Alan Farrell
Question:316. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the level of support being provided to persons facing extreme food scarcity in Madagascar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57117/21]
View answerForeign Policy
Questions (316)
Written answers
I am keenly aware of the food insecurity crisis in Madagascar, especially the dire situation in the south of the country where over 1.13 million people are facing acute food insecurity. This includes some 14,000 people facing famine-like conditions, and 500,000 children, aged 6 to 59 months suffering from acute malnutrition.
Ireland has so far provided €500,000 to the UN's World Food Programme in Madagascar for the provision of life-saving food for those most in need, in particular women and children. Ireland has also contributed €10 million in 2021 to the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund, which has in turn provided US$8 million to respond to the crisis in Madagascar in recent months.
My Department, through the Embassy of Ireland in Maputo and working closely with EU partners and with UN agencies, continues to monitor the situation, especially in light of the poor harvest and continuing drought.
Through our engagement at the upcoming Nutrition for Growth Summit in Japan, Ireland will continue to shine a light on the scourge of hunger and malnutrition, and advocate for collective action to prevent acute food insecurity such as Madagascar is currently experiencing.
Passport Services
Questions (317)
Michael Ring
Question:317. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will expedite the return of documents to a person (details supplied) which were attached to a passport application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57153/21]
View answerWritten answers
With regard to the specific passport application to which the Deputy refers, the Passport Service has returned the requested document.
Brexit Issues
Questions (318)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:318. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to issues faced by persons (details supplied) planning to enter Ireland via Belfast or Derry given the UK passenger locator form that does not allow for further travel; and if he will work to ensure the matter is addressed. [57252/21]
View answerWritten answers
It is not possible for me to comment on individual cases without further information as to the nature of the issues experienced by the individuals referred to by the Deputy. Officials in my Department have been in contact with the Deputy’s office to request more information and will review the issue further once received. I would like to set out the general position on Passenger Locator Form (PLF) requirements in the context of North-South travel. All passengers arriving into the state from overseas are required to complete an online COVID-19 PLF in accordance with SI 45 of 2021. There are limited exemptions from this requirement, as set out in the regulations. It is a mandatory requirement for passengers arriving in Ireland via Northern Ireland and who have been overseas in the 14 days prior to arrival in Ireland to complete a COVID-19 PLF. The form must also be filled out by those who arrive in Ireland to travel onwards to Northern Ireland.The UK authorities have also provided information for those travelling to Ireland from overseas via Northern Ireland. This guidance, which is available at the following link (www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/coronavirus-covid-19-travel-advice), advises that relevant passengers must fill out a UK PLF. Ireland and the UK have remained in close contact at political and official level on our respective approaches to managing travel in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, including in relation to PLF requirements. Engagement takes place on both a North-South and East-West basis and has been highly productive. We will continue to prioritise all aspects of this dialogue in the period ahead. More broadly, I want to see travel taking place within the CTA in as seamless a manner as possible, as soon as this is feasible and safe. The CTA plays a vital role in facilitating the way in which Irish and British people live, work and travel on and across these islands, and it will continue to underpin our bilateral relationship.
Question No. 319 answered with Question No. 309.
Foreign Policy
Questions (320)
Francis Noel Duffy
Question:320. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his engagement with both Presidents Herzog and Abbas on Israel’s designation of six Palestinian non-governmental organisations as terrorist organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57344/21]
View answerWritten answers
I made a statement on 27 October expressing my concern at these designations.
I raised the matter in my recent visit to the region, including in my meetings with President Herzog and Foreign Minister Lapid. My programme did not include a meeting with President Abbas on this occasion. I discussed the designations in my meetings with Palestinian Prime Minister Shtayyeh and Deputy Prime Minister Abu Amr.
Our partners in the EU are also aware of this matter, and have been in touch with the Israeli authorities to seek further clarification. As I have stated, in the absence of detailed evidence from the Israeli authorities to support the designations, Ireland will continue to support the organisations concerned.
