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Tuesday, 16 Nov 2021

Written Answers Nos. 325-344

Brexit Issues

Questions (326)

Sorca Clarke

Question:

326. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the engagement he has had with the UK Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union regarding Article 16 of the Northern Ireland Protocol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56177/21]

View answer

Written answers

Discussions between the EU and UK on the Northern Ireland Protocol including between David Frost and Maros Šefcovic are ongoing and it is important that we give these talks every chance to succeed. A positive outcome to current discussions is our objective.

I have met with UK Minister of State David Frost on a number of occasions in the last year, most recently in September, at the meeting of the British Irish Association in Oxford. I have also discussed the Protocol in meetings with other UK ministers, including with the UK Foreign Secretary Elizabeth Truss on 13 October and the Minister for Europe and Americas at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Wendy Morton, on 1 October. The issue has also been regularly raised by other Ministers in recent contacts with UK counterparts.

In all contacts with UK ministers and officials, I have emphasised the importance of using the EU-UK framework for issues related to the Protocol and of finding a solution that works for the people of Northern Ireland. We are impressing on them that invoking Article 16 would have far reaching implications for the EU-UK relationship and for our bilateral relationship. The European Commission has acted in good faith. A good faith response is required from the United Kingdom Government.

I am of course also in regular contact with Vice-President Šefcovic, with our partners across the EU, the US Administration and Congress and stakeholders across Northern Ireland. Support for the Commission package and minimising disruption in Northern Ireland remains very strong. I had the opportunity to discuss developments with several EU Foreign Ministers during the course of the FAC meeting in Brussels this week. Minister Byrne is also in touch with his counterparts.

I believe strongly the Protocol will work if we allow it to with flexibility and pragmatism.

Brexit Issues

Questions (327)

Sorca Clarke

Question:

327. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the engagement he has had with the President of the United States of America or their representatives regarding Article 16 of the Northern Ireland Protocol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56178/21]

View answer

Written answers

Ireland deeply values the role that the United States has played in ensuring peace and stability in Northern Ireland and the continuing high-level bipartisan support for the Good Friday Agreement. The engagement by successive US Administrations, Congress and the Irish Diaspora has been an indispensable part of the success of the Peace Process over the last three decades, and remains so to this day.

Contacts between the Government and members of the US Administration are ongoing and consistent. I have spoken to my counterpart, Secretary of State Blinken, on a number of occasions, and on 1 November the Taoiseach met with President Biden on the margins of COP26. I have also raised our concerns with US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan a number of times. In September, the Taoiseach and I travelled to the US and had several high level engagements. It was clear from these meetings that US political representatives support the Protocol, and view it as essential to preserving the gains of the Peace Process and the Good Friday Agreement.

As talks between the EU and the UK progress, this support continues to be strongly expressed at all levels of the US political system. President Biden met with European Commission President Von der Leyen in Washington DC on 10 November, where both sides reiterated the importance of the Withdrawal Agreement and the Protocol for peace and stability on the island of Ireland.

On 9 November, four key US congress members released a statement warning that a failure to implement the Protocol would undermine decades of progress towards peace in Ireland. This was followed by a statement from the Ad Hoc Committee to Protect the Good Friday Agreement which noted that triggering Article 16 of the Protocol would be unwise and unpopular in Northern Ireland.

The Commission’s proposals represent a real opportunity for Northern Ireland. The European Commission has acted in good faith and a good faith response is required from the United Kingdom Government. It is important that we give the talks between the EU and the UK every chance to succeed. A positive outcome to current discussions is our objective. I believe the Protocol will work if we allow it to with flexibility and pragmatism.

United Nations

Questions (328)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

328. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to correspondence from an organisation (details supplied); the nature of Ireland’s specific role and involvement in the training of the Libyan Coast Guard; if this role has changed or undergone a review in view of the matters outlined in the correspondence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55988/21]

View answer

Written answers

I am aware of the correspondence referred to.

Ireland currently has three Defence Forces personnel deployed in staff office posts at the Operational Headquarters (OHQ) of EUNAVFOR MED Operation IRINI in Rome. As of October 2021, 24 EU Member States contribute personnel to the mission.

