. My Department will support their work in any way necessary to ensure the required number of school places become available as quickly as possible.
My Department’s policy focuses on ensuring that all students with special educational needs can have access to an education appropriate to meeting their needs and abilities.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of SENOs, for the development, delivery and co-ordination of education services to children with special educational needs. In circumstances, where the NCSE confirms that no placement is available for a child with special educational needs, my Department can provide Home Tuition grant funding towards the provision of 20 hours home tuition per week as an interim measure until the NCSE confirms that a placement is available. Home tuition funding is not an alternative to a school placement. By its nature it is intended to be a short term intervention.
Where the NCSE has identified an available school placement for a child, the local SENO continues to be available to engage with the family and the school concerned to ensure that the child's needs are addressed.
The Deputy may also be aware that in 2018, the then Minister requested the NCSE to advise on the educational provision that should be in place for students in special schools and classes. Ireland is not alone in considering educational provision for students in special education settings. Many European countries are thinking about the future direction they should take. This is particularly the case in light of new obligations and responsibilities under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
A lot of work has been done and NCSE published a progress report in November, 2019. The report found no evidence to show that one type of special education placement is better that another. It also stated that any decision to move towards greater inclusion would require careful consideration and planning. It is not something that could be achieved in the short term.
Since the publication of the progress report, NCSE has conducted further research and analysis, engaged in a public consultation survey and has received further submissions and expert inputs. It has also examined the implications arising from the UNCRPD.
Before the advice is finalised, every effort is being made to ensure that NCSE has consulted widely with a view to developing shared understandings on the critical issues involved and proposed solutions.
I expect that the policy advice will be completed before the end of the year.
255. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Education the detail of the current assessment of a school (details supplied) by her Department; and if her Department will now sanction a new school building. [45185/21]
View answerI wish to confirm that the name of the school to which the Deputy is referring has been clarified and the information provided below relates to the larger primary school in the relevant town.
I can confirm that an Additional Schools Accommodation (ASA) application and First Level Education (FLE) application were assessed in 2019 for the school to which he refers. At that time, there was no deficit of accommodation identified. The school was advised that if their enrolments increase in the future, it was open to the school authority to make a further application.
However, the school has since been identified as a possible candidate for the Energy Pathfinder Programme to undergo extensive fabric upgrades to improve the energy performance of the building and the installation of renewable energy solutions.
As part of the 2022 Pathfinder programme, a number of schools will be chosen in rural and urban areas to undergo extensive fabric upgrades to improve the energy performance of the building and the installation of renewable energy solutions. Each school will be assessed comprehensively to ensure that the measures were suitable for that school and would deliver value to both the school and the pilot. Design teams will be appointed to each project, with medium to deep energy efficiency works delivered.
This Pathfinder programme is paving the way for, and informing, a much larger national schools’ programme for the energy retrofit of schools built prior to 2008 as included in the National Development Plan. It is facilitating research on a range of typical retrofit options, which will have been tried and tested. It is providing valuable development information for a solution driven delivery strategy which will be founded on a solid evidence base that has proven the robustness and scalability of renewable solutions within the schools’ sector.
My Department has determined that a potential project at the school in question could be of benefit in identifying learnings that can be rolled out in the national programme.
I can confirm that my Department's Professional and Technical staff visited the school recently and carried out a technical inspection. A report is currently being finalised and when this is completed, my Department’s officials will contact the school authority directly.
256. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Education the recent discussions she has had in relation to the school bus transport system; the funding made available for physical distancing for post-primary students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44228/21]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the 2020/2021 school year over 114,100 children, including over 14,700 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €224.7m in 2020.
All children who are eligible for school transport and who have completed the application and payment process on time for the 2021/22 school year will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation. In addition all post-primary pupils who are otherwise eligible for school transport but are attending their second nearest school and have applied and paid on time will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation. This arrangement is in place for current school year pending completion of the full review of the School Transport Scheme.
Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only and are offered seats where capacity exists after all eligible children have been catered for. Late applicants and/or families who pay late are not guaranteed a seat and will only be allocated a seat if capacity is available once seats are allocated to those families who applied and paid on time for transport services for the 2021/2022 school year.
Planning for school transport for the 2021/22 school year has proceeded on the basis that the public health measures in place as schools closed at the end of the last school year would remain as term began in this new school year. This includes the recommendations from Public Health that post-primary services would operate at 50% capacity. All other measures relating to hygiene, pre-assigned seating, cleaning and the wearing of masks by post-primary students are also in place.
However, as the vaccination programme for children on post-primary services is rolled out and as the lifting of restrictions on public transport services proceeds, the capacity limit of 50% on post-primary school transport services will be subject to ongoing review and the Department will be considering the position in this regard over the coming weeks.
My Department reimburses Bus Éireann for a range of costs incurred in the operation and administration of the scheme on a cost recovery basis. Funding is being provided by my Department for the additional buses required so that services can operate at 50% capacity and for the cost of the other required measures.
257. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education when all State primary and secondary schools will be provided with carbon dioxide monitors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45753/21]
View answerManaging ventilation is just one of a suite of public health measures in place to keep our schools safe. Updated guidance for schools on Practical Steps for the Deployment of Good Ventilation Practices in Schools was provided at the end of May following the work of an expert group that carefully considered the role of ventilation in managing COVID-19.
A copy of the guidance is published on the Gov.ie website.
The over-arching approach in the guidance is for schools to have windows open as fully as possible when classrooms are not in use and partially open when classrooms are in use.
The guidance outlines that Carbon Dioxide (CO2) monitors can play a part in providing a useful general indication that areas/rooms may not be adequately ventilated. They can enable occupants to become familiar with the impacts of activities, outdoor weather and window openings on levels of good ventilation.
My Department procured portable monitors that are currently being distributed to schools – between 2 and 20 at primary school level and between 20 and 35 at post-primary school level depending on school size, at an estimated overall cost of €4 million. The monitors are portable, simple to use, and will give a digital reading.
Deliveries of CO2 monitors to schools commenced in the third week of August. In total, it involves over 35,000 CO2 monitors being distributed to, primary and post-primary schools. 25,000 CO2 monitors have been distributed to schools which has facilitated monitors being provided to each school.
96% of primary schools (including all special schools) having received their full allocation of CO2. Ten CO2 monitors have been provided to schools at post-primary level with the balance of their allocation expected to be distributed in October.
258. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education if a school (details supplied) will be provided with additional teaching staff to deal with the rapid increase in student numbers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45775/21]
View answerThe key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September. The staffing schedule operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all similar types of schools equally irrespective of location.
The staffing process contains an appeals mechanism for primary schools. The school referred to by the Deputy has been allocated an additional teaching post on appeal, pending confirmation of the school's enrolment on 30th September.
261. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Education when persons (details supplied) will be facilitated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45802/21]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the 2020/2021 school year over 114,100 children, including over 14,700 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €224.7m in 2020.
All children who are eligible for school transport and who completed the application and payment process on time for the 2021/22 school year will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation. In addition all post-primary pupils who are otherwise eligible for school transport but are attending their second nearest school and who have applied and paid on time will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation. This arrangement is in place for current school year pending completion of the full review of the School Transport Scheme.
Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only and are offered seats where capacity exists after all eligible children have been catered for. Late applicants and/or families who pay late are not guaranteed a seat and will only be allocated a seat if capacity is available once seats are allocated to those families who applied and paid on time for transport services for the 2021/2022 school year.
Bus Eireann has confirmed that the children to whom the Deputy refers are eligible for School Transport. Medical card details for School Transport for the 2021/22 school year were received on 13/07/2021 and then on 10/09/2021, as a result tickets were not initially released as the payment process was not fully completed on time.
Bus Éireann has confirmed that tickets have now been released for the 2021/22 school year.
262. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education if the funds will be made available in Budget 2022 to ensure that school secretaries receive a public sector pension entitlement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45645/21]
View answerI know from my own experiences that school secretaries and caretakers are valued members of our school communities and my Department is fully aware of the vitally important role played by them in the running of our schools.
The Department previously fully implemented and funded the 2015 recommendations of an independent arbitrator for a cumulative pay increase of 10% between 2016 and 2019 and that a minimum hourly pay rate of €13 be phased in over that period.
Fórsa trade union has tabled a follow-on claim and officials from the Department and school management bodies have been engaging with Fórsa on the issues. On the 27th of October 2020, under the auspices of the WRC, an understanding was agreed on a pathway to progress the issues. Several key strands have been identified, and a phased approach is being taken to the development of proposals.
Following intensive discussions at the WRC on 13th September, there has been significant progress in this dispute. Subject to agreement on all elements of the claim, the Department has offered to move School Secretaries’ pay rates to a scale which is aligned with the Clerical Officer Grade III pay scale within education and training boards on a pro rata basis with an effective date of implementation for these new pay arrangements of 1st September 2021. Pay rates will be pro rata according to a secretary’s current working pattern. The assimilation of School Secretaries to the CO Grade III pay scale will require further dialogue between the parties and an intensive engagement will take place of over the next two/three weeks to allow this to be finalised.
My Department has also offered to improve the conditions for School Secretaries with regard to sick leave, annual leave and maternity provisions for this cohort of staff. This will take place via direct engagement with the unions in the coming weeks in addition to engagement on other elements of the claim and subject to all elements being agreed.
While there is agreement in principle to take the same approach to the consideration of appropriate pay and conditions of grant funded caretakers there remains a deficit of data on working terms and conditions of such staff. When the final package for secretaries has been agreed and an implementation plan in place for schools and DE, that intensive engagement will begin on regularising the pay and conditions of grant funded caretakers.
I welcome the deferral of the action scheduled for Wednesday 15th September to allow for intensive talks to resume aimed at resolving the claim and agreeing a final package and I encourage all parties to focus on finalising an agreement.