Ireland has been active on this matter at the UN Security Council, and we supported the holding of a discussion on the designation and the recent settlement announcements at the Council on 8 November. We made a joint press statement following the meeting with EU Member States, France and Estonia, joined by Norway and Albania.
In this statement, we underlined our serious concern at this designation and the potential political, legal and financial consequences. This designation has the potential to impact, not only these six organisations, but civil society more broadly across the oPt and to seriously undermine vital humanitarian, development and human rights work.
Civil society organisations and human rights defenders play a critical role in promoting international law, peace, human rights and democratic values. Ireland is committed to funding civil society organisations and human rights defenders through the Irish Aid programme, including Palestinian civil society.
Ireland maintains a high level of oversight and are collectively and individually vigilant about governance and the potential misuse of funds. My Department has robust controls in place to ensure that funds are used or distributed as agreed. Its procedures are aligned to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform’s Public Spending Code.
In addition, my Department has an independent Evaluation and Audit Unit that provides objective assessment, assurance, advice and insight on governance, risk management and internal control.
Foreign Policy
Questions (321)
Francis Noel Duffy
Question:321. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of the situation in Ethiopia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57345/21]
View answerWritten answers
I am gravely concerned by the worsening situation in Tigray and other parts of Ethiopia, including the recent escalation in military operations and declaration of a state of emergency, all of which are magnifying the ongoing humanitarian crisis. These developments are deeply worrying for the people of Ethiopia, and raise questions regarding the stability of the Horn of Africa region as a whole.
Through our bilateral engagements, as well as within the European Union and at the UN Security Council, Ireland continues to advocate for urgent and unimpeded humanitarian access, a negotiated ceasefire, and political dialogue aimed at resolving the conflict.
I am alarmed by the conflict’s impact on civilians, including harrowing reports of widespread and ongoing sexual violence, and other serious violations and abuses of international human rights law and international humanitarian law. Accountability for violations of international law committed by all parties, including as described in the recent joint Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights/Ethiopian Human Rights Commission report, is essential.
There has been a shocking rise in hate speech, arbitrary arrests and detentions, including of UN staff, and other acts likely to fuel tensions. Human rights, democracy and fundamental freedoms are universal and inalienable values that States must uphold. No individual should be deprived of their liberty without legal authority, or without necessary procedural protections.
It is clear there can be no military solution to this crisis. I strongly support the efforts of African Union Envoy, former Nigerian President Obasanjo, and by President Kenyatta of Kenya to mediate a way forward.
Ireland has been to the fore of efforts to address the conflict at the Security Council. On 5 November, we secured agreement on the first Council statement in six months on the situation, which called for a cessation of hostilities and ceasefire negotiations, alongside respect of international humanitarian law, safe and unhindered humanitarian access, the re-establishment of public services, and the scaling up of humanitarian assistance.
We continue to push for a strong and constructive EU response to the crisis. At the Foreign Affairs Council in October and again last week, Minister Coveney emphasised the need to ensure humanitarian access, to halt the fighting, and to incentivise dialogue —including through possible use of restrictive measures if required.
As the government blockade continues, famine-like conditions are being reported in Tigray and over 6.5 million people in northern Ethiopia are in need of humanitarian assistance. To date, Ireland has provided over €4.4 million in humanitarian aid to Tigray and Amhara and for refugees in neighbouring Sudan. We will continue to prioritise humanitarian need while this crisis persists.
Passport Services
Questions (322)
Seán Sherlock
Question:322. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason for the long delay in the issuing of a passport in the case of a person (details supplied). [57404/21]
View answerWritten answers
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service cannot process an application until the required supporting documents have been received. The Passport Service has contacted the applicant directly and provided an update as to the steps they must take to progress their passport application.
Foreign Birth Registration
Questions (323)
Mick Barry
Question:323. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 413 of 9 September 2021, if he will report on the progress on allocation of further resources to reduce the processing times for applications to the foreign births register; the number of applications on the foreign births register system currently awaiting processing; the current processing time for applications; if applications by expectant parents will be prioritised given the potential impact on their children's citizenship in cases in which a parent is not registered prior to the birth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57499/21]
View answerWritten answers
The processing of Foreign Birth Registration resumed on 15th November and will be gradually scaling up in line with the recruitment of additional resources.