Launched in March of 2020, the core task of EUNAVFOR MED Operation IRINI is to contribute to the implementation of the UN arms embargo on Libya. In June of this year, the UN Security Council renewed Resolution 2292 of 2016 which allows for the offshore inspection and port diversion of vessels suspected of breaching the UN arms embargo on Libya.

Along with the monitoring and gathering of information on illicit petroleum exports and contributing to the disruption of the business model of human smuggling and trafficking networks, supporting the capacity building and training of the Libyan Coast Guard and Navy (LCG&N) is a secondary task of the operation. However, no agreement has yet been concluded between Operation IRINI and the Libyan authorities for the delivery of the capacity building and training component.

United Nations

Questions (329)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

329. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Defence if the recent decision to extend the Army Ranger's deployment to Mali as part of the MINUSMA mission required the triple-lock and specifically Dáil Éireann approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55488/21]

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Written answers

The conditions under which the Defence Forces may participate on overseas peace support operations are set out in the Defence Acts. Where the Defence Forces contingent comprises part of an International United Nations Force, the conditions, known as the “triple lock”, must be satisfied. These are that the operation must be authorised/mandated by the United Nations; it must be approved by the Government; and it must be approved by way of a resolution of Dáil Éireann, where the size of a Defence Forces contribution is more than twelve personnel.

Having already been approved by Government, Dáil approval was received on 20 June 2019 for the deployment of a contingent of the Permanent Defence Forces, to serve with MINUSMA, the UN mission in Mali, when the following motion was approved:

That Dáil Éireann approves, pursuant to section 2 of the Defence (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 1960, as applied by section 2 of the Defence (Amendment) Act 2006, the deployment of a contingent of the Permanent Defence Force to MINUSMA, established under United Nations Security Council Resolution 2100 (2013) and extended in subsequent Resolutions and subject to renewal of the UN mandate/authority for the mission thereafter.

The current contribution to the mission comprises Army Ranger Wing Human Intelligence Teams and support staff located in Camp Castor in Gao and in MINUSMA HQ in Bamako.

Earlier this year, the Government approved the continued provision of up to 14 Defence Forces personnel, drawn primarily from the Army Range Wing to participate in MINUSMA, the United Nations led operation in Mali, up until 30 September 2022.

As Dáil approval has already been given in relation to the deployment of a contingent of the Permanent Defence Force to the MINUSMA mission, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Deence Acts, further Dáil approval is not necessary for the deployment of replacement contingents to the mission.

Defence Forces

Questions (330)

Thomas Gould

Question:

330. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied) who was refused entry to the Defence Forces due to a previous conviction and is awaiting contact from the Defence Forces in this regard. [55785/21]

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Written answers

The military authorities have advised that all applicants to the Defence Forces are required to pass the security vetting stage of the recruitment process. If a concern is highlighted, such as a previous offence, a disclosure is produced by An Gárda Síochána and issued by the Defence Forces to the applicant. The applicant is required to acknowledge that the disclosure pertains to them and that the particulars are correct. Upon completion of this process, a decision is made on the candidate's application and the candidate is informed.

I am further advised by the military authorities that the individual outlined in the details supplied with the question has been informed in the usual manner that they were unsuccessful in their application.

Defence Forces

Questions (331)

Jim O'Callaghan

Question:

331. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Defence the strength of the Permanent Defence Force as of 31 October 2021 or the latest date available; if he will provide a breakdown of all ranks across the three services and the gender breakdown of same in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56133/21]

View answer

Written answers

I am advised by the military authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force, as at 31 October 2021 is 8,572 whole-time equivalent personnel. The attached table shows the requested breakdown by rank, service, and gender.

The current staffing issues within the Defence Forces have been acknowledged and the Government remains committed to returning to and maintaining the agreed strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel as set out in the White Paper on Defence (2015).

A range of actions have been taken to address these issues which includes the projects undertaken to facilitate the implementation of the PSPC Report on Recruitment and Retention, most of which have been completed or are being considered in the context of wider public sector pay arrangements. Other measures include Service Commitment Schemes in the Air Corps, and the Naval Service in which additionally a sea-going naval personnel tax credit introduced in 2020, will be further extended into 2022.