My Department is fully committed to allocating additional resources over the coming period to assist with the processing of the high volume of new applications anticipated and the 32,000 Foreign Birth Registration applications currently on hand. This will be a major challenge, but one that we are committed to achieving.
My Department is actively working with the Public Appointments Service to recruit and assign additional permanent and temporary staff in the coming weeks. This recruitment drive will bring total staffing at the Passport Service to 920 by the end of January 2022, effectively doubling the number of staff within six months. The Passport Service considers that these additional resources will greatly help to meet the needs of the Foreign Birth Registration teams who will be processing the applications currently on hand as well as dealing with incoming new applications.
Foreign Birth Registration applications are citizenship applications and, as in all jurisdictions, involve a complex and lengthy process. The Passport Service has a statutory responsibility to protect the integrity of this citizenship process. Accordingly, it has to assure very careful analysis takes place across its systems to verify both the identity of the applicant and their entitlement to Irish citizenship. Experienced staff at the Passport Service provide systematic, detailed and rigorous checks of all Foreign Birth Registration applications.
Demand for Foreign Birth Registration services reached unprecedented levels following the Brexit referendum in 2016. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the processing time for Foreign Birth Registration applications stood at 18 months.
Foreign Birth Registration applications that have been submitted to the Passport Service are being securely held and are now being processed in strict order based on date of receipt. The Passport Service is highly motivated to clear the current backlog as soon as possible and to return to pre-Covid-19 processing times. However, it is challenging to predict what pent-up demand has built up while the service has been paused. Due to the complex nature of the Foreign Birth Registration and the pause in the Service due to the Covid-19 restrictions, applicants are being advised that they should allow approximately 2 years for processing of Foreign Birth Registration applications at this time.
The Foreign Birth Registration teams have worked since the pandemic began to consider all urgent requests to expedite applications on a case by case basis, for example applications from expectant parents, or stateless persons. Over 5,000 emergency Foreign Birth Registration applications have been processed in 2021. In cases of exceptional urgency FBR applicants may continue to contact the Passport Service directly.
Departmental Funding
Questions (324)
Carol Nolan
Question:324. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the funding provided to organisations (details supplied) from 2011 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57533/21]
View answerWritten answers
Amnesty International Ireland is the Irish branch of the international non-Governmental organisation, Amnesty International. Amnesty International Ireland uses human rights education to encourage the development of skills and attitudes that will promote equality, dignity, and respect, both in the community and internationally.
The Department of Foreign Affairs has provided funding to Amnesty International Ireland through the Irish Aid international development cooperation programme. This was drawn from the Irish Aid development and global citizenship education grants scheme, as well as via our World Wise Global School programme for post-primary schools. The monies were used to support human rights education, including through the “Rights Sparks” continuous professional development (CPD) course for primary school teachers in development education and human rights. Irish Aid does not provide funding to Amnesty International at global level.
The amounts provided to Amnesty International Ireland, directly from Irish Aid and via the Worldwide Global Schools Programme between 2011 and 2021 are set out below:
|
Year |
Amount € |
Grant Type |
|
2011 |
€47,000 |
Development Education |
|
2012 |
€77,531 |
Development Education |
|
2013 |
€50,000 |
Development Education |
|
2013 |
€13,444 |
Development Education (WWGS) |
|
2014 |
€50,000 |
Development Education |
|
2015 |
€45,000 |
Development Education |
|
2016 |
€40,000 |
Development Education |
|
2018 |
€28,000 |
Development Education (WWGS) |
|
2019 |
€18,000 |
Development Education (WWGS) |
|
2020 |
€21,500 |
Development Education (WWGS) |
|
2021 |
€21,700 |
Development Education (WWGS) |
Passport Services
Questions (325)
Michael Ring
Question:325. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason an online adult passport application by a person (details supplied) took 57 working days to be checked by the Passport Office; the way in which this application can be progressed in view of the circumstances in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57630/21]
View answerWritten answers
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service cannot process an application until the required supporting document has been received. The Passport Service has contacted the applicant directly and provided an update as to the steps they must take to progress their passport application.
Of the online applications that are currently with the Passport Service for processing, approximately 7% are past the estimated issue-by date. These applications are being prioritised by the Passport Service who are working very hard to eliminate these delays.
Civil Defence
Questions (326)
Pauline Tully
Question:326. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Defence the reason the transportation service to hospital appointments for persons with no transportation options which was being provided by voluntary organisations such as the Civil Defence was recently discontinued given the high and rising Covid-19 incidence rate and that fact that the majority of the persons using this service were elderly and therefore at high risk from Covid-19; his plans to reintroduce this service now that it has been felt necessary to reintroduce some restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57423/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of Defence is responsible for the development of Civil Defence at national level. In this context my Department provides policy direction, centralised training through the Civil Defence College, administrative support, guidance and centralised procurement of certain items of uniform and equipment in support of local authority Civil Defence efforts.
The local authorities have operational responsibility for Civil Defence. There is a Civil Defence Unit in each local authority area. Civil Defence services are delivered through the Civil Defence Officer (CDO) of the relevant Local Authority for that area and the CDO is a full time employee of the local authority.
The decision of a Civil Defence Unit to provide or to discontinue a particular service is ultimately a matter for each local authority. The Minister for Defence has no role in the day to day management of local Civil Defence Units.
Notwithstanding the above, I understand that, given the current heightened public health concerns, the Department of Housing have recently requested the Local Authorities ensure that Community Callhelpline numbers are open so that, if there are people in need of support, they can access help locally.
Civil Defence
Questions (327)
Niamh Smyth
Question:327. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Defence if he will review a service for a person (details supplied); if this service will be reinstated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56910/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of Defence is responsible for the development of Civil Defence at national level. In this context my Department provides policy direction, centralised training through the Civil Defence College, administrative support, guidance and centralised procurement of certain items of uniform and equipment in support of local authority Civil Defence efforts.
The local authorities have operational responsibility for Civil Defence. There is a Civil Defence Unit in each local authority area. Civil Defence services are delivered through the Civil Defence Officer (CDO) of the relevant Local Authority for that area and the CDO is a full time employee of the local authority.
The decision of a Civil Defence Unit to provide or to discontinue a particular service is ultimately a matter for each local authority. The Minister for Defence has no role in the day to day management of local Civil Defence Units.
Notwithstanding the above, I understand that, given the current heightened public health concerns, the Department of Housing have recently requested the Local Authorities ensure that Community Callhelpline numbers are open so that, if there are people in need of support, they can access help locally.
Civil Defence
Questions (328)
Richard Bruton
Question:328. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Defence if there has been a change in policy regarding the Civil Defence being deployed to transport vulnerable persons to health appointments in situations in which the next of kin are front-line health workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56965/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of Defence is responsible for the development of Civil Defence at national level. In this context my Department provides policy direction, centralised training through the Civil Defence College, administrative support, guidance and centralised procurement of certain items of uniform and equipment in support of local authority Civil Defence efforts.
The local authorities have operational responsibility for Civil Defence. There is a Civil Defence Unit in each local authority area. Civil Defence services are delivered through the Civil Defence Officer (CDO) of the relevant Local Authority for that area and the CDO is a full time employee of the local authority.
The decision of a Civil Defence Unit to provide or to discontinue a particular service is ultimately a matter for each local authority. The Minister for Defence has no role in the day to day management of local Civil Defence Units.
Notwithstanding the above, I understand that, given the current heightened public health concerns, the Department of Housing have recently requested the Local Authorities ensure that Community Callhelpline numbers are open so that, if there are people in need of support, they can access help locally.