Recruitment initiatives have been, and continue to be, undertaken and recruitment in 2021 has resulted in 577 inductions to date in 2021. The independent Commission on the Defence Forces is also examining a range of recruitment and retention matters and I look forward to receiving their recommendations.

am advised by the military authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force, as at 31 October 2021 is 8,572 whole-time equivalent personnel. The attached table shows the requested breakdown by rank, service, and gender.

The current staffing issues within the Defence Forces have been acknowledged and the Government remains committed to returning to and maintaining the agreed strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel as set out in the White Paper on Defence (2015).

A range of actions have been taken to address these issues which includes the projects undertaken to facilitate the implementation of the PSPC Report on Recruitment and Retention, most of which have been completed or are being considered in the context of wider public sector pay arrangements. Other measures include Service Commitment Schemes in the Air Corps, and the Naval Service in which additionally a sea-going naval personnel tax credit introduced in 2020, will be further extended into 2022.

Recruitment initiatives have been, and continue to be, undertaken and recruitment in 2021 has resulted in 577 inductions to date in 2021. The independent Commission on the Defence Forces is also examining a range of recruitment and retention matters and I look forward to receiving their recommendations.

Permanent Defence ForceWTE Strength

Defence Forces

Questions (332)

Jim O'Callaghan

Question:

332. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Defence the strength of the Reserve Defence Force as of 31 October 2021 or the latest date available; if he will provide a breakdown of all ranks across the three services and the gender breakdown of same in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56134/21]

View answer

Written answers

The Reserve Defence Force (RDF) is comprised of the First Line Reserve (FLR), the Army Reserve (AR) and the Naval Service Reserve (NSR).

The effective strength of the Army Reserve (AR) and Naval Service Reserve (NSR), as of 31 October 2021, are set out below:

Details of Army and Naval Reserves

Defence Forces

Questions (333)

Jim O'Callaghan

Question:

333. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Defence the number of overseas missions in which the Defence Forces are currently involved; the number of personnel involved in each mission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56135/21]

View answer

Written answers

As of 1 November 2021, Ireland is contributing 566 personnel to 9 different missions throughout the world. The main overseas missions in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 335 personnel and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Syria with 136 personnel. Ireland also contributes observers and staff to various United Nations and OSCE missions and personnel to staff appointments at UN, EU, NATO/PfP and OSCE headquarters.

Ireland has always been a strong supporter of the United Nations and UN Peacekeeping. Our commitment and support for the primary role of the United Nations, in the maintenance of international peace and security, is expressed in Ireland's long-standing tradition of participating in UN peacekeeping operations. This commitment is also expressed in our engagement in the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).

Full details of all personnel currently serving in missions overseas are listed in the tabular statement below.

MEMBERS OF THE PERMANENT DEFENCE FORCE SERVING OVERSEAS As of 1 November 2021

UN MISSIONS

UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) HQUNIFIL 118th Infantry BattalionUNIFIL Sector West HQ

113204

UNTSO (United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation) Israel & Syria

12

MINUSMA (United Nations mission in MALI)

14

MONUSCO (United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic of the Congo)

3

UNDOF (COS Staff/FHQ Staff - Camp Faouar - Bravo side)UNDOF 64th Infantry Group (Camp Faouar - Bravo side)

8128

TOTAL

500

UN MANDATED MISSIONS

EUFOR (EU-led Operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina)

5

EUTM Mali (EU-led Training Mission)

20

KFOR (International Security Presence in Kosovo) HQ

16

Naval Service EU Mission (Op Irini HQ)

3

TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONNEL SERVING WITH UN MISSIONS

544

ORGANISATION FOR SECURITY AND CO-OPERATION IN EUROPE (OSCE)

Staff Officer, High Level Planning Group, Vienna

1

EU MILITARY STAFF

Brussels

4

MILITARY REPRESENTATIVES/ADVISERS/STAFF

Military Adviser, Permanent Mission to UN, New York

3*

Military Adviser, Irish Delegation to OSCE, Vienna

1

Military Representative in PSC Delegation (Brussels)

8

Liaison Office of Ireland, NATO/PfP (Brussels)

3

EU OHQ Operation Althea, Mons, Belgium

1

Irish Liaison Officer to SHAPE & Military Co-Op Division, Mons, Belgium

1

TOTAL NUMBER OF DEFENCE FORCES PERSONNEL SERVING OVERSEAS

566

* Includes Major General Maureen O'Brien serving on secondment to the United Nations following her appointment by the UN as Deputy Military Advisor in the Office of Military Affairs, Department of Peace Operations

Defence Forces

Questions (334)

Sorca Clarke

Question:

334. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Defence the number of new applicants to the Defence Forces that were not offered enlistment due to below standard audiology results 2018, 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form. [56175/21]

View answer

Written answers

I am advised by the military authorities that it has not been possible to gather the information requested within the time allotted. I will revert to the Deputy when the information has been gathered.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
I refer to the above-referenced Parliamentary Questions and my original reply stating that it was not possible to provide the required information within the timeframe available.
The military authorities have now advised that where an applicant fails an initial audiology test, they are given the opportunity to repeat the test within a specified timeframe. Prior to the repeat test, where an external otoscopic examination is deemed warranted (for reasons such as infection etc), the applicant is redirected to their GP. Should the applicant fail the audiogram re-test, they are deemed to have failed their medical and thus their current application concludes.
The following table details the number of applicants to the Permanent Defence Force who failed their repeated audiology exam.

Year

Number of candidates

2018

5

2019

7

2020

5

2021*

3

*as at 23rd November 2021.

Defence Forces

Questions (335)

Sorca Clarke

Question:

335. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Defence the procedure when a potential Defence Forces recruit is asked to obtain an external audiology report in circumstances in which a new recruit presents for medical and a query is raised regarding the audiology result. [56176/21]

View answer

Written answers

I am advised by the military authorities that it has not been possible to provide the information requested within the time allotted. I will revert to the Deputy when the information has been received.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
I refer to the above-referenced Parliamentary Questions and my original reply stating that it was not possible to provide the required information within the timeframe available.
The military authorities have now advised that where an applicant fails an initial audiology test, they are given the opportunity to repeat the test within a specified timeframe. Prior to the repeat test, where an external otoscopic examination is deemed warranted (for reasons such as infection etc), the applicant is redirected to their GP. Should the applicant fail the audiogram re-test, they are deemed to have failed their medical and thus their current application concludes.
The following table details the number of applicants to the Permanent Defence Force who failed their repeated audiology exam.

Year

Number of candidates

2018

5

2019

7

2020

5

2021*

3

*as at 23rd November 2021.

National Educational Psychological Service

Questions (336)

Martin Kenny

Question:

336. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a breakdown of the allocation of educational psychologists and behavioural therapists at a school (details supplied) in each of the years 2010 to 2020 and to date in 2021; her views on whether the allocation is sufficient to address the needs of children attending the school; her plans in place to address a potential lack of allocation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55632/21]

View answer

Written answers

My Department’s National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) provides educational psychological support to all primary and post-primary schools including the school in question. This involves direct support in the event of a critical incident, access to national and regional support and development work to build school capacity to support students, access to a NEPS psychologist for responses to queries arising, and access to individual pupil casework where there is need via a NEPS psychologist or through the Scheme for the Commissioning of Psychological Assessments (SCPA).

NEPS, in common with many other psychological services and best international practice, has adopted a consultative model of service. The focus is on empowering teachers to intervene effectively with pupils whose needs range from mild to severe and transient to enduring. Psychologists use a problem solving and solution oriented consultative approach to maximise positive outcomes for these pupils. NEPS encourages schools to use a continuum based assessment and intervention process whereby each school takes responsibility for initial assessment, educational planning and remedial intervention for pupils with learning, emotional or behavioural difficulties. Teachers may consult their NEPS psychologist should they need to at this stage in the process. Only in the event of a failure to make reasonable progress, in spite of the school's best efforts in consultation with NEPS, will a psychologist become involved with an individual child for intensive intervention or assessment.