Defence Forces
Questions (329)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:329. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Defence the targets the Defence Forces have for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and 2050. [57076/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Government launched the Climate Action Plan 2021 on Thursday 4th November – an ambitious plan to put Ireland on a more sustainable path, cutting emissions, creating a cleaner, greener economy and society and protecting us from the devastating consequences of climate change. The Plan sets a roadmap for taking decisive action to halve our emissions by 2030 and set us on a pathway to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by no later than 2050, as committed to in the Programme for Government and set out in our Climate Act 2021.
In order to achieve this, the Defence Forces are implementing plans to achieve a 7% year on year reduction in energy consumption. These ambitious targets will be achieved by each service of the Defence Forces playing it’s part.
The Defence Forces are striving to achieve a 51% reduction in CO2 emission against a baseline of the average 2016-2018.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (330)
Matt Shanahan
Question:330. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Education the process in relation to the return of testing and tracing within the education system and the way that will impact on the school environment both in primary and secondary educational facilities; if testing and tracing will be reinstated for those who are close contacts of positive cases within the school environment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57037/21]
View answerWritten answers
The approach to supporting schools to operate safely during Covid-19 has been to follow and implement public health advice. Public Health advice remains that asymptomatic children are at low risk for transmission. Schools are controlled settings and the approach to contact tracing is risk-based in relation to the setting, age-group and the existence of other preventive measures. Public Health doctors have advised that the on the ground experience has been and remains that schools are relatively low risk environments and have not been a driver of transmission in children over the course of the pandemic. The household setting is the highest risk for transmission.
Unvaccinated people of all ages who are household contacts of a case must restrict movements (and stay out of work or school) for 10 days and have a PCR test at day 0 and day 10.
As of the 27th September 2021, a decision was taken by Government in line with recommendations from NPHET to cease routine contact tracing of asymptomatic close contacts in children older than 3 months to under 13 years outside of the household setting, including those attending primary educational and childcare settings. Contact tracing continues for those over 13 years, including those attending post primary schools.
If there are particular outbreaks of concern in educational facilities, Public Health teams will continue to provide support to schools should it be required and testing will remain available more broadly to children should it be required on public health or clinical grounds or following a Public Health Risk Assessment (PHRA), especially in special education settings.
It remains very important to ensure no-one with new acute symptoms attend class, and that all recommended infection prevention and control measures are in place in line with school Covid response plans.
The Department of Health and the HSE, working in collaboration with the Department of Education has announced last week a programme in which antigen tests will be made available to children in primary schools. These arrangements will not apply to staff in schools or children in post primary schools as existing contact tracing continues for those over 13 years.
Parents and Guardians of a primary school child, who is a confirmed case of COVID-19 following a PCR test, are asked to inform their school’s principal. The school principal will then inform the parents of other children in the pod of a confirmed case. No personal details of the child will be shared. These parents will be provided with the option to receive free antigen tests for their child, which they will be able to order for delivery to their home.
It is important that parents inform principals quickly if a child receives a PCR ‘detected’ test for Covid-19. By doing this, the choice to participate in antigen testing can be offered to other parents quickly. It is important that everyone continues to follow all the public health advice in using this new programme
It is not mandatory for children to participate in antigen testing. Children who are in a pod where a child has tested positive for Covid-19 can continue to attend school, whether they participate in antigen testing or not.
School principals will not be required to gather evidence of participation or of any antigen test results. Information materials for parents has been shared with schools and publicised directly to parents and this programme will commence shortly.
State Examinations
Questions (331)
Richard Bruton
Question:331. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education if she will make arrangements for a hybrid examination for the leaving certificate in 2022 mirroring the approach which was taken in 2021 in view of the continuing anxiety and disruption to study through student or teacher absences. [56892/21]
View answerWritten answers
The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations.
In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
Education Schemes
Questions (332)
Michael Lowry
Question:332. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education the status of an application by a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56906/21]
View answerWritten answers
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that funding was approved under the Department's Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme to enable the school in question to build a two-classroom SEN base. This project was approved to Tender in August 2021. Subsequent to this approval, the school sought to incorporate a Summers Works Scheme (SWS) project into this tendering process.