This system allows psychologists to give early attention to urgent cases and also to help many more children indirectly than could be seen individually. In relation to the school to which the Deputy refers, the NEPS North West/North Midlands Region (Sligo Team) provides a service to this school.

Special schools generally cater for children with the most complex needs. Accordingly, these schools have enhanced staffing levels with greatly reduced pupil: teacher and SNA staffing allocations. The provision of training and support for these schools is prioritised including access to training and post graduate programmes tailored to meeting the needs of children with complex needs. On an ongoing basis, these schools have access to the NCSE advisory support service which advises on children with the most complex needs including behavioural needs.

The Deputy may also be aware of the School Inclusion Model (SIM) which has been developed in collaboration with the Departments of Health; Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; the NCSE and the HSE.

The NCSE is currently piloting this new model in 75 schools in the CHO 7 area. As part of this new model, NCSE teams have been enhanced to include Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists and Behaviour Practitioners to support schools build capacity to include children with special educational needs. The evaluation of this pilot will inform future policy in this area.

School Staff

Questions (337, 338, 339)

Neasa Hourigan

Question:

337. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Education her plans to increase the pay scale of special needs assistants and in particular for those fully qualified as Irish Sign Language interpreters and teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55472/21]

View answer

Neasa Hourigan

Question:

338. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Education her plans to ensure all children who happen to be profoundly deaf have access to fully qualified in-classroom Irish Sign Language teachers and interpreters; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55473/21]

View answer

Neasa Hourigan

Question:

339. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Education her plans to provide support and resources to special needs assistants who wish to become fully qualified Irish Sign Language interpreters and teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55474/21]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 337 to 339, inclusive, together.

Very significant levels of financial provision are made to ensure that all children with special educational needs, including children who are deaf/hard of hearing, can be provided with an education appropriate to their needs.

The State currently spends approximately €2 Billion - almost a quarter - of its annual educational and training budget on making additional provision for children with special educational needs.

This represents an increase of over 60% in total expenditure since 2011, at which point €1.247 Billion per annum was provided.

Included in this provision is an extensive range of supports to assist students who are deaf or hard of hearing.

In line with the Department's policy that children with special educational needs access appropriate education intervention in mainstream settings where possible, many deaf or hard of hearing pupils are integrated into mainstream classes at primary and post-primary level, while other children who are deaf or hard of hearing and have more complex needs may attend special schools or classes, which have lower pupil teacher ratios.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) published the Comprehensive Review of the SNA Scheme on 30th May 2018 and the Government has noted the contents of the report. The report recommends that Irish Sign Language (ISL) qualified assistants should be put in place to support profoundly deaf students whose primary language is ISL and that this should be aligned to the requirements of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017. This recommendation is under consideration at present.

In the interim these posts are filled, on a case by case basis, through the NCSE to allocate an additional SNA post with appropriate ISL qualifications.

The Department of Education has allocated a post to a small number of schools who have students enrolled with significant hearing impairments as confirmed by professional reports.

The purpose of these posts is to enable these students attend school and access the curriculum and these staff are employed on similar terms and conditions to SNAs. There are no plans to change this interim arrangement.

Generally, as set out in Circular 0030/2014, when a school is recruiting an SNA, the board of management should ensure that the SNA recruited is equipped with the skills necessary to support the particular needs of the pupils for whom SNA support have been appointed.

The terms and conditions including pay of SNAs is determined centrally as part of a national process and it not something that can be addressed outside of these arrangements.

Planning is underway for the development of the schemes required under the Irish Sign Language Act 2017 in consultation with the NCSE. Arising from this work, any necessary amendments to current level of supports for students whose primary means of communication is ISL will be made.

Question No. 338 answered with Question No. 337.
Question No. 339 answered with Question No. 337.

School Staff

Questions (340)

Seán Fleming

Question:

340. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education if a school will be facilitated as the host of, and be a base for, a supply panel for substitute teachers for a number of schools in a location (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55510/21]

View answer

Written answers

As part of the COVID-19 supports provided to schools in 2020, additional funding of €41.2 million was allocated to provide primary schools with substitute staff.