The school was approved funding under my Departments Summer Works Scheme (SWS) under Category 10 - External Environment. The school subsequently forwarded a tender report which contained a different scope of works than the approved level and at a costing which was well in excess of the grant aid provided. The school was advised to scale back the scope of works to match the original application; the school has submitted additional documentation, which is currently under review by the Summer Works and Additional Accommodation teams.
In the interim, a site visit from a member of the SWS team along with a member of the Department's Professional & Technical team is currently being arranged with a view to assessing a proposal in respect of the car park.
School Accommodation
Questions (333)
Aindrias Moynihan
Question:333. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Education the number of new schools established in each county in each of the past ten years in tabular form; the number that opened in temporary accommodation on a temporary site; the number in which permanent sites have since been identified and secured; the number that are now located on a permanent site in temporary and permanent accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56922/21]
View answerWritten answers
The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available in the format requested. However, the information available is being collated by my Department and will be made available to the Deputy shortly.
School Accommodation
Questions (334)
Johnny Guirke
Question:334. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Education the measures in place to accommodate pupils of a school (details supplied) in the short term; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56936/21]
View answerWritten answers
My Department is aware of increasing pressures and demand for school places in a number of school planning areas including Trim.
However, it is important to note that where enrolment pressures arise, it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:
- Duplication of applications – pupils have applied for a place to a number of schools in the area
- School of choice – pupils can’t get a place in their preferred school while there are places in other schools in the town/area
- Some towns/areas have single sex schools and while places are available in the school they are not available to all pupils
- External draw – pupils coming from outside the local area
My Department is working to establish the true extent of any capacity issues through ongoing discussions with the relevant school authorities. In that context, similar to the process adopted in advance of the current academic year, my Department is engaging with patron bodies, including those of schools in Trim, to identify particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming year(s) which may necessitate further action to that already in train
As the Deputy may be aware, my Department has the following major building works planned to assist in the process of providing additional second level places:
- Boyne Community School - 91508C - Major Project to provide an LTPE of 1200 students and 4 SEN base - Architectural design stage. The school has also received grant aid for the provision of interim accommodation to accommodate the increase in enrolments between now and the completion of the build. This project was completed in June 2021.
- Scoil Mhuire - 64450R - Major Project to provide an LTPE of 1000 students and 2 SEN classes - project brief stage
School Admissions
Questions (335)
Johnny Guirke
Question:335. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Education the plans and schedules in place to ensure second-level capacity in Trim, County Meath matches the primary-level capacity in order to eliminate the lack of second-level places for pupils; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56937/21]
View answerWritten answers
In order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System, using data from a range of sources, including Child Benefit and school enrolment data, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise and where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.
The most recent analysis undertaken by my Department projects that over 60% of the 314 school planning areas at primary level have stable or decreasing projected enrolments for the period to 2024, whereas some 90% of the school planning areas at post-primary level are anticipated to have increased enrolments for the period to 2027.
The level of demand volume across school planning areas with an increasing net requirement ranges from small to medium increases that are likely to be accommodated by existing schools through to significant projected growth that may require additional provision.
Where data indicates that additional provision is required at primary or post primary level, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may be provided through either one, or a combination of, the following:
- Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,
- Extending the capacity of a school or schools,
- Provision of a new school or schools.
Where capacity issues arise it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:
- Duplication of applications – pupils have applied for a place to a number of schools in the area School of choice – pupils can’t get a place in their preferred school while there are places in other schools in the town/area
- Some towns/areas have single sex schools and while places are available in the school they are not available to all pupils
- External draw – pupils coming from outside the local area
Until these issues are discussed with the relevant school authorities the true extent of any capacity issue will only become known. Similar to the process adopted in advance of the current academic year, the Department is engaging with school patron bodies to identify particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming year 2022/23 which may necessitate action including, where required, the provision of modular accommodation solutions. This engagement with Patrons is ongoing and is focussed on ensuring that the start of the 2022/23 school year operates as smoothly as possible for all schools and their students.