This funding allowed for the expansion of the Substitute Teacher Supply Panel from a pilot scheme consisting of 6 base schools to 132 Substitute Teacher Supply Panels nationwide, with almost 380 newly appointed Supply Panel teachers employed, providing substitute cover to over 2,500 schools across the country.

The base schools were firstly identified in conjunction with the INTO and primary management bodies. The INTO and management bodies made contact with these schools with a view to being a base for that location.

In forming the Supply Panel clusters, my Department's GIS system identified the receiving schools based on distance from the base school. Teaching posts were allocated to each Supply Panel cluster based on the number of permanent teaching positions in the schools in the cluster and the distance to the base school.

My Department has further engaged with the education stakeholders on the issues raised about the current difficulty in accessing substitutes for teacher absences.

Among other measures, a review of the supply panels has taken place and approximately 100 additional teachers are being added to existing/new areas where significant challenges have been demonstrated in sourcing substitution. Posts have been allocated to the base schools to allow for the recruitment of additional staff immediately.

My Department will continue to keep this matter under review in collaboration with the education stakeholders.

Traveller Education

Questions (341)

Neasa Hourigan

Question:

341. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Education the timeline for the publication of the report on the review of the Traveller Education Strategy 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55526/21]

View answer

Written answers

In line with commitments given under the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy, my Department arranged for a review of the 2006 Report and Recommendations for a Traveller Education Strategy. It is anticipated that this review will be published shortly.

Traveller Education

Questions (342)

Neasa Hourigan

Question:

342. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Education the timeline for the publication of the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy pilot baseline review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55527/21]

View answer

Written answers

A pilot project aimed at improving Traveller and Roma attendance, participation and retention in schools is in place in four locations. The pilot is supported by funding from my Department and from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. The pilot has been developed in partnership between the Department of Education, Department of Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth, Tusla Education Support Service and Traveller organisations.

A baseline research report was commissioned to gain an understanding of the baseline context across the pilot sites. This baseline research report will also be taken into account as part of the overall evaluation of the pilot projects. It is anticipated that this baseline research report will be published shortly.

Traveller Education

Questions (343)

Neasa Hourigan

Question:

343. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Education the timeline for the publication of the research into the bullying of those from the Traveller community commissioned in 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55528/21]

View answer

Written answers

My Department commissioned a study on the effectiveness of the Department's anti-bullying guidelines and procedures on Traveller and Roma experiences in the school system.

A report has been developed by researchers at DCU’s National Anti-Bullying Research and Resource Centre. It is anticipated that this report will be published shortly.

School Transport

Questions (344)

Martin Browne

Question:

344. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to a situation with school transport affecting students from Knock, Roscrea, County Tipperary in which there is only one school bus available but students are being denied a ticket on the grounds of distance despite there being no other school bus service available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55535/21]

View answer

Written answers

School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2020/21 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.

The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school. Under the terms of my Department’s School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 3.2kms at primary and 4.8kms at post-primary and are attending their nearest School/Education Centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.

Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only. Concessionary transport is subject to a number of terms and conditions including the availability of spare seats on an existing service. The availability of concessionary transport may vary from year to year and cannot be guaranteed for the duration of a child’s education cycle. Routes will not be extended or altered, additional vehicles will not be introduced, nor will larger vehicles or extra trips using existing vehicles be provided to cater for children travelling on a concessionary basis.

Bus Éireann has advised that pupils from the Knock area, Roscrea are generally eligible for school transport to Scoil Mhuire, Lismackin, Co. Tipperary. Bus Éireann has confirmed that all eligible pupils who submitted an application and payment for transport to Scoil Mhuire within prescribed time limits have been facilitated on the service.

Bus Éireann has advised that there are currently two mainstream school transport services operating to Scoil Mhuire, Lismackin and both services are currently operating to capacity. One service operates with 21 eligible pupils and 12 concessionary pupils availing of the service. The second service operates with 19 eligible pupils and 6 concessionary pupils availing of the service.

